Your meeting doesn't necessarily have to be in a coastal city to incorporate a nautical component
More than 9,500 miles of coastline surrounds the continental U.S. – including two oceans, the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes. But that doesn't necessarily mean you have to meet in San Diego or New Orleans or Tampa in order to have an aquatic adventure at your next conference.
When you think about it, the uniqueness of taking attendees on a cruise in a place where the nearest ocean is thousands of miles away can lend an unforgettable touch to an event. Here's a look at four land-locked cities that aren't often thought of as places to float your boat.
Atlanta
Just 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta you'll find Stone Mountain Park, a 3,200-acre haven that's known for being home to the Confederate Memorial Carving, which depicts three Confederate heroes of the Civil War: President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The entire carved surface on the mountain covers three acres, and the carving itself measures 90 by 190 feet, making it the world's largest relief sculpture.
The site is also home to Stone Mountain Lake, a 363-acre body of water that meanders through the park and offers breathtaking views of the granite mountain from three sides. For a water-related event at your next Atlanta meeting, consider the Henry W. Grady paddlewheel riverboat. It's available for private functions and can accommodate up to 150 people for a seated meal or 300 for a stand-up reception. The boat has three decks, one that's completely enclosed, one that's covered and the top deck, which is open.
Rental fees are based on a 3-hour cruise and vary according to the time and day of your event. Food and beverage on the Henry W. Grady is only available through Stone Mountain Park Catering. For pricing and package information, contact the park sales department at (770) 498-5700 or (800) 401-2405.
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Cincinnati
Known as the "Queen City," Cincinnati's history has long been tied to the Ohio River. The introduction of steam navigation in 1811 and the completion of the Miami and Erie Canal helped the city grow to 115,000 people by 1850, making it the first major inland city in the country.
Today that inexorable link to the Ohio River lives on in the half-dozen companies that offer riverboat cruises in the greater Cincinnati area. Actually, most cruises depart from the Kentucky side of the river, which is easily accessible from downtown hotels.
Queen City Riverboats can provide your attendees with everything from a continental breakfast cruise to a sumptuous hot or cold lunch to a formal dinner, with menus featuring a choice meats, steamed vegetables, salads, potatoes and pastries, all served by an experienced staff. Cruises and menus are offered in two configurations – groups of less than 50 and groups of 50 or more.
The Spirit of Cincinnati (capacity 145) charges a basic rental fee of $800-$900 for a 3-hour cruise hosting up to 60 passengers. A meal featuring an entrée, two side dishes, salad and desert will run an additional $20-$25 per person, or you can opt for a spread of appetizers for $18.95 per person. China, silver, linens & napkins are included. All menus are served buffet style and include catering personnel. For larger groups of up to 80 passengers, the Queen City Clipper (capacity 210) is available for $1,000-$1,200 for a 3-hour cruise. Menu prices and choices are the same. Bar/beverage packages are also available, ranging from $5 per person for soft drinks to $20 per person for a full open bar.
For groups of 50 or more, the per person charge rises to $25-$37, depending on the menu selected, but it includes the 3-hour cruise and a broader selection of meal options. Bar/beverage prices are the same as above. For more information, contact Queen City Riverboats at (859) 292-8687, or go to their website at http://www.queencityriverboats.com.
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Las Vegas
Las Vegas rises up out of the Nevada desert like a 24-hour neon theme park surrounded by sand, scrub pine and red rocks as far as the eye can see. But most people don't realize that about a half hour east of the city you can cruise the vast 247-square-mile expanse of Lake Mead on a paddle-wheel steamer and escape the Vegas glitz and glamour for a few hours of relaxing aquatic adventure.
Lake Mead Cruises is the only licensed water tour provider in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The company offers a selection of cruises, from a Breakfast Cruise or Mid-Day Sightseeing Cruise to a Pizza Party Cruise, Dinner Cruise or Dinner Dance Cruise. Your attendees can enjoy climate-controlled comfort on enclosed decks on either the Desert Princess or Desert Princess Too, or feel the wind in their hair and the desert sun on their face on the open decks. The vessels offer refreshment centers, handicapped accessible restrooms, state-of-the-art audio systems and comfortable seating.
The Desert Princess is a three-level, Mississippi-style paddle-wheeler certified for 300 passengers and 10 crew members, equipped with two enclosed decks and an open promenade deck. The Desert Princess Too is certified for up to 149 passengers and 5 crew members, offering one enclosed deck and one covered promenade deck. Here's a look at some of the company's standard cruise offerings:
Breakfast Cruise. This option offers attendees a charming combination of cruising, sightseeing and a traditional American style buffet breakfast. Cruises are $36.50 per adult and $18 per child. April 1 through October 31; cruises run every Sunday, departing at 10 am.
Mid-Day Sightseeing Cruise. Daytime on Lake Mead gives your group a chance to enjoy the full beauty and majesty of the area. Enjoy plenty of sunshine and refreshing breezes while attendees take in the breathtaking sights. Cruises are $22 per adult and $10 per child; cruises run every day of the week all year, departing at 12 pm and 2 pm.
Pizza Party Cruise. Fare includes pizza and wings. There is also a full-service cash beverage bar on the enclosed second deck. Up on the Promenade/Top Deck, sightseeing is completely unobstructed. Cruises are $26 per adult and $15 per child. April 1 through October 31; cruises run daily at 4:00 pm.
Dinner Cruise. Evenings on Lake Mead is when the temperature cools slightly and the water becomes calmer. This cruise offers a choice of dinners, consisting of beef, chicken, seafood or pasta. Cruises are $46 per adult and $25 per child. April 1 through October 31; cruises run Sunday through Thursday at 6:30 pm.
Dinner Dance Cruise. Later in the evening, enjoy the romance and gaiety of a Dinner Dance Cruise. Dinner choices are the same as the Dinner Cruise. Afterwards, enjoy cocktails and dancing in the lounge. A moonlit walk on the open deck is sure to provide a memorable experience for attendees. Cruises are $58 per adult, not recommended for children; cruises are offered all year, departing Saturdays at 7:30 pm. and lasting 3 hours.
For more information, contact Lake Mead Cruises at (800) 417-4139, or go to http://www.lakemeadcruises.com.
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San Antonio
On the surface, San Antonio seems like a typical South Texas city – a little dust, a little history, a healthy dose of sun and a lot of wide open spaces. But lurking below street level is one of most picturesque and charming destinations in the U.S., the Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, a 3-mile mile stretch of beautifully landscaped waterfront walkways that feature many of San Antonio's most spectacular hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, shopping centers and businesses.
Originally constructed in the 1920s as a looping canal designed to keep the river from flooding, it has been transformed over the last 50 years into the city's premier tourist and commercial district. Along the horseshoe shaped promenade, the river is shaded by towering cypresses, oaks and willows and bordered by gardens of flowering ornamental plants.
But the best view of the Paseo del Rio is from one of the flat-bottom river barges that travel the River Walk, passing by its unique architectural landmarks, retail shops, hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. Chartered tours are a great way to bring a group down to the river. Each boat can seat up to 40 people, and the trip includes a 40-minute narrated tour of the River Walk.
Looking for something a little more elaborate and memorable? Certain dining establishments along the River Walk will work with Rio San Antonio Cruises, the city's river tour operating company, to set up charter boats for a dining or cocktail cruise. To book a charter lunch or dinner cruise, you first contact a specific River Walk restaurant and they charter the boat and cater the meal for you. Chartered dinner and lunch cruises seat a maximum of 20 guests and offer a charming dining experience. Cocktail cruises are also done on a charter basis and are catered by any number of River Walk restaurants. They can seat a maximum of 30 guests and can be configured for drinks and appetizers.
For more information on River Walk tours and dinner cruises, call (800) 417-4139, or go to http://www.riosanantonio.com.
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