Carnival Breeze Atrium

More details will be released over the coming months, and Carnival Cruise Lines has even put together a video chronicling the construction of the Carnival Breeze!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r6PtYvLj0M

 View Carnival’s images below:

Voyager of the Seas Dining Room

When planning special events, menu choices are typically not given the careful thought they should.  Usually, the choice of what to serve attendees is based on what keeps the costs down while filling them up.  Coffee, pastries, and bagels are affordable for breakfasts, sandwiches and chips with a bottle of soda make an excellent lunch, and dinners, if they’re provided, are full of sauces and butter.   And we mustn’t forget dessert – cakes, cookies, and other sugary confections hit the target!

But, if you’re planning a special event and you prefer your attendees listen to your message rather than fighting a mid-afternoon crash from the wrong foods, menu planning is an important step.  Unfortunately, it’s also an expensive part of the budget: food prices have been on the rise for the last several years, and the “bang for the buck” just isn’t there like it used to be.

Cruise lines used by Exclusive Events At Sea to host special events of all kinds include most meals in the price.  Attendees have the option of getting what they want from a buffet line, or they can get a freshly cooked burger with hot fries at the poolside grill.  Dinner is taken care of too, with a menu selection that often rivals the finest land-based restaurants in quality and presentation.  Each meal offers a variety of choices, including health-specific menu items low in calories and fat, a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, and the ability to accommodate special diets such as Kosher meals.

Cruise ship dining offers your event attendees the chance to experiment with their palates, get a bite to eat whenever they want to, and ensures they’ll never go hungry.  You, as the planner, don’t have to figure out a menu or stress over how to pay for it!

Dinner on the Carnival Freedom

Image Credits: Dining Room by exfordyswife; Meal Photo by PseudoGil/Flickr Creative Commons

Diamond Princess

In 2007, I sailed the Diamond Princess, part of the Princess Cruise Lines fleet. She can accommodate a little over 2,600 passengers and 1,000 crew; with a space ratio of 43, I always felt like I was one of a few hundred, rather than thousand. The Diamond Princess’ public decks were laid out to ensure good traffic flow, and the decor around the ship was not glitzy and funky, but rather understated with a touch of elegance. I easily felt like I was on a premium cruise line, and had paid much, much more for the cruise than I had. I enjoyed the Crooner’s Piano Bar, which featured a very pretty woman playing a piano and singing in a sultry voice; in my mind, it brought to mind the dinner clubs of the 40′s that are so often portrayed in movies. I was most impressed with the Skywalker Nightclub; this lounge-by-day and disco-by-night was located on Deck 17 aft – the highest point on the ship. It offered great views of the ship’s wake, as well as forward views. We had one night there was wet weather, and it was entrancing watching the waves from Skywalker’s. The staterooms were comfortable, and had the right

Calypso Pool

amount of space. I liked the atypical layout where the closet area was out of sight of the bed area – it helped to make the stateroom feel larger. My favorite part of this cruise was the dining experience. Breakfast and lunch was available at the Horizon Court buffet on the Lido Deck, and we enjoyed pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs at the Trident Grill near the pool. Dinner was a fancy affair in the International Dining Room, where I was served each night by a terrific waitstaff.  I could have chosen Princess’ Anytime Dining at one of four themed dining rooms, but I am a fan of Traditional Dining. The ship boasted two specialty restaurants: a steakhouse and an Italian ristorante, but I never got around to dining at either place.

Overall, I was pleased with the ship’s appearance inside and out – it was obvious the ship was built well and cared for properly. I would not hesitate to sail on her again if the chance came up. The ideal client for Diamond Princess, and in fact, Princess Cruises as a whole, would be the cruiser who has a slightly refined taste but doesn’t have the budget for the premium or upscale lines. Also, the person who appreciates quality service, quality gourmet food, and entertaining activities onboard and off would be a great fit.

For meeting planners and event producers, the Diamond Princess has many spaces that can accommodate varying crowds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adzr2TtACO4

Voyager of the Seas Facts

Cruise ships come in all sorts of sizes.  Some are really, really huge with the capacity to serve more than 6,000 passengers, and others are so small they can only accommodate less than 100 passengers.  Just like buildings, it is hard to look at the outside of a cruise ship and accurately determine how crowded it truly is.  You can easily get an idea of how big or small a vessel -really- is by looking at it’s space ratio.

But, you won’t find the space ratio listed anywhere along with the ship facts & figures.  Thankfully, it’s easy to figure out!  We just need to know the passenger capacity of the vessel, and it’s gross registered tonnage.

Waitaminit.  Gross registered tonnage?  Why the heck would you need to know how much the ship weighs?

For starters, the gross registered tonnage is not a measure of the weight of the ship. Rather, it is a measurement of the revenue-producing areas of the ship, where 100 cubic feet of space equals 1 gross registered tonnage. This measurement is used to determine what port fees the cruise line will pay for that ship to dock at a particular port. A larger GRT value means more revenue-producing space, which means a larger ship, which means higher port fees.

I know what you’re thinking now: if this is something that is used for cruise line operations, why should you know about it?

Some people like really large ships, such as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. Other people are spooked by the idea of cruising with so many people at the same time, feeling they would be crowded onto the ship like sardines in a can. But, just because a ship is large does not mean it is crowded. You can get an idea of how much space there is per passenger by determining the ship’s space ratio.

Here’s the simple formula:  Gross Registered Tonnage ÷ Passenger Capacity = Space Ratio

Take a look at the ship facts for Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, above.  Let’s plug the numbers into the equation.

Gross Registered Tonnage (137,276) ÷ Passenger Capacity (3,114) = Space Ratio (44)

So, the Voyager of the Seas has a space ratio of 44.

Obviously, a higher space ratio means there is more space per passenger, and therefore is less crowded. Most cruise vessels are in the mid-to-high 30′s; some luxury or premium lines are at 40 or higher. If you are due to sail on a vessel that is less than 36, be prepared to be cramped!

Cruise ships offer luxury and comfort, with all the accommodations you need to make your event a big success. A cruise-based event is almost always less expensive than a land-based event. What a great value: an event your participants will love and remember at a price you can afford. You may even be able to host an Exclusive Event at Sea at no cost to you through our referral program.

Customer approval ratings for cruise ships are sky high. People love their experiences at sea! Your guests will love your special event, and they will love you for planning it.

• A Memorable Event Everyone Will Love
• Lower Cost than Land-Based Events
• Convenience: We’ll Help You with All the Details

What’s not to love?

Contact us today so we can start planning your Exclusive Event at Sea.

Diamond Princess

My first cruise on the Diamond Princess was an experience I’ll never forget.  I knew everything I could know about the ship, the cruise line, and the cruise industry in general – at least, I knew everything academically.  Feeling the motion of the ship, the spray of the sea air, and experiencing all the shipboard events and visiting different ports of call was enough to hook me for life.  I believe that a cruise is one of the most relaxing vacation experiences a person can have.

I realized that special events, often hosted on land in a hotel, can benefit from taking place on a cruise ship instead.  Cruises are nearly all-inclusive in pricing, something that hotels and convention centers don’t offer.   In the case of a corporate-based function, it’s a great way for a company to allow their staff to have a bit of vacation, while attending to work needs.  For themed cruises, it’s an unique way to meet people who share your interests and likes.  For family reunion events, cruises take a ton of pressure off those unlucky enough to plan them!

A special event at sea easily transforms the “ordinary” convention, family reunion, organization event, or corporate meeting into a unique and easily remembered experience that will be talked about for ages to come.  Why would I NOT want a hand in making that happen?

Image Credit: Flikr Creative Commons/wlcutler

Costa Magica

On July 22, explosions rocked Oslo, the capital of Norway.  It was a tragic event, coupled with a shooting at a nearby island camp, that left many dead (you can read more about those events here).   In response to these horrible events, Costa Cruise Lines announced that the Costa Magica was skipping a scheduled port call at Oslo, heading instead to an alternative port.  The cruise line referenced the safety of the ship’s passengers and crews, and mentioned it will resume visits to the port next week.

At first glance, avoiding Norway (or more specifically, Oslo) seems a rather harsh reaction.  A bomb went off! Stay away, stay away!  The MSC Orchestra was docked at the Port of Oslo at the time of the attack, and did not experience any issues leaving port on time, so there isn’t any apparent danger.  Yet, further thought makes things a little clearer.  The people of Oslo are busy cleaning up after the attacks, grieving the loss of friends and loved ones, and in a general state of shock.  Oslo isn’t traditionally a place one expects to encounter explosive devices.  The last thing they need is several thousands of people flooding their streets and shops, until they’ve had time to come to terms with things.

I think the Costa leadership made the right move in this situation, cancelling the port call so close after the attacks took place.  They made a smart move doing so, and in announcing they intend to be back soon.  Unlike the cancellation of port calls in Mazatlan and other Mexican locales due to general violence, Costa Cruise Lines understands that Oslo’s people need to concentrate on other matters than cruise ship passengers.

Image credit: Flikr Creative Commons/JeanbaptisteM

Whoa, there! Hold up.   Let’s examine the top eight myths about cruising! (Why eight and not ten? Everyone else does ten!)

I’m going to get SICK! Many people are concerned they will get seasick while on a cruise ship.  In “days of old” cruise ships were bouncy things.  Up, down, left, right, tilt this way, tilt that way! OF COURSE people got seasick!  Today’s modern cruise ships are equipped with sophisticated stabilizer systems which, while not totally eliminating the pitch and roll of the ship, significantly cuts down on the movements.  Also, if you are prone  to motion sickness, many medical remedies are available including SeaBands, bonine, and Dramamine.  (Check with your doctor before taking any medications for seasickness!)

VIRUS! AAAGH! Well, okay, there’s some valid concern.  The big one, Norwalk Virus, is a norovirus that causes gastroenteritis (or, simply, the stomach flu).  Noroviruses are found just about anywhere a large number of people are in close proximity.  It’s not ONLY on cruise ships, although the media may make it seem that way.  They are found in schools, businesses, and even hospitals!  You can limit exposure to noroviruses by maintaining clean handwashing habits.  Also, you will find hand sanitizer dispensers located throughout the ship, most especially in food service areas.  Take advantage of them!

All Inclusive, BABY! While it is possible to pay for your entire cruise before it sails, and not spend another dime and have a terrific vacation, cruises are NOT all inclusive.  The value for the money is very good, but there are many things not included in the price of your cruise.  For instance, alcoholic beverages and soda come with extra charges.  You will also see extra costs for bottled water, some onboard activities (although the majority are included), and other items such as photographs taken by the ship photographers.  But do not go into a cruise thinking it is all inclusive, because you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

Why do I have to sit with this guy? He’s WEIRD. The “traditional” style of cruising featured assigned dinner times and seating.  You showed up at the designated dining room at your assigned dinner time, and you were seated at a table with other people whom you might not know.  While this is still an option on most cruise lines, today’s vessels include many different options: a buffet, alternative restaurants, or even “non-traditional dining.”  Non-traditional means you show up with the people you want to dine with, and you’re seated and served just like a land-based restaurant.  Benefits to “traditional” dining include having the same waitstaff each night, and always sitting at the same table.  If you are the social animal, this would be great for you, as you’ll get to know your fellow cruisers.  With an Exclusive Event At Sea group, however, you will only be placed at a table with other people within your event group.

SPACE! I NEED SPACE! I CAN’T BREEEEAAATTHHEE. Another popular cruise myth is that cruise ships are crowded.  Even though the largest cruise ships afloat (as of now, anyway) carry up to 6,000 passengers, cruise vessels are so well designed that everything is broken up and you never really feel like you are around that many people.  Sure, at mealtimes the line may get a little long, or when you’re getting off the ship in port you might realize you are in a crowd, but it’s quite easy to find a place to sit, dance, or whatever it is you do.  Basically, a cruise ship will feel less crowded than the mall at Christmas.  Usually.

Newly Wed or Nearly Dead!! Have you ever heard that phrase?   When cruising first got its start as a vacation option, the only people who could afford to cruise, or even had the time to cruise, were senior citizens or honeymooners.  While those two groups continue to cruise, the numbers of single adults (young and old) and families of all sizes have grown and the cruise lines have made sure to provide for their unique needs.  Cruising is one of those funny vacation choices that offers up something for just about everyone.  Except a curmudgeon.

But  I don’t like to ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIIIIIGHT. Some cruise lines have developed a reputation for being “party cruises” full of young bucks and their wemmin a-drinkin’ and causing all kinds of shenanigans.  While this can be true for some itineraries, and some cruise lines, Exclusive Events At Sea works with cruise lines that have strict policies in place to combat unruly passengers.  In addition, we make every effort to ensure the itineraries and ships selected are not those prone to excessive party atmospheres.   Even so, we can’t control the other passengers.

Man, I’m soooo bored! It is really tough to be bored on a cruise ship.  Well, actually, that’s not true.  If you just sit there and mope in your iced tea, yeah,  it’ll be boring.  But you will have plenty of options to occupy your time.  Work out in the gym.  Go rock climbing.  See a Vegas style show.  Ride the water slide and do cannonballs in the pool! (Well, the staff might not like you doing that last one…)  You can also play bingo, read a book, watch movies, shoot some hoops, or attend a learning class of some kind.  And, that doesn’t even count what you can do when the cruise line reaches a port of call!

Categories

Staterooms are categorized according to the list below:

• Suite: The biggest staterooms on the ship, with the most luxurious appointments.
• Balcony: Staterooms with a semi-private or private balcony area.
• Oceanview: These staterooms include a picture window, and some have “traditional” porthole windows
• Interior: Staterooms with no exterior views of any kind

Oddly enough, not all staterooms are created equal!  It’s possible to have two staterooms in the same category be entirely different.  For instance, on some ships, balcony staterooms are entirely private.  You cannot see the balcony next door, above you, or below you (well, unless you lean out reeeeallly far), but on other ships, especially those of the Princess Cruise Lines fleet, there is some visibility from above.

Stateroom Amenities

Most staterooms on most cruise ships include standard amenities you can expect.  Choosing the right stateroom can make your special event at sea that much more enjoyable.

• Bed: Typically, the bed is two twin-sized beds that are pushed together to form a king or queen sized unit.  Staterooms set up for more than two people can have a Pullman style bunk that recesses into the ceiling, and/or a sofa that is made into an extra bed.
• Telephone: All staterooms include a telephone for use to call other staterooms or to make dinner reservations.  A voicemail system is often included with the telephone.  Ships nowadays are set up to allow mobile phone coverage while at sea, but typically this involves international roaming charges, which can be prohibitively expensive.
• Climate Control: Heating and air conditioning are a must, especially with interior and oceanview staterooms.
• Personal Safe: Many cruise ships include personal safes in each stateroom, often located inside the wardrobe closet.  These safes are generally large enough for wallets, travel documents, jewelry, and other small items, and either use a swipe card or PIN number to access.
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  ckramer/Flikr Creative Commons

  Bathroom: Most stateroom bathrooms include a shower area, toilet, and sink with mirror, along with various cubbyholes to store toiletries.  The showers can be a small area with a flimsy shower curtain to a more defined area with an actual shower door; often, jokes are made about feeling like a sardine inside a stateroom shower stall – there is some truth to it!  Some cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, also include ample amounts of shampoo and body wash in the showers, and sampler packs of toiletries and/or common medications (such as Tylenol aspirin).

• Vanity Area: Just about every stateroom includes a vanity desk of some kind, with a large mirror and good lighting.
• Hair dryer: Some cruise lines provide travel-sized hair dryers in the vanity or bathroom; others make them available on loan from the purser’s desk.
• Television: These days, having a television in the stateroom is a requirement.  You can catch up with major news, see a current view off the ship’s webcam (if available), see information about the day (weather conditions, current port of call, etc.), and view video clips taken during the cruise.  Some lines are set up to allow making dinner reservations or checking your stateroom folio through the television.

Not So Standard Amenities

The cruise line you use for your special event at sea may include the following amenities in their staterooms; but, they’re either not available in all staterooms on the same ship, or not available in all staterooms across the fleet.

• Minibar: This teeny refrigerator is sometimes pre-stocked, sometimes not.  It’s important to know that anything opened is charged to your room.
• Internet Access: The large majority of ships asea have internet access in certain areas, such as the Atrium, Library, or the Internet Cafe.  Sometimes, it’s also available in the staterooms themselves.
• Bathtub: Usually found only in the suites (and even then, only in the top level suites), bathtubs are a very nice amenity to have.  No feeling like a sardine in those!
• Coffeemaker: Some staterooms include a coffeemaker for that early morning cup o’ joe, but again, this is usually found on the higher end lines or the higher end staterooms.  Most of the time, coffee is available from room service and can be arranged to be delivered to your room at a certain time each morning.

In this space, Steve will periodically highlight a cruise line partner or one of their cruise ships, explaining the features and benefits of them and how they make a difference for your group needs.