The 2020 Escape to the British Isles was canceled due to COVID-19.
Stitch and sail your way around the British Isles! Ports of call in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, and Guernsey!
This is an exclusive needlework cruise to the British Isles for Stitchers’ Escapes. You must book through our group in order to participate in group activities.
Cruising Itinerary
Thursday, July 16: Embark in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Friday, July 17: Cruising, Classes, & Casual Stitching
Saturday, July 18: Edinburgh, Scotland
Sunday, July 19: Inverness/Loch Ness, Scotland
Monday, July 20: Cruising, Classes, & Casual Stitching
Tuesday, July 21: Cork (Cobh), Ireland
Wednesday, July 22: Dublin, Ireland
Thursday, July 23: Dublin, Ireland
Friday, July 24: Holyhead, Wales
Saturday, July 25: Cruising, Classes & Casual Stitching
Sunday, July 26: St. Peter Port, Guernsey
Monday, July 27: Dover, England
Tuesday, July 28: Disembark in Amsterdam
Stitching Opportunities Galore!
Take a class with Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett of NeedleWorkPress or Jean Farish of Jean Farish Needleworks, bring a project of your own choosing and/or enjoy the cruise stitch-along project. Stitchers of all levels are welcome in our dedicated space for classes and casual stitching in the ship’s conference center.
Fees & Fares
We accept payments, in US dollars by personal check, credit card, or debit card.
For each cabin type, we offer both a Stitcher price and a Non-stitcher price. All prices include the cruise fare, all taxes and port fees, and gratuities. Classes, travel insurance, and shore excursions during our ports of call are not included.
The Stitcher fare also includes group onboard activities, the stitch-along project, and our special stitcher goodie bag. Classes are optional and not included in your fare. The Non-stitcher price is for your traveling companion who does not plan to take classes, and does not want the stitch-along project or the stitcher goodie bag.
We offer your choice of stateroom configurations on a first-come, first-served basis. All include a sitting area, private bath with shower, hair dryer, TV, phone, and 110/220 electrical outlets. All cabins have two twin beds that convert to a Royal King. Triple or Quadruple Occupancy cabins also have one double sofa bed or one double sofa bed and one Pullman bed. We have a limited number of each type in our group inventory. Some cabin types can accommodate up to four passengers.
Triple and Quadruple Occupancy
We have included a limited number of cabins that can accommodate up to four passengers. Upon request, we are happy to adjust the billing so that everyone in the cabin pays the same amount simply by adding the various amounts and finding the average and making adjustments if some are stitchers and some are not.
We love group travel!
We can provide special benefits that are not available on an individual reservation. However, this means fare discounts offered by Royal Caribbean are not allowed under our contract. You must register through Stitchers’ Escapes. Send questions to Jean: jeanfarish@stitchersescapes.com.
Deposit Info and How to Register
Please read carefully.
Your registration is secure with a $300 per person non-refundable deposit. After we receive your deposit, we divide your balance into equal payment amounts with specific payment dates.
Upon receipt of your registration application, we will confirm availability of your cabin preference and then send you an invoice through “Square,” the same payment software you probably use at salons and small businesses everywhere. You can pay online with any major credit card or debit card, or by mailing a check.
If you are not paying the deposit for all occupants of your cabin, your cabin mate(s) must submit a registration form within 7 days of your registration or the organizers reserve the right to release your cabin. If you have not yet arranged to share your cabin, you may register and a cabin will be held for you at the discretion of the organizers. Until all people in a cabin pay their deposit(s), the cabin is under a tentative hold and is not taken from the group inventory.
To register, be prepared to pay your deposit and have the following information for yourself and any cabin mates for whom you are paying the deposit:
- Your name as it appears on your passport (if you have not yet received your passport, you can fill in your legal name)
- Cabin preference (we assign cabins on a first-come, first-served basis)
Cancellation Policy
In the event you have to cancel for any reason, the following refund schedule will be in effect:
Until June 30, 2019: 100% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
Between July 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019: 75% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
Between January 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020: 50% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
After May 1, 2020: No refund
Roommates
We do not keep a list of people who want to come and are seeking roommates. We encourage you to use your own network and social media to find a suitable roommate. Our Stitchers’ Escapes group Facebook page is a good way to let it be known that you want to join the cruise and are looking for someone to share a cabin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/stitchersescapescruise/
Our Ship
We are sailing on Brilliance of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s mid-sized ships in the Radiance class. It is often described as having beautiful open spaces to offer panoramic views. It’s large enough to offer a wide variety of activities but small enough to visit ports not open to larger ships.
Are you a first time cruiser? Here’s some general information that may be useful: meals from many onboard venues, such as the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe are included in the price of your cruise. Some beverages such as coffee, tea, water, lemonade, and some juices are also included. For bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffee, wine, and alcohol based drinks, you can either make purchases on a per item basis or purchase a beverage package. The night time entertainment is also included in your fare. Other optional expenses include: excursion fees, a drinks package, spa treatments, or special activities like a wine tasting.
We have booked the conference center for our classes and casual stitch gatherings and 60 sleeping cabins in five categories for our stitchers and their non-stitching companions.
Dinner Seating
Our group will be dining during the early dinner seating. We sit together at various tables in the same section.
FAQs
Comparing Apples & Oranges
When doing your price comparisons, please note that our fares include all taxes, port fees, and gratuities.
Why cruise?
You mean besides getting away from it all? How about uninterrupted stitching? Being with friends? Sound good? We actually have some practical reasons, too. Did you know that by the time you pay for a shared hotel room, the hotel room taxes, three meals a day plus tips, and throw in even a little bit of entertainment, you have pretty much paid for a cruise? And you have paid for it all before you even leave home so you don’t need to think about anything except the stash you are going to buy! Yeah, we thought you’d see it our way.
Who can come?
Stitchers and all kinds of non-stitchers: spouses, family, friends and even friends of friends. You get the idea. There will be plenty to do!
Why cruise with other stitchers?
Need you ask? There is nothing more fun than traveling with like-minded people!
Will I need a passport?
Yes!
If you are a US citizen and you don’t have one yet, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html to find out how to get started.
If you already have one, make sure it will be valid for at least 6 months after the date you intend to depart from The Netherlands at the conclusion of the cruise. Your passport will also need to have a minimum of 2 blank pages. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so check your expiration date and number of blank pages, and start the renewal process if needed!
If you are a citizen of another country, please consult your country’s passport requirements.
Will I need a visa?
At present, none of the countries we are visiting require a visa for stays under 90 days.
Why make a reservation so far in advance?
60 cabins are on hold for our group. Once these cabins are spoken for, there is no guarantee that you’ll get the rates quoted here.
Why a Stitchers’ Escapes Cruise?
Because we want to cruise and stitch with you!
Got Questions?
Email general cruise questions to Jean: jeanfarish@stitchersescapes.com
Header Image: Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom by Giuseppe Milo is licensed under CC BY 2.0