8 Unforgettable Company Retreat Ideas

Corporate retreats are fantastic opportunities for employees to bond with one another, celebrate their yearly goals and achievements, and of course, have a lot of fun throughout the journey.

If you’re in charge of planning your company’s next retreat, there are several different options you can consider for your annual gathering of employees. Whether you want to treat them to a lavish international trip or a more local excursion, there are plenty of destinations and ideas to explore.

From culinary-themed travels to wellness-inspired weekends, outdoor excursions and underwater adventures, here we share some unforgettable corporate retreat ideas your employees are sure to remember for years to come.

1: Treat Them to the Spa

Treat your staff to rest and relaxation with a spa-themed corporate retreat. Take them to a world-class spa, where everyone can indulge in a treatment and spend some time unwinding in the steam room or sauna.

Aside from the standard massage and facial, you can also arrange wellness-themed group activities like yoga classes, meditation workshops, or breathwork sessions. This company retreat idea will not only provide a much-needed break from the breakneck corporate pace, but they will also leave employees feeling refreshed and reinvigorated by the time everyone has to return to the office.

2: See Glaciers Up Close

There are few experiences more unforgettable than witnessing a towering glacier from up close. Take your company on a once-in-a-lifetime corporate retreat to Alaska, where they’ll be surrounded by rugged wilderness, incredible wildlife, and striking glaciers.

Arrange an excursion to one of Alaska’s many icy wonders, like Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier in North America. Everyone will stare in awe at the sparkling blue facade. If you’re lucky, they’ll get to experience the thrill of a calving display, which is when chunks of ice detach from the surface of the glacier and thunderously crash into the sea.

3: Go On a Hiking Trip

There’s a reason why many corporate retreats tend to take place in the great outdoors. Not only does the scenery provide a gorgeous backdrop for the trip, but the beauty of nature also gives employees the chance to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the serenity of their surroundings.

If you’re thinking of hosting your next corporate retreat somewhere outdoors, consider squeezing in a hiking trip into the agenda. A hiking excursion provides coworkers with a great physical workout and a fantastic opportunity to bond with each other as they make their way up to the summit.

Choose a trail that will be enjoyable for both beginner and more advanced hikers. Some trails offer either unbeatable views along the way, the chance to see some wildlife, or an alternative route (such as a lift or bus ride) back down.

4: Focus on Fitness

Sports lovers and natural-born competitors are sure to enjoy a fitness-centered corporate retreat, where employees can squeeze in some exercise and physical activity while also participating in a slate of fun games and athletic competitions.

Plan a friendly basketball tournament and split up company members into teams that face off with each other in a March Madness-like competition. Arrange a week of Olympic-inspired activities, where individuals can run races, swim laps, or even try their hand at archery.

Aside from competitive sports, you can also focus on offering employees exercise classes and activities such as cycling, aerobics, and high-intensity training before they head off on a more relaxing evening with dinner and drinks.

5: Plan a Wine-Tasting Experience

A fun company retreat idea is to take your company’s workforce to a dreamy vineyard at one of the world’s famed wine regions. Thankfully, there are a number of charming places to choose from, including local destinations such as Napa Valley, California and far-off locations in Chile, Portugal, Spain, and New Zealand.

Wine lovers and oenophiles will love discovering new varieties of their favorite reds and whites, while those who don’t know much about wine can learn all about different blends, grapes, the fermenting process, and how to properly conduct a tasting. Even those employees who don’t drink will enjoy a corporate retreat to one of these stunning destinations, as there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the trip, including cultural tours of the city, bike rides around the wineries, and private tours of the wine cellars.

6: Arrange a Culinary-Inspired Outing

Who doesn’t love food? Center your next corporate retreat around a culinary destination and let the cuisine of the region become the guiding star of the trip.

Food makes for a fantastic central theme to celebrate diversity. Pick a place known for its strong culinary scene, like Italy or Mexico, and plan all of your corporate activities around food. Arrange for a cooking class led by a local chef, where everyone learns how to make a regional dish, like focaccia in Florence or chilaquiles in Mexico. You’ll find endless options to keep your company’s employees entertained and well-fed throughout the trip.

Schedule a trip to a farmers’ market in the city of your choice, such as La Boqueria in Barcelona or Pike’s Place Market in Seattle, where you can sample local ingredients, enjoy small dishes, and find culinary gifts for family and friends back at home.

7: Discover Breathtaking Fjords

Plan an unforgettable corporate retreat to some of the world’s most magical fjords—a spectacular incentive travel experience your employees won’t soon forget.

Arrange a trip to the breathtaking fjords of New Zealand, where employees can marvel at the beauty of Milford Sound, one of the country’s most popular destinations and a place that was once described as the eighth wonder of the world.

In Europe, explore the sprawling Norwegian fjords and Europe’s largest glacier while stopping in charming seaside towns, like Bergen and Alesund, along the way.

Head to the Chilean Fjords in South America, where you’ll discover glaciers, icebergs, and the rugged beauty of Patagonia.

Regardless of where in the world you choose to go, a retreat that visits one of these stunning natural wonders is a bucket list trip that won’t disappoint.

8: Unwind in the Caribbean

A tropical beach getaway has always been a popular option for corporate retreats. After all, what better way to reward your employees for their performance and hard work than with a well-earned break to a sun-soaked paradise?

The Caribbean frequently lands at the top of the list when considering where to head off on a corporate retreat. With a number of idyllic islands to choose from, there’s no shortage of ideal destinations for a company gathering.

Whether you choose a weekend in the Bahamas or a multi-day jaunt to the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, you can rest assured your company’s employees will have a good time lounging on the sand, swimming in the turquoise Caribbean Sea, or enjoying a refreshing cocktail under the shade of a palm tree.

Plan a snorkeling session around a sunken ship or protected coral reef system. Go on a hiking trip to one of the region’s many waterfalls. Visit a dolphin center, where employees can play and swim with these friendly sea animals. Or simply book a day at a luxurious private club on the beach, where all they have to do is admire the view and let their worries melt away.

With Celebrity Cruises, we can help you plan all of these incredible company retreat ideas and more. Our award-winning ships are the ideal place to host your company’s next retreat. With world-class dining, endless entertainment options, and all-inclusive pricing, our cruises make it easy to plan a memorable corporate retreat at sea.

Employees can stay in luxurious staterooms and take advantage of all of the amenities and venues available on board, including our outdoor pool, indoor solarium, state-of-the-art theater, and breathtaking spa. Aside from our varied entertainment, they’ll also enjoy delicious cuisine in our main dining room and specialty restaurants, with menus crafted by our top chefs.

Traveling to over 300 destinations around the world, Celebrity Cruises also makes it easy for you to find the perfect destination for your next corporate retreat. Go on a bucket-list trip to the Galapagos Islands. Plan an adventurous outing to the rugged wilderness of Alaska. Treat your company’s employees to a cultural journey around Europe’s fascinating cities. Or simply plan a relaxing trip to the sunny Caribbean. Regardless of where you choose to go, you can rest easy knowing everyone will experience unrivaled service and luxury at every turn.

Call us at (800) 722-5934 or request a quote to host your next corporate retreat aboard a Celebrity cruise.