Crafty Cruising: Quilt Cruising with Royal Caribbean International

For something different on your next holiday, why not join Craftsy for a Quilt Cruise onboard a Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas?  What could be better than sailing around the Caribbean enjoying the weather, culture and time to relax and enjoy your favourite craft activity?

Many people in the UK are enjoying the recent revival of interest in craft projects and quilting definitely has a very strong following.  Craftsy are giving you the opportunity to meet world famous instructors and work with them to produce your best quilting project yet.  Either bring something along that you are working on, or get inspiration from your fellow quilters for a new project.

No need to pack your sewing machine either, as all equipment will be provided.  In addition, your cruise includes your accommodation, meals and entertainment whilst on board, a welcome reception and VIP cocktail party, all your quilting tuition and demos with top class instructors.  You’ll receive a goodie bag worth around $500 from sponsors, supporters and Craftsy.

Leaving New Orleans on 23^rd March, once you are settled in your cabin, it’s time to meet your fellow quilters and tutors to explain what the next few days will hold.

The next couple of days are spent immersing yourself in the joys of quilting and cruising.  With morning and afternoon sessions, you can choose how much or little you want to do.  Instruction is available from Carol-Ann Waugh on decorative quilting methods such as raw-edge cutwork, hand and machine embroidery.  Weeks Ringle is well known for her whacky modern take on quilting and she’ll be sharing her skills in Improvisational Quilting, working with larger prints and discovering transparency quilting.  Sue Bouchard has over 18 years of teaching experience, so if you are struggling with a certain technique she’ll be sure to help, in a way you can hopefully understand.  Pam Holland has her grounding in design and photography work and it shows in her quilting.  She’ll help you to take inspiration from what you see around you and to develop it into your project.

Each night the instructors will show case their skills in demos and sponsors will be on-hand to share any new innovations.

On 26^th March it’s time for a break from all that hands on quilting and the chance to get a firsthand look at the Falmouth in Jamaica.  Visit the Historic District to see the fabulous examples of 19^th century Georgian architecture, and see how the sugar plantations that cover Jamaica’s North Coast have influenced the ports’ culture and history.  Relax back on board at our VIP cocktail party and share your experiences.

27^th March sees you in George Town on Grand Cayman and the marvelous Seven Mile Beach.  With exotic marine life in abundance, take a trip to the underworld in a submarine to see the coral formations.

On to Mexico the next day and the chance to explore Mayan ruins perched high above the serene Caribbean at Tulum.  There’s evidence of occupation from as early as 600AD and the Temple of the Descending God shows an excellent example of Mayan architecture.

A bit of a rest from all that tourism on 29^th, with a day of quilting and cruising.  Choose another workshop to attend, or take advantage of the other facilities on-board.  By now you’ll have made good friends with your fellow quilters and have plenty to share and talk about.  Plenty of chance to try out new skills, perfect techniques or help out others that might be struggling.

30^th March sees the ship docked back in New Orleans.  Take the opportunity after disembarking to take in the culture and history of the city itself.  Local foods are like nothing you’ve tasted before and there’s the chance to listen to original jazz music in the Bourban Street area, wander around the French Quarter and maybe head out to the lesser known Garden District to see the distinctive architecture and stunning homes.

The Creativity at Sea Quilt Cruise starts with prices from $1,287 per person.

Images courtesy of Craftsy