Cruising has become an increasingly popular and highly cost-effective option for business-related conferences with cruise ships offering state-of-the-art conferencing facilities to rival the best that any land-based destinations can offer.

Reflecting the growing interest in cruising for business incentives and conferences, Cruises International, which represents nine cruise lines in the South African market, is this week hosting its inaugural Meetings At Sea Roadshow to showcase the vast array of cruising options available in various parts of the world.

The roadshow, aimed mainly at the travel trade and corporates interested in cruising possibilities, takes place at the Inanda Club in Johannesburg on March 24 and in Cape Town at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice on March 26.  

Significantly, cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism market worldwide, with operators offering an amazing array of destinations, themes, sizes of vessel and on-board facilities and activities.  Valued globally at $US39.6-billion, over 22-million people cruised in 2014. 

Cruising as an option is also growing strongly in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) sector worldwide, because of its unique advantages.

Cruise lines featured in the roadshow include Royal Caribbean International (RCI), which has over 14% of the global cruise market,  and which has geared its operations to offer among the best corporate meeting services in the world.  The cruiseline's International CMI and Sales Incentive Manager, Clem Galindo, will be guest speaker at the roadshow events.

According to Cruises International's Groups and Incentives Manager, Dalene Oroni, cruising has become a favourite “go to option” for local corporate incentives.

“A few years ago we had about 10 to 15 MICE-related bookings annually, but that number has now tripled as more companies embrace the benefits of cruising.  These benefits include all-inclusive pricing and access to everything under one roof,” she explained. 

Dalene Oroni explains: “Cruise ships are built for business as they have excellent conference and meeting facilities on-board, full internet and WiFi access, as well as great opportunities for customised branding, excursions, team-building and entertainment.  To top it all, these facilities are offered in a top-end luxury environment which in itself never fails to inspire business events' guests.''

Compared with land-based conference venues, cruising also offers:

o Great value: a wide range of affordable options where packages include everything: food, conference venue, drinks and entertainment.

o A vast array of itineraries and destinations.

o A variety of dining and cuisine options on board.

o Several nightly entertainment options.

o Ease of planning: cruising is a turnkey operation.  There is no need to plan meals, entertainment, staging or décor.  The planning and staging team on board will do it all.

o The opportunity for partners to be included in packages, with their entertainment needs taken care of while meetings are underway

“Our roadshow will definitely provide valuable insight into cruising for anyone booking groups in the business events market,” concludes Ms Oroni. 

For more information on business cruising, contact Dalene Oroni on 011 425-0399 or dalene@cruises.co.za