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FAQ
What lead time is required to charter a ship?
Cruise lines release their itineraries around 2 years in advance and start marketing and taking bookings. Therefore, the search for a full ship charter should start one and a half to two years before your event to ensure the ship is not blocked from chartering after to many passengers have already booked. If you would like to have a say in the itinerary, you should start searching more than two years in advance before the cruise line releases their itineraries to the public. Advance notice ensures you secure the itinerary you want at a good price.
Group space, or full ship charter?
If you do not have enough passengers to charter an entire ship you can block off a number of cabins for a large group on a sailing that is otherwise open to the public. Securing a group on a larger ship requires significantly less financial commitment. Although cancellation terms may be more stringent than an individual booking, you will still have the ability to cancel with an attrition policy, while Full Ship Charters on the other hand is for all intents and purposes non-refundable once the contract is signed. Some larger ships have luxury ship-within-a-ship concepts, offering smaller groups exclusive pools, bars and/or restaurants. Most cruise ships have conferencing facilities onboard that you are allowed to reserve. You can also schedule other events around the ship such as cocktail functions, or renting out an entire restaurant venue for an evening. The ship needs to keep in mind the experience for all guests onboard the cruise not only those in your group, therefore they will limit the location and time you are allowed to rent public space onboard. If your event requires extensive customization, it may be ideal for you to find a ship that fits your group size. Ships come in all sizes from 10 guests to 7000 guests and everywhere in between. There is a cruise ship to fit every event and we are here to help you find it.
What are the Pros of a Full Ship Charter?
When you charter a ship, you have exclusive use of its cabins and facilities. You have the power to amend the shipboard entertainment how you see fit, bring on additional entertainment and change the use of public spaces to meet your event needs. On larger ships you will have access to multiple theatres, lounges and other venues available for hosting special events, conferences, VIP parties, classes, lectures, celebrity “meet and greet” events and concerts.
What investment is required to secure a Full Ship Charter?
The investment to charter ship depends on the size of ship and duration of sailing. You will be financially responsible not only for the cost to hire all cabins onboard the ship, but also the onboard revenue in some capacity. For first time charterers, it may be a requirement to provide a bank Letter of Credit or payment in full upon signing your charter contract. It may be possible to negotiate more favourable payment terms if you are a repeat customer with the cruise line.
What risks are involved in chartering a ship?
As charterer of a ship your will have financial liability . This means if you have chartered to on sell the cruise, if you do not fill all cabins you will be responsible We will be by your side each step of the process to walk you through
What advise do you have for operating a themed or special interest cruise?
Special interest cruises customise cruise activities that cater to the specific interest of groups and individuals. Special interest cruises should consist of at least one of four main experience types; rewarding, enriching, adventuresome experiences and learning experiences.Guests engaged with special interest cruises are seeking to learn more, enrich their awareness, and express themselves. The range of special interest cruises is enormous. It may range from a music themed cruise, a marketing focused conference to a ballroom dancing competition. Many Cruise lines are offering themed cruises of their own these days. You can find comedy cruises, country cruises, rock n’ roll cruises on many of the main stream cruise lines. It is important that you provide something that is unique and authentic to your special interest group of choice so that you are not competing with the cruise lines much larger marketing budget. If you would like to produce a country cruise, make it a festival atmosphere with music playing in every corner of the ship all day every day. If you want to headline a mega star make it someone who has never performed on a cruise ship before.
What Audio and Visual Equipment is available onboard?
All major cruise ships are equipped for every imaginable type of show, sound reinforcement and video projection. All equipment available on board is available to full ship charterers reducing extra costs you would have incurred on land. We can help you negotiate tech support as part of your charter contract. In the case of a music themed cruise artists would like their own equipment, extra audio output is desired or to meet additional stagging requirements, we can help you with the boarding logistics and customs forms required to bring additional equipment onboard.
How does a conference at sea compare to a conference on land?
Conferences at sea offer a multitude of benefits over conferences on land. Financially conferences at sea can be a more cost-effective approach with accommodation, meals and conferencing venues being included in the charter hire cost, and without the need for transportation costs, audio and visual. Let’s break down the benefits by category:Meeting & Event Services: a ship offers complimentary state-of-the-art AV equipment meeting spaces and venues providing incredible value.Dining: with world-class specialty restaurants and numerous complimentary dining options available all day. You can participate in menu planning and meal options. Include open-bars, all-inclusive beverage packages, host cocktail parties or serve wine with lunch and dinner.Venues, Entertainment & Activities:Ships have fantastic venues for business sessions, small group breakouts, networking and extra-curricular activities. You can further save costs by taking advantage of the ships dazzling full-scale original productions on ice and in water, award-winning Broadway shows, nightly live music, comedy shows, parades & salsa dancing, team-building activities & customized shore excursions, a full casino and outdoor poolside movie screen all without the added transportation costs.Branding: Limitless options! Have your corporate décor throughout the ship via banners, napkins, menus, ice sculptures, in stateroom TVs and in the daily newsletter.Prestige & Exclusivity: People feel honored and excited when they board a privately chartered ship, especially when the entire experience has been customized just for their program. You have exclusive use of all onboard facilities and function space, so you can create extraordinary special events and dynamic meetings.Camaraderie: everyone sailing is part of your group. A self-contained environment with no outside distractions, you have a “captive audience” with greater attendance and participation in meetings and group events.Location: Stepping out of a long session to an ocean breeze can inspire out-of-the box thinking. A cruise provides delegates with a much needed mental break as they digest the information received at your conference. Attendees can feel inspired, rewarded and refreshed all at once.
Will we have access to high-speed internet?
Yes, the internet available at sea is capable of streaming video content, running an event app and certainly the daily access required to keep in touch with those unfortunate to be land side. Internet capability varies by cruise line and additional fees may apply.
