Are you wondering if a cruise ship is an appropriate venue for your business event? Check out the May 2010 issue of Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine. It includes a feature story by Andrea Montello, “All-Inclusives – The Smart Choice, Now More Than Ever”. The writer interviewed Seasite CEO Jo Kling, who shared why a cruise ship is a strong value-added option for meetings. We couldn’t agree more.

In her article, Ms. Montello reminds readers that now is the time for meeting and event planners to capitalize on the value-added features of a cruise: included meals, activities, entertainment, meeting space and AV. So true! Jo referred the journalist to our cost comparison chart that clearly demonstrates how a meeting at sea can save 20 to 40 percent when compared to a comparable land venue.

Ms. Montello also notes that cruises make a planner’s job much easier, a fact our corporate clients can attest to. With no menus to plan, entertainers to hire, spouse programs to cost out and organize, or transfers to arrange for outings, a cruise program once again saves valuable time and dollars.

We are happy that the article also includes a case-study of a Microsoft conference that Landry & Kling planned and executed on the Disney Wonder. Our client from Microsoft told us that the all-inclusive nature of the cruise made it extremely cost-effective. In fact, those going to another computer science conference at a land-based property spent twice as much as those sailing on the Disney ship.

Here’s an excerpt from Andrea Montello’s article:

A floating conference, complete with games, appearances by Minnie, Mickey, and Goofy, is more popular than ever, even in this era when price and perception are paramount. Miami-based Landry & Kling, a company that has been focusing on meetings and incentives aboard cruise ships since 1982, handled the program.

The Fourth International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games was held April 26–30, 2009 aboard the Disney Wonder and was completely sold out. Approximately 400 attended from 33 countries.

Read the full article: TheMeetingMagazines

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