NEWS / REGIONAL
Royal Caribbean to plot new course Company to introduce new vessel as it taps Middle East market
Florida-based cruise liner Royal Caribbean will intro- duce Serenade of the Seas to the Middle East next year, targeting not only leisure travellers, but also corporate groups looking to hold meetings and incentive activities at sea. The newly refurbished ship,
which has capacity for 2,500 pas- sengers, boasts one of the high- est space-per-guest ratios in the industry. It can accommo- date more than 30 delegates in its conference centre and 900 guests in its three-tier theatre. Like other vessels in Royal
Caribbean’s fleet, Serenade of the Seas features modern spaces ideal for corporate events such as board retreats, sales meetings and pure incentive programmes. Serenade of the Seas will
replace Brilliance of the Seas, which had completed three sea- sons in the Middle East. The ship is expected to make stops in
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah and Oman starting January 2013. "The resilience of the Middle East market is very encouraging. Bringing a new-look Serenade of the Seas to the region is tes- tament to that belief. She will undergo a complete renova- tion and will boast a number of new food and beverage outlets
and attractions that haven’t been seen here. It will certainly up the game for the regional indus- try," said Helen Beck, Royal Caribbean Regional Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Lakshmi Durai, Executive
Director – Middle East for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara Club Cruises, added
Tailored cruises lure private groups
Dubai, a luxury sailing cata- maran that has been in service since 2001 and is purpose built for chartering by the day. The vessel features a spacious air- conditioned saloon and two large outside decks that can comfortably accommodate 50 people. The company can also offer catering tailored for the group, including an extensive menu selection and a full-bar service. El Mundo Dubai currently
Bespoke luxury catamaran cruises are becoming a popular option among UAE companies looking to hold private meet- ings, team-building activities, product launches or incentive programmes on board, accord- ing to Sean Kelly, General Manager of JPS Passenger Yachts & Boats Rental LLC.
14 / “The layout of the catamaran
is attractive to the corporate sector. Conferences and other business events can easily be accommodated while on a cruise or at anchor and provide impressive views of the Dubai coastline,” he said. JPS Passenger Yachts & Boats Rental operates El Mundo
receives 75 percent of its business from the leisure market, owing in part to a partnership with passen- ger liners visiting Dubai and seek- ing a yacht excursion service. The cooler months between
October and May are considered peak season by the company with enquiries and bookings this year looking promising.
that cruises have become an attractive travel option for com- panies seeking to reward valued clients and employees. Cruise packages, which are often all- inclusive, prove to be cost-effec- tive for corporate travellers. “For the ultimate conference
and incentive travel, chartering an entire cruise is also an option. A full ship charter gives guests the opportunity to customise an incentive or conference pro- gramme from the smallest detail, such as having the company logo on napkins to designing their own itinerary – it offers real value for money,” Durai said.
guests can be accomodated in Serenade of the Seas' three-tier theatre
900
TI’ME offers corporate comforts to travellers
Dubai’s TI’ME Grand Plaza Hotel has unveiled a new execu- tive floor following an extensive 18-month renovation process. Catering for high-profile
guests and business travellers, the new business facility will fea- ture complimentary “corporate comforts” such as a dedicated reception, library, private board- room for up to 15 guests, buffet breakfast, as well as an entertain- ment and refreshment area. TI’ME Grand Plaza Hotel has also adopted a ‘no children’ policy for the facility to retain the floor’s strictly business environment.
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