Why You Should Consider a Cruise For Your Next MICE Event

MICE cruises. What are they?

Well, you’ll be pleased to know that we are not talking about rodents (as they thankfully have no place on a cruise ship). No, we’re talking about Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, a key (and ever-growing) sector of the tourism industry, centred around planning and hosting large-scale, professional events.

In the current age of increasingly elevated experiences, MICE event attendees have come to expect more than PowerPoint presentations in a stuffy conference room and fighting over limp prepackaged sandwiches during lunch hour. These days, clients seek memorable events, flawlessly executed, utterly unlike anything they’ve experienced before. In other words, they want a MICE event that is much more than a MICE event. 

That’s where cruising comes in.

It just makes sense. Whether you’re looking to host a meeting, reward hardworking employees or business partners with an incentive trip, present to a large group within your industry or showcase your business, a MICE cruise is the next logical step on the path to making your event bigger, better and more unforgettable than anything seen before. We’re talking the most innovative vessels on the sea, state-of-the-art-technology, and the dedication and logistics know-how of industry leaders all working in harmony to support your brand values and give your guests an experience they will never forget.

Still not convinced? 

Well, think about it like this. A MICE cruise is the ultimate value for money, as you get everything covered under one umbrella fee. All-inclusive dining, drinks packages accommodation, meeting spaces and entertainment…and that’s all before you get to the logistical perks.

Destination? The cruise ship. Venue? The cruise ship? Accommodation? The cruise ship? Transportation? The cruise ship. Do you see where we’re going with this? 

As the event organiser, taking to the seas takes a load off you. In fact, it takes everything off you, as the cruise line’s specialist teams and experienced event planners would take care of everything, leaving nothing for you to do but step aboard, order a large negroni (or a piña colada, we’re not judging) and bask in the self-contained bubble created especially for your event.

I mean, what a venue, right? Modern, luxurious, fitted with expansive amenities and state-of-the-art technology. Does it get any better? We don’t think so. 

Whist onboard, attendees of your event will be able to take advantage of:

• Conference Rooms, Meeting Spaces and Theatres
• Advanced lighting, video and sound systems
• Complete communications, including telephones and WiFi.
• Hosts and interpreters
• Work stations with high-speed internet
• Photographic services.

And that’s great. Excellent corporate facilities, check. 

But you know what they say: all work and no play…does not make for a particularly exciting cruise. 

If we asked you to write a list of descriptors for your dream MICE event, we would guess the words ‘fun’, ‘memorable’ and ‘engaging’ would probably crop up and that’s why it’s important that you and your event attendees find time to let your hair down. And oh, would you look at that, you just so happen to be aboard a floating entertainment complex, with an array of bars, restaurants, live performances, swimming pools, fitness facilities and spas at every turn. It’s almost like we planned it that way. 

All of this said, our favourite thing about a MICE cruise is just how versatile it can be. In the same way that no two businesses are alike, so are no two corporate events the same and however your bells-and-whistles-and-no-expense-spared MICE event looks, we can make it happen. Customization is offered at every point, with everything from banners and menus to programs and dining placeholders available for you to personalize in keeping with your brand. In addition, itineraries and excursions can be tailor made to suit you and your team, and you can even look forward to onboard award ceremonies, themed evenings and custom-made merchandise put together specifically for you. 

*mic drop*

So, that’s it. Sorted. Settled. You’re doing a MICE cruise. 

The next step is choosing which luxury cruise line you want to entrust with such an important event. Luckily, you have some incredible options.

Let’s start with Emerald Cruises. There’s a lot to get excited about here, namely that they’re a leading name in both river and yacht-style ocean cruising, so your itinerary options are pretty much limitless. Fancy something tropical and warm? Historic and thought-provoking? Rich in Christmas cheer? Emerald Cruises can make it happen.

Secondly, with Emerald you have the option to charter a ship and offer your event attendees a truly exclusive experience (this will earn you serious cool points). 

Even if you don’t go down the charter route, with a capacity of 182 guests maximum on river ships and just 100 on the yachts, you can be sure that the majority of the vessel’s guests would be there for your event. 

Thirdly – and perhaps most importantly - absolutely everything would be considered and included, from cultural experiences and team-building exercises with the line’s EmeraldPLUS and EmeraldACTIVE programs, all the way down to custom menus and branded napkins.

Of course, Scenic is an equally good option, offering the same charter options, versatility and sense of exclusivity as sister company, Emerald. As with Emerald, the modest size of Scenic’s ships make for a stylishly exclusive ambience, with the opportunity to choose and modify ports and excursions to your group’s liking, host private events and arrange team building activities, celebratory gatherings and corporate training.

‘We’re excited by the range of options we can offer MICE planners—from expedition voyages in remote polar locales to warm water yacht sailings in the Mediterranean and Caribbean to river cruises throughout Europe and SE Asia,’ said Donna Kurtz, director, charter and incentive sales, Scenic Group USA.

Scenic’s pricing includes Wi-Fi and premium beverages, as well as gratuities, transfers and excursions.

If you were thinking along the lines of something bigger and bolder, allow us to steer you in the direction of Celebrity Cruises. Renowned for their slightly larger (but still utterly luxurious) ships, expansive amenities, cutting-edge design and highly-personalized service, Celebrity are always pushing the envelope when it comes to elevating the cruise experience. Celebrity’s team understand that today’s event planners are seeking something modern and innovative, the perfect synthesis of relaxation, socialization and dynamic work sessions—and they deliver every time.

On top of the fact that they’re a multi award-winning line (‘Best Cruise Line’ in Travel Weekly’s Readers’ Choice Awards and ‘Best Cruise Line Award’ in ‘Smart Meetings’, to name a few), Celebrity Cruises also boast some of the most advanced meeting spaces and audio-visual facilities on the waves. Their conference rooms have a distinctly contemporary feel and can be adapted and reconfigured to suit a range of purposes, so absolutely anything you set out to achieve is well within the realms of possibility. From presentations in the Panoramic Sky Lounge to rallies on the Rooftop Terrace to meetings in the Magic Carpet (trust us, no one will be snoozing into their double espresso for this one) the ship will find a way to be exactly what you need.

Whichever cruise line you choose, you’re guaranteed a MICE event like nothing your attendees will have ever seen before. A business event, curated escape, team bonding experience and entertainment bonanza all rolled into one, a MICE cruise offers you the very best of everything. 

The future of MICE events is here—don’t you want to be the first to take the leap?