Here’s a little secret most business leaders miss:
Your team doesn’t just need a paycheck or a break room with the occasional pizza party, they need play.
The kind of experience that breaks them out of the daily grind, gets their brains firing in new ways, and reminds them why they love working together.
I’ve seen it firsthand, like during the unforgettable Code Cruise I designed for a group of 30 nurses aboard a Virgin Voyages ship.
Yes, a fully custom scavenger hunt at sea. And Next Clue never even set foot on the ship.
The Story of Code Cruise
When Cat Golden of 6th Ave Group approached me with the idea for a nurse-themed scavenger hunt for her group on a cruise, I was all in. Nurses spend their days giving so much to others. This was their chance to relax, laugh, and feel celebrated.
Together, we designed a scavenger hunt that wasn’t just fun—it was iconic. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, every clue was color-coded and clear, and every challenge brought the group closer.
In Cat’s words:
“Next Clue created a completely custom, nurse-themed scavenger hunt for our cruise—without ever stepping foot on the ship—and it was iconic. Every detail was thoughtful and color-coded, with clear instructions and unique challenges at each location. I always aim to create memorable experiences, and this truly set our event apart. There’s no way I could’ve pulled this off myself—this was so well done. The value was incredible and our group of 30 had the best time, a total 100/10. I cannot recommend this enough—we’ll definitely do it again!”
What Made It So Special?
✔️ Custom challenges at each location
✔️ Clever, color-coded clues and tasks
✔️ Team moments that sparked connection and laughter
✔️ A full-circle celebration of the selfless work nurses do every day
That’s the thing about custom scavenger hunts: they’re not just games. They’re designed experiences that bring your group together in ways no generic team-building exercise ever could.
The Secret Ingredient? Play.
At Next Clue, I believe every team needs space to laugh, explore, and solve problems together in a way that feels fresh and unexpected. That’s what play does. It builds connection, sparks creativity, and strengthens relationships that go far beyond the game.
Whether you’re a group of nurses on a cruise ship, a corporate team in a downtown office, or a mastermind group on a retreat, a custom scavenger hunt isn’t just an activity, it’s an experience that stays with you.
Photography of Code Cruise by Shelby Dubin Photography.
