Customizing Your Cruise Event

If you are accustomed to planning your programs in hotel or resort destinations, you might be wondering how you can customize a cruise to make it memorable. There are many ways to customize arrangements for meeting and incentive groups at sea, limited only by your imagination and budget. Full ship charters provide the best opportunities for imaginative planning and help create a unique experience your guests cannot duplicate on their own. To give you an idea of the possibilities, here’s a list of items and events you can customize for groups, half ship and full ship charters:

Pre-Cruise Promotion:  

• A series of “teaser” mailings to motivate during the sales qualification period
• A customized “What to Know Before You Go” booklet mailed in advance
• Printed day-by-day schedule of special group events
• Descriptions of port of call and shore excursions with advance registration forms

With the Documents:

• Zippered document pouch and luggage tags customized with program logo
• Neck pouch with company/program logo to hold the ship’s ID card
• Name badges with program or company logo
• Detailed program agenda

Day of Sailing:

• Private pre-sailing “bon voyage” brunch prior to embarkation  
• Exclusive transfers between the airport and pier
• Signage at the airport and on the transfer vehicles
• Customized pier décor including balloons and banner (approved by cruise line)
• Private group check-in area (approved by cruise line)
• Airplane flyover with customized message during sailaway
• Private sail-away festivities onboard with champagne and streamers

Compliments of the Ship (to be negotiated with the cruise line):

• Company Hospitality/Information desk aboard the ship
• Private “work room” for large groups with internet access
• Welcome Aboard Reception for the group, with one hour open bar and selection of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres
• Live music at the reception  
• Custom logo ice sculpture displayed at the reception
• Welcome letter in each stateroom, signed by ship’s Captain
• “Bon Voyage” bottle of champagne and fresh fruit in each stateroom at embarkation
• Pre-planned dining room seating
• Postcard from a port of call, signed by the ship’s Captain
• Reserved area at the cruise line’s private island
• Chocolate-dipped fruit delivered to each stateroom one evening
• Complimentary group photograph

Program Enhancements & Signage:

• Magnetized door plaques, personalized with qualifiers’ names and program logo
• Selected red and white wine served with dinner
• “Open bar” liquor & soft drink packages
• Gift certificates for spa services
• Nightly room gifts, all delivered with personalized note card
• Customized vouchers redeemable for photos taken by ship’s photographer
• Exclusive, customized shore events with private transfers
• Table tent cards for hospitality desk and dining room
• Custom signage for special events and function rooms
• Program banner for the ship’s terminal and special group events
• Custom signs for transportation vehicles

Half-Ship Charters:

• Specially negotiated exclusive occupancy of 2nd seating in the dining room and show lounge
• Private Captain’s Reception with special remarks for the company
• Daily newsletter printed on custom program letterhead (to supplement ship’s program)
• Company logo printed on daily cruise program, boarding pass, menus and beverage napkins

Full Ship Charter for Ultimate Customization

A full ship charter gives you the greatest opportunity to personalize your cruise program. While not every cruise line can accommodate every request, many customized enhancements can often be negotiated for a more impactful event. In addition to all the amenities listed above, these include:
 

• Welcome ribbons for all ship personnel to be worn for the duration of the cruise – customized with your company and/or program logo
• Flag Raising Ceremony on deck during sail-away - flag with company logo to fly from the ship’s mast during the cruise
• Airplane flyover with custom message banner during ship’s sailaway
• Hosted dinners with ship’s officers
• Bridge reception hosted by the Captain
• Designated TV channel to display your logo and program agenda, new product information, or video from the day’s activities
• Ship’s daily program adapted to include welcome message from the company president as well as event and meeting information
• Daily onboard activities scheduled around your meetings
• Itinerary and port times adjusted to meet your business objectives
• Ship’s entertainers and actors available to perform and interact with company presenters and guests during awards night ceremony and other events
• Pool liner with company logo
• Photographs digitally imposed with corporate logo
• Customized “Drink of the Day” names
• Champagne or wine with custom label including company logo
• Dessert with custom logo to be served during formal evening dinner
• Custom entertainment