Hear the islands calling?

We do! We’re teaming up once again with instructors Cindy Walter & Sue Nickels to bring you our Hawaii Land Retreat!

Everyone has fun in Hawaii!

We will stay and play in the heart of Waikiki! You’ll enjoy fun and informative classes, exclusive touring opportunities and lots of “Sewcializing” with fellow quilt enthusiasts, along with a welcome breakfast reception and an evening Show and tell and Farewell cocktail reception in the fabulous Altitude@37 lounge!

We will be staying at the newly renovated Hilton Waikiki Hotel which is just steps away from famous Waikiki Beach! You can choose from city view, mountain view or ocean view rooms with daily breakfast included at Mac 24/7 restaurant!

This trip will sell out fast, so book early! We have had a list of quilters interested in booking this trip even before it was organized. Bring a friend, your spouse or your family – non-quilters are always welcome to join us! They have many activities to pursue while you are in class!

We look forward to welcoming all of you, new friends and old, to this special quilting event in the tropical paradise of Hawaii!

Retreat highlights:

• Award-winning quilting instructors
• Numerous class choices
• Bernina Sewing Machines to use
• Quilt Shop at the hotel
• Hawaiian quilt Shop Hop
• Welcome breakfast reception
• Show & Tell at the farewell party
• Challenge block contest
• “Sew”cial events
• Souvenir tote bag
• Optional tours and sightseeing

Here are some photos from our previous Hawaii retreats!

Karen Combs was on the road teaching last month, when she found that her rental car was broken in to.  All of her teaching supplies for one of her classes, including several of her quilts, were taken.

Being the determined teacher that she is, Karen immediately set out to recreate her samples and handouts for the class.  Unfortunately it was her wildly popular Patchwork Illusions class that had her samples, step-by-step instructions and teaching materials taken.

Karen is still able to teach the class, and has been doing so successfully (and will, in fact, be teaching Patchwork Illusions on our Alaska Quilt Seminar at Sea in June of 2012 and on our Western Caribbean Quilt Seminar at Sea in February of 2013.)  The theifs most likely have no idea of the value of the items they took.  However, as you can imagine these quilts are priceless to Karen.

We just wanted to spread the word.  Here is a link to Karen’s Blog where she has photos and descriptions of the quilts & samples: http://karencombs.wordpress.com/2012/03/18/quilts-stolen/

If you happen to come across them, please let Karen know at karen@karencombs.com or you may also email us at Amy@Quiltcruises.com.  Be on the lookout!

Last Chance for Alaska!

While the Alaska season is getting ready to open, our 2012 Alaska Cruisetour is nearly sold out! In case you needed some more convincing, I thought I would give you some reasons to join us!

Alaska has beautiful scenery!  Mountains that rise breathtakingly from the sea, blue ice that calves into the water,

Blue ice in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

pristine lands rarely touched by humans—this is what Alaska is all about. On this cruisetour, you’ll not only get to see the wonders of the Inside Passage, but you’ll get a chance to see one of the most magnificent mountains in the world: Mt. McKinley. Be amazed by Denali National Park and enjoy wildlife sightings as you learn about the area from knowledgeable guides.

Alaska loves quilting!  Alaska is a quilter’s paradise. Several of the ports we visit have more than one quilt shop! The shops are clean, bright, well-maintained and actual quilt shops. They are not department stores with a small fabric section stuck in the corner! In two cities, we have put together exclusive mini-shop-hops for our group that include a local-style lunch! You will not be disappointed!

Alaska has Sue Nickels, Stevii Graves, Karen Combs and

Stevii Graves at the Autograph Party

Kathy McNeil …at least temporarily! These world-renown teachers will be joining us on board the ship when it sails from Seward, Alaska down to Vancouver, BC. With a myriad of class choices and lots of workshops along the way, you’ll be able to make the most of your time!

Alaska has choices  It’s your vacation, enjoy it! Spend your days in port enjoying the cities! During the At Sea days learn from the best teachers in the industry. At the evening, enjoy parties, SEWcials and more! After dinner take in a show, or if you choose perhaps a movie—the choices are everywhere!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. We would love to have you join us! Click here for a detailed itinerary and more information!

One year from now… where will you be?

We’ll be in Shanghai, China, enjoying one of the exclusive tours just for our group! If you have no plans, I invite you to join us!

On April 1, 2013, we’ll set sail from Kobe, Japan and begin our Asian adventure! With 14-days to explore China, Japan & South Korea and time to quilt in between—what else could you ask for in a vacation?

We will have three exclusive tours along the way, designed just for our group by Asia expert Jim Johnston. These tours will let you explore Beijing, the Great Wall, Shanghai by night, fabric factories in Shanghai and a lot more! They are definitely the best tours for the value, and your non-quilting companions will love them, too!

Speaking of your non-quilting companions, you’ll have plenty of time to relax with them At Sea. We’ll still run our quilting classes—but we’ll have some time just to enjoy what the ship has to offer. We’ll also have some exclusive perks for our group, such as a backstage tour, gaming lessons and a private kitchen tour!

While class is in session, you’ll learn from Sue Nickels, Paula Nadelstern and Karen Kay Buckley.  These three ladies are three of the top instructors in the world!  They will share their secrets and tips with you, and you’ll get to know them in a social setting.  Check out our photos below of the class projects, as well as a few snapshots of the teachers!  We love vacation slides.

So what are you doing next April?  Hopefully cruising with us!