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Join us aboard Royal Caribbean's, Allure of the Seas, for a
seven-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise filled with the
paper-piecing experience of a lifetime!!!
The Teachers:
 Carol Doak
As a best-selling author, celebrated teacher and lecturer and award-winning quiltmaker, Carol Doak has greatly influenced the art and craft of quiltmaking
for more than a decade, in the U.S. and internationally. Her accomplishments include a sizable collection of popular books,
with over one million books in print. It is no secret that Carol has raised the popularity of paper-piecing, her trademark technique, to heights never before seen in the world of quiltmaking. She also has an impressive range of beautiful blue-ribbon quilts featured in several books, such as Great American Quilts 1990 and The Quilt Encyclopedia, as well as the covers of numerous magazines.
Carol's lighthearted approach and ability to teach have earned her high marks and positive comments from workshop participants worldwide and at national shows such as the Houston International Quilt Festival and the American Quilter's Society Show. If you have ever taken a class from Carol, you know that her enthusiasm for quiltmaking is infectious. Carol has a gift of sharing her inspiring ideas with her students in such a positive and unique way.
Carol's history within quiltmaking is nothing short of remarkable, and the future of quiltmaking will benefit from her generous knowledge, enthusiasm, and most of all from her love of quilts. Learn more about Carol by visiting her website at www.caroldoak.com.
 Gail Garber
Bold, colorful, and stunning geometric designs with flying geese galore - that’s how you know you’re looking at one of Gail’s quilts! Her style has become immediately recognizable because of her talent for combing vivid colors with intricate piecework. Her geometric star quilts and pictorial quilts have won awards at shows throughout the U.S., and have been featured in publications worldwide. Students love her ability to make those intricate designs achievable even for novice quilt designers.
For Gail, quilting began as a whim, when friends convinced her to take a hand-quilting class. Quiltmaking quickly became a passion. Gail’s early quilts are traditional with conservative fabric choices. By 1984, she began exploring original design. Her first effort, Azimuth, is a king-size medallion style quilt that features a Mariner’s Compass in the center and variations of the compass throughout the quilt. This award winning quilt has been displayed at quilt venues throughout the U.S. and overseas. Learn more about Gail by visiting her website at www.gailgarberdesigns.com
 Eileen Sullivan
A native of Connecticut, currently residing in Alpharetta, Ga., Eileen has been involved in quilt making since the late 70’s. Her current work is a result of years of experimentation and exploration with foundation-piecing. One of the first books on the subject written by Jane Hall and Dixie Haywood featured one of her small wall quilts.
Jane & Dixie approached her after seeing her quilt, “When Grandmother’s Lily Garden Blooms” which is currently in the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum (formerly known as MAQS, Paducah, Ky). Subsequent original pieces have also been awarded honors at major quilt shows throughout the United States and abroad. Fairfield Processing selected “Peace Lily” for their national advertising campaign. “Super Stars Two” is an original design made for the IQA raffle quilt. Two of her quilts were finalists the Quilt Show of the Century contest. Eileen has been a frequent contributor to books and magazines on foundation-piecing and has been teaching throughout the United States since the late 1980’s for guilds and conferences such as AQS, Houston, Quilt Colorado, etc. Her approach is a ‘sew and flip’ method using freezer paper as her foundation material of choice. She is best known for her floral pieces and her pattern company The Designer’s Workshop. Learn more about Eileen by visiting her website at www.thedesignersworkshop.com.
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The Classes & Sewing Times:
The Project:
 When the three teachers for this cruise were committed, Deb Luttrell (owner of Stitchin' Heaven) had an idea for a cruise project that would not only be an excellent teaching project, but it would also be a wonderful memento from the trip. She approached Carol, Gail, and Eileen about doing a joint project where each teacher would be responsible for a section. In that section, the teacher would be able to teach a very different technique using foundation paper-piecing.
Deb no sooner proposed the idea than the three were going for it. They exchanged ideas via email and even agreed on colors through communication online. Tropical Delights is the result of this collaboration. The project is approximately 36" x 48" in size and is a wonderful piece showing the sky of the ocean (Gail Garber), the fish in the sea (Carol Doak), and the ocean floor (Eileen Sullivan). You will love working on this piece during class and even in the evening when the sewing room is open!
If you don't feel this project will be enough sewing for you, we highly recommend you bring a project from home to work on during your free sewing time. It is highly probable that most everyone will finish their cruise project during the cruise - now won't THAT be nice! :-)
Optional Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack: This Pack will have all the fabrics you will need for each of the three sections of Tropical Delights. Our incredible Sail 'n Sew fabric packs include all of the fabrics for your projects and they are pre-cut so all you need to do is sit down and sew! The kit cost is $59.95 and can be purchased online. If you do not purchase a Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack, please remember to pack your own fabrics. Please note, we will not have fabrics available for purchase aboard the ship.
Click here to order your Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack and other Supplies.
How can all this get any better? Here's how!
- Workshops with Carol, Gail and Eileen during our days at sea.
- Accommodations onboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas including
a state of the art conference center dedicated to our group for the entire cruise.
- A Welcome Aboard Party and a Show & Tell Farewell Party.
- Relaxed sewing time in the evenings.
- Amazing fun and shopping options in Ports.
- An incredible onboard experience featuring Broadway style entertainment,
indoor Ice shows, outdoor climbing wall, Golf simulator and miniature golf,
Casino Royale, and much more.
- Prizes, Surprises and a Boatload of FUN!
Plus ... You'll be sewing on a new Bernina machine!
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 During our sewing classes, we will only be using spools of Aurifil™ thread. Each cruiser will be provided a free spool of 50wt. thread. Aurifil™ thread is perfectly suited for every quilt project. Learn more about this wonderful thread at www.aurifil.com. |
 Also during our sewing classes, we will only be using Oliso® Pro Steam Irons. This ain’t your momma’s steam iron! This professional-grade steam iron features award-winning technology and was designed with quilters in mind. It’s features include a pointed detailer tip and flat pressing area, three-way steam, the ability to perform as a dry iron, and an extended auto shut-off. View the full line of Oliso Smart Irons at www.oliso.com.
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The Cruise:
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When it comes to beautiful beaches and sparkling blue waters, the
Caribbean is truly in a league of its own! We begin our seven-night
paper-piecing Cruise through the Eastern Caribbean out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
First stop: the Bahama city known for its warming sun and balmy breezes, Nassau, Bahamas.  While enjoying the weather, why not
try a glass-bottom-boat tour for a glimpse into the underwater world of the Bahamas,
snorkel with the stingrays at Blue Lagoon Island, or see sharks, barracuda and many other creatures from the deep when you visit Predator Lagoon. And for an exciting adventure, hop on the powerboat Thriller, Nassau's fastest ride. Enjoy Nassau Harbor, Paradise Island and many other amazing spots.
Next stop: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. While the beaches and ocean are beautiful, there is one thing that really sets St. Thomas apart – shopping! Browse through the shop-lined streets of Charlotte Amalie for trinkets and bargains on everything from liquor to imported china and crystal. Once your shopping is complete, take a ride on Skyline Drive and enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Thomas Harbor. Then travel to Mountain Top, the highest point on St. Thomas, and see spectacular views of Magen's Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Check out Coral World Marine Park, where you can touch sea stars
or explore the mystery of life in a mangrove lagoon off the Coastal Trail.
Finally, enjoy the uniqueness of Philipsburg, St. Maarten by touring the saltwater lagoons by kayak
or discover the undersea world of coral reefs and exotic fish as you take a snorkeling expedition through Shipwreck Cove. Oh, and you won’t want to miss out on the dazzling colors of hundreds of butterflies as you tour St. Maarten’s very popular Butterfly Farm. There are countless adventures within reach on this cruise!! |
The Ship:
Debuting in December 2010, is Royal Caribbean's newest and most innovative cruise ship, Allure of the Seas! An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms.
Allure of the Seas will tout Royal Caribbean's exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and Youth Zone.
With it's revolutionary design, Allure of the Seas will fill your days at sea with wonder! Hop onto a full-sized carousel in the Boardwalk neighborhood, spend some quiet time in the adults-only Solarium, and let the kids' imaginations run wild in the Youth Zone. Jump right into the Pool Zone, where you'll find the famous H2O Zone, FlowRiders®, ten cantilevered whirlpools, and a thrilling zip-line view of the ship and sea below. The entertainment never stops while onboard.
You will love the ice shows at Studio B, dancing at
the Blaze Nightclub, special jazz features at
Dazzles, or enjoy a show at the Comedy Club. Your experience onboard will be nothing short of incredible!
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Onboard Activities, Entertainment, Exercise and Dining!
 Where to begin? It can be very hard to relax on Allure of the Seas -- even on sea days -- because of the head-spinning array of activities that run from dawn to dusk and beyond! The ship's entertainment staff offers an intriguing blend of options and everyone, from the most traditional passenger to the completely contemporary traveler, will find something to do.
During the day, if you don't want to sew, you'll find plenty of activities, such as bingo, dance lessons, horse racing, art auctions, Mr. Sexy Legs contests, bridge play, and art & craft workshops.
 Nighttime sees a similar variety of entertainment options. Enjoy a lively venue for nonstop gaming action all within the Casino Royal. There's also Studio B, featuring ice shows;
the five-story broadway-style Opal Theater; Blaze Nightclub; and Dazzles, featuring musical spectacles ranging from big band to disco. Or simply enjoy a leisure stroll throughout the Solarium with its sparkling indoor/outdoor pool and lounge area featuring a retractable roof.
Spa and Fitness:
 There is everything under the sun here. You can play basketball, volleyball or paddle ball in the full-length sports court; enjoy four pools and ten whirlpools; A tranquil poolside Solarium area; mini-golf; and a Zip line. Feel like working out? Then you will enjoy a fully equipped workout facility and fitness center, with 158 state-of-the-art cardio and resistance machines. Also available are
palates, kickboxing, yoga, and spinning classes.
Another "must do" while cruising is to make your way to deck twelve where you will find the Sea Spa.
You can indulge in spa treatments such as relaxing ocean-wraps, aroma stone therapy massage, an exotic jasmine bath, and more. Plus, complete hair and makeup services
are available.
Dining:
 With 24 onboard dining venues to cater to any craving, going hungry is not an option. To make your mouth water, here are just a few!
The new Samba Grille, a Brazilian steakhouse, is a signature fine dining destination you simply must try. This restaurant comes to life for dinner service in the Solarium and features authentic Brazilian-style meats and seafood dishes. This is an interactive experience where guests choose from a variety of meats, chicken and seafood brought table-side by servers, ready to slice and serve upon request.
Rita's Cantina is a vibrant new restaurant in the Boardwalk neighborhood featuring favorite Mexican fare such as shrimp ceviche tostadas, as well as entrées such as fajitas and fish tacos. The more casual setting will be a favorite lunch, snack, or dinner spot for guests seeking a flavorful fiesta onboard. Also new to Boardwalk's dynamic and engaging scene will be The Boardwalk Dog House, an outdoor hot-dog specialty counter. Guests can choose from traditional hot dogs, wieners, brats, sausages and other delicious linked meats and a variety of toppings to split a long bun.
Located in the Pool and Sports neighborhood, is the Wipe Out Café, a casual self-service buffet with pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and fresh salads; Solarium Bistro is a
health-conscious dining option for breakfast and lunch; and Izumi Asian Cuisine features a sushi bar.
Favorites among the Central Park neighborhood
include: Giovanni's Table, an Italian trattoria with both indoor and alfresco seating featuring Italian classics served family-style; Park Café,
an indoor/outdoor gourmet market featuring salads, sandwiches, soups and pastries; and Vintages,
a wine bar with pre-dinner tapas and cheeses along with a robust selection of fine wines.
General Information
Cabins:
 With so much to do onboard, chances are really good that you will just use your cabin for changing and sleeping, but it's nice to know that if you want to spend more time there, you will indeed be comfortable. All standard staterooms are attractively decorated in soft tones with fine lighting and artwork on the walls. Each stateroom has a private bath, telephone, interactive flat-screen TV, mini-bar, hair dryers and air conditioning/heat controls. Bathrooms are on the small side, but functional, and showers have those wonderful, half-round sliding doors as opposed to clingy curtains. Soap and shampoo are also provided.
Dress:
During the day, dress is casual. Evenings are either casual, smart casual or formal. On casual nights, suggested attire is sports shirts and slacks for men and sundresses or pants for women. On smart casual evenings, men should don jackets and tie, with women wearing dresses or pantsuits. On the one or two formal nights per cruise, men can choose from tuxedos or suits and ties, while woman usually wear cocktail dresses.
Gratuities:
Gratuities are not included in your reservation costs. Royal Caribbean recommends $3.50 per person, per day to the dining room waiter; $3.50 per person, per day to the cabin steward
(or $5.75 if you're in a suite); and $2 per person, per day to the assistant waiter. Royal Caribbean also recommends $0.75 per person, per day to the headwaiter.
This totals $68.25 per person per week. A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs.
Prices
Cruise prices includes the Royal Caribbean Cruise, stateroom, fine dining, exciting on-board entertainment, all quilting classes, group activities and parties. Stateroom's are as follows:
Interior Stateroom; |
$1,295* |
Ocean View Stateroom; |
$1,495* |
Balcony Stateroom;
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$1,695*
sold out
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*Please note that non-sewing guests will receive a $250 discount. |
*Port charges, taxes & fees of $275.89 not included.
*Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Please call for other occupancy pricing.
*There is a $350 per person deposit due at registration. which will
secure your price and availability.
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Travel to and from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida:
You will be responsible for getting to and from the ship in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Click here for a printable itinerary.
Registration
A Cruise is always better with friends!
Print out the Itinerary and show it to your friends!
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