Silversea cruises, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year, continues to see increased demand for European groups and charters. Having set the standard in corporate and incentive travel, Silversea has been named Business Destinations’ Best MICE Cruise Company, Europe, 2014. Silversea will bring about a number of new opportunities in 2015 for companies looking to incentivise employees, show customer appreciation, stage conferences, hold consumer endorsement events or product rollouts, as well as hosting influential international clients.
Silversea is already receiving booking requests for 2016, 2017 and beyond
Silversea is already receiving booking requests for 2016, 2017 and beyond, with many companies eager to guarantee cruise space for a spectacular event, and set their budgets around this. Most corporate and incentives cruising programmes run for seven days, but to keep up with demand, Silversea offers a number of short charter options lasting three or four nights.
The Caribbean and Mediterranean are always popular destinations, but more unusual locations can also be visited. Silversea added Silver Galapagos to its fleet of ships in 2013, and this year introduced Silver Discoverer. This new ship can accommodate up to 120 guests and explores the Far East and warmer climes such as Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. The ship even has its own glass-bottom boat, allowing exploration of exotic underwater ecosystems.
Full deck charter
Silversea offers the option to charter entire decks across the fleet. This will assure total exclusivity in a secure and confidential environment, while also allowing guests and organisers to enjoy the full facilities of the luxury cruise.
Maarten Tromp, Silversea Director of Corporate and Incentive Sales, explains: “We often get requests for groups that are looking for ‘something exclusive’, but the group being too small for full charter. By taking over a deck exclusively, there is a high degree of personalisation possible while still having access to the full array of ship facilities.”
Silversea offers a number of ways to customise the experience on board, including an abundance of thoughtful options and luxurious amenities – from Bvlgari toiletries and personalised stationery, to a bar filled with the group’s favourite wines and spirits.
Short cruises
Silversea’s fleet of luxury ships normally sail for a minimum of seven nights. However, to accommodate a greater range of schedules, Silversea has designed a variety of shorter voyage itineraries for partners who prefer to put on events of three to five nights. These short segments include: suite accommodations, each with ocean views and a personal butler; top-shelf wines and spirits; gourmet dining; port charges; gratuities already included; all meals, including in-suite breakfasts and a poolside grill; and meeting space together with audiovisual equipment.
With Silversea’s all-inclusive packages, there are no unpleasant surprises and no hassle, allowing bookers to budget with confidence and ease. Ranging from four to seven days, these shorter cruises are the ideal length to accommodate any event.
“In recent years we have seen an increased trend for shorter cruises within the leisure sector and conference organisers have also recognised the value that these shorter cruises can offer. Silversea cruises between four and seven days can often work out very cost-effective, as food and facilities are included in the overall price,” said Maarten Tromp. “We have seen a higher demand for these from the sector and as a result have introduced some fantastic shorter itineraries for 2015.”
Better than a resort
With a total of eight ships covering seven continents, the options for your event are endless. Whether you are looking for a more traditional type of cruise or the thrill of expedition, you won’t fail to find your perfect trip.
Expeditions allow you to take guests to isolated waters where you can spot rare whales and schools of dolphins, or venture onto land and search for wild orangutans and the remnants of Stone Age societies. And when you return to the ship, luxury awaits. Organisers can also select from a range of food and wine cruises, transforming their guests into culinary connoisseurs or budding sommeliers.
Over the last 20 years, the European market has proven to be one of the most successful in corporate and incentives bookings for Silversea. The all-inclusive package has been a consistent draw for clients, offering a fixed cost, which covers everything from meals, drinks, use of audiovisual and meeting materials, and conference facilities. All of this, matched with the excitement of exploring destinations inaccessible to larger ships, landmark ports and smaller, less-visited harbours, often in the heart of a city, is the advantage of a small cruise in a big world.
Each Silversea ship features a choice of lounges and conference rooms, with complimentary audiovisual equipment, wi-fi access throughout the whole vessel, mail and shipping services, mobile phone and wireless data services as well as a direct dial telephone service. Every ship houses the necessary ingredients for an impressive and spectacular event, providing everything the modern businessperson needs to keep on working, or totally relax.
For further information tel +44 (0)207 340 0729, or email maartent@silversea.com
