Seven days that shift your trajectory
Imagine spending seven days at sea with people who are building and backing real companies, swapping playbooks over breakfast, challenging each other’s thinking in small groups and mapping bold moves over sunset drinks.
Founders Cruise is a curated, intimate experience for founders and investors who value depth over hype, and long-term partnerships over short-term selfies.
Why Founders Cruise is different from any event you’ve been to
We get it. Building a company is intense – and often lonely.
Founders Cruise is designed as a rare pause from noise and notification overload, so you can think clearly, reset personally and build relationships that outlast any single event.
01
Clear thinking
7 days at sea away from meetings and notifications create the headspace you rarely get on land. This is where the big, clean decisions happen.
02
Deep connections
Shared breakfasts, work sessions and late-night conversations turn quick intros into trusted relationships with people you actually want in your corner.
03
Personal reset
Step out of constant “operator mode”, reconnect with why you started in the first place, and come back with more energy than you left with.
04
New opportunities
From investor intros to cross-border deals and new advisors, you leave with warm conversations already in motion - not just a stack of business cards.
Why the ship changes everything
On land, people come and go. On a ship, everyone stays ‒ no side plans, no distractions, no rush to leave. Shared dinners turn into long conversations, and community forms in days, not months.
Being “stuck” together is the advantage. Trust builds quickly, ideas evolve in real time, and the ship becomes an accelerator ‒ the ideal setting for founders to connect, think clearly, and grow their network far faster than on land by sharing one uninterrupted journey.
Who the Founders Cruise is for
This experience is for founders building or scaling operating companies and investors actively backing them.
We value a supportive, open environment where experience is shared generously and long-term relationships matter more than quick wins. If you’re excited to grow alongside other builders and contribute as much as you learn, you’ll feel at home here.
More than a mastermind.
More than a cruise.
Think mastermind, cruise, and retreat – packed into one focused experience.
The Founders Cruise combines deep founder‒level conversations, the structure and intensity of a mastermind, and the clarity and reset of a retreat — all while crossing the Atlantic together. It’s not a conference and not a vacation, but a carefully designed environment for real connection, clear thinking, and meaningful progress.
The experience
Seven days that can change how you think, connect, and build.
Uninterrupted focus
Seven uninterrupted days at sea that remove distractions and create real space for clear thinking.
Curated community
A carefully curated group of founders and investors who understand the realities of building and leading.
Meaningful relationships
Deep, meaningful relationships formed through shared time, meals, and unfiltered conversations.
The program
Founders Cruise combines the best of masterminds, retreats, and a luxury cruise in one experience.
Our mission is to provide an environment where founders can truly thrive, learn, and grow without the usual distractions.
Real founders stories
and hands-on workshops
High-level masterminds
Engage in intensive sessions with industry leaders and peers.
Unconference-style sessions
Participant-driven discussions and workshops tailored to your interests.
Startup pitches for the community
Exchange ideas and connect
Curated networking dinners
Connect with fellow founders and investors over exquisite meals.
Wellbeing sessions
including yoga, breathwork, and recovery
Skip one flight and cross the Atlantic like few ever do
Cross the Atlantic aboard the iconic ocean liner Queen Mary 2
Program flow & highlights
Sample schedule (indicative)
Day 01 – Arrival & Departure
Transfer from London to Southampton, boarding, welcome reception, first connections
Day 2 – Connection Day
Curated networking, masterminds, informal conversations
Day 3 – Founder Life Deep Dives
Case studies, workshops, unconference sessions
Day 4 – AI & Leverage
Practical AI trends and real use cases in business and life
Day 5 – Unconference & Integration
Masterminds, pitches, wellbeing, reflection, and 1:1 conversations
Day 7 – Arrival in New York
Book early and save!
Secure your spot with a €500 deposit
Most masterminds charge €5,000+ for a few days on land. The Founders Cruise offers better pricing than comparable events – for a full 7-day transatlantic experience.
Super early bird cabins are limited
and prices increase as departure approaches.
Continue the journey in New York
A journey that doesn’t have to end when it ends.
Join us for an optional 4-day New York extension to continue the conversations, deepen connections, and explore the city together with your new network.
Meet your host – Johannes Voelkner
Founder of Nomad Cruise
I launched Nomad Cruise in 2015 to make nomad life less lonely. It worked - thousands of friendships, collaborations, and life-long impact were created.
Building it revealed a different kind of isolation for me - the founder journey: responsibility, running a team, hard decisions. Often alone.
That experience led to the idea of Founders Cruise – a shared journey for founders who want real connection and faster growth.
If you are building, join us — and let the connections you make on board shape your journey far beyond the ship.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to the most common questions about the Founders Cruise.
Do I need to apply, or can I book directly?
Yes, the Founders Cruise is application-based. This helps us curate a balanced group and ensure meaningful conversations on board. Applying does not commit you to booking.
What happens after I apply?
After submitting your application, our team will review it carefully. If it’s a good fit, you’ll receive an invitation with access to available cabins and pricing. From there, you can decide whether you’d like to book.
Who is joining the cruise?
The Founders Cruise brings together a curated group of founders, operators, and a small number of investors and advisors.
Participants come from different industries and stages, but all share a mindset focused on growth, openness, and meaningful connection.
How can I contribute to Founders Cruise?
We’re looking for people interested in contributing their experience – through sharing case studies, leading discussions, or offering insights from building or investing in companies. Simply mention how you’d like to contribute during the application process.
Is this a mastermind or a conference?
Neither – and a bit of both.
The experience is founder-led, combining mastermind-level conversations, unconference-style sessions, and real founder stories — without a stage-heavy or sales-driven agenda.
Is everything on the program mandatory?
No. Nothing is compulsory.
You decide how deeply you engage each day.
White space and flexibility are intentionally built into the program.
I’m coming solo — will I share a cabin?
Most participants join solo. Shared cabins include carefully curated matching with a like-minded participant, based on profile, goals, and preferences. If you prefer more privacy, single-occupancy upgrades are available for all cabin categories.
Can I bring my partner?
Yes, you’re welcome to bring your partner if you book or share a cabin together. Partners receive a €500 discount on their ticket. Please note that while partners can join the journey and enjoy the ship, some program elements and curated sessions are exclusive to founders to preserve the focus and group dynamic.
Will there be investors on board?
Yes, a select number of investors and advisors will join the journey.
There is no pitching pressure. Conversations around capital and collaboration happen naturally and organically.
Is Wi-Fi available on board?
Yes. Wi-Fi is available throughout the crossing. High-speed Starlink internet is offered on board and can be purchased as an add-on for approximately €15 per day.
Do I need to worry about seasickness?
For most people, seasickness is not an issue on this journey. The Queen Mary 2 is a large ocean liner specifically built for transatlantic crossings, making it very stable even in open sea. If you’re sensitive, standard remedies are widely available and usually more than sufficient.
Is this trip tax-deductible?
This depends on your individual situation and jurisdiction. Many participants classify the trip as a professional development or business expense, but we recommend checking with your accountant or tax advisor.
What’s included – and what’s not?
Included: Accommodation on board the ship ,Full Founders Cruise program, All onboard sessions, events, and activities, Group transfer from London to Southampton
Not included: Flights before or after the cruise, Personal expenses or spa treatments, Travel insurance, Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (available at additional cost), Internet packages (available as an add-on)