Cruise conference January 2018

Cruise conferences are the best and balcony cabins are great

The academic forum announced recently that their next cruise conference will take place in the Western Caribbean, on board the Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the seas from 11 to 15 January 2018. The ship will leave from Tampa in Florida (USA) and visit Key West and Mexico with two sea days during which the conference will take place. 

The peer review process is designed to assist academics: Authors receive feedback on their abstracts and proposals within two weeks. Presenters are also allocated a 30 minute time slot to present their research and an opportunity to publish their papers in The Exchange journal. The Forum focuses on the following streams: business, public administration and pedagogy among university educators and practitioners while promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and networking opportunities. 

Personally I would like to see many more cruise conferences. The medical profession has this well-established way of conferencing and I am sure that this concept can also be used to a much greater extend for conferences in other subject fields. It provides a wonderful all-in-one package (accommodation, all meals, excursions and transport) and also unique networking opportunities.  By scheduling the conference for the sea days, also ensures good participation in the conference sessions, even from guests on the ship. 

A word of caution: Do your homework and do thorough research, not only on the itinerary and excursions, but also on the ship and what is included and excluded in the package. Also, make sure that you know what type of cabin you pay for, and what the cabin look like. There are cruise ships with cupboards for cabins and this will most definitely have a negative influence on your experience. Normally, as part of the group booking, you will be able to upgrade to a better cabin paying a reduced price as the conference organizers will be able to negotiate group discounts for the delegates. If you can afford it, go for cabin with a balcony, as this is the way you want to experience the sea.