Cruising – Genealogy-Style

Cruising … it sounds ideal doesn’t it? Accommodation, meals, and all entertainment provided for. No housework and no cleaning for days … and you get to visit exotic locations along the way. Not to mention it’s time off work – so, what could make this cruise better? Make it “genealogy-style” by adding in a genealogy conference on board, and that’s exactly what the Unlock the Past team have done with their 3rd History & Genealogy Cruise.

They have chosen the Royal Caribbean’s “Voyager of the Seas” ship for their 3rd cruise, and trust me this is one MIGHTY HUGE ship, that will absolutely need to be seen to be believed.

With 15 decks, and weighing in at 142,000 tonnes, and measuring 310 metres in length (that’s 1020 feet if you prefer the older measurements), the “Voyager of the Seas” is one of the largest cruise ships in the world. This ship offers its guests facilities such as an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, a golf course and the Royal Promenade, which is a four-deck-high shopping and entertainment boulevard with stores, restaurants, bars and gaming arcades.

The cruise ship also offers a vast choice of dining such as:
– the main three-storey La Boheme Dining Room
– Windjammer Café
– Jade Sushi
– Asian-fusion cuisine
– Café Promenade for coffee and pastries/snacks
– Portofino Italian restaurant, where for one low-cover fee you can choose any item from the menu from starter to dessert
– and for casual dining and snacks visit Johnny Rockets which is a 50’s themed diner with a jukebox, burgers, fries and old-fashioned malted milkshakes.
No doubt being on a cruise that lasts for 9 nights, I’ll be trying numerous ones out.

I have chosen to join this cruise for several reasons, and no I am not really a huge fan of cruises, but this was just too good an opportunity to miss. Part of the reason was that I doubt I’ll ever get a chance to set foot on a ship like this again, so that will be an experience in itself, but also because there really is an amazing line-up of genealogy speakers (both Australian and those from overseas) that would be a shame to miss. I mean we’re talking: Paul Milner, Dan Lynch, Bob Velke, Louis Kessler, Jan Gow, Jill Ball, Carol Baxter, Stephen Dando-Collins, Shauna Hicks, Rosemary Kopittke, and Helen Smith. I’m going to get to spend the whole cruise listening to these knowledgable people, and aim soak in as much as I can.

You might think that’s bit of odd thing to say, but I have been to many genealogy conferences over the years but always as an exhibitor with work (Gould Genealogy & History), which means that unless the talks are in the same rooms as the exhibition (which is extremely rare), I never get to hear the talks … so this will be a novelty for me.

I’m not expecting it to be a ‘relaxing cruise’ in anyway. In fact with my head may well explode from information overload – but I’m sure it’ll be worth it.

A bonus is that Royal Caribbean have given Unlock the Past the exclusive use of their Conference Room for the duration of the cruise. This is a 300 seat theatre which is where the ‘main’ presentations will be held, with numerous other smaller rooms or groups held elsewhere.

I could go on-and-on … but to finish off I’ll simply give you some links, so you can go and explore the ship and info about this genealogy cruise for yourself. And if you’re coming on the cruise, I see you onboard!

PHOTOS
Take a few minutes to look at these – this ship is simply amazing, click here

THE PRESENTERS
To find out more about who the presenters are on this cruise, here’s a link to their mini-bio’s, click here

THE PRESENTATIONS
You can see the Preliminary Program (PDF) here

THE SHIP
Here is Royal Caribbean’s page with info on the Voyager of the Seas

MORE INFO
The Unlock the Past website, has details of the ship, the cost, the speakers, presentations and a whole heap more, click here

TO BOOK
Contact Terri or Ciaran at CleanCruising, on 1800 007 978, or fill in the enquiry form online

KEEP UP TO DATE
Like the 3rd History & Genealogy Cruise Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest news, and if you’re on Twitter the hashtag that is being used is #UTPCruise3

One Response to “Cruising – Genealogy-Style”

1. Deb Miller says:

   July 24, 2012 at 11:24 am

   Wow Alona, have a great time. Sounds and looks fantastic! Regards, Deb.

   Reply