Successful Meetings - August 2009 - (Page 41)

Gaming Meetings ROLLING ON THE HIGH SEAS Cruise ships such as Crystal Cruises’ Symphony offer space for both serious meetings and after-hours gaming Cater to budgetconscious execs and gaming-loving attendees with a cruise By William Ng, william.ng@nielsen.com I n recessionary times, cruise meeting suppliers are now intensely banking on their value proposition of all-inclusive meals, amenities, activities, venues, and equipment. Among those built-in activities is gaming, and cruise lines, with each new ship, are offering larger and more elaborate casinos that mimic, if not rival, the ones in Las Vegas. “With our recent ship refurbishments, our casinos now have a more hip and contem- porary feel and are more upscale and elegant,” says Mike Farrell, casino manager for Crystal Cruises, of the luxury operator’s two vessels, Symphony and Serenity. “We’re mirroring Vegas in providing a similar gaming experience, not READER R I • Cruise ship casinos are beginning to mirror Vegas-style casinos by incorporating new games and upgrading decor • How to coordinate special gaming events for groups aboard a ship Photos courtesy of Crystal Cruises SuccessfulMeetings.com I August 2009 I SM I 41 http://www.SuccessfulMeetings.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - August 2009

Successful Meetings - August 2009
Contents
Editors Letter
Planning for the World, in 5 Days
Education
Personal Success
Incentive Insights
Food & Beverage
Management Matters
Gurus
Visionaries
The Show Must Go On
What Happens in Vegas...
Rolling on the High Seas
Betting on Meetings
Meetings Hype 2.0
Places and Spaces
Midwest Meetings
Cleveland
Palm Springs Desert Resorts
Cancun
Portland
2009 Pinnacle Awards

Successful Meetings - August 2009