2024 Escape to the British Isles

Registration for this event is now closed. We hope you will join us for FlossTube at Sea in January, 2024 or one of our future cruises. Sign up for our mailing list using the form on the right to be the first to know when registration for FlossTube at Sea opens on July 8th and for news about future events!

Stitch and sail your way around the British Isles on our 2024 cruise! Ports of call in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England, and Guernsey!

This is an exclusive 2024 needlework cruise to the British Isles for Stitchers’ Escapes. You must book through our group in order to  participate in group activities.

Please note, the cruise is sold out, however we are taking waiting list reservations. There is no cost to join the wait list. We do not charge a deposit until a cabin becomes available and we’ve contacted you to confirm your place.

Cruising Itinerary

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 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 in the fares listed.

The Stitcher cruise fare includes group onboard activities, the stitch-along project, and our special stitcher goodie bag. Classes are optional; class fees are not included in your cruise 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. All excursions are open to your non-stitching companion.

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. We have a limited number of each cabin type in our group inventory. All cabins have two twin beds that convert to a Royal King. The Triple or Quadruple Occupancy cabins also have one double sofa bed or one double sofa bed and one Pullman bed. The GS, J3, and 5D cabin designations accommodate triples and quads.

Cabin Types

4V Interior Cabin
Double Occupancy Stitcher: $2,130 per person
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher: $2,030 per person
Solo Occupancy Stitcher: $3,495 per person

4N Ocean View Cabin
Double Occupancy Stitcher: $2,450 per person
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher: $2,350 per person
Solo Occupancy Stitcher: $4,135 per person

4D Ocean View Balcony Cabin
Double Occupancy Stitcher: $3,190 per person
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher: $3,090 per person
Solo Occupancy Stitcher: $5,615 per person

4B Spacious Ocean View Balcony Cabin
Double Occupancy Stitcher: $3,550 per person
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher: $3,450 per person
Solo Occupancy Stitcher: $6,135 per person

J3 Junior Suite
Double Occupancy Stitcher: $4,900 per person
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher: $4,800 per person
Solo Occupancy Stitcher: $9,040 per person

GS Grand Suite
Double Occupancy Stitcher: $6,525 per person
Double Occupancy Non-stitcher: $6,425 per person
Not available for solo occupancy

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. With that option in mind, here are the fares for all passengers in the following cabin types at triple or quad occupancy:

5D Ocean View Balcony Cabin
Available for triple and quad occupancy
Please note that the 4th bed in these cabins may be a pullman, a type of bed that drops from the ceiling. It is similar to sleeping on the top bunk of a bunk bed. Otherwise, there is a sofa bed, which the 3rd and 4th guest would share.
1st and 2nd Passenger Stitcher: $3,735 per person
1st and 2nd Passenger Non-stitcher: $3,635 per person
3rd or 4th Passenger Stitcher: $2,775 per person
3rd or 4th Passenger Non-stitcher: $2,675 per person

J3 Junior Suite
Available for triple or quadruple occupancy.
There is one additional sofa bed in these cabins, which the 3rd and 4th guest would share.
1st and 2nd Passenger Stitcher: $4,900 per person
1st and 2nd Passenger Non-stitcher: $4,800 per person
3rd or 4th Passenger Stitcher: $3,190 per person
3rd or 4th Passenger Non-stitcher: $3,090 per person

GS Grand Suite
Available for triple or quadruple occupancy.
There is one additional sofa bed in these cabins, which the 3rd and 4th guest would share.
1st and 2nd Passenger Stitcher: $6,525 per person
1st and 2nd Passenger Non-stitcher: $6,425 per person
3rd or 4th Passenger Stitcher: $3,250 per person
3rd or 4th Passenger Non-stitcher: $3,150 per person

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@gmail.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 then pay online with any major credit card or debit card, or by mailing a check for the invoice amount.

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 July 31, 2023: 100% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
Between August 1, 2023 and November 30, 2023: 75% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
Between December 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024: 50% of total funds paid to date, less your $300 non-refundable deposit
On or After April 1, 2024: 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

We are sailing on Jewel of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s mid-sized ships in the Radiance class. It is often described as having beautiful open spaces with 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 useful general information about what’s included with your fare. The price of your cruise includes meals from many onboard venues, such as the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe. Some beverages, for example, coffee, tea, water, lemonade, and some juices are complimentary. 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. In addition, your fare includes the night time entertainment. 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 plus 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!

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

You will need to make your own arrangements to travel to the cruise port. We will advise you on airfare bookings, but we can’t make a reservation for you. We will arrange a block of hotel rooms, but we won’t necessarily handle the reservations. Depending on our agreement with the hotel, you may need to book for yourself using the hotel’s reservations system. We do arrange transportation from the group hotel to the cruise port. However, you are responsible for arranging your own transportation from the airport, whether you are traveling to the group hotel or directly to the cruise port. 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 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 or other travel documents?

In 2024, the European Union is expected to institute the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) program. While this is not a visa, it does require you to fill out a brief application and pay a nominal fee. The application will ask for the following information:

• Email address.
• Your US passport details (number, expiration date, etc).
• Your personal details (name, age, nationality, sex, contact information, occupation, etc.)

There is a nominal application fee of €7 (about $7.40) charged when you fill out the application. More information can be found on the ETIAS website. Please note that the start of this program has been delayed and it could be again. We will keep all registered cruisers up to date as we get additional information.

At present, none of the countries we are visiting require a full visa for stays under 90 days.

Why make a reservation so far in advance?

92 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@gmail.com

Visit our FAQ page

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Header Image: Edinburgh by Richard is licensed under CC BY 2.0