Northstar

51 MAY-JUN 2019 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS MCMAG-ASIA.COM 1: Experiential activities abound Modern cruise ships have a wide range of activities readily available on board. From zip-lining and rock climbing to gourmet cooking classes with renowned chefs, there is a little something for everybody to do. Take Dream Cruises' Sportsplex, for example. The outdoor activities offered here encourage teams to work together for a game of bubble soccer or support each other during rock-climbing sessions. 2: Something for everybody Not a fan of sports? No problem. Depending on the itinerary, there are shore excursions for those with diverse interests also. This is especially attractive for today's business travellers, who much prefer to mix business with leisure — or "bleisure" — on their work trips. In fact, bleisure trips are up 20% according to a recent study. Many cruise lines have also identified interests in wellness-related activities and facilities, which is why many of them also come with wellness seminars, fitness classes and myriad exercise facilities. 3: It's (already) built for business Cruise vessels these days feature purpose-built meeting facilities and a comprehensive list of technology, complete with onboard technical assistance. Every Royal Caribbean ship, Six reasons why the open ocean is where your next corporate event needs to take place WORDS WILL CHIN Call Of The High Seas for example, has theatres, lounges and outdoor spaces that can accommodate groups as small as 16 and as large as 1,394. The so-called Neighbourhoods onboard its Oasis-class ships can even accommodate up to 1,500 guests, each with customisation options for catering, live music and entertainment. 4: Improved connectivity Over the years, cruise lines have made vast improvements in terms of internet connectivity. Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, for example, claims to have the "fastest internet at sea" at an affordable price. It is agreeable in terms of speed, too, allowing passengers to stream entertainment content, upload pictures, perform video conferencing, as well as surf the web — all without interruptions. Silversea Cruises, on the other hand, has also stepped up its game by offering free unlimited wifi to all guests throughout its fleet from April 2018. 5: Less cost, more convenience On a cruise, you don't have to engage third-party catering or recreation suppliers because everything — from meals and meeting spaces to audiovisual equipment and entertainment — is included in the price paid per passenger. Furthermore, many amenities that cost extra at traditional resorts are complimentary on a cruise. While inclusions do vary from cruise line to cruise line, they can save groups "on average 25–30%" over a comparable land-based venue, according to Athanasiou. If nothing else, it just makes the event planning process much simpler. 6: Flavours for all taste buds Gone are the days of inflexible dining options. Food on cruise lines now cater to a wide variety of dietary preferences and restrictions, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, Paleo and kosher. Dream Cruises' Genting Dream, for one, is the only cruise ship in Asia currently offering halal-certified cuisine for leisure passengers and MICE groups alike. A cruise is no longer just a fancy mode of transport. These days, it is an entire experience unto itself. Passengers can go to sleep in one country and wake up in another, and the scenery changes with every passing hour — now imagine that kind of experience for your attendees. Few other meeting venues have the ability to transit from corporate event to gourmet cuisine tasting and world- class entertainment just by walking from one deck to another. The fact that a whole host of activities is built into the venue itself is reason enough that a cruise ship — not yet another hotel ballroom or convention centre — might just be the next venue you are looking for.

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