Are you looking for a unique and memorable way to celebrate your next event? Whether you want to have a private party for your next corporate event or host a special birthday party for a loved one, a cruise ship is an innovative way to celebrate.
There are plenty of customizable charter business incentives available to make your event a success that everyone will remember. If you’re ready to start planning your next party or special event, explore some of these tips for chartering a cruise ship below.
Table of Contents
- Establish Your Event Size
- Establish Your Budget
- Choose the Length
- Choose the Destination
- Browse Options
- Check Out What Your Package Includes
- Talk to a Travel Professional To Help Plan Your Event
- Charter a Cruise With Windstar for Your Next Event
1. Establish Your Event Size
Think about how many people you want to invite and how extravagant you want it to be. A cruise ship has plenty of staterooms for you and your guests to use so you can have an overnight or week-long celebration.
You typically have two options when chartering a cruise ship:
- Full-ship charter: You can rent the whole ship to accommodate 148 to 342 guests. If you choose a full-ship charter, your company has all the ship’s employees available for you during your stay. Book a 5-day or 10-night trip and have a full itinerary for your guests. You can have an event coordinator help you figure out all the details for your private party.
- Partial-ship charter: If you don’t need a whole cruise ship for your event, you can reserve a certain number of staterooms to accommodate your guests. You can also book meeting spaces for entertainment. Consider chartering a cruise ship for a one-night celebration for your team.
To help you decide, think about what type of events you want to have available so you can book the perfect-sized cruise ship.
2. Establish Your Budget
So, how much does it cost to charter a cruise ship? Prices for chartering a cruise can vary, and fortunately, there’s plenty of packages to choose from that can fit within any budget. These factors can affect how much it costs to charter a cruise ship:
- Amenities: You probably want to throw an extravagant celebration for your employees or clients. Think about how much you want to spend entertaining your guests, from watersport activities to tours in an exotic location. You can also find lots to do on the cruise ship itself.
- Destination: Take your business team on an exciting journey exploring any part of the world. Whether you take a cruise through the Mediterranean or the Alaskan coast, you can find different activities at each port of call. Keep in mind that some cruise destinations are more expensive because they’re more challenging to access.
- Duration: Most packages offer week-long cruise trips for your private party. If you only want to celebrate for a few days, ask your travel professional about other options.
- Time of year: Caribbean cruises are typically more expensive in the winter, while European cruises cost more in the summer. If you want to save money, try to book a cruise when it’s not high season or a holiday in that area.
Establishing your budget can help you weigh your options when planning your event.
3. Choose the Length
After figuring out your budget, think about how long you want your trip to be. Most yacht charters last at least one week. Cruise companies have also designed charter packages for short trips ideal for meetings and business incentives.
If you plan on inviting hundreds of people to your private party, it’s best to book at least a few nights so everyone can get to know each other. You should have enough time to do all the activities you have planned for your employees or clients. Reach out to a travel professional about which options are available for you and your team.
4. Choose the Destination
Give your guests an experience they’ll never forget with an exotic cruise. Have your party at a tropical destination and let your guests feel like royalty.
With a charter cruise, you can go anywhere you want, including:
- Alaska: Take a one-of-a-kind Alaskan cruise with your guests as you explore big cities, small towns, glaciers and wildlife. Learn about Alaskan culture and go whale watching with eight onboard expedition experts.
- Asia: Explore the exciting contrast of contemporary trends and ancient traditions as you skate across the coasts of several Asian countries. Browse through Asia’s famous temples and take a trip back in time to some of the world’s first civilizations.
- Black Sea: Windstar has exclusive access to many Black Sea ports because of our small ships. Take an adventure with your guests and visit places most people have yet to see.
- Australia and New Zealand: Watch the sunset and take a tour of all the wildlife and flora that Australia and New Zealand have to offer. Swim through the Great Barrier Reef and explore the famous Sydney Opera House.
- Canada and New England: Take an intimate cruise along the shores of Canada and New England to explore the land of the early settlers. You can find cute shops and fun excursions along the coast of this historic part of the world.
- Caribbean: As a popular vacation spot, the Caribbean is a refreshing destination for you and your guests to gather on a cruise. Stick your toes in the gorgeous blue waters and party with your team all week long.
- Costa Rica and Panama Canal: Consider visiting Costa Rica, one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet. Journey through volcanoes, rainforests and lakes to take in the fresh air and get out in nature for a few days. A local Naturalist on board can explain all of the wildlife and flora in this area.
- Greece: As an ancient country with rich history, a cruise through Greece is a unique way to celebrate your corporate successes. The small, intimate ship gives you a front-row seat to the Acropolis, Ephesus and Santorini.
- Holy Lands: Take a cruise through the Holy Lands — Israel, Egypt, Greece and Turkey. Browse historical museums and explore many of the sites featured in ancient religious texts.
- Italy: If you book your special event in Italy, you can walk along pristine beaches and stroll through the charming villages and towns that people desire to visit at least once in their lives.
- Mediterranean: Windstar Cruises offers unique amenities for our Mediterranean cruises to participate in many activities throughout Spain. Explore the food, culture and atmosphere that this part of the world has to offer.
- Mexico: Celebrate the special people on your team by chartering a Mexican cruise for your next event. Take a tour through the Mayan temples and eat delicious, authentic cuisine.
- Northern Europe: Explore the natural beauty you’ll find in Northern Europe as you embark on a cruise for your next event. Visit seaside cafés and journey through enchanting fjords with your team.
- Ocean crossings: Taking a cruise while crossing the ocean can offer a refreshing break from the mundane.
- South Pacific: If you want an experience different from the standard resorts, book a cruise along the South Pacific. This part of the world features untouched land and unique cultural experiences for you and your guests to explore.
- Tahiti: Embark on a cruise in Tahiti, a land bursting with color. Dip your toes in the sand as you relax near the water on an exotic beach.
- U.S. Coastals: Exploring the coast of the Americas gives you access to the diversity and distinctions that make up this part of the world. You can visit North, Central and South America on this cruise.
Think about going to a place with all the activities your team or guests want to do and choose a destination accordingly.
5. Browse Options
There are plenty of options to choose from when chartering a cruise ship for you next event. Depending on the size and type of your event, you may want a small or large cruise ship for your guests.
Windstar has a wide selection of cruise ships available for your party or corporate event. Here are a few options we have to offer:
- Star Breeze: Our ship, the Star Breeze, is small enough to connect you with your team members and explore unique destinations, and it’s large enough to accommodate all your desired amenities. This all-suite ship has recently gone through a renovation to give your team everything you need. It includes a new fitness area, two new dining venues, an infinity pool and a new spa. You can have 312 guests on this ship with ocean views and more than 277 square feet for you and your guests to enjoy.
- Star Legend: The Star Legend is the same size as the Star Breeze but with different amenities and destinations. Take your 312 guests across small ports in Greece or Northern Europe.
- Wind Spirit: The Wind Spirit can accommodate 148 guests, and it has open decks so everyone can have time to unwind on their own. Every stateroom has an ocean view, and your team can enjoy delicious cuisine from Amphora restaurant or the buffet at the Veranda.
- Wind Star: The Wind Star fits 148 guests for an intimate gathering with your employees and their families. There are open decks for your guests to get their own space when they need it. It has two dining venues, the Amphora and the Veranda.
- Wind Surf: The Wind Surf can accommodate 342 guests to give you and your corporate team all the activities they desire. We offer personal treatments and an unforgettable experience for every one of your guests.
Weighing your options can help you choose the perfect ship to create a unique experience and impress your guests.
6. Check Out What Your Package Includes
No matter what package you choose for your event, you can customize it to make it work best for your guests. Here are a few things most cruise charter packages include:
Food and Beverages
You may want to consider specific menu items or choices, especially if someone on your guest list has allergies or certain medical conditions.
Check out what food and beverage packages your ship has included, such as:
- Complimentary destination discovery events: Depending on your destination, you can enjoy an onshore celebration including local cuisines, entertainment and cultural experiences..
- Buffets: For a more casual experience, many cruise ships offer a buffet-style, full-service restaurant for a relaxed dining experience.
- Outdoor dining: Does your ship offer an outdoor dining experience? An outdoor restaurant is perfect for enjoying a delicious meal surrounded by views of the sea.
- Culinary events: Many cruise ships offer culinary events for you to take part in. You’ll get one-of-a-kind cooking demos and classes, cruises with culinary themes and cultural dining experiences to take in the culture around you.
- Signature deck barbecue: On one night during your cruise, you and your guests or business team can enjoy a barbecue featuring live music, an open bar, impromptu performances, dancing under the stars and a buffet.
- Market tours: When you charter a cruise ship, you may have the option to explore the local markets with the chef to discover the ingredients to your delicious meals.
All of our packages include non-alcoholic drinks, such as tea and coffee. Consult your travel consultant about stocking your in-suite bar with your favorite alcoholic beverages. We also offer a champagne welcome reception when you first arrive.
Stateroom Amenities
Having amentities are essential if you and your guests will be staying overnight on the cruise ship. Be sure to check what rooms and amenities are available on the cruise ship you select.
Many cruise lines offer the following amenities:
- Ocean views and private balconies
- Queen-sized beds with comfortable linens
- Robes and slippers
- Bathroom with shower and countertops
- A flat-screen TV with a DVD player
- Closets with plenty of drawer space
- Fully stocked mini-bar and refrigerator
- Hairdryers and electrical outlets
- A safe for storing your valuables
- Decor, such as fresh flowers
- Bath supplies and soaps
- Meeting spaces for corporate events
You’ll want to think about the type and length of your event and consider what you may need to make your event a success. Speak with your cruise line to discuss their amenities to ensure you will have everything you need to ensure your guests have a great time.
Entertainment Events
Do you want to take part in any extra events or activities? Fortunately, when you charter a cruise ship, you can add on extra entertainment events to make your party or business event a memorable success.
Here are a few events you could consider adding to your itinerary:
- A local destination event or excursion
- Ability to chat with officers on the Bridge
- An unforgettable sail away from the port
- Fun watersports, such as jet skiing or snorkeling
- Local performances from performers around the world
If you want to make your special event unforgettable, consider taking part in an extra activity or excursion in a beautiful, exotic location.
7. Talk to a Travel Professional To Help Plan Your Event
If you’re unsure where to start in your planning process, you can speak to a travel professional to help plan your event. You’ll be able to discuss your ideas and wants, and a travel professional can search for a cruise line that best suits your ideas.
Travel experts can work with you to browse the best options for your event so you can host the event of your dreams that will wow your guests.
Charter a Cruise With Windstar for Your Next Event
If you’re looking for a cruise ship charter to celebrate a business win with your team or host a special event for a family member or loved one, start the conversation by contacting our travel professionals.
We’ll provide a one-of-a-kind experience for your guests. For more information about our charter business incentives, you can reach out to us online or call 800-602-1686.
