FlossTube at Sea 2024

Registration for FlossTube at Sea 2024 is now closed. To receive information about FlossTube at Sea 2025, sign up for the newsletter using the form at the right.

Join this FlossTube cruise with fan favorites from three FlossTube channels: Jan Hicks Creates, Michelle Bendy Stitchy, and Jean Farish Needleworks, as we sail the beautiful Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale on Celebrity cruise line’s newest ship, Ascent!

This is an exclusive FlossTube at Sea cruise to the Caribbean presented by Stitchers’ Escapes. You must book through our group to participate in group activities.

Cruising Itinerary

Sunday, January 14: Embark in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Monday, January 15: Cruising & Making
Tuesday, January 16: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Wednesday, January 17: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Thursday, January 18: Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
Friday, January 19: Cruising & Making
Saturday, January 20: Cruising & Making
Sunday, January 21: Disembark in Ft. Lauderdale

A Retreat at Sea with Your Favorite FlossTube Hosts

Our inaugural FlossTube cruise, FlossTube at Sea, will be organized in much the same way as past Stitchers’ Escapes Cruises with a few new twists!

Rather than offering onboard classes as an optional add-on, our group will use the ship’s conference center as a private, dedicated space for all Stitchers’ Escapes registered Stitcher-Makers. We’re using that term to include your travel companions who may not stitch but who are “makers” and would like to bring their hand crafts to join you as you stitch your way around the beautiful Caribbean!

And, much like a land-based retreat, we’ll also have an optional smalls exchange, games, door prizes, and more!

As always, we welcome your non-stitching travel buddies: spouses, parents, siblings, and friends! 

Fees and Fares

We accept payments in US dollars by personal check, credit card, or debit card.

For each cabin type, we offer both a Stitcher/Maker price and a Non-stitcher/Maker price. All prices include the cruise fare, all taxes and port fees, and gratuities. The fare also includes a basic Wi-Fi package and Celebrity’s Classic Drinks package. Travel insurance, and shore excursions during our ports of call are not included in the fares listed.

The new Stitcher/Maker fare includes access to the stitcher/maker space and materials for three projects that will be presented on our sea days, one from each of your FlossTube at Sea hosts: Jean, Michelle, and Jan. The Non-stitcher/Maker fare is for your traveling companion who does not plan to use the stitcher-maker space and does not want the project materials or stitcher-maker goodie bag.

We offer your choice of stateroom configurations on a first-come, first-served basis. All cabins have two twin beds that convert to a king. They also include a sitting area, private bath with shower, hair dryer, TV, phone, and 110/220 electrical outlets. We have a limited number of each cabin type in our group inventory.

Cabin Types

D1 Deluxe Inside Stateroom
Double Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $1,840
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher/Maker: $1,740
Solo Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $3,340

O2 Oceanview Stateroom
Double Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $1,950
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher/Maker: $1,850
Solo Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $3,540

E2 Infinite Veranda Stateroom
Double Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $2,355
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher/Maker: $2,255
Solo Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $4,365

C2 Concierge Class Stateroom with Veranda
Double Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $2,715
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher/Maker: $2,615
Solo Occupancy Stitcher/Maker: $5,085

We love group travel!

We can provide special benefits on this FlossTube cruise that are not available on an individual reservation. However, this means fare discounts offered by Celebrity are not allowed under our contract. You must register through Stitchers’ Escapes. Send questions to Jean: jeanfarish@gmail.com.

Deposit Info and How to Register

Please read carefully. 

Registration for the FlossTube cruise will open July 8, 2023 at 11am Eastern Time. At that time, we will send an email to our subscriber list and post the link here on the website. If you are not subscribed to our mailing list, fill out the form (on the right) to join!

Your registration is secure with a $300 per person non-refundable deposit. Depending on when you register, the balance will be divided into two or three payments. Your final payment is due on October 1, 2023.

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 then 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, then 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, then 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 within 7 days 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 August 15, 2023: 100% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
Between August 16, 2023 and September 30, 2023: 75% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
Between October 1, 2023 and November 30, 2023: 50% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
On or after December 1, 2023: No refund

Cruise line Policies

By registering for this cruise through Stitchers’ Escapes, you also agree to be bound by the Cruise Line’s Cruise Ticket Contract. You agree to comply with the Cruise Line’s Online Check-In Process, including providing proof of citizenship, identification, and emergency contact information. Further, you agree to comply with any Health Acknowledgment policies that may be in place at the time of sailing. You understand that should the Cruise Line’s policies change at any time between the time of your registration and the time of sailing, and you decide not to comply, any refund due from Stitchers’ Escapes will be subject to the Refund Policy outlined above. Copies of these policies are available upon request.

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 – Celebrity Ascent

Image Courtesy Celebrity Cruises

We are sailing on the Ascent, the newest ship in Celebrity’s Edge Series. She is taking her maiden voyage in November and features many of Celebrity’s unique touches including the Magic Carpet and Infinite Balcony cabins.

Are you a first time cruiser? Here’s some useful general information about what’s included with your fare. The price of your cruise includes meals from many onboard venues. It also includes the Classic Beverage package, with non-premium bottled water, premium coffees, juices, sodas, and premium teas, as well as alcoholic drinks up to $10 in value. In addition, your fare includes the night time entertainment, gratuities, and Basic WiFi. Optional expenses include: excursion fees, an upgraded drinks package, spa treatments, or special activities like a wine tasting.

We have booked the conference center for the exclusive use of our Stitcher-Maker guests, plus sleeping cabins in five categories for our stitchers and their non-stitching companions.

Dinner Seating

Our group will be dining during the same seating. We sit together at various tables in the same section.

FlossTube Cruise FAQs

Comparing Apples & Oranges

When doing your price comparisons, please note that our fares include all taxes, port fees, and gratuities as well as the Classic Beverage Package and Basic WiFi.

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, makers, and all kinds of non-stitcher/makers: 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!

Do I need to make my own arrangements for travel to the cruise departure city and hotel accommodations there?

You will need to make your own arrangements to travel to the cruise departure city. We will advise you on airfare bookings and offer hotel suggestions, but we can’t make a reservation for you. You are responsible for arranging all of your own transportation from the airport, whether you are staying at a hotel or going directly to the cruise terminal. If you are staying in a hotel, you will need to arrange your transportation to the cruise terminal. We will provide plenty of detail on all these topics as we get closer to the sailing date. If you have a travel agent, you can certainly work with them on your airline and/or hotel reservations. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us prior to registering for the cruise.

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 of our stop in Saint Kitts and Nevis (January 18, 2024). Your passport will also need to have a minimum of one blank page. 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 one month.

Why a FlossTube Cruise?

Because we want to cruise and stitch with you!

Got Questions about this FlossTube cruise?

Email general cruise questions to Jean: jeanfarish@gmail.com

Visit our FAQ page