The High Seas Time Travel Cruise aka 11th Annual SteamPunk Cruise {3/16/24}

[Karl Helweg]

We have chosen two separate back-to-back sailings on the Allure of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world with impressive amenities and very reasonable prices.  You are welcome to join us for either or both sailings.

The 8th Annual SteamPunk Cruise will apparently be in 2022 now......


Saturday, March 19   Fort Lauderdale, FL
      4:30pm
Sunday, March 20   At Sea      
Monday, March 21   Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
   7:00am   3:00pm
Tuesday, March 22   St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
   10:30am   7:00pm
Wednesday, March 23   St. Maarten
   8:00am   6:00pm
Thursday, March 24   St. Kitts
   8:00am   5:00pm
Friday, March 25   At Sea      
Saturday, March 26   At Sea      
Sunday, March 27   Fort Lauderdale, FL
   6:15am
   Miami, FL
      4:00pm
Sunday, March 27   Fort Lauderdale, FL
      4:30pm
Monday, March 28   At Sea      
Tuesday, March 29   Cozumel, Mexico
   7:00am   6:00pm
Wednesday, March 30   Roatan, Honduras
   9:00am   5:00pm
Thursday, March 31   Costa Maya, Mexico
   8:00am   5:00pm
Friday, April 1   At Sea      
Saturday, April 2   Fort Lauderdale, FL
   6:15am

For more information join:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/189772278077087/

The  cruise theme is time travel to help more reenactors attend who do not have 13+ days or SteamPunk clothes. 

[Karl Helweg]

To help folks visualize what this cruise might look like here are some photographs and videos from the 1st and 2nd Annual SteamPunk Cruises:
http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/photo/albums/cruise
http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/photo/albums/2nd-annual-steampunk-cruise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uiu31rM7TFk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yczAnXbsh_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRY21KX0rA



The 4th Annual SteamPunk Cruise will probably have more time periods represented.  I understand that some returning cruisers (it is a very good sign when so many of us return) are working on Regency and DieselPunk among other things.   Western, ACW, Boer, and Edwardian folks barely have to try. 

[Karl Helweg]

Although some details of the 4th Annual SteamPunk Cruise have not been finalized this far out there are tentative plans for a "military uniform day" and the Hugo authoress http://maryrobinettekowal.com/  offered to host two costume competitions.  One for linen (Regency?) and one for costumes made for curtains.

[Karl Helweg]

One of the high points of the SteamPunk Cruise will be the high tea at the 18th century Good Hope plantation:  http://insidejourneys.com/good-hope-great-house-plantation/  As an 18th century reenactor I have seen some marvelous period houses but this is unique and ingenious.  There is also a zipline for those less tea inclined. 

[Karl Helweg]

The Elissa in Galveston harbor. 

[Karl Helweg]

Even if you cannot make the SteamPunk Cruise but live near Galveston - Houston you are welcome to dress out and join us for a Bon Voyage party:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1529864734010037/ 

[Karl Helweg]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/189772278077087/

March 19, 2017 leaving out of Galveston, TX for Honduras, Belize, and Mexico.  PM for event code before booking. 

[Karl Helweg]

XOCOLATI - THE CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE
ROATAN, HONDURAS
Make chocolate the way the Mayans did centuries ago. Your adventure begins with a guided island tour and sightseeing highlights on your drive to a cacao plantation. There, you’ll have a chance to learn how cacao trees are planted and cared for as well as how cacao pods are harvested. Get a close look at the complete lifecycle of this amazing tree. See how cacao seeds are fermented and dried by natural sunlight. Then roast, grind and make your own exquisite chocolate bars to take home. While waiting for your chocolate bars to set, join your guide for a tour through the botanical gardens, where you will see the famous Honduran mahogany, plus coffee trees, orchids, a variety of herbs and spices, tropical plants and fruit trees. After, enjoy a tropical fruit tasting in the garden in a palapa, a thatched shelter made from palm tree leaves. Plus savor a delicious traditional lunch featuring chicken, rice beans and fried plantains. RTB5

[Karl Helweg]

The "holding cruise" to allow early discounted reservations will Be March 2018 to St Kitts and St Thomas but when available we hope to change to Havana, CUBA out of Florida. 

[Karl Helweg]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/189772278077087/

We appear to have found our Cuba cruise.  We depart out of Fort Lauderdale, FL on March 12th for Key West, Havana, and Nassau, Bahamas.  Fares start at just $519.00 each. 

[Karl Helweg]

Our next SP Cruise will depart New Orleans on 2/2/19 for a 7 night cruise to:

Saturday, February 2    New Orleans, LA       4:30pm
Sunday, February 3    At Sea       
Monday, February 4    At Sea       
Tuesday, February 5    CocoCay, Bahamas    8:00am    6:00pm
Wednesday, February 6    Nassau, Bahamas    7:00am    4:00pm
Thursday, February 7    Key West, FL    10:30am    7:00pm
Friday, February 8    At Sea       
Saturday, February 9    New Orleans, LA    7:00am    

For more information visit:  http://welcometosteampunk.com/events/steampunk-naval-expedition-6th-annual-steampunk-cruise

[Karl Helweg]

https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fort-Taylor

Key West has two forts to visit.

[Karl Helweg]

https://www.facebook.com/events/517586888729872/

The 8th SP Cruise will be March 28th, 2020 out of Fort Lauderdale, FL.  We will be visiting the "ABC Islands."  Curacao had 14 forts although only 8 seem to be standing today:  https://www.curacao.com/en/stories/history-and-heritage/forts/ 

[Karl Helweg]

I have some good news for any one interested in joining this SP cruise - after a spell of very high booking fares there has been a significant improvement in sale prices on https://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=13069  back down to $719./pp (from over a thousand) so there must have been some cancellations on this popular cruise. 
Of course always check directly with Royal Caribbean for prices https://www.royalcaribbean.com/  especially if you can use the "50% off second guest" sale or you qualify for the "over 55", veteran, or returning cruiser discounts. 

Again this is on the Adventure of the Seas departing from Ft Lauderdale March 28th, 2020.  By linking reservations we can receive preferred dining seats, meeting rooms, lounges, and even discounts or on board credit. 

[Karl Helweg]

It is getting to be time to start planning the 9th Annual SP Cruise for 2021.  We are considering this one mostly because it is on one of the largest cruise ships in the world, has a new stop for us, and is returning to St Kitts, which we enjoyed.

https://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=43274

If you are understandably hesitant to log in to this discount site:

"FastDeal       #43274
7 nights departing March 7, 2021 on
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas

Brochure Inside    $640
Our Inside    $640
You Save    0%
   
Brochure Oceanview    $699
Our Oceanview    $699
You Save    0%
Brochure Balcony    $816
Our Balcony    $816
You Save    0%
   
Brochure Suite    $1,818
Our Suite    $1,818
You Save    0%
Click for additional rates: Singles Rates
Inside Offer! Book select categories and receive a FREE $50 per cabin onboard credit.

Oceanview Offer! Book select categories and receive a FREE $50 per cabin onboard credit.

Balcony Offer! Book select categories and receive a FREE $50 per cabin onboard credit.

Suite Offer! Book select categories and receive a FREE $50 per cabin onboard credit.
Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.
Prices are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to change without notice by cruise lines until a deposit has been made, and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Prices include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees. Prices and promotions are for new bookings only, in accordance with cruise line policies. Click any price to convert to other currencies.
Itinerary Ship Photos Cabins Deck Plans Weather Ports Dining Wifi Special Needs

Date    Port    Arrive    Depart
Sunday, March 7    Fort Lauderdale, FL       4:30pm
Monday, March 8    At Sea       
Tuesday, March 9    At Sea       
Wednesday, March 10    St. Kitts    8:00am    5:00pm
Thursday, March 11    St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands    7:00am    4:00pm
Friday, March 12    At Sea       
Saturday, March 13    CocoCay, Bahamas    10:00am    7:00pm
Sunday, March 14    Fort Lauderdale, FL    6:15am "

As we get closer to the dates we hope to see some sales on these already not bad prices.  We are a little surprised to find that we have enjoyed the giant ships even more than the smaller cruise ships.