Cruises had quite the recovery to make over the past five years, but trends show they’ve made a steady climb back to popularity, especially in incentive programming.
According to the Incentive Research Foundation’s (IRF) 2025 Trends Report, cruise experiences are desirable regardless of the destination for 75% of attendees, and as more high-end luxury cruise options become available, program owners are increasingly seeing cruising’s appeal as well.
Not only do many cruises align with attendee preferences, they are helpful in managing budgets, as all-inclusive options give planners more control around costs. Plus, the right cruise can elevate brand prestige, strengthen client relationships and drive business growth.
In his newly released book, Navigating Brand Success; Amplifying Company Growth through Cruise Events, Keith Lefkof, luxury and corporate travel consultant for Cruise Planners and founder of CruiseTech IQ—a company that provides software-as-a-service solutions for meetings on cruises—redefines how companies can leverage luxury cruise experiences to create immersive, high-impact corporate events.
“Now more than ever, businesses must break free from conventional event formats and embrace innovative experiences that captivate and inspire,” stated a press release announcing the book’s launch. “In an era where engagement is the key to success, Navigating Brand Success is a strategic guide urging corporate leaders to rethink their approach to meetings, summits and retreats.”
[Related: Innovate Marketing Group and the EventUp Podcast Launch New Book]
Lefkof’s Navigating Brand Success is the first installment in a cruise retreat trilogy that is rooted in Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle framework (WHY → HOW → WHAT) and aims to guide businesses through an evolution in corporate event strategy. His first book serves as a visionary framework that empowers incentive travel program planners to “harness the immersive power of cruise experiences to elevate brand identity, captivate audiences and drive meaningful business growth” by focusing on immersive experiences, seamless execution and leveraging the prestige of legendary cruise lines.
The second book in Lefkof’s trilogy, Corporate Conferences at Sea, is slated for Q3 2025, and will explore the “how,” detailing the execution of high-impact conferences aboard luxury cruise ships. The third installment, Cruising to Success, will be available in early 2026 and focus on the “what,” showcasing how leadership retreats at sea can transform corporate culture, productivity and innovation for long-term business success.
To learn more about Navigating Brand Success or the Cruise Retreat Trilogy program, which includes exclusive templates, guides and resources, visit cruiseretreatbooks.com. To learn more about CruiseTech IQ, visit cruisetechiq.com.
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