Incentive Cruise Destinations

Offering a diverse array of activities in far-flung destinations, incentive cruise programs feature memorable itineraries that can motivate and reward a company’s top performers or key vendors, and increase sales and productivity. While there are countless motivating destinations to consider for an incentive cruise, each possesses a unique blend of activities, cultures, scenery and climate.  From the South Seas to the Islands of the Caribbean, the waterways of Europe to the Greek isles and beyond, the choices for incentive cruise programs are almost limitless but should always be based on the best fit for your people and program.

Here are a few of the most popular incentive cruise destinations and their highlights:

South Pacific: Heavenly Hawaii, Titillating Tahiti
These year-round tropical paradises in the South Pacific are perhaps the most top-performing cruise destinations, with more people qualifying for these cruises. With juxtaposing scenery, they provide a complete escape from the everyday, with many stunning outdoor activities and sights.

Hawaiian cruises, many of which are tax-deductible, feature lots of island-hopping and focus on the natural beauty of the volcanic isles and local culture.  Most cruises stop at all the islands and feature excursions to historic Pearl Harbor, Waimea Canyon and Kona.  The leisurely pace of these cruises, famed luxury vacation setting and temperate weather, have made Hawaii an ideal incentive cruise destination.

Forget paradise lost – Tahiti is paradise found!  The largest of the Polynesian islands combines the tropical splendor of Hawaii and injects it with turquoise lagoons fringed by coral reefs, past lush volcanoes brimming with waterfalls, to intoxicating and remote islands evocative of Gauguin. The mountainous interior shelters deep valleys, clear streams, high waterfalls and mysterious caves, all bathed in iridescence emerald light. With a French-influenced cosmopolitan culture, the capital Papeete also features many sidewalk cafes and a great esplanade. For incentive groups, the exotic lure of Tahiti creates an unrivalled sense of luxury and uniqueness, characteristics important for keeping motivation on track.


Caribbean Dreaming
Looking for diversity and adventure, not to mention delicious cuisine and memorable on-shore events that can cater to any size group? Then consider the Caribbean and its 7000 lush islands including Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, the Caymans, Antigua or the British Virgin Islands. Others include towering mountain-ranges like on the islands of Dominica, Jamaica and Montserrat.  Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Saint Maarten and Trinidad & Tobago are also representative of the far-ranging cultures and languages in this region.

Every island has a unique geography and influences, and unique ecotourism and historical tour opportunities to match.  Year-round Caribbean cruises are typically 3-7 days long, with no shortage of itineraries and opportunities for special group activities ashore. Think zip lines plunging across rainforests, hiking through waterfalls, snorkeling with stingrays, kayaking through caves, deep-sea diving and fishing.  And for downtime, think golf outings on impeccable greens, or lazing on white, pristine beaches with only the sounds of the lapping waves and swaying palm trees.

With all the healthy cruise competition in the region, there are an enormous variety of options aboard ship and ashore, and ample availability for customization to suit specific group needs. Some itineraries might also include private islands for group meetings, making an incentive trip even more desirable and unforgettable.  Keywords here are diversity, scenery and the outdoors.


Awesome Alaska
We find this is the most popular incentive cruise destination in North America after the Caribbean, and for good reason. The unspoiled and vast wilderness, a fascinating contrast to the Midwest, provides countless memories.  With a very short season (May-Sept), incentive cruises with an Alaskan itinerary are highly sought after as many of the remote bays and coastlines are accessible only by ship for just a few months of the year.

Though Juneau is the largest port, other ports of call are representative of Alaska’s history and culture, and can accommodate groups of any size.  High adventure is the theme of many shore excursions. Think kayaking, biking or adrenaline-charged activities such as glacier hiking or zip lines. Fly over glaciers, ice fields and alpine ranges.  Go in search of grizzly bears, moose and caribou herds. Experience the thrill of dog sledding or catching a prized salmon.  Then, finally, recharge and refuel at the infamous Red Dog Saloon and be transported back in time to the Gold Rush era of the late 19th century.  
 
For those looking for something more peaceful, the Alaskan wilderness can provide calm and relaxation. The creaking and calving of ancient glaciers evokes a quiet spirituality. Marvel at magnificent eagles in- flight, or the sun gleaming at midnight. Meander through meadows covered in beautiful foliage, or the pine forests with the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles.  

The Alaskan wilderness is the perfect setting for teambuilding activities to stir the spirit (adventurous or otherwise) of high achievers. And while Alaska might feel like the final frontier in a foreign country with its different sights and sounds, it is also fully equipped with every convenience, making it an ideal incentive cruise destination.


The Mythical Mediterranean
There’s a hypnotic allure to the jet-setting island of Mykonos, walking through the cradle of democracy in Athens, or the hills of Olympia (where it all started), the dramatic landscapes of Santorini, the maze of canals and squares of Venice, or the golden domes, steam baths, calls for prayer and exotic treasures of Istanbul.  From an Ottoman inspired 1001Nights theme event in Istanbul,  to a classical concert in an ancient theater under the stars in Ephesus, these eastern Mediterranean cruises capture the essence of incentive programs and are very popular not only for their breathtaking scenery, but also for the culturally significant ports of call.

Steeped in history, architecture and wonderful food and shopping, these incentive cruises can include itineraries that span the Adriatic to the Peloponnese or the Greek archipelago, Crete and Cyprus, to the Bosporus Straits and back to the eastern Italian coast at Venice.  Each city offers something rewarding for everyone - scenic tours, shopping excursions, archeological digs, and gastronomic delights.

What also makes European cruises very popular is the favorable cost comparison to hotel-based programs: cruises are booked in US dollars, whereas hotel-based expenses are in Euros. Importantly, the sheer number of port visits, gourmet cuisine and unique experiences make cruise itineraries impactful, motivating and highly coveted by high achievers.


From the Vikings to the Czar: The Baltic Waterways
From fjords to fortresses, the lands surrounding the icy waters of the Baltic are regarded as some of the most extreme on the Continent.  Closed off to westerners until only a few decades ago, the waterways of the Vikings and Czars - Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and St. Petersburg – have proven to be compelling attractions for incentive programs, for their originality, scale and exoticism.

Shore excursions reflect this: in St. Petersburg, the Catherine Palace commissioned by Peter the Great in 1710 now hosts lavish private events, allowing the same ballrooms in which the Czar threw opulent parties to become available for incentive group events. What other venue spells success like this one, with its 200 pounds of gold used to decorate the palace walls?

The Stockholm City Hall, where the acclaimed Nobel Prize is awarded every year, is another coveted destination, as is an authentic Viking party or Medieval-themed reception on the island of Djurgaren.  Another rare event is a banquet within the walls of the 250-year old Suomelinna Sea Fortress in Helsinki.

The Scandinavian and Baltic cities are amazingly rich in architecture, culture, history, shopping and great museums; creating prized memories and rewarding outstanding performance.