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2023 Aloha Quilting Cruise
Quilting and cruising are better than ever so join Stitchin' Heaven on this 9-night Cruise! Cruise and learn from two quilting experts: Raija Salomaa and Tina Lueders.
October 6 - 15, 2023
Vancouver, British Columbia - Lahaina, Maui, HI - Napali Coast, Kauai, HI - Honolulu, Oahu, HI
Royal Caribbean Ovation Of The Seas
Overview
Overview
Aloha Quilting Friends,
Are you ready to take the quilting cruise of a lifetime? Join us with two industry quilting stars Raija Salomaa and Tina Lueders as they carry their love of quilting on this 9-night 10-day cruise to Hawaii! This is a once in a lifetime cruise for quilters who love to travel. Raija is a wonderful pattern designer and has been featured in multiple national publications. Tina is highly talented and on her way to becoming a Quiltworx Certified Instructor. From classes and demos, to tips and tricks, this is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss!
This cruise is on the Royal Caribbean Ovation Of The Seas. We have a beautiful conference center available to us so that we can spread out and have plenty of space. New for 2023, we are introducing our Fun Times Day at Sea where you will have the opportunity to make one of our exclusive Grab ‘n Go projects.
During this trip you will we will also enjoy the beautiful Paradise of the Pacific. Our ports will include Vancouver, British Columbia, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu. I sincerely hope you can join us on the educational and enjoyable cruise.
- Deb Luttrell, Owner - Stitchin' Heaven
If you have never been on a quilting cruise you have missed a real treat! Since 2010 Stitchin' Heaven Travel has offered quilt-related cruises and motor coach tours to literally hundreds of satisfied guests. See reviews from our happy travelers here.
How can all this get any better? Here's how!
- Pre-cruise communication from Stitchin‘ Heaven Travel
- SHAG Bag (Stitchin' Heaven Amazing Gifts) valued at over $100 including an exclusive cruise shirt
- Your own dedicated sewing space for the duration of the cruise
- Optional pre-cut Sail ‘n Sew fabric kits
- Every quilting guest can take all the classes offered
- The classroom is open 24/7 for plenty of free time sewing!
- Premier thread provided for onboard projects
- Demonstrations of the latest quilting and sewing products
- Classroom support from Stitchin' Heaven Staff
- Full-size irons and ironing stations will be available in each classroom
- Post cruise guest contact list and group photo will be provided
- A BONUS Grab' n Go project for our Fun Day at Sea
- Prizes, surprises, and a boatload of fun!
Plus ... You'll be sewing on a BERNINA 475 QE sewing machine!
That's right! Each quilter will be provided a state-of-the-art BERNINA machine equipped with the extended table and a quarter inch foot. There's no need to bring your sewing machine all the way from home. Visit the BERNINA website to see the amazing features of this great machine!
Consider bringing a friend, your spouse or your family – non-quilters are always welcome to join us and will have many activities to pursue while you are in class.
We look forward to our next adventure together with you!
Instructors
Instructors
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Raija Salomaa
Raija was born and raised in Eno, a quaint little town in Eastern Finland. Raija met her soul mate and the love of her life while studying in the US. They are the proud parents of two adult daughters.
Though avidly sewing since elementary school, quilting was something Raija didn’t know anything about prior to moving to the States. The moment she saw her first quilt it was love at first sight.
Raija’s desire to become a quilt pattern designer started almost immediately, and her pattern company – Quilters’ Treasure Chest was born in 2004. Her designs have been featured in multiple national publications. Raija loves tools that make accuracy easier, so it's no surprise she is a certified Studio 180 Design instructor. She enjoys lecturing at guilds and teaching workshops and currently resides in Arkansas.
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Tina Lueders
Tina's love of sewing comes from her Grandmother who gave her a needle, thread and scrap fabric at the age of 4. She has been sewing ever since, mostly doing garment sewing. When she started working as a secretary and needed a professional wardrobe, she began making outfits from patterns that were fashioned after “Dynasty”. She's owned her own commercial embroidery business and also made custom western apparel for many clients. "I’m a fairly “young” quilter, taking up the art of quilting about 15 years ago. I walked into a little quilt store with a friend and fell in love with Judy Neimeyer patterns. The next week she was taking a class, and lovin’ every minute of it. Her favorite type of quilts are paper piecing and after helping with Quiltworx University and retreats here at Stitchin’ Heaven, Tina decided she loves teaching and is now on her way to becoming a Quiltworx Certified Instructor.
Projects
Projects
Island Breeze
Aloha! Island Breeze is a beautiful light and airy quilt that you are sure to love. Mimicking the island sun and breeze it is made up of two blocks: Island Star and Breeze. Both blocks are made with the Studio 180 Design Wedge Star and Tucker Trimmer III tools. The Dark Fuchsia Star, Orange Corner Blocks and Lime Green Wedges create the Island Star block which connects to corresponding Lime Green Wedges in the Breeze Block creating Diamonds and a large Star. The center is surrounded by a pieced Half Square Triangle Border which allows the design to finish and flow into a beautiful border.
Finished Quilt Size: 68” x 68”
4½ yards of coordinated backing fabric will be needed.
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Macaw
Designed by Judy Neimeyer of Quiltworx, Macaw is a bright and fun quilt with a tropical feel. Come join us on our adventure at sea and learn to make this foundation paper pieced beauty. It will be a momentum of the fun you had while sewing and sailing to beautiful Hawaii.
Finished Quilt Size: 57” x 57”
4½ yards of coordinated backing fabric will be needed.
NOTE: If you choose to provide your own fabric you will need the Macaw pattern.
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Optional Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack
Our incredible Sail 'n Sew fabric pack includes all of the fabrics and patterns for your projects and they are pre-cut so all you need to do is sit down and sew! The price of the Sail ‘n Sew fabric pack is $434.90 and it includes precut fabric for the quilt top for both projects including the borders, binding and pattern.
If you are interested in only one of the kits, you can specify which one on the registration form when you sign up for the cruise. If you would like a Sail ‘n Sew pack, simply select both kits when you fill out the registration form and we'll have it waiting for you on the ship.
If you do not wish to purchase a Sail 'n Sew Fabric Pack, remember to pack your own fabrics. We will not have fabrics available for purchase aboard the ship. You will need to bring your fabric pre-cut and ready for class. You must also bring your pattern or book. You can purchase the patterns here: Island Breeze and Macaw.
Note: View the preliminary 2023 Aloha Ovation Quilting Cruise Supply List. A finalized supply list will be sent to you 90 days prior to departure. We will not have a store onboard. Please bring all supplies you will need according to the supply list. We suggest you bring an extra project if you feel like you will finish the class projects and need extra sewing.
You can find many of the supplies shown on the supply list on our website in General Quilting Supplies.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1
Vancouver, British Columbia
When sailing on a cruise out of Vancouver, definitely spend a few days discovering all the cool sights and activities this vibrant Canadian city has to offer. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot. Located in British Columbia’s lower mainland region, hugging the Burrard Inlet, this northern gem offers the perfect mix of outdoor adventures and metropolitan delights. Start your day with a fresh and hearty breakfast at a local farmers’ market, then soar above the city on the Skyride cable car to Grouse Mountain’s 3,700-foot-tall summit and stay at the to enjoy one of the best of Vancouver views. If you’re craving adventure in the great outdoors, climb to St. Mark’s Summit for more incredible views of majestic Howe Sound. The trailhead is just a 30-minute drive from Vancouver. If you’d rather explore on the water, visit Horseshoe Bay and hop on a wildlife-spotting boat tour. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, dolphins and whales as you zip past towering cliffs and rocky isles.
Day 2
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 3
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 4
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 5
Cruising
Quilting Classes in the Conference Center!
Day 6
Cruising - Fun Day At Sea
Fun Day at Sea in the Conference Center. Join us for a special project and product demonstrations.
Day 7
Lahaina, Maui, HI
Your Lahaina cruise arrives in a historic town that was a favorite spot of Hawaiian royalty. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, in the mid-1800s Lahaina was an important Pacific whaling port. Lahaina's Front Street is ranked as one of the top ten greatest streets. Today, lovely Lahaina caters to visitors with many museums, art galleries, shops and restaurants. Cruise to Maui and visit historic stops like the U.S. Seamen's Hospital, Hale Paaho (Lahaina Prison), the Pioneer Inn, Maui's oldest living banyan tree and other sites on the Lahaina Historic Trail. Approximately 55 acres of old Lahaina have been set aside as historic districts.
Day 8
Lahaina, Maui, HI
Day 9
Napali Coast, Kauai, HI
Na Pali means "high cliffs" in Hawaiian, and as you cruise past the Napali Coast, you'll understand exactly why it got its name. Passing by, you'll see the sheer magnitude of the shoreline's steep cliffs that rise as high as 4,000 feet above the ocean below. These rugged headlands make up a state park, known as Napali Coast State Park. You can find these on the northwest of Kauai, stretching 16 miles along the turquoise coastline. Start your Hawaii cruise vacation and experience the awe of nature through this rare, prehistoric landscape, keeping an eye out for cascading waterfalls, mysterious sea caves and lush green valleys.
Day 10
Honolulu, Oahu, HI
Make sure you tack on a few days ahead of your vacation to explore this wild, beautiful island. Home to the Hawaiian capital of Honolulu, Oahu brims with natural beauty everywhere you look. From its world-famous white-sand beaches, crystal-clear Pacific waters, rolling emerald mountains and lush tropical rainforests, it’s a paradise for nature lovers, snorkelers and surfers. In fact, Oahu’s surf culture is one of the richest in the world. Take a day trip to the island’s north shore, where huge barrel waves draw professional surfers from around the globe every year to compete in tournaments and hone their skills. For a crash course in Hawaii’s monarchical history and culture, visit Bishop Museum at Iolani Palace, once the royal residence of Hawaii’s rulers. And if you’re craving a tasty bite to eat, the dishes you’ll find in the Hawaiian restaurants at Waikiki International Market Place are among the best of Oahu.
The Ship
The Ship
Ovation Of The Seas
Pioneer America’s last frontier onboard one of the world’s most groundbreaking ships, Ovation of the Seas®, the biggest boldest ship to ever sail Alaska. It’s scenery scoping from the unrivaled perspective of North Star® — the highest vantage point on any cruise ship. Edge-of-your-seat entertainment, game-changing family fun you can enjoy in any climate, and breathtaking vistas from every stateroom — even interior staterooms offer real-time views from a Virtual Balcony℠. All between unforgettable destinations from Juneau to Skagway. No other cruise ship lets you see Alaska like this.
Conference Room Setup:
On this ship we will be sewing four to a table the image below.
Note: View the preliminary 2023 Aloha Ovation Quilting Cruise Supply List. A finalized supply list will be sent to you 90 days prior to departure. We will not have a store onboard. Please bring all supplies you will need according to the supply list. We suggest you bring an extra project if you feel like you will finish the class projects and need extra sewing.
You can find many of the supplies shown on the supply list on our website in General Quilting Supplies.
Pricing
Pricing
Stateroom's are as follows:
| Room Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Interior Stateroom | $1,799.00* |
| Oceanview Stateroom | $1,999.00* |
| Oceanview w/Balcony Stateroom | $2,499.00* |
*Non-sewing guests will receive a $250 discount.
*Port charges, taxes & fees of $497.49 are not included.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.
There is a $350 per person deposit due at registration which will secure your price and availability.
This fee includes your cruise fare PLUS all fees to the teachers, a BERNINA sewing machine for the entire cruise, all associated class activities, and classroom support. You may purchase our precut Sail n Sew kit (supplies are limited) or you are welcome to bring your own precut fabric.
Group travel allows us to provide special touches that are not available on an individual reservation. And unfortunately, discounts from Royal Caribbean are not allowed through our group program. In order to take full benefit from everything Stitchin Heaven offers on our cruises, you must register through Stitchin Heaven Travel. If you have questions or need assistance in changing your individual reservation to a group reservation through Stitchin' Heaven Travel, please let us know.
Travel Information
Travel 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 light woods and two pieces of artwork on the walls. Each stateroom has two beds that convert to queen-size, a private bath, phone, 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.
Travel to and from Destination
You will be responsible for getting to and from the ship.
Dress
You can see what the cruise line suggests for dress code while on the ship here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com...
Gratuities
Gratuities are a part of your cruise expense and will be collected by Stitchin' Heaven. This fee covers everyone who serves you while you are onboard including all onboard staff, dining staff, and your cabin steward. Stitchin' Heaven Travel will then pay these gratuities for our entire group prior to sailing. Therefore, you will be charged $130.50 for gratuities at the time of final payment. Please be aware that an additional gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs. We encourage you to add additional tip for superior service.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included, but is available for your protection from Royal Caribbean in the form of their Travel Protection Program. The cost varies by room type and cruise and both cabinmates must purchase it separately. In the event insurance is used please be aware that it covers the cost of the cruise only. Sewing package fees are not refunded.
**Insurance fee are due in full when you choose to add it to your reservation
Ship Safety Protocols
The cruise ship companies have worked diligently with the CDC and government officials in order to continue cruising from the US. Our commitment is to provide an enjoyable event with the utmost safety to our guests. Ship protocols will need to be observed at all times and are subject to change at Royal Caribbean’s discretion. These protocols are changing quickly so please check the Royal Caribbean website for the most current information. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we navigate through these uncertain waters.