Ship Report - SeaDream sells itself - not once but three times!  New CEO Challenges Previous CEO's Destination Choice
By Ramon Santos

Most meeting planners have been there… In late 2003 the CEO of an information systems company selected a three night Caribbean cruise aboard a privately chartered luxury yacht –SeaDream I - for their 2005 incentive program. Fast-forward 10 months…that CEO has moved on to another company, and the new CEO is not a big fan of cruising. Although skeptical, she decides to go forward with the SeaDream cruise program since it has created so much company buzz. The meeting planner breathes a sigh of relief, and the sales people make extra efforts to earn a coveted spot on this exclusive yacht charter.

Fast forward to April 2005. As guests embark their company’s exclusive SeaDream yacht, they are greeted with a flute of Mumm’s champagne and escorted to their suites by white-glove stewardesses. The CEO arrives and is immediately impressed by the intimate and elegant vessel. The personal service of the gracious staff and attention to every detail quickly wins her over. As she settles into her deluxe, spacious Owner’s Suite complete with private jacuzzi, she is pleased with the quality of furnishings and suite amenities such as plush Egyptian linens and towels, Bvlgari bathroom amenities, flat-screen TV and DVD/CD player.

As the ship sets sail for St. Barth’s, everyone gathers on deck to mingle and exchange ideas; basking in their shared success as winners of the cruise. The first evening‘s “Dinner Under the Stars” features an elegantly served gourmet five-course meal rivaling any upscale restaurant. The following morning, guests enjoy a beach party and custom excursions in St. Barth’s – the island playground of the rich and famous. Later that evening, an Awards Presentation and dinner is followed by dancing in the disco or gaming in the casino. Some guests prefer to relax on deck in one of the Balinese sun beds, complete with the ship’s fine linens and personalized monogrammed SeaDream pajamas.

The highlight of the cruise occurs the next day when the ship anchors off Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands for the SeaDream’s legendary “Caviar & Champagne Splash”. All guests are tendered ashore via zodiacs to a pristine, palm-fringed beach to enjoy a private beach party and BBQ. At noon, the ship’s horn is blown to get all guests’ attention as a zodiac dramatically heads toward the beach with the CEO, her entourage, and selected ship’s staff proudly waving the corporate flag. All executives gather in the surf around a floating surfboard loaded with a decadent display of Caviar with all the trimmings, and pop open unending bottles of champagne to serve to their dazzled guests right there in the frothy surf. The excitement of the crowd is palpable – they’re absolutely blown away by this unexpected Caviar & Champagne Splash experience.

Later that afternoon, as we set sail during a Bloody Mary & pizza party, the CEO approaches us to say what a wonderful experience this cruise program has been. She instructs her meeting planner to cancel a 5-star resort that was tentatively booked in Naples, Florida and book another cruise for their 2006 incentive program!

How does this story end? Not only did the SeaDream experience close the deal during site selection, then again when the new CEO came onboard, the client requested another cruise proposal for 2006. If you think your CEO is not pro-cruising, share this story with him or her and I am sure it will make a winner out of you. The meeting planner for this company has been praised by the executives, the new CEO, and all attendees for planning such an amazing experience, and they are all looking forward to their next cruise experience.

For information on SeaDream contact:
Ed Peters
727-641-5614
epeters13@aol.com