| Corporate boat cruises are gaining popularity as an | | | | most companies. Most of these ships have |
| alternative for corporations who hold large meetings | | | | state-of-the-art equipment installed including radio, |
| away from headquarters. These cruises are | | | | television, and global positioning equipment. Interior |
| comparable in price with renting meeting space at | | | | designs in many cruise ships are as elegant as most |
| hotels and in many cases offer more in the way of | | | | modern hotels. These ships have two full bathrooms |
| amenities. This article will look at some of those | | | | to accommodate its minimum capacity. |
| options. | | | | The cost of a small cruise ship compared to hotel |
| If you research corporate boat cruises into any | | | | facilities is close. The cruise ship is a few hundred |
| search engine and you will find dozens of companies | | | | dollars more but many of the extras that you would |
| vying for your business. Overall, they are pretty | | | | pay a hotel are included in the cruise package making |
| much the same with the exception of some pricing | | | | it the better value. Just like hotels, pricing ranges |
| and a variation in the amenities offered. There are | | | | from cruise company to cruise company. On average, |
| also companies who specialize in yacht rentals that | | | | $1.000 to $4.000 is about standard depending on the |
| may meet the same need. Most of the cruise and | | | | length of the cruise and the entertainment or dining |
| yacht companies are willing to negotiate a price | | | | package included. |
| should you have special needs or requests. | | | | Virtually every corporate boat cruise business has an |
| There are many reasons large corporations would | | | | event manager that you will speak with when |
| book a cruise ship or yacht. Business meeting held on | | | | inquiring. This person will guide you through the entire |
| a ship or yacht are sure to impress any client. Many | | | | process from your first contact to the actual |
| cruise ships have all the amenities of a hotel including | | | | experience. These professional salespersons are |
| a meeting room, telecommunications, fax and | | | | highly trained and very good at making sure you get |
| presentation equipment, and food service. These can | | | | the most bang for your buck. They specialize in |
| be rented by the day, week, or leased into the | | | | hospitality and corporate events right down to the |
| companies fleet of transportation. | | | | details of what food is served, staffing, and |
| A great way to get top performance from your | | | | destination planning. |
| team is to offer an incentive. A full day or even a | | | | After reviewing dozens of cruise ship lines that |
| half-day on a Cruise ship or yacht will bring out the | | | | specialize in small and medium corporate boat cruises, |
| best in your sales force. The office Christmas party | | | | I realized that it would be very difficult to pick one |
| takes on a completely new meaning when everyone | | | | and the process would be a long one. It would be a |
| gets together on a small cruise boat and heads out | | | | great idea to have most of your information |
| to sea. There are so many applications and package | | | | together before you speak to an event manager. |
| ideas that they are too numerous to name. | | | | Knowing beforehand, exactly what you want and |
| Many cruise companies have a small fleet ranging in | | | | how many people will be involved will save a ton of |
| sizes so that they have a craft ready for any sized | | | | valuable time and greatly improve the initial options |
| occasion. They usually start at 100 feet and get | | | | offered. |
| larger. Two or three cruise ships are the norm for | | | | |