Corporate Travel Destinations

In a recent blog article posted by Cvent entitled, Caribbean Incentive Travel: Summer Travel Benefits, the top 10 reasons why the Caribbean is a great destination for summer incentive travel are outlined.  While all those are valid reasons, I thought it would be interesting to raise the idea a notch by providing the top 10 benefits to CRUISING the Caribbean for Summer Incentive Travel.

So, here goes:

1.     Lower Cruise Fares – Many cruise lines offer summer deals and specials.
2.    Ability to Visit Different Islands – Why stay put in one resort when you have the whole Caribbean to explore?
3.    No Need to Unpack Several Times – Do it once and you’re free to enjoy the rest of your trip as you island hop.
4.    Activities to Suit All Ages – Whether its the adrenaline rush of the exciting Zip Line ride, surfing the day away on a Surf Simulator or brushing up on your golf skills, there’s something for level of desired activity for any age (also included in the fare!!).  Kid’s Clubs allow for some parental downtime and a variety of spa services are also available on board (spa services are separate).
5.    Meeting Facilities and Event Venues are FREE to Reserve – While resort hotels may discount them during the summer months, on a cruise ship they’re always FREE!
6.    Variety of Dining Options – With multiple restaurants to choose from included in the fare (and some additional exclusive options available for a nominal charge), you’ll never be bored at meal time.
7.    Beat the Summer Heat- What better way to get away from the city heat than to sit back and enjoy the tropical breezes and breath-taking beauty of the Caribbean.
8.    Air Travel More Affordable and Convenient to US Ports – Many airlines have frequent and reasonable flights to cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale where cruise ships board, rather than paying a premium to fly directly to an island and having limited flight options.
9.    Expansive Selection of Entertainment Choices – Enjoy a Broadway-class show, dance the night away in one of the many lounges and clubs or partake in deck-side festivities, there’s always something exciting to do on board and once again, included in the fare!!!!

And the last and probably most AMAZING…

10.    Fabulous Sunsets from the Middle of the Ocean-  Truly a sight to behold as you stand on deck and marvel at nature’s wonder while the skies are painted in hues of pinks and oranges.  It’s a view that simply can’t compare to land-locked sunsets.

There are many different companies offering cruise meetings and cruise events, which means that consumers actually have a choice. This might not be immediately obvious as many people still consider cruise meetings to be an alternative meeting format. Despite this common misconception, there are a few things that one needs to consider when evaluating different cruise lines: What is their focus? Some cruise lines handle cruise meetings but have a focus on specific aspects or target audiences.

• Where do the cruises go? Not all cruise liners travel to all parts of the world. If certain locations are important then there is going to be a limitation placed on the available cruise lines to meet business needs. Fewer choices tends to drive price up.
• Do they charter? Some cruise lines offer chartering of small, medium, and even full-sized cruise liners for the right amount of money. Chartering cruise liners can actually be surprisingly affordable for businesses with the means, especially compared to the alternatives.
• What are the meeting facilities like? Most cruise liners have meeting facilities, though space is always at a premium aboard a vessel at sea. This means that larger meetings need to be held in dining halls, theaters, and other rooms. Sometimes this can be the perfect invitation for unique meeting formats, so be willing to be flexibile.

While organizing an meeting at sea for your next corporate travel destination, you may choose to take into consideration the prospect of including a stop on a private island as part of your tour. Some cruise lines now offer ports of call to private islands, usually in the Caribbean, as a portion of their cruise itinerary. Despite the fact that the cost of food, beverages, water sports equipment and other items will generally always cost more on a private island than they would at a conventional stop for an onshore excursion while in port, there are many good advantages to selecting cruise lines that include destinations at private islands.

Private islands may at times be populated with other vacationers, but they are not full with con artists or pickpockets, as are some public beaches, which delivers a more enjoyable setting for your attendees. Security is always there to safeguard that visitors will have no qualms about being mugged or having their belongings taken if they turn their backs, and your attendees can rest assured that the beaches will be impeccably clean and always pristine. Banana boat rides, scuba diving, snorkeling, massage and spa services, beverage bars and cafes are common features on private islands, making them an excellent pick for day-long beach entertainment, and possibly even organized events, depending on what type of agreement you can negotiate with the cruise company.

A cruise meeting is one of the most excellent ideas if you really want to motivate employees. Your meeting attendees will never forget the delight of stopping at several alluring destinations and just unpacking one time. Additionally to increasing attendance, incentives like an all inclusive incentive cruise will be much easier on the incentive travel budget, too.

Cruise meetings can save up to 40 percent over a land-based hotel venue, and extend fabulous onboard facilities and dining choices. Also, cruise ships are now being designed with meetings in mind, e.G. Dedicated meeting facilities, cutting-edge technology, flexible public spaces and roomy theaters that can often accommodate as many as 1,600 people. With most cruise lines, conference space and A/V equipment are complimentary, and the dedicated meeting facilities extend groups more privacy and technology.

Venues like a cruise ship's fabulous show lounges, comedy clubs, and culinary centers can stimulate creative thinking and team building. And there is no shortage of fun activities and challenging sports facilities for your incentive group to take part in between meetings, offering tons of motivational appeal (and bragging rights) for event participants of every age.

An all inclusive incentive cruise can save you up to 40% compared to hotel venues since so much is included. Meals, meeting rooms, A/V, coffee breaks, activities, entertainment and even room service are part of the all-inclusive cruise fare.

While organizing an meeting at sea for your next corporate travel destination, you may choose to take into consideration the prospect of including a stop on a private island as part of your tour. Some cruise lines now offer ports of call to private islands, usually in the Caribbean, as a portion of their cruise itinerary. Despite the fact that the cost of food, beverages, water sports equipment and other items will generally always cost more on a private island than they would at a conventional stop for an onshore excursion while in port, there are many good advantages to selecting cruise lines that include destinations at private islands.

Private islands may at times be populated with other vacationers, but they are not full with con artists or pickpockets, as are some public beaches, which delivers a more enjoyable setting for your attendees. Security is always there to safeguard that visitors will have no qualms about being mugged or having their belongings taken if they turn their backs, and your attendees can rest assured that the beaches will be impeccably clean and always pristine. Banana boat rides, scuba diving, snorkeling, massage and spa services, beverage bars and cafes are common features on private islands, making them an excellent pick for day-long beach entertainment, and possibly even organized events, depending on what type of agreement you can negotiate with the cruise company.

A cruise meeting is one of the most excellent ideas if you really want to motivate employees. Your meeting attendees will never forget the delight of stopping at several alluring destinations and just unpacking one time. Additionally to increasing attendance, incentives like an all inclusive incentive cruise will be much easier on the incentive travel budget, too.

Cruise meetings can save up to 40 percent over a land-based hotel venue, and extend fabulous onboard facilities and dining choices. Also, cruise ships are now being designed with meetings in mind, e.G. Dedicated meeting facilities, cutting-edge technology, flexible public spaces and roomy theaters that can often accommodate as many as 1,600 people. With most cruise lines, conference space and A/V equipment are complimentary, and the dedicated meeting facilities extend groups more privacy and technology.

Venues like a cruise ship's fabulous show lounges, comedy clubs, and culinary centers can stimulate creative thinking and team building. And there is no shortage of fun activities and challenging sports facilities for your incentive group to take part in between meetings, offering tons of motivational appeal (and bragging rights) for event participants of every age.

An all inclusive incentive cruise can save you up to 40% compared to hotel venues since so much is included. Meals, meeting rooms, A/V, coffee breaks, activities, entertainment and even room service are part of the all-inclusive cruise fare.

All companies struggle with the challenge of finding the ideal client appreciation gifts for the customers and clients who have helped them reach their sales goals or grow their business throughout the year. Smaller companies often opt for branded merchandise, gift certificates or other small gifts; however, this is really not an option for companies that cater to high-end clientele or provide upscale services. While branded merchandise or gift certificates may be included in your client appreciation package, they need to be coupled with a memorable appreciation gift that will appeal to clients with high disposable incomes.

This falls into the category of trying to find the perfect gift for the person who has everything, since your high-end clients are likely able to easily acquire items of interest to them. This being the case, providing your clients with an experience, rather than a tangible gift, is most often the best option. With this in mind, it is easy to see why upscale, luxury cruises are an ideal option for thanking your high-end clients. The key to making client appreciation cruises truly appealing to clients who can take a cruise whenever they like – and probably have – is to ensure that they will have a memorable experience that shows that your company truly put thought into providing a remarkable gift to show your appreciation.

You can do this by selecting one of the top cruise lines, opting for cruises that are at least 5-7 days in length and including luxury extras, such as spa treatments, excursions, personalized travel products and pillow gifts.

You can easily compare top cruise lines and their offerings by visiting Seasite.com and using the convenient group cruise planning tools available.

When planning an incentive cruise for your next corporate travel destination, you may want to take into consideration the possibility of including time on a private island. Several cruise lines now offer trips to private islands, particularly in the Caribbean, as part of their cruise itinerary. While the cost of food, beverages, water sports equipment and other items will almost always cost more on a private island than they would at a typical location for an onshore excursion while in port, there are many luxurious benefits to opting for cruise lines that include stops at private islands.

Private islands may be populated with other tourists, but they are not filled with hustlers or pickpockets, as are some public beaches, which creates a more relaxing situation for visitors. Security is always present to ensure that visitors will have no worries about being mugged or having their belongings stolen as soon as they turn their backs, and visitors can rest assured that the beaches will be spotlessly clean and always pristine. Banana boat rides, scuba diving, snorkeling, massage and spa services, beverage bars and cafés are common offerings on private islands, making them an ideal choice for day-long beach parties, and possibly even organized events, depending on what kind of deal you can negotiate with the cruise line.

The Cyclades (or Kyklades) are a group of islands within the greater group of Greek Islands. These are the Greek Islands of the travel posters with the white Mediterranean-style architecture situated above pristine beaches surrounded by the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.

Make no mistake, these scenic islands are known the world over for their historic beauty, temperate climate and exciting ambiance. With that fame comes crowds, and in high season this is not the place to find a secluded retreat. This is; however, the place for people who know how to enjoy life. And for those people, the islands of The Cyclades are well worth the crowds.

The Islands of Santorini, Paros and Mykonos are excellent first-time visitor destinations and corporate travelers will find plenty of facilities for events or meetings. But on these islands, there are also plenty of opportunities for fun. The summers are hot with a bit of wind in August and September, so the beaches are full of sun worshipers. In the evenings most people go to the local taverns to sit and enjoy a drink while gazing on the beauty that surrounds them. There are regular ferries running between the islands and island hopping is a must for a Greek Islands trip.  In addition there are great Greek Island cruises that would be a perfect addition to your corporate meeting schedule or incentive travel package.  Many cruise lines offer itineraries to popular Greek Islands, so planners may want to consider booking an incentive cruise.  The group cruise planning tool at Seasite.com is the only online tool that will give you access to all cruise lines when sourcing a cruise.

Incentive travel planners who work with corporate groups are faced with clients who just don’t have a large budget to spend, these days. Smaller businesses are trying to cut out luxuries with the hope that no one will say anything, and larger companies–especially those who accepted bailout money–are trying to regain an image of competence and frugality. Incentive travel is a scary proposition for them both.

Enter the incentive cruise. These are often much more affordable choices for people who love to travel in general, and could be your answer to the problem of affordable incentive travel. Why? Because cruises are relaxing, cruise lines have expanded their ports of call, and a cruise is typically all inclusive.  A cruise can save you as much as 40% compared to a land based hotel venue because almost everything is included. Meals, meeting rooms, A/V, coffee breaks, activities, entertainment and even room service are part of the all-inclusive cruise fare. You spend nothing more for linens, florals, lighting, labor or state/city taxes, which saves your client money and gives you time to devote to your business agenda and attendees.

You may also save yourself some headaches other than financial ones. If you have a small incentive travel group that is from a foreign culture, you might consider a cruise that will appeal to that culture. For instance, let’s pretend Irish music and culture has become all the rage in Eastern Europe. You have been hired to find a cruise for a group of Eastern European business people. Your logical choice will include Ireland, and expand to the other British Isles if there is time just for a bonus.

Cruises can, indeed, be a port in this financial storm the world is in right now. Next time you are trying to find an affordable incentive travel program, take a few minutes and check the cruise lines.  The best place to start is Seasite.com – The Online Cruise Meeting Marketplace

Seasite.com makes it easy to plan an all inclusive incentive cruise.

• One Site – All Cruise Brands
• Puts Cruise Sourcing on Par with Hotel Site Selection
• E-RFP Streamlines the Entire Process
• 24/7 Access to Global Cruise Opportunities for Groups
• Pricing is the Same as Buying Direct
• Impartial and Objective

If you are planning a business incentive travel package, make it easy for yourself and delight your attendees when you go to Seasite.com and start sourcing an incentive cruise package.

The swine flu, more correctly called H1N1, has hit the travel industry hard. There doesn’t appear to be any destination that hasn’t reported some cases of H1N1. Predictions of a widespread resurgence of the flu inspired many economically wealthy countries to donate 10% of their stockpile of H1N1 to poorer countries. People in these countries will suffer the most in the event of another outbreak of this strain of influenza.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) now encourages tourists to resume their travel plans, taking a few common sense precautions. Include a basic medical kit in your luggage and get the normal seasonal flu shot as well the H1N1 vaccine if you are in a high-risk group. Increase your travel insurance if you’re going overseas. Check the policy over carefully, making sure that you have coverage against pandemic diseases.

Your best defense is common sense. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially during flu season and don’t overuse bacterial disinfectants. They are useless against viruses.

Travel plans can change dramatically if H1N1 rears its ugly head. Last year cruise lines were not obligated to grant refunds when itineraries changed and most airlines have no written refund guarantees in the event of another outbreak.

If you are looking for a top-notch group travel choice that is both easy and affordable, look no farther than the As in your phone book–Aruba. Prized for the accommodations, food, nightlife, and local customs, there is another reason seasoned meeting professionals keep coming back to Aruba for their incentive travel needs. The tiny island paradise is so friendly that the hotels and other businesses help each other help the visitor. If one hotel can’t help you make arrangements, they will send you to someone who can, even if it is a competitor.

This makes Aruba the perfect choice not only for incentive groups, but also for meetings, conventions, continuing education conferences, and many other groups that meeting planners encounter in their daily lives. Here are some other advantages to booking events in Aruba.

Accessibility. Aruba is located in the Caribbean, so it’s a short flight from the southeast United States airports. Aruba is also a popular port of call for cruise lines, so if you are considering a cruise meeting, you could include a stop in Aruba as part of the plans. Continue reading »