For a unusual kind of group cruise experience, you may want to think about barge cruising on the rivers of Europe. This type of relaxed cruising is perfect for groups of 12 or less and provides a casual, cozy ambiance that is ideal for an executive retreat, a team building event or small-scale corporate meetings and events.

Barges are frequently captained by the owner and meals is often taken care of by the owner or the spouse of the owner, with local foods that are purchased each day before departing the night's mooring spot in the morning. This adds to the houseguest atmosphere of barge cruising, and commonly also makes for wonderfully outfitted barges that exhibit distinctive pride of ownership.

All through the day, attendees will enjoy unhurriedly making their way through Europe's inland waterways, and then will have the chance to go ashore to visit attractive villages or wineries before heading to bed each night. Many barge cruises offer tours of sites of historical or cultural significance and sometimes have eclectic, unplanned entertainment during the evening. Some barge cruises also offer discretionary extras, such as hot air ballooning, which can make your corporate travel even more memorable. Exclusive ship charters allow you to plan an intimate awards ceremony or relaxing incentive travel package that is guaranteed to charm to your attendees.

A cruise event is one of the most excellent ideas if you really wish to motivate employees. Your incentive event attendees will never forget the delight of stopping at several foreign destinations and simply unpacking one time. Additionally to increasing attendance, incentives like an all inclusive incentive cruise will be much easier on the incentive travel budget, too.

Cruise meetings can save up to 40 percent over a land-based hotel venue, in most cases. So opting for a barge cruise or other type of incentive cruise event could be your best bet.