Island Escape Cruises has a beautiful new 54-metre passenger ship being built for delivery in April 2021. Designed in Norway to accommodate just 32 guests, she comes complete with a heli-pad, stabilisers, tender boats, eco-friendly propulsion and a stylish interior.

On board, you’ll discover the perfectly formed luxury travel experience. With our capacity of just 24 guests, considerably less than similar sized ships, our cruises in New Zealand and the South Pacific are designed to provide the glamour and exclusivity of luxury private motor-yacht cruising, along with an appealing dash of soft adventure. Come along and join us.

“Everything we touched turned to gold! The vessel, employees, food (6 star at all times) and destination were beyond our Expectations…”

Private Charters

Chartering ships is a growing trend. People are booking ship charters for weddings, birthday or anniversary celebrations with friends or for family reunions. Corporations are chartering ships for incentive or meetings at sea. Planners are chartering boats to use as hotels at special events. There are charters for film crews, expeditions and fund-raising events.

On a chartered boat you have complete control over the utilization of all the public areas, activities and entertainment. The ship is yours, without any conflicts from other passengers or other activities. You can arrange whatever you want, tailoring programs for any interest. Many corporations are starting to use ships for executive retreats and meetings. You have no distractions, just bonding with company companions, being inspired by the sea, and being able to think with a clear head away from suits, ties, and a sterile hotel atmosphere. You can even combine cruises with wine seminars, golf excursions, or other specialized interests.

Corporate Charters

Adventure and inspiration are never far away from our minds. The Island Passage is perfect for small and important Corporate Events, whether it be a board meeting, management retreat, sales incentive, product launch or just celebrating that important company milestone.

Accommodating a maximum of 24 passengers, there is a large saloon area for meetings and presentations, and ample room onboard for break-out sessions and leisure activities. We will organise team building, wine trails, fishing competitions, golf excursions, bush walks and beach safaris and many other activities for when the hard work has been done.

Get away from it all and ensure you have everyone’s undivided attention and attendance. With a full suite of technology, including a large flat screen television, ideal for presentations, the Island Passage really is your own floating office but with fabulous food and beverage options including a fully stocked bar boasting an extensive range of local and imported beverages. There are three onboard tenders enabling you to play hard when the hard work has been done and its time for some bonding and celebrating success.

The ship has a helipad, so that guest speaker or late out of town executive can still join the ship once it has sailed.

Board Meetings

The Island Passage is the ultimate floating boardroom. Get away from it all and hold those commercially sensitive board meetings in absolute privacy. Full communications are available in most locations including telephony and internet. Two large oval recycled kauri tables each seating 12 are in the main saloon area.

Management Retreats

Get away from it all for those corporate planning sessions and there is plenty of room for onboard and offsite activities.

Strategy Meetings

Be inspired and focused. Hold your sales meetings and sales planning sessions in an inspiring environment and then there is the opportunity for some serious fun and team building.

Sales Incentives

Reward your internal sales team, dealer network or resellers for sales success of your products and services in a motivating and luxurious environment. There are three standards of accommodation enabling you to tier performers by results. The superstars are accommodated in the Bridge Deck Suites, the Staterooms the next level of achievers and so on.

Product Launches

The Island Passage has a 5 ton hydraulic crane on deck so we can lift the largest of products onboard. Imagine unveiling your new products to an appreciative audience and then having the opportunity to wow your dealer network team or your key customers in a captive environment. We have had new vehicle launches mid harbour and the effect has been sensational.

Enquire now how we can design a programme that fits your specific needs and we work with a large network of quality activity providers ensuring your corporate event is a success.

About us

Peter Bissett Founder and CEO

I owned shipping companies and terminals in New Zealand, Japan, China, Europe and South America before selling in 2001 and retiring for a couple of years. In 2004 I needed to be active and decided to build my dream company along with my dream boutique passenger ship. In all honestly, I have never enjoyed business as much as I do these days. We have an outstanding cruise and charter product, fabulous destinations that our guests absolutely love to visit and a great team of people who love to over-deliver our cruising products in New Zealand and Vanuatu. Everyday is a pleasure to come to the office. 

When you are looking for a beautiful week-long cruise or perhaps a charter with friends, family or associates, then please do give us a call. The ship is proving to be a star with our guests because of the space and comfort that she provides. This is why we have so many guests coming back for more in another of our cruise destinations. Our crew are from New Zealand and Vanuatu to provide a wonderful mixture and offer a real insight to all of our 8 different cruise destinations. They make me proud everyday with glowing comments from our guests.

Our food and wine – every meal has to be magnificent. I hear so many times that our meals and service are superb. I also hear from guests how they enjoyed being able to catch their own fish that is happily prepared especially for them by our chefs; something seldom found on cruise ships these days. Our wine list is predominantly from New Zealand and constantly being updated with new releases plus our revolving collection that is personally selected from our favourite boutique vineyards.

We have a very happy ship and welcome the opportunity of having you onboard. Please call me if I can assist with anything whatsoever.

Tracy Walker
Passenger Services

Tracy always has a smile on her face and has been with us for several years. She runs the office administration along with all of the booking control. Tracy has a background in retail travel and has first hand experience of being on the ship in our destinations. Ask her about anywhere that we cruise and she will give you a full run down.

Tracy loves taking the helicopter to or from the ship and had a memorable trip with her son in the Bay of Islands during 2012.  She will make booking your trip a real pleasure and can add hotels or resorts to your cruise holiday along with advice on the best flights to get you to the ship in New Zealand or Vanuatu.

Terry Riches
Commercial Director

Terry has a solid understanding of how a business must operate and exceed the expectations of customers. He has a long business association with Peter for over 30 years and together they strive for excellence. Terry handles our corporate business along with setting in place the strategies for our key clients.

Terry also looks after our special incentive charters and he is the man to talk to about our fabulous helicopter golfing series in New Zealand.