For a more comprehensive checklist, including what you should look for in cruise terminal facilities and embarkation and disembarkation procedures, check the Knowledge Center at seasite.com.

Meeting Space/Public Areas

• Capacity
• Décor/lighting
• Cleanliness/wear and tear
• Can rooms be locked and/or can access to them be limited?
• Audiovisual availability/sufficient outlets/voltage
• Can furniture be moved?
• Type of seating/table sizes
• Are deck events possible?

• Number of cabin categories and differences among the categories
• In-room amenities
• Honor bar or comp beverages?
• Unique features
• Is there a voice mail system that allows a planner to send a group message to all attendees’ cabins?
• Internet connectivity. Jo Kling, CEO, Seasite.com, notes that Wi-Fi is now the standard in cabins, Internet cafés, and hot-spots aboard ships. “But heavy users should check the specifics,” she advises, “and, of course, good service relies on a satellite being in range.”

• Assigned seating or open seating?
• Dining times flexible?
• Group sections/table sizes
• Are dining areas conducive to meetings?
• How many dining outlets?
• Alternative restaurants: What are costs and availability for groups?