We Built This for Her (And We Happen to Be Her): A Letter for International Women's Day

International Women's Day lands on Sunday, and we want to do something a little different than post a pretty quote (though honestly, no shade — we love a good quote, and we've included one at the end for you).

We want to tell you why this day means something specific to us as female founders, and why we think it should mean something specific to you too — whether you're a woman leading a business, planning your next adventure, or still waiting for permission to book the trip you've been dreaming about.

Spoiler: you don't need permission. But more on that in a minute.

It Started with Our Parents

A few years ago, our parents invited us on a group cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Fifty years is not a small thing. And the way they chose to mark it — by gathering their people and taking everyone to sea — turned out to change everything for us.

We'd both always loved travel — and more specifically, we'd always loved traveling together. But something about that cruise hit differently. There's something about a cruise that just works for a group. You unpack once. You wake up somewhere new. Everyone has what they need right at their fingertips — great food, entertainment, beautiful views — and yet you still get real, unhurried time together. The kind of time that's hard to manufacture in everyday life.

We watched our family connect in a way that doesn't happen around a dinner table. We saw what it felt like for people to be fully present — no logistics stress, no one running off to check a reservation, no one feeling left out because they got the wrong hotel room.

And we thought: what if leaders could give this to their teams? What if coaches could give this to their clients? What if women who spend all their time taking care of everyone else could finally have someone take care of the details for them?

That's the moment Untethered Voyages was born. Two sisters, a shared love of the sea, and a combined skill set that was honestly made for this — Wendy's background in travel planning, service delivery, and client experience, and Elizabeth's expertise in event planning and logistics. We've been building it ever since.

If you're curious about what makes group travel actually work, we wrote about that too: The Secret to Stress-Free Group Travel: What My Sisters Taught Me About Planning Together

Why International Women's Day Matters in the Travel Industry

Here's something that doesn't get said enough: women run the travel industry — and not just as professionals in it, but as the invisible engine behind most of the travel that actually happens.

In most households, women are the ones researching destinations, comparing cruise lines, tracking cancellation policies, coordinating family schedules, and making sure everyone has a good time. They carry the emotional weight of the trip long before the bags are ever packed.

At the same time, women are controlling more wealth than ever. Female founders, executives, coaches, and consultants are investing in experiences that matter — milestone celebrations, leadership retreats, girls trips that are long overdue, and personal adventures that are just for them.

And yet. Women are still the last ones to book for themselves.

The Trip That's Been Living in the Group Chat (OR YOUR MIND)

You know the one.

The girls trip you've been "planning" for two years. The milestone birthday that deserves a real celebration, not just dinner. The anniversary trip you keep pushing back. The "when the kids are older" or "when work calms down" or "when things make more sense" trip. The coaching trip for your women’s group. The celebration cruise for your Women in Tech community.

Here's the truth: things don't calm down. They just change shape.

International Women's Day is as good a reason as any to decide that this is the year. Not because of the hashtag, but because you've earned it. Because the women in your life have earned it. Because experiences — real, immersive, "unpack once and wake up somewhere beautiful" experiences — are what you'll actually remember.

Never cruised before? We've got you — start here: Cruise Event Planning 101: What Every First-Timer Should Know

What We Believe at Untethered Voyages

We believe travel should feel like relief, not another thing on your to-do list.

We believe the best experiences happen when someone else is handling the details — so you can actually be in the moment instead of managing it.

We believe women who spend their lives creating transformative experiences for others deserve to have someone create that for them.

And we believe a cruise — whether it's a leadership retreat for your community, a celebration for your family, or a long-overdue trip with your closest friends — is one of the most powerful ways to make that happen.

For the Leaders Reading This

If you run a coaching program, lead a membership community, or are always looking for ways to create deeper connection and transformation with your people — International Women's Day is a great moment to ask yourself: what's the experience I want to give the women in my world this year?

We plan cruise events for leaders who want to host education, celebration, and transformation at sea — with their teams, their clients, and their communities. We handle the logistics. You lead the experience.

If that's been on your vision board, now's a good time to start the conversation. We wrote about the question every leader should ask before planning their next retreat — it's worth a read: Why the Best Corporate Retreats Start With a Question: Who Do You Want to Become Together?

And Yes, Here's Your Quote

Happy International Women's Day. We're grateful for every woman who has trusted us to help her crew set sail.

Curious what's next in the world of cruise travel? Here's what we're watching in this year and beyond: 2026 & Beyond Predictions: The Future of Retreats & Events at Sea

Happy Sailing!

Wendy & Elizabeth

Your Untethered Voyages Crew

Ready to get something on the calendar? Whether it's a personal cruise, a group celebration, or a full leadership retreat at sea — we'd love to help. Start the conversation →