b'venueand world-class shopping can alsobe found. Additionally, with a host of child and teen facilities, water venues also provide a friendly destination for those delegates travelling with children. These facilities include a Regent Seven Seas Theater staffed nursery, child counselors for toddlers and elementary age, teen kind of money, you want some bangmirror those found in hotels, includingdisco and meet-ups, competitive for your buck as well as a differentconference and break-out rooms,sports, game rooms and computer kind of experience for your attendees.audio visual equipment and more. labs to name a few.Parents can feel People just seemed more engaged inOver the past several years, cruiseconfident that their children are well-the river cruise event. ships have come a long way when itcared for while they attend meetings With far less distractions on a cruisecomes to accommodating corporateand group functionswithout ship, delegates can focus on theevents. In fact, many have beenincurring additional cost.business at hand, resulting in greaterdesigned with groups and corporateWith more than 16 million relationship building, camaraderiemeetings in mind. Not only have thesepassengers cruising each year, the and the stimulation of creative ideas.vessels incorporated modern meetingcruise line industry takes great steps The unique experience on a shipspaces, conference rooms andto ensure the safety and security builds company and brand identity,theatres, they have also implementedof all passengers and crew on the loyalty and lasting relationships whichthe latest audio/visual equipment,cruise. Since a ship is a controlled deliver a solid return on investment,multi-screen video walls, computer- environment, it is safer and more Landry said. In addition to the bottomgenerated sound and light, as well assecure than a hotel.line cost savings, the extraordinaryWiFi and mobile phone connectivityEvery aspect of the cruise camaraderie and group networkingso delegates can stay connected. experience is heavily regulated and encouraged on a self-containedTodays ships are as large or evenmonitored under both U.S. and cruise ship is pricelessand thats thelarger than some land-based resortsinternational maritime law, Landry ultimate return on investment. with just as many open spaces.said. Cruise lines meet and often Stewart concurs, adding that aFeaturing open-air atriums spanningexceed numerous international cruise provides such perfect balanceseveral decks, walls of glass, spaciousand federal codes and regulations between business and pleasure, asdeck areas, wide hallways and privatedesigned to maximize the safety of well as an outstanding opportunity tobalconies, the sense of confinement ispassengers aboard ships.really get to know your members andvirtually eliminated. When you take into account their peers.Also eliminated on todays vesselseverything that is included on a Although cruises may be perceivedis the fear of sea-sickness. Most ofshipnot to mention the unique as too elitist, too luxurious or simplytodays cruise destinations featureexperiences that only a cruise can not a serious platform for business,some of the calmest waters on earth.providebusiness professionals and the reality is that the variety of vesselsEquipped with state-of-the-art shipindustry associations can quickly see and competitive rates available stabilizers, advanced weather-trackingthat the cost savings and benefits today have made it more affordabletechnology and effective patchfar outweigh those of a land-based than ever.medication as a go-to in the eventvenue. With the right ship and In fact, compared to a traditionalof motion discomfort, sea sickness isadequate planning, any business land-based resort or hotel venue, agenerally not an issue. goals can easily be accomplished meeting at sea can result in a costWill attendees get bored? Nowhile at sea.savings of 20 to 40 per cent. Thischance, said Landry. In additionPlanning a meeting or corporate is because cruise programs are all- to multiple ports to explore, mostevent on a ship may require some inclusive and not only include guestmodern ships offer ice-skating rinks,out of the box flexibility and creative accommodations and meals, butrock climbing walls, zip lining andthinking, but at the end of the day, a meeting space, dcor and state-of-the- bowling, enrichment classes such ascruise event is guaranteed to generate art audio/visual equipment as well. lectures on the history and cultureexcitement and motivation to attend. Dollar for dollar, when youof the ports of call, food and wineWhether you want to relax on an compare a cruise programs coststastings, computer classes as well asexotic island, fill the day with jungle and inclusions to a hotel, youll seerecreational activities for every taste.adventures, step back in history, or the price benefit of selecting a ship,Regardless of the groups interests,sample all of the above, there is a Landry said. Many of todays shipsworld-class spas, state-of-the-arttime, place and cruise ship just right come with meeting facilities thatfitness centres, Las Vegas-style casinosfor any group.14 CORPORATE MEETINGS & EVENTS corporatemeetingsnetwork.ca'