As business needs and technological standards shift over the years, even the most dedicated and experienced employees can struggle to keep up with new trends. To counter this tendency, many employers now offer business seminars to ensure their employees’ skills remain current. Designed to help working professionals enhance and grow their skills in a productive training environment, seminars are regarded as a sound investment: a skilled workforce is an efficient one that saves time and money alike.
However, the business of conducting seminars and training workshops can become dull for many business professionals. Stuffy halls, formal conference rooms, bland d?cor, monotonous activities, the list of boredom inducers goes on and on.
Enter Seminars at Sea, a floating meeting facility. Many business owners and professionals' services acknowledge that individuals needing to continue their education or brush up on skills may have greater results when they learn and have fun. Taking employees out of the office for training seminars have many benefits. In many cases the seminar can even have greater tax advantages.
Members of a sales force typically separated by distance, nationally or internationally can learn, share and network in person. Employees can still be focused on the project when they are attending these types of seminars yet still have the feeling they are 'on vacation'. These working trips tend to be perceived as a real break, a time to shift focus from the minutiae of day to day life and leave the responsibilities of house or child care out of their schedules. This, in turn, allows for increased improvement in their personal and professional growth.
Below are a few typical questions regarding participating in a seminar at sea, or simply planning a cruise vacation.
Q: Isn’t cruising expensive?
A: No! A cruise is one of the best travel values. Your fare includes all your meals, your stateroom, daytime activities, night-time parties and entertainment, plus transportation to some of the most popular ports in the world.
Q: How long are cruises?
A: As long, or as short, as you want. Conferences offer cruise itineraries from 3 to 14 days.
Q: Are there different classes of service?
A: Today’s cruise ships are “one-class.” Everyone on board can use all the ship’s facilities. The price of a stateroom is based only on size and location. Regardless of the category you book, you’ll enjoy the same courteous service, menus, activities and entertainment as everyone else on board.
Q: Will I get bored? Feel confined?
A: Hardly, cruise ships are like floating resorts. Being at sea gives you a feeling of freedom few places on earth can offer. There’s plenty of room. And it’ll probably take you two or three days just to discover what’s on board. Plus, you get the added adventure of exploring new and exciting ports of call.
Q: Is there a charge for the entertainment?
A: Never. On a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house. There’s no cover. No minimum. No charge for an admission ticket. The shows are live. The movies are first rate. The variety is limitless.
Q: What should I pack?
A: Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you’re on the ship or ashore. In the evening, the ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion. For the Captain’s Gala, for example, you’ll probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress, perhaps even a tuxedo or gown.
Q: Is seasickness a problem?
A: Not really. The most popular cruise areas boast some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, advance availability of accurate weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have, for the most part, eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort.
Q: Do I need a passport?
A: This depends on your cruise destination. For Caribbean and Alaska cruises you will need proof of citizenship. For all other cruise destinations you will need a valid passport. That will change however, by end of 2006.
Q: Whom will I sit with?
A: You have the option of sitting with other professionals and their families. If you wish to sit apart from the group, inform the agency.
Q: Are there non-smoking areas?
A: Today, virtually all ships have smoking and non-smoking sections in the dining rooms and lounges. At the time we request dining information we ask whether you prefer the smoking or non-smoking section.
Q: Can we stay in touch with the outside?
A: Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newspaper; staterooms equipped with television and telephone as well as capabilities for sending and receiving faxes and e-mail on board.
Q: What are the negatives?
A: In all seriousness, the one major complaint we hear over and over again is that the cruises end far too soon! Beyond that, it’s hard to find any negatives. After all, you don’t have to run to make plane connections to get from one port to the next. You don’t have the hassles of making dinner or nightclub reservations. You don’t have the bother of packing and unpacking as you move from one place to the next. You don’t get unexpected, expensive surprises at restaurants or nightclubs. You have a wealth of options for shopping, adventure, sightseeing, exploring, entertainment and sports activities. All you have to worry about is relaxing and enjoying your vacation. Most importantly, every crew and staff member on board is dedicated to making your cruise vacation the best vacation of your life.
Rae Ann Wright, with Carefree Travel specializes in cruises and was voted #1 Best Travel Agent 2005. She can be reached at (760) 479-4327 or www.carefreevacations.com.
However, the business of conducting seminars and training workshops can become dull for many business professionals. Stuffy halls, formal conference rooms, bland d?cor, monotonous activities, the list of boredom inducers goes on and on.
Enter Seminars at Sea, a floating meeting facility. Many business owners and professionals' services acknowledge that individuals needing to continue their education or brush up on skills may have greater results when they learn and have fun. Taking employees out of the office for training seminars have many benefits. In many cases the seminar can even have greater tax advantages.
Members of a sales force typically separated by distance, nationally or internationally can learn, share and network in person. Employees can still be focused on the project when they are attending these types of seminars yet still have the feeling they are 'on vacation'. These working trips tend to be perceived as a real break, a time to shift focus from the minutiae of day to day life and leave the responsibilities of house or child care out of their schedules. This, in turn, allows for increased improvement in their personal and professional growth.
Below are a few typical questions regarding participating in a seminar at sea, or simply planning a cruise vacation.
Q: Isn’t cruising expensive?
A: No! A cruise is one of the best travel values. Your fare includes all your meals, your stateroom, daytime activities, night-time parties and entertainment, plus transportation to some of the most popular ports in the world.
Q: How long are cruises?
A: As long, or as short, as you want. Conferences offer cruise itineraries from 3 to 14 days.
Q: Are there different classes of service?
A: Today’s cruise ships are “one-class.” Everyone on board can use all the ship’s facilities. The price of a stateroom is based only on size and location. Regardless of the category you book, you’ll enjoy the same courteous service, menus, activities and entertainment as everyone else on board.
Q: Will I get bored? Feel confined?
A: Hardly, cruise ships are like floating resorts. Being at sea gives you a feeling of freedom few places on earth can offer. There’s plenty of room. And it’ll probably take you two or three days just to discover what’s on board. Plus, you get the added adventure of exploring new and exciting ports of call.
Q: Is there a charge for the entertainment?
A: Never. On a cruise vacation, the entertainment is on the house. There’s no cover. No minimum. No charge for an admission ticket. The shows are live. The movies are first rate. The variety is limitless.
Q: What should I pack?
A: Pack like you would for any resort. Cruise vacations are casual by day, whether you’re on the ship or ashore. In the evening, the ships vary as to dress. As on shore, attire is dictated by occasion. For the Captain’s Gala, for example, you’ll probably want to wear something more formal, such as a dark suit, or cocktail dress, perhaps even a tuxedo or gown.
Q: Is seasickness a problem?
A: Not really. The most popular cruise areas boast some of the calmest waters in the world. In addition, stabilizers on modern ships, advance availability of accurate weather information, and development of effective preventative medications have, for the most part, eliminated the incidence of motion discomfort.
Q: Do I need a passport?
A: This depends on your cruise destination. For Caribbean and Alaska cruises you will need proof of citizenship. For all other cruise destinations you will need a valid passport. That will change however, by end of 2006.
Q: Whom will I sit with?
A: You have the option of sitting with other professionals and their families. If you wish to sit apart from the group, inform the agency.
Q: Are there non-smoking areas?
A: Today, virtually all ships have smoking and non-smoking sections in the dining rooms and lounges. At the time we request dining information we ask whether you prefer the smoking or non-smoking section.
Q: Can we stay in touch with the outside?
A: Quite easily. Most ships have a daily newspaper; staterooms equipped with television and telephone as well as capabilities for sending and receiving faxes and e-mail on board.
Q: What are the negatives?
A: In all seriousness, the one major complaint we hear over and over again is that the cruises end far too soon! Beyond that, it’s hard to find any negatives. After all, you don’t have to run to make plane connections to get from one port to the next. You don’t have the hassles of making dinner or nightclub reservations. You don’t have the bother of packing and unpacking as you move from one place to the next. You don’t get unexpected, expensive surprises at restaurants or nightclubs. You have a wealth of options for shopping, adventure, sightseeing, exploring, entertainment and sports activities. All you have to worry about is relaxing and enjoying your vacation. Most importantly, every crew and staff member on board is dedicated to making your cruise vacation the best vacation of your life.
Rae Ann Wright, with Carefree Travel specializes in cruises and was voted #1 Best Travel Agent 2005. She can be reached at (760) 479-4327 or www.carefreevacations.com.