Venue Scouting Report: Could the Majestic Princess Host Your Next Leadership Retreat?
When Jay and Sarah Kerschner boarded the Majestic Princess in Boston for a 10 day Canada & New England cruise, they were taking a long-awaited bucket list vacation. When they returned, we asked them to look at their ship - Majestic Princess - through the lens of their business identities. We asked Jay, Executive Director at American Water College, to evaluate whether this floating venue could work for his organization's leadership retreats. We asked Sarah, an avid traveler and Jay's partner, to assess whether this ship could deliver the kind of experience that would make attendee partners genuinely excited to join - not just willing to tag along.
Their verdict? A resounding yes. But with some important insights that every meeting planner should know before booking.
The Bottom Line: Does This Ship Work for Professional Events?
"I didn't necessarily see it during the cruise," Jay admits, "but looking back, I could absolutely see how many of the public spaces could be repurposed for meetings and celebration spaces. And there's plenty to do around the ship outside of meeting times, no matter what people like to do."
The Princess Theater. Photo by Jay Kerschner.
Sarah's take focuses on the partner experience: "It's a trip you don't have to pay for. You're away from your everyday responsibilities. You're on the water. It's relaxing. You should absolutely do it!" But she goes deeper than generic enthusiasm, noting that having access to partner-specific programming makes the difference between tolerating a business trip and genuinely enjoying it.
For Jay's current organization, American Water College, which typically hosts leadership retreats with 5-6 participants, they identified numerous spaces that would work perfectly. "There are plenty of places to meet," Jay notes. For larger groups - the 25-30 person leadership teams he's worked with previously - the equation changes slightly. "We'd need access to a larger space where we could shut a door," Jay explains. "Laptops, a screen, whiteboards or flipcharts - the usual setup." He was surprised to learn that the Majestic Princess has a “meeting suite” - a small conference room equipped with flexible seating, A/V technology, and dedicated staff support for private events - complete with sweeping ocean views.
The Spaces That Matter: Where Your Team Would Actually Meet
When evaluating any venue, the devil is in the details. Jay identified several spaces with strong potential:
The smaller theater, the Vista Lounge (used for entertainment like karaoke during their cruise) emerged as the goldilocks option - not too big like the main theater, but sized appropriately for groups of 5-25 people. "We'd need spaces where we could have a monitor, possibly a flipboard or whiteboard, and a table to sit around," Jay explains. "Also doors to close and maybe places to break into smaller groups and then come back together."
The Vista Theater. Photo by Jay Kerschner.
The specialty restaurants surprised them as potential meeting venues. While they didn't dine in them, walking by and peeking in revealed spaces that could be closed off and configured for group sessions. (For more insights on evaluating Princess Cruises for business events, check out our comprehensive Princess scouting report.)
Natural gathering points abound throughout the ship. "So many places for people to get together, no matter what you liked to do - bars, lounges, card rooms, the pool deck," Jay notes. "Something for every kind of group. It's easy for people to choose to spend time together outside of meeting times."
They add an important observation about these spaces: "It was just the two of us, but we felt like it was easy to connect with other people on the ship. We got to know other cruisers and had some really great conversations." This spontaneous interaction matters - the best professional development happens both in formal sessions and organic conversations.
A photo collage of small group spaces around the ship. Photos by Jay and Sarah Kerschner.
The Vibe Check: Does It Match Your Organization's Culture?
As a longer Canada & New England cruise, the Majestic Princess attracted an older crowd during their sailing. "The spaces were warm and comfy. It felt a bit like a classic club," Jay describes. For American Water College - a professional organization that's not trying to replicate a tech startup atmosphere - this vibe fits perfectly.
Sarah appreciated the ship's design philosophy: "The ship's design encouraged spontaneous interactions. You weren't siloed off." For a professional retreat, this matters. Your team can choose whether to engage in group activities or find quiet corners for reflection and conversation.
The ship never felt overwhelming, even at full capacity. "I've designed my life as an introvert to avoid crowds, and they don't ever energize me," Jay shares candidly. "It was a full ship, but it didn't ever really feel like it."
What Makes Partners Actually Want to Attend
Here's the question that often derails corporate cruise discussions: Will significant others actually want to come?
Sarah's perspective here is invaluable. Beyond the basics of "free trip" and "beautiful scenery," she highlights what actually matters: structured programming for partners.
"Experiences arranged for partners is a bonus - I like prearranged, on-the-schedule stuff," Sarah notes. While Jay would be in leadership sessions, she could attend classes, enrichment lectures, or other organized activities with the other partner attendees. This isn't just nice to have - it's what transforms "I guess I could come" into "I'm excited about this."
A photo collage of experience spaces around the ship. Photos by Jay and Sarah Kerschner.
The shore excursions particularly stood out to both of them. "Many of the shore excursions were standout experiences," they reported. For partners, having engaging activities during port days means they're having their own adventure, not just killing time while waiting for the business portion to end.
The Stateroom Reality Check
Jay and Sarah stayed in a balcony stateroom, and their assessment matters for your budget planning. "The stateroom was great," Jay confirms. "I wouldn't want anything bigger or more expensive than this for our group."
He adds a practical note for couples: "The balcony was away from the other person - it would have been nice to have another chair or sofa in the stateroom." For attendees bringing partners, this matters. One person might want quiet indoor space to decompress after sessions while the other enjoys the balcony. It's a minor point, but these details affect comfort levels over a multi-day retreat.
As a meeting planner, it’s important to share the layout of the ship beforehand, so everyone understand where the cozy coffee shops, comfy corners, and quiet nooks are - for exactly these situations.
Balcony Stateroom on Majestic Princess. Photo by Jay Kerschner.
The Dining Consideration: What Actually Worked
The one area where Jay and Sarah adjusted their approach: dining venues.
They primarily ate at the buffet during off-hours, the pizza restaurant, and the main dining room. The strategy was intentional. "Private dining wasn't really private - you're at your own table, but the table next to you is 18 inches away," Jay explains. As introverts, this proximity felt uncomfortable.
Their observation about the buffet strategy: "There was less choice at off-hours, but we never had to worry about finding a table and the service - bringing drinks and everything - was always fast!"
Jay's advice for future trips: "Put me at a table with other people" for a more authentic communal experience, book more meals in specialty dining, or stick with the off-hours buffet strategy.
For meeting planners, this suggests booking communal tables for your group in the main dining room, or planning group dinners in specialty restaurants where you can secure more privacy. The buffet during off-peak times offers a low-stress alternative for team members who need social downtime. (New to cruise event planning? Avoid these five common mistakes new retreat planners make.)
The Visual Impact: Creating Memorable Moments
Both Jay and Sarah noted numerous "Instagram moments" throughout the ship - the atrium, fountains, and views from the top deck where the ship’s horn plays the Love Boat theme. These aren't just photo and video opportunities; they're shared experiences that create connection.
"Lots of places for Instagram moments," they reported. "And many of the shore excursions were standout experiences." For a professional retreat, these visual moments matter. They become the stories people tell when they return to the office, the photos they share, the experiences that bond your team beyond the conference room.
The pool deck and the atrium. Photos by Sarah and Jay Kerschner.
The Complete Experience: Professional and Personal
What makes Jay and Sarah's assessment particularly valuable is that they could evalutate this from both angles. Jay kept thinking, "Could I bring my leadership team here?" Sarah kept thinking, "Would I actually want to come if Jay was hosting a retreat?"
Both answers came back yes - but for different, complementary reasons.
Jay's professional checklist:
Flexible meeting spaces with door closure capability ✓
Natural gathering points for team connection ✓
Comfortable atmosphere that won't drain introverts ✓
Appropriate stateroom options at reasonable price points ✓
Service quality that supports professional events ✓
Sarah's partner experience checklist:
Structured programming during business sessions ✓
Engaging shore excursions ✓
Relaxing environment away from daily responsibilities ✓
Easy opportunities for social connection ✓
Beautiful setting worth traveling for ✓
The Practical Intel: What You Need to Know Before You Book
Group Size Sweet Spots:
5-6 participants: Numerous options throughout the ship, minimal special arrangements needed
25-30 participants: Pre-book conference rooms with A/V, plan for breakout spaces
Larger groups: Advance coordination essential for meeting spaces and group dining
Not sure whether a small ship or mega ship is right for your group size? We break down the pros and cons.
Budget Considerations:
Balcony staterooms hit the value-to-comfort sweet spot
Onboard credit may available for groups (ask your cruise planner or Untethered Voyage about this)
Specialty dining adds value for group celebrations but isn't necessary for everyday meals
Curious about the complete cost picture? Learn about the hidden ROI of cruise-based events.
The Introvert-Friendly Factor: Ship design accommodates various working styles and social energy levels - a significant advantage over traditional conference hotels where there's often nowhere to escape when you need a reset. Understanding why your people zone out at traditional events reveals why cruise environments work differently.
The Bottom Line for Meeting Planners
If you're evaluating cruise ships as potential venues for leadership retreats, professional development programs, or strategic planning sessions, the Majestic Princess checks the essential boxes.
The ship works equally well whether you're planning an intimate 6-person retreat or a 30-person professional development program - you just need to plan accordingly.
As Jay and Sarah both concluded: There's something for everyone, meeting times are well-supported, and the experience delivers value for both the professional attendees and their partners.
Want to test-drive a cruise venue before committing to a full retreat? Our Quick Dips program offers 3-4 day experiences perfect for venue scouting.
Ready to Explore a Cruise Venue for Your Next Event?
Every organization is different, and the right venue depends on your specific goals, group dynamics, and budget. If you're curious whether a cruise-based retreat could work for your leadership team, professional community, or organization, we'd love to help you think through the possibilities.
Wondering if shorter, more intentional retreats might be the right fit for your busy team? A 4-5 day Caribbean cruise could deliver maximum impact with minimum time away from the office.
Schedule a complimentary discovery call to discuss your vision and explore whether a floating venue might be the perfect setting for your next transformative event.
Jay Kerschner serves as Executive Director at American Water College, bringing experience from leadership roles managing both small and large professional teams. Sarah Kerschner, an avid traveler, provided critical insights into the partner experience that often determines attendance at corporate cruise events.
