For many, cruising isn’t just a vacation—it’s a way of life. The ocean breeze, the distant ports, and the seamless blend of entertainment, relaxation, and adventure create an experience like no other. Steve Hutt, founder of Club Voyage, knows this feeling all too well.
After spending five years working on cruise ships, he set out to bring the magic of cruising into people’s homes through scent—and thus, Club Voyage was born.
A Passion for Cruising, Transformed into a Brand
Steve’s journey with Club Voyage started as a way to keep his passion for cruising alive. “I truly believe it’s one of the coolest experiences ever,” he shares. Inspired by his time at sea, he set out to craft a collection of destination-themed scented candles that transport people to iconic cruise ports with just a flicker of a flame.
From the Caribbean to the Mediterranean to Alaska, each candle is designed to evoke the essence of beloved travel destinations.
But finding the perfect brand identity wasn’t an overnight success. “To be honest, it probably had five different names, logos, and website designs before we finally locked in as Club Voyage,” Steve admits. The process of refining his brand took time, but once he settled on the signature Club Voyage red vessel, he knew he had something special.
“Once we got that LLC and we were locked in, then I knew this was the direction I wanted to go. And so, Club Voyage was born.”
From day one, Steve wanted his candles to be more than just home fragrances—he wanted them to capture the feeling of travel and adventure. Each scent represents a different "port of call," allowing customers to relive their favorite cruise destinations or dream about new ones.
The Importance of Thoughtful Packaging
When it came to packaging his candles, Steve knew that quality and experience were non-negotiable. Candles are delicate, and ensuring they arrive safely while maintaining a premium unboxing experience was a challenge.
“If you have a vision, keep changing anything and everything until you see that vision come true.”
Initially, Steve started with basic 4x4x4 packaging boxes but quickly realized he wanted something more immersive and luxurious. That’s when he turned to Arka’s custom packaging solutions, which provided a perfect combination of durability, aesthetic appeal, and functionality.
Now, his candles are housed in custom product boxes with inserts, creating a multi-layered unboxing experience. Each order is packed in a sleek, branded shipping box with protective packaging materials inside.
“I really wanted the unboxing experience to be special. I don’t have to just throw a bunch of stuff in the box anymore—it all feels intentional.”
Beyond the structural benefits, Steve was also impressed with Arka’s customer service.
“From my first inquiry, I got a phone call—that’s never happened before! That kind of support is rare, and it makes such a difference when you’re investing in packaging.”
The design clarity, branding consistency, and sturdiness of Arka’s packaging ensured that Club Voyage candles arrived safely—something that was crucial for a product made of glass.
A Growing Community & What’s Next
While the new packaging is still in its early days, Steve has already started seeing positive customer feedback.
“People are sharing their unboxing experiences in their Instagram stories, and it’s exactly what I wanted—to bring the whole cruise experience to life from the moment the package arrives at their doorstep.”
And the journey doesn’t stop here. Club Voyage is currently working on an exciting new product: a mini candle flight collection.
“I love the idea of theming it around a shorter cruise—like a three- or four-day voyage—where you get to try different ports of call.”
This mini candle set will allow customers to experience multiple destinations in one package, creating a luxurious yet flexible alternative to full-sized candles. Steve is currently experimenting with Arka’s packaging inserts to make sure the unboxing experience remains just as premium and seamless as his full-sized products.
The smaller vessels will also give new customers an easier entry point into the brand, letting them explore multiple scents before committing to a larger candle.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those looking to start their own business, Steve’s advice is simple: trust your vision.
“If you have an idea, just go for it. Club Voyage has gone through so many iterations, and every time I changed something, I worried I’d lose customers. But at the end of the day, I knew where I wanted this brand to go, and I wasn’t going to stop until it felt right.”
He believes that changing, refining, and evolving a brand is all part of the process.
“Change what you need to until it matches your vision. It doesn’t matter what other people think—this is your business, your dream. Keep pushing forward until you make it happen.”
How Arka Supports Growing Brands Like Club Voyage
At Arka, we love working with passionate entrepreneurs like Steve, who turn personal experiences into brands that bring joy, nostalgia, and adventure to their customers.
For small businesses and growing brands, custom packaging can make a huge impact. Not only does it protect the product, but it also enhances the customer experience, builds brand recognition, and creates a shareable moment that customers want to post online.
By working with Arka, brands like Club Voyage can achieve a professional, polished look without sacrificing sustainability, durability, or affordability.
If you’re looking for custom packaging that brings your brand vision to life, check out Arka’s solutions today.
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