Landry & Kling

Joyce Landry and Jo Kling, Co-founders of Landry Kling Inc.

Landry & Kling Inc. was founded in New York City in 1982 by former cruise line executives Joyce Landry and Jo Kling,[6] who shared a vision to become the first resource for business meetings on ships.[7] The company relocated to Miami, Florida in 1988.

Landry & Kling Inc., dba Landry & Kling Global Ship Solutions, is an approved minority women-owned and operated business, certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Co-founders Joyce Landry & Jo Kling are cruise industry spokespeople who have been regularly interviewed and quoted for over three decades in domestic and international media including The New York Times, Money, TIME, The Economist, Travel + Leisure, Vogue, and many trade publications in the meetings industry.[8] They have appeared twice on NBC's The Today Show. As speakers, seminar leaders, columnists and cruise line advisory board members, they influenced the growth of the corporate cruise market, which resulted in their induction into the cruise industry's Hall of Fame in 2009.[8]

In 2009, Landry & Kling introduced Seasite.com, the first web portal dedicated to the corporate & incentive cruise market, re-engineering the group quote process online with electronic search tools.[9]

Landry & Kling co-founder Jo Kling retired from the trailblazing company in April 2018.[10]

In May 2020, Landry & King launched SustainableShips.com and a livestream interview series, "The Future of Cruising", to showcase eco-friendly ships and promote leaders in the sustainable cruise movement.

In a strategic collaboration effective September 2021, Landry & Kling Global Cruise Services named Inchcape Shipping Services its preferred port services company for charters on a global scale. This expands ship charter service offerings for both companies[11]

In 2023, Landry and Kling became notable as subcontractors of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate asylum seekers at Portland Port.[1]

In 2023, Landry and Kling were sub-contracted with Australian company Corporate Travel Management (CTM) to run the Bibby Stockholm, a barge to accommodate asylum-seekers in Portland Port, Dorset, UK, on behalf of the UK's Home Office.[12] In July 2023, an open letter signed by over fifty NGOs and campaigners, including the Refugee Council, called on the Bibby Stockholm's owner, Bibby Marine, to acknowledge its founder John Bibby's links[13] to the Atlantic slave trade and to end the practice of containing asylum seekers on its vessels.[14] Use of the Bibby Stockholm as accommodation for asylum-seekers has been described by an academic from the University of Cambridge as 'performative cruelty'[15] and by the London Review of Books as 'conspicuous cruelty'.[16]

On 20 July 2023, before residents were moved on board and in advance of media visits, Landry and Kling CEO Joyce Landry was quoted as describing the Bibby Stockholm as "actually quite lovely".[17]

Fire and safety concerns

On 27 July 2023, the Guardian reported a lack of lifejackets on board the Bibby Stockholm, and other safety concerns.[18] On 31 July 2023 the Times reported that the Bibby Stockholm was 'yet to be approved by fire service and 'could become floating Grenfell'.[19] On the same day, LBC reported 'Landry and Kling, the company that manages the barge, told the publication there are no plans to carry out fire drills' on board.[20] On 1 August 2023, the Guardian reported concerns of the Fire Brigades Union that the Bibby Stockholm was a 'potential deathtrap'.[3]

On 31 August 2023 the Guardian reported, on receipt of documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request, that Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service had inspected the Bibby Stockholm in the week beginning 7 August 2023, after residents had been moved on board. The inspectors reportedly demanded five urgent fire safety improvements, concluding that 'lives could be put at risk because there were too few fire escapes, a lack of fire drills, and problems with air vents' and that 'people may not be able to escape safely in case of fire.'[21] This fire inspection report, dated 10 August 2023, is addressed to 'The Responsible Person c/o Joyce Landry, Landry and Kling (on behalf of CTM)', and can be viewed here. The report recommends installing a sprinkler system in all sleeping accommodation on board.

Infection risk - diphtheria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases

On 6 August 2023, the Guardian reported plans to move people on board the Bibby Stockholm 'despite warnings in an internal health document that many could be infected if there was an outbreak of a disease such as diphtheria on board.'[22] On 11 August 2023 it was reported that an asylum seeker with tuberculosis had been given notice that he would be moved on board the Bibby Stockholm, and his GP described it as 'a public health catastrophe in the making.'[23]

Legionella and water safety

On 11 August 2023, 39 people were evacuated from the Bibby Stockholm after the water on board tested positive for legionella.[2] The Guardian reports that contractors were informed of the presence of legionella on board on 7 August 2023, the same day that the first asylum-seekers were moved on board, but that no action was then taken until 11 August 2023.[24] LBC similarly reports that Dorset Council informed contractors, including Landry and Kling, of the presence of legionella on 7 August 2023, exposing those on board for four days.[25] Some of those evacuated have since reported symptoms of Legionnaire's disease, according to Sky News.[26] On 8 September 2023 the Guardian reported that further testing of the water on board the Bibby Stockholm had revealed the presence of legionella pneumophila Serotype 1, the 'most deadly strain of legionella', in the ship's kitchen's 'galley pot wash hose'.[27]

On 30 August 2023 the Guardian reported that an inspection of the Bibby Stockholm's plumbing system by Wessex Water had found failings that 'could take months to repair' following the finding of legionella on board and an inspection of the water fittings on board on 23 August 2023. The Guardian further plans 'to move asylum seekers back on to the barge before the repairs are completed.'[28]

Attempted suicide

On 25 August 2023 the BBC published extracts from a letter penned by one of the asylum seekers who had been evacuated from the Bibby Stockholm on 11 August 2023, in which they stated: ""In a tragic incident, one of the asylum seekers attempted suicide [while on board the Bibby Stockholm], but we acted promptly and prevented this unfortunate event."[4]

Fireworks during sail-away on a ship chartered for a corporate incentive group.

Landry & Kling provides site selection for meetings at sea, incentive cruise groups and full ship charters[29] as well as complete program planning services and onboard execution.

Clients include blue-chip companies such as Aflac, Harley-Davidson, Land O'Lakes, and MetLife,[30] privately held organizations and theme cruise organizers, as well as HelmsBriscoe, the global meetings procurement company, for whom they provide all cruise related services under the "HB Cruises" private label brand. "Landry & Kling's long-term specialization in the cruise industry has given them a knowledge base and connections that allow them to customize cruise solutions for their clients".[31]

At the time the company was founded, cruise lines did not have cruise incentive departments, and corporations did not typically think of cruises as travel incentive rewards.[9] TravelMarket says the firm is " practically synonymous with cruise incentives".[9]

One of the five ships chartered as "floating hotels" in Jacksonville, Florida during the 2005 Super Bowl.

Landry & Kling originated the concept of using cruise ships as "floating hotels"[32] chartered to provide supplemental housing dockside during citywide events, such as the 2005 Super Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.[33]

They also facilitated other dockside charter projects for the American Heart Association 1996 (New Orleans), Relief housing after Hurricane Katrina 2005 (Mobile, AL), Cricket World Cup 2007 (West Indies); Fifth Summit of the Americas 2009 (Trinidad),[32] and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.[34]

Landry & Kling is one of the country's leading cruise ship charter consultants,[35] not only for corporate use, but also for leisure themed charters, such as Rock Legends Cruise[36] and "It's the Ship", Asia's largest music festival at sea. Landry & Kling is the only company recommended as cruise charter specialists in Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships annually, from 2008 to 2015.[37]

Landry & Kling claims to have chartered more cruise ships than any other entity in the world.[38]

The company specializes in global sourcing and logistics for floating workforce accommodations and other offshore support vessel projects including mining expeditions and government security training exercises. In addition to passenger ships, vessels sourced for these projects include ferries, barges, sightseeing boats, and research vessels [39]

Landry & Kling COP26 team in Glasgow with accommodation ship

Landry & Kling brokered the cruise ferry vessel MS Silja Europa, in partnership with Bibby Marine UK, to house 1,000 police officers and staff tasked with providing security for high-profile leaders during the 47th G7 summit that took place in June 2021 in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, England. The company is involved with logistics for the 10-day project, including coordination with Falmouth Port, the ship, port agent, and UK Port Health.[40]

Landry & Kling Global Cruise Services also facilitated charters of Tallink Grupp’s Silja Europa and Tallink Romantika to provide workforce housing and catering services during the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) that took place in Glasgow, Scotland on 31 October – 12 November 2021. The company provided logistics support for the duration of the accommodation vessel project [41]

Landry & Kling has facilitated ship charters for urgent relief situations including evacuation, emergency services, restoration, and rebuilding. The company's most significant FEMA government contracts involved securing a cruise ship charter for a six-month Hurricane Katrina relief mission in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005, and Haiti's devastating earthquake in 2010.[42] In September 2021, Landry & Kling also arranged a charter of a Bahamas Paradise cruise ship for a Louisiana-based energy provider to house workers and deliver supplies for Hurricane Ida relief efforts.[43]

Landry & Kling has the global resources to rapidly source and deploy ships to provide relief and temporary housing during a humanitarian crisis. Landry & Kling worked with the Scottish Government to facilitate two ship charters to provide long-term temporary housing during the 2022 Ukrainian refugee crisis. The Tallink ship MS Victoria 1 was deployed to the port of Leith, near Edinburgh to house displaced refugees. A second ship, MS Ambition, was docked in Glasgow to accommodate more people from Ukraine.[44]

Children's Dance Program on Ukrainian Refugee Ship

In 2022, Landry & Kling secured two accommodation vessels in Scotland to provide temporary housing for more than 2,000 Ukrainian refugees, including over 800 children. While living aboard the vessels and managing day-to-day operations, CEO Joyce Landry recognized an urgent need to support the socioemotional well-being of the children. She helped create a children’s program onboard two vessels to encourage self-expression and healing through music, dance, art and sports. The success of this program inspired the creation of the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Mission of Innocents. The organization helps children displaced from war, climate devastation, and political turmoil heal and find joy [45]

Future of Cruising Livecast with Lindblad Expeditions

Landry & King launched SustainableShips.com and a livestream interview series, "The Future of Cruising" to help planners, group organizers and consumers evaluate who they want to do business with based on each cruise line's sustainability practices, to help suppliers of environmental services access the cruise industry and to support the industry toward a more sustainable future.[46]

Joyce Landry is a spokesperson for sustainable cruise and shipping initiatives. She has been featured on two Seatrade Cruise Virtual panel discussions and moderated the 2021 Seatrade Cruise Global live panel that focused on the cruise industry and sustainability.[47] She was also featured on a FOX News segment about the return of ships and sustainable cruising.[48]

1987: Landry & Kling introduced dockside cruise ship charters for the DECworld '87 tradeshow in Boston to serve as "floating hotels" for more than 25,000 visitors.[49]

2005: Corporate Meetings & Incentive Magazine cited the 1982 founding of Landry & Kling as one of the "Top 25 Meeting Industry Milestones" in their special 25th Anniversary Issue[50]

2006 Landry and Kling were named among the 10 Women Leaders who are making a difference in the meetings industry by Incentive Magazine.[7]

2006: Landry & Kling achieved WBENC Certification (Women's Business Enterprise National Council), and was named #156 among the top 500 Women-owned businesses in the U.S. by DiversityBusiness.com in 2007.[51]

2009: Josephine Kling and Joyce Landry, founders of Landry & Kling, Inc., were inducted into the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) Hall of Fame 2009, hailed as "visionaries who led the way in seagoing corporate meetings and incentives."[8]

2009: Landry & Kling named among "Top 50 Women-Led Businesses in Florida", ranking #13 in the state.[52]

2011: Royal Caribbean International recognized Landry & Kling as its Partner of the Year for Corporate & Incentive groups.[53]

2013: Landry & Kling was awarded Women's Business Enterprise Star award by WBENC.[54]

2016: Norwegian Cruise Lines names Landry & Kling CM&I (Corporate Meeting & Incentive) Charter Partner of the Year.[55]

2017: Carnival Cruise Line names Landry & Kling Global Cruise Events as their Corporate Incentive Partner of the Year.[56]

• Landry & Kling Website.
• ShipCharters Website
• SustainableShips Website