Radiate Joy: A Women’s Retreat at Sea -

Radiate Joy: A Women’s Retreat at Sea

Spring 2027 · Coming soon

We set sail
We came home radiant

Our first Radiate Joy retreat at sea is complete, and we’re already planning the next one. A warm-weather sailing, most likely to Mexico, is in the works for late April or May 2027. Be the first to hear when dates are confirmed.

Join the First to Know List Watch the highlight reel

September 2026

Our first retreat at sea

In September, ten women boarded the Emerald Princess in Vancouver and sailed to Los Angeles together. Some came with a friend. Some came on their own. By the end of the week, nobody felt like a stranger.

We gathered for four sessions built on the five pillars of joy: Notice It, Name It, Choose It, Protect It and Radiate It. We heard from storyteller and TEDx speaker Anne Mok and clinical counsellor Elaine Walker. We explored Victoria and San Francisco, watched the sun go down over the Pacific, and laughed more than any of us expected.

Every woman went home with her 100 Days of Joy workbook and a plan to keep the joy going long after the ship docked.

Moments from the week

Six days of joy, in pictures

Joyous sessions, sunsets on deck, and a lot of laughter in between.

All photography by Kathleen Niebuhr Photography

In their words

What the women said

I came away reminded that filling our own cup isn’t about taking away from what we give to others. It’s about making sure there is something within us to give.

Anne

The Radiate Joy retreat is a great opportunity to connect with others, learn something about yourself, and recharge your own battery.

Carina

I had never been on a cruise before, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I met an incredible group of inspiring and accomplished women, each with her own story to share. We learned together, laughed together, and formed connections that made the entire experience so special. I’m walking away a different person, one who won’t be afraid to shine.

Mikaela

I didn’t realize how much stress I had been carrying until I took a step back from everything and took the time to feel how I was really doing. This retreat reconnected me with old parts of myself I had forgotten and activities that bring me joy and fill my cup.

Kathleen

It was a warm and welcoming space where women could connect, share openly, and learn from one another. I left feeling refreshed, encouraged, and grateful for the connections made. There was lots of time to enjoy the cruise and the amenities, and the sessions were spaced nicely and were the right length of time.

Elaine

The Radiate Joy Women’s Retreat at Sea was something my soul has been craving since the pandemic. Learning the five pillars of joy has absolutely changed the way I look at the world, especially when the clouds are grey.

Jenika

Radiate Joy Spring 2027

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AN INVITATION

This Retreat was made for you

You give a lot. To your family, your team, your community. You show up, you deliver and now it’s time for you.

Radiate Joy is your invitation to stop. For a week or so you will ignite joy, find connection, breathe, and move at your own pace.

This is for you if:

You’re exhausted from giving and ready to fill back up

You lead – at home, at work – and you’re ready to lead from a fuller place

You’re coming on your own or with a friend. Either way, you’ll belong.

“This retreat has been a healing balm to my exhausted soul.”

~ Kathleen (Sept 2026)

You know joy is possible but it keeps getting pushed to tomorrow

You want to leave with more than a memory – you want a practice

The Experience

Time away designed to restore you

✦

Powerful Sessions

Built on the 5 Pillars of Radiate Joy: Notice It, Name It, Choose It, Protect It and Radiate It.

Meaningful, not marathon. Each session leaves you plenty of time to relax, explore the ship, enjoy the ports and simply be.

◇

Welcome Gift Package

A curated collection of products from women-led businesses, personally chosen by Michelle and presented at the Welcome Gathering on your first evening aboard. A little joy to start the week.

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100 Days of Joy Workbook

A guided daily journal you take home from the retreat. Each day has one reflection prompt and a few simple questions: your joy moment, what you noticed, what you’re grateful for, and what you’re choosing tomorrow.

Ten minutes at the end of your day. A practice that builds something real over time.

❋

Keynote and Guest Expert

Guest speakers who bring fresh perspective, real conversation and ideas you can take home with you. Our 2027 speakers will be announced soon.

◎

Group Dinner at Sea

Join us for an evening of delicious cuisine, inspiring conversation, and the joy of genuine connection. Some of the most meaningful moments happen around a table, where stories are shared and friendships begin.

◉

Post-retreat Community

Private access for accountability and celebrating daily joy.

Photo of Michelle Puffer, President & CEO, smiling at camera.
Photo by Robyn Strong Photography

Two headshots of our guest speakers. Anne Mok is on the left and Elaine Walker on the right

Your Host

Michelle Puffer
President & CEO, Radiant Leadership

I’ve spent my career in rooms where the stakes were high and the pressure was constant — leading teams, running organizations, navigating change that no one asked for.

Headed towards deep burnout, I attended the Build Your Brave retreat in 2024, led by Susie Helland and met amazing people, including Jessica Janzen, my business coach. It was there that I learned something that changed how I show up:

“Joy isn’t the reward you get when the hard work is done. It’s how you do the hard work.”

That insight then became 100 Days of Joy — a practice I shared on social media and now bring into leadership rooms, workshops, and retreats. The premise is simple: at the end of every day, no matter how hard, find a moment of joy.

Even just one. Reflect on it, let it light the dark. It sounds small. It changes everything.

I can’t wait to sail with you and share new joys, together.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

Rates for the Spring 2027 are coming soon

What’s included in my retreat package?

Every package includes all retreat sessions, your 100 Days of Joy workbook, a welcome gift package, one group dinner at sea, a guest expert session, and post-retreat community access. Your cruise inclusions — meals in the main dining room, onboard entertainment, and ship amenities — are also part of your experience.

What is NOT included in my package?

✈️ Flights — this is the big one. You are responsible for arranging your own flights/transportation.
Also not included:
* Ground transportation to and from the ship
* Onboard personal purchases (spa, specialty dining, premium beverages)
* Shore excursions (optional group excursion available — details to follow)
* Gratuities – please note that most cruises automatically charges a per day, per person charge for gratuities on board .
* Travel insurance (strongly recommended — see below)

Do I have to pay everything upfront?

If you’d like to split the cost, Klarna and Afterpay are both available as payment options at checkout through Stripe.

What is your deposit and refund policy?

Deposit ($200 CAD) Your deposit holds your spot and is applied in full to your final balance. Non-refundable — but fully transferable to another guest or a future Radiant Leadership retreat within 18 months.

Full Payment Once full payment has been made, your investment is non-refundable and non-transferable. This is because costs are committed (particularly to the cruise lines and other facilitator(s)) at that point and cannot be recovered. We understand that life happens — which is exactly why we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your full investment. Travel insurance can cover you for illness, family emergencies, flight cancellations, and other unexpected circumstances that may prevent you from travelling.

Do I have to come with someone?

Not at all. Many of our guests are coming solo. Our Joy Cabin Match program thoughtfully pairs solo travellers with a compatible cabin-mate — you arrive as strangers and leave as friends. Or book a solo cabin for your own private space.

Is this only for women in leadership roles?

No. Radiate Joy is for any woman who gives a lot and is ready to prioritize her own joy, whether that’s leading a team, running a household, or something in between. If you show up and give of yourself, this retreat was made for you.

Will there be free time during the retreat?

Yes. Sessions are meaningful, not marathon. Most days have one session in the morning or afternoon, leaving plenty of time to relax, explore the ship, enjoy the ports, or simply be. On one or two port days you will have the entire day free.

I’ve never been on a cruise. Is that okay?

Absolutely — and you’re in good company. Princess Cruises is one of the most welcoming cruise lines in the world, and being part of a retreat group means you have a ready-made community from day one. We will have a mix of first-time cruisers and those that are more experienced. We’ll share everything you need to know to feel completely prepared.

Do I need travel insurance?

We strongly recommend it. Your deposit is non-refundable (though transferable) and your final balance is a meaningful investment. Travel insurance protects you if life gets in the way — illness, family emergencies, flight cancellations, or any unexpected circumstances. It also covers your flights and any onboard medical needs. We’ll share recommended providers when you register. Please don’t skip this one.

When does registration officially open?

Registration will be open soon!

When will I get more information about the retreat?

Once registered you’ll receive a welcome email from Radiant Leadership with next steps. Closer to sailing you’ll receive a full information package covering what to pack, the ship app setup through the cruise line, optional excursion details, and everything you need to arrive feeling completely prepared and excited.

How do I contact you?

We’d love to hear from you. Visit radiant-leadership.ca/contact and we will get back to you personally. No question is too small — whether you’re ready to register or just want to talk it through first.