Meetings Afloat

Corporate MICE planners are heading out to sea to find more value and variety for their events

- Akanksha Maker & Tamsin Cocks

Cruising is a multi-billion dollar industry – and growing fast. According to the Cruise Line International Association 27.2 million passengers are expected to set sail in 2018. In 2017, an estimated 25.8 million passengers cruised, an increase of 20.5 percent over five years since 2011.

One significant contributor to growth in cruising is the discovery by corporate event and meeting planners that these ships can be exciting platforms for company get-togethers. Event managers see immense value in planning meetings and events on cruise ships.

First, it helps to have the entire group in one location at all times, especially if one of the goals of corporate events is team building. Cruise ships are the ideal environment for official happenings in confined spaces that offer a host of facilities and venues. Second, it helps stick to budgets. Considering cruise packages are “all-inclusive,” this greatly reduces the possibility of additional expenditures. All accommodation, dining, entertainment and facilities are included in the price, making it simpler for managers to plan and execute the event.

But beyond the relative ease of organizing the logistics of corporate MICE events on board a vessel, there’s the value that comes from attendees finding themselves in more engaging settings, participating in unique travel experiences. Indeed the trend these days is toward travelers seeking more experiential encounters in their journeys.

From cultural immersion and voluntourism to team building and brainstorming, those returning from a cruise say they have a shift in perspective and a sense of accomplishment. Some upcoming cruise itineraries include the opportunity to indulge in local cuisine, guided tours through small villages and even visits inside private homes.

Setting Sail