I'd love to go with Bonnie Hunter in 2016. They're going to the Mediterranean and one to Alaska. Not sure if the timing suits you though.

http://www.quiltville.com/

I have been on a ship while a group was taking a quilting cruise. As a quilter, I was embarrassed by the behavior of the quilters... Loud, took over some areas of the ship and were overall quite rude to the other passengers aboard. After this experience I decided I would not join a quilting cruise and would also avoid any cruise that was hosting one.

Judy in Phx, AZ

I've been on 2.. One was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The second was much as judy363905 recounts and at the end of the second day I put away my machine and packed all my supplies and enjoyed the cruise as a non-quilter and I was embarrassed by the other attendees and their behavior.

I am looking for something in the spring. That is when my husband is planning a biking trip with his brother to Holland. I think it would be good to be going somewhere while he is away.

[QUOTE=Jeanne S;7399234]Don't be afraid to travel by yourself! The past few years my husband hasn't had the good health to do much international travel, so I go by myself a lot. I have been to romania, Croatia, Cuba, Ireland, India and Bhutan without him, and have trips planned to Scotland, iceland, Mongolia and Burma. I do travel on small group trips (less than 20 people) and there are usually more solo travelers than couples! I like having a private room because at the end of the day I like my alone quiet time. You meet lots of interesting people and will have a great time. My last few cruises have been on small boat river cruises that have port excursions every day, so I forgot about the large ship "at sea" days. Go for it, you will have a great time.[/QUOTE

That's great to have been so many places. I'm afraid I would feel terrible leaving my husband at home and going off on trips.
I too need a room to myself. That can be a problem with cruises and quilt retreats. Double occupancy. That's something I'd pay extra for. I need my space and also am a very light sleeper. I don't share a room with DH I am certainly not going to share with a stranger.
The river boat cruises are very intriguing. However they are all in Europe. And those overnight flights are killer.
So you travel with one of those travel groups I've heard about? Which one? And how does that work? Do they plan the whole thing for you?
SVAL

I was disappointed in the cruise that I took to Alaska. Yes, the quilting classes were during the At Sea days, but I missed a lot of fun the ship had to offer you. In one class - there were so many ladies sea sick that it ended up only a few ladies, me and my friend that were able to stay in the class. I will keep quilting and cruising separate from now on.

Susan

I think a quilting cruise would be so so much fun! I think you should go for it. Cruising is the best way to travel and you are right. Those days at sea are long and would be perfect. And how wonderful to be with a like minded group!! Let us know how you do!!!! I see a lot of them in the quilting magazines... FUN......

Last spring I went on a cruise arranged by my local quilt shop with a nationally known quilt instructor. Janome provided top of the line machines! We only quilted on days at sea but I didn't go back for the sessions after early seating dinner because my husband was with me. There were ladies from all over the country- they found it by googling quilting cruises. It was easy to make new friends. We were able to make headway on the instructors quilt and a mystery quilt. I have finished both of them since returning! Go for it!

I would just love to do one Annette Ornleas (Southwind Designs) as the teacher I have followed her work on the net and have several of her patterns but more than anything I would love to do a cruise with her , but as I am on the other side of world it will have to be a dream but you never know some dreams come true .

Upon realizing that some cruise ships hold more than 1000 people, I am curious about this. Were they louder than any other group on the cruise? Just curious. I always perceive quilters as being such nice people.

When they were rude, what do you mean specifically? I've only been on one very small cruise (a Nile Cruise). My sis told me that wasn't a "real" cruise--just a boat ride. I'm trying to visualize it.