Northstar

FEATURE | CRUISE 36 Jul-Aug 2017 MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS • MCMAG-ASIA.COM DRIVING SOUTHEAST ASIA'S ECONOMY • US$1.47 billion in direct expenditure at Southeast Asia cruise ports • US$3.35 billion in economic contributions • US$791 million spent on accommodation, F&B and shore excursions • 34,000 jobs created SOURCE: CLIA'S 2014 SOUTHEAST ASIA ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY "Royal Caribbean International's newer ships are the world's largest...In Asia, we have the Quantum Class ships and the Voyager Class ships which come with more and larger meeting and event venues, and a variety of smaller lounges and rooms to suit di•erent MICE needs." SEAN TREACY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ASIA PACIFIC, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES. ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL The cruise line's 24 ships are able to accommodate groups from 2,000 to over 6,000 pax, with a variety of venues ranging from the smaller conference rooms and lounges for break-out sessions, to the 800-seater ice skating rink and the 1,300-seater theatre for conferences and ceremonies. Venue rental fees are waived for groups. Meeting packages are tailored according to the planner's requirements, supported by on-board convention crew to provide personal assistance for groups. Customisations include the option of reserving specialty restaurants or an entire Oasis Class ship neighbourhood for private events. Arrangements may also be made for corporate branding to appear on menus, Mariner of the Seas sports deck Virgo, can seat 788 persons in its theatre space while its helipad (capacity 288) makes a unique spot for cocktail parties and similar events. Top-notch facilities on all its ships, meanwhile, range from super-sized karaoke lounges to an array of dining facilities catering to a selection of culinary fancies. Besides that, expedition cruises such as the cycle-cruise expedition and various thematic cruises are also popular among MICE travel groups." Zhu adds that the newly-launched Genting Dream can accommodate over 3,400 guests, and has a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities for MICE, including Zodiac Theatre, which has a capacity of 1,000 persons. For smaller groups, the options include Tributes music lounge and Silk Road restaurant and karaoke.

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