Incentive Cruise: A Reward Trip at Sea
An incentive cruise is one of the most motivating rewards a company can offer: a vacation with a partner, with colleagues who also earned it, and with moments of recognition that a cash bonus cannot match.
The idea is simple. You announce a goal and a qualifying period, the people who reach it win a place on the sailing, and the company builds a program around them. Cruises work well for incentives because so much is already included, the setting feels special, and the whole group is together for exclusive events while everyone still has plenty of free time.
Designing an Incentive Cruise Program
| Decision | Options | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying rules | Sales targets, growth, service scores, team results | Keep them simple and published from day one. |
| Who sails | Winner only, or winner plus guest | Winner plus guest is the norm and the bigger motivator. |
| Ship style | Big resort ship, premium, or luxury | Match the style to your winners and your brand. |
| Length and region | Three to seven nights, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe | Shorter sailings mean less time away from the business. |
| What the company covers | Fare, taxes, gratuities, drinks, excursions, flights | Say exactly what is covered in the winners’ letter. |
| Recognition moments | Welcome party, awards dinner, CEO toast | One or two big moments beat a crowded schedule. |
Touches That Make It Feel Exclusive
- A private welcome reception on the first evening.
- A reserved dining room or specialty restaurant for an awards dinner.
- A private shore experience: a beach break, a catamaran or a guided tour.
- Branded gifts delivered to cabins.
- Upgraded cabins or suites for top achievers.
- A short, optional business session on a sea day.
Royal Caribbean’s meetings and incentives site and Norwegian’s events at sea page both list incentive and loyalty programs as a service line, which is a good sign of how common these trips are.
Mistakes to Avoid
Too much business
An incentive is a reward. Keep meetings short or optional.
Unclear inclusions
Winners should know whether drinks, gratuities and excursions are covered before they sail.
Late documents
Remind winners and guests about passports months ahead, especially for foreign ports.
Ignoring different needs
Some winners need accessible cabins or dietary help; ask early. See Accessible Ocean Cruises for accessibility basics.
Comparing the economics of a big incentive group? Cruise Groups explains what changes when a group gets very large.
Incentive Cruise Questions
What is an incentive cruise?
An incentive cruise is a cruise a company awards to employees, dealers or partners who reach a goal, such as a sales target. The winners, often with a guest, sail together on a program the company designs and pays for, usually with exclusive receptions, recognition and a few special touches.
Do incentive winners bring a partner?
Usually, yes. Most incentive programs invite the winner plus one guest, which makes the reward more valuable and helps fill cabins at double occupancy.
How far ahead should an incentive cruise be booked?
Many companies hold space a year or more ahead, then announce the qualifying period so people have a reason to perform. The bigger the group, the earlier you should start.
Design an Incentive Cruise
Tell us roughly how many winners and guests, the qualifying period and the month you would like to sail. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will propose ships and an incentive program at no charge.
Get Incentive Cruise Quotes