HARMONY OF THE SEAS QUILTING CRUISE --PART TWO

 Since I still have so many photos to share, here is a special Wednesday Edition of My Joyful Journey.

We started the trip the day before boarding the ship, with an overnight in Miami. I strongly recommend you arrive at least one day early for any cruise--the ship will not wait for you if you are late. A few people did miss the ship, not quilters, and had to fly to St. Maarten to meet the ship 3 days later.

The Hilton Miami Downtown was a lovely hotel and we enjoyed dinner there:

Our view from the 8th floor

Scallops for dinner

The next day we met up with 3 staff members and the other teacher for our 3 mile trip to the Cruise Terminal. We got to the Pier at 9:45 and by 10:15 were onboard, as we were "Staff", there for the Quilters Cruise:

Dawn, David, me, Dana, and April in the Pinnacle Lounge

We spent Saturday preparing the classroom with 80 sewing machines--see PART ONE for more on that. Days 2 and 3 were sea days, spent teaching the two class projects to 72 students.

Day 4 brought us to our first port: Phillipsburg, in St. Maarten. This small island is two separate countries, a Dutch side and a French side. Phone calls from one side to the other are "international calls" so most people don't call the "other side".

We had a two hour shore excursion to see the sights. It was enjoyable and just enough time off the ship for me. We were back onboard by 1 pm, eating lunch and going to the pool:

Before full sunrise on my daily power walk

Day 5 was St. Thomas. We had been there before so chose not to get off the ship. We went to the almost empty pool, enjoyed leisurely dining and having the ship to ourselves most of the day:

Day 7 was the third port of call, Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean's private island. It was the last day of the trip so again, we stayed onboard, enjoying the empty pool and whirlpools and leisurely dining. It looked liked a great place for families and we sure thought of our grandchildren and how much they would love this place:

We saw two fun shows, Grease and Columbus: the Musical. The cast was very talented, the sets were great and we enjoyed them both:

Several days we ate lunch in the Main Dining Room on Deck 3, not far from the Conference Center. Service and the food was excellent, so nice to be served from a good selection of menu choices. I loved these two License Plate art installations:

Days at sea are labeled in the schedule as Day 2, Day 5, etc. So to help you remember what day of the week it is each elevator floor told you:

I will close with my favorite sky photos. I wish you could see the bright stars at night from our balcony. The nights were clear and we saw many constellations. Here are sunrises/sunsets:

This Crescent moon was still high in the early dawn sky, at 5:30 am when I went for my 5 mile walk that morning. Each lap took more of it from sight as the sun rose on the opposite side of the ship.

Pretty spectacular trip and one I hope to repeat!

Join me on the Alaska Legacy Quilting Voyage, August 9-16, 2024. Information will be posted soon at Stitchin Heaven Travel Cruises.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

HARMONY OF QUILTING CRUISE -- PART ONE

 I recently had the pleasure of "Teaching at Sea" on a Stitchin Heaven Quilt Cruise. My husband was able to go with me so it was truly a working vacation.

Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas is a beautiful ship and was close to full with more than 6600 passengers and 2500 crew onboard. It never felt crowded and I quickly found my way around easily. Embarkation and Disembarkation was easily and quick, compared to what it could be. It takes a while to get that many people on and off a ship this size.

Some photos to temp you to join us on the next one:

The food and service was excellent: 

My usual lunch

Delicious dinner of salmon

My everyday breakfast

Another lunch 

The stateroom, 9138, was good size and there was adequate storage for two people who brought way too many clothes. Our cabin steward did an excellent job keeping it clean and ready for us each day:

I loved the balcony and wouldn't cruise without one--it was an upgrade to my contract

The classrooms were in the Conference Center on Deck 3. We had about 72 students, 36 in each room. I taught half of them one day while April Jaehn taught the other half. The next day she and I switched rooms and taught the other half. It worked well:

The Group Photo

Each student used a new Bernina 475 for the week

This student finished BOTH TOPS! Lisa rocks.

That Yoda Guy--the other class project,  completed by Denise

Scrappy Plus--my class project--I made this sample 3 years ago for a 2021 cruise that was cancelled

My husband and I rarely go out and dressing up is also rare. So I enjoyed "dressing for dinner" and the two "formal nights""

First formal night--very smart casual

Sunsets and sunrises are my favorite--I made sure to see them both

Caribbean night--I bought this dress in Hawaii in 2004, haven't worn it since

Second formal night--I loved this outfit, silk culottes have been in the closet 20 years

There was a Tribute to Veterans that I really appreciated: 

Glad I brought this t-shirt and hadn't worn it to exercise yet

A band played music and a cast member sang The Star Spangled Banner well--that means a lot to me

Cruise Director Dan did a great job with the Tribute

My favorite place on the ship was Deck 5, the Running Track. It went completely around the ship. I was there each morning by 5:45, sometimes earlier, and walked for an hour minimum. The longest day I walked 12 laps, 5 miles. Most days I did 3.5-4 miles. I saw the sunrise each day, had the place to myself mostly, and came home up 4 pounds that were totally gone by the second morning home. I call that a WIN!

Signs on the bulkhead say "One Lap to Go" "or Maybe Three" "Tonight's Dessert" "Can be Guilt Free" 

My personal sunrise each morning

The weather was perfect, 70's to 80's, no rain, calm seas. We got off the ship at the first port, St. Maarten, but stayed onboard for St. Thomas and Coco Cay. I was happy to have 6000 of my closest friends get off the ship and leave me to myself in the pool. See PART TWO--coming Wednesday April 5, a special Wednesday Edition, since there are still so many photos.

I worked all day when we boarded early to set up all those machines/tables/chairs. I taught all day the 3 sea days and spent two hours one night "on duty" to help any students who needed assistance. The rest of the time was my own. 

All in all, it was a super wonderful trip and I am happy to say I'll be back onboard for a 2024 cruise with Stitchin Heaven--this time to Alaska. Save your pennies now and join us! Alaska Legacy Quilting Voyage, August 9-16, 2024. More information will be posted soon at Stitchin Heaven Travel Cruises.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

QUILTING CRUISE--JOIN THE FUN

In less than 6 months I will be teaching on an amazing quilt cruise, run by Stitchin Heaven--a very well-known quilt shop in Quitman, TX.

HARMONY OF QUILTING is the theme of this cruise. We will enjoy a week on the luxurious Harmony of the Seas ship, with all the fine accommodations and activities Royal Caribbean Cruises can provide.

Watch this one minute Video to get excited about this opportunity: 

Spaces have been filling quickly. The kits are currently being cut. All you have to do is decide to COME WITH US and register. Find all the details right here: HARMONY OF QUILTING CRUISE

What you bring: basic sewing supplies. And some clothes. And your Passport.

What you don't bring: a sewing machine--you will have personal use all week of a brand new Bernina machine that is yours for the week. 

Fabrics for the two class projects can be ordered as Kits--all you do is show up and your kit will be there waiting for you. If you prefer to work with your own fabric, you will buy the pattern in advance and pre-cut your fabric at home before the trip. 

The quilt I am teaching is Scrappy Plus. Here it is on my design wall when I made it two years ago, for the 2021 cruise that was cancelled, you know why:

I have cruised several times, to the Caribbean and Alaska. I love unpacking once and seeing different countries. I love the beautiful features of these wonderful cruise ships. I love the food. I love the service. And now I will LOVE being able to teach what I am passionate about to others who want to learn. 

My husband is joining me on this trip. Perhaps you have a friend who wants to join you too. There is plenty of sewing time together and plenty of free time to enjoy all the activities you want to enjoy on the ship. Port days will visit St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Coco Cay in the Bahamas. Sailing round trip from Miami makes it easy to get to the ship.

If you have always wanted to cruise, this is your best chance--to cruise and quilt. I hope you will join me and many others as we set sail on a Harmonious Adventure!

Let's quilt,

Barbara