CRAFT & PUBLISHING

VOYAGE

1. Register and pay your Event Fee here.

2. Within 24 hours, our travel advisors, Karen Ballard and Dave Williams at Travel Mate Pros will contact you. Or, reach out on Facebook, via email, or phone 813-486-1575. Note: This contact information will also come with your registration confirmation. Please register for the event first.

3. Karen & Dave will help you choose inside, oceanview or sheltered balcony staterooms and your location on the ship. ($1582-$2247 per person, based on double occupancy, includes port charges & taxes). 

They can also arrange your hotel before or after the voyage, additional add-ons affiliated with Cunard or independently, and book flights on the airline of your choice with Cunard’s discount or guide you for the best options to book yourself.

4. Karen and Dave will take your cruise fare deposit and schedule your payment(s) to Cunard.

5. Final Event Fee payments are due to Rebirth Your Book by June 1st, 2026; Cunard may sell out of cabins sooner. We recommend reserving with a deposit by February 1, 2026.

We warmly welcome non-writing travel partners (friend, spouse, partner, parent, child 15+) to our opening and closing parties, reserved dinner tables, and to receive our group discount on cabin fare.

To share a cabin with another writer, please register separately—there will be a place in the registration to give your roommate’s name.

Yes! Single cabin fares range from $2455-$3452. Note that true “solo” cabins are rare (there are only six onboard) but you can book a cabin to yourself with a single supplement.

Need a roommate? Let us know and we’ll help you share your bedtime/morning/interaction preferences and make a new writing friend.

No, definitely do not make this mistake! We are a private event onboard the ship, exclusively for our group.

Please book directly through Karen & Dave at Travel Mate Pros. You get the advantage of a special group booking rate for passage on the ship as well as our expert teachers for the week.

Yes! You can use the Contact Form below or email with your interest. We let waitlisters know as soon as a spot opens up.

Unlike a typical “cruise,” the Queen Mary 2 makes a direct passage from Southampton, UK to Brooklyn, NY. There are no stops or ports, recalling bygone days before air travel took over.

While yes, you can find bingo, karaoke and a casino if you enjoy them, Cunard focuses on special guest lectures, dancing, live music, theatre shows, trivia quizzes, shipwide scavenger hunts, the Planetarium, and a relaxed, upscale vibe.

Sorry, no wet t-shirt contest.

The ship carries up to 2,620 passengers so most people on the ship will be regular passengers, not part of our group. We’ll have nametags and introductions, so you’ll be able to find your fellow writers onboard.

We’ll have about 5 hours of classes, panels and events in the morning and afternoon, optional lunch networking tables and reserved dinner seating. You’ll also enjoy a welcome party, two reading nights, and other optional events.

You’ll have time to enjoy the rest of the ship’s amenities, restaurants, activities, and entertainment with newfound writing friends—and of course, plenty of time to write.

A detailed schedule will be provided about six weeks before the trip.

One of our most popular activities, projecting pages on the screen as we discuss them gives writers a chance to see their work edited in real time. You’ll better understand the purpose and experience of editing, and become more able to identify issues in your own writing.

Daily Office Hours (rotating instructors) are included for your questions.

You can also add a 30-minute one-on-one meeting to discuss your writing or writing career with any of the instructors. Costs start from $135 and a limited number are available. You’ll see this option when you register for the event.

Travelers from the USA, Canada, and most European countries don’t need a visa, but you do need an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

The ETA pre-clears you for entry to the country before travel, for visits of less than six months for tourism and business. 

How do I get one?

The cost is £16 (just under $22), and you’ll apply through the official app listed on the UK government website, or directly online. It takes about 10 minutes, and it’s easiest to use the app.

Be sure to apply through official channels, rather than through third-party websites, which may charge extra fees, and are less likely to handle your data securely.

You will need to upload a photo of your passport, scan and photograph yourself as you apply, upload the photo, and answer questions about your plans. You must complete the process in one go — if you exit before completing, you’ll start over.

Decisions come in anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 days, though the government warns it could take longer.

How long will it be valid?

Validity lasts for two years and multiple entries.

More ETA questions? Ask our travel agents, Dave & Karen.

Plan to arrive in the UK minimum one day before your cruise, to allow for any flight delays, lost luggage, etc.

You may also wish to explore London:

• We offer the Literary London tour as an add-on
• You can join us at the Literary London hotel and take advantage of our group room rate, without joining the tour (book through Allison)
• you can book hotel nights through Karen and Dave at TravelMate Pros when you book your cabin
• Or of course, make your own arrangements

We arrive in New York and disembark as early as 7AM (if you carry your own bags). Everyone is off by 10AM, though customs and immigration can take up to an hour after that.

You can fly out of New York on Disembarkation Day, but don’t book a flight before 1PM.

Allow yourself at least 4 hours to disembark and travel to JFK/LGA/Newark.

Transfers to and from the ship by bus or private car can be booked at additional cost with our travel agents, or on your own. 

Participants who add on Literary London will travel by private coach from London to Southampton, included in the tour.

If you prefer to take the train, book your own bus ticket, or use Uber in the UK or New York, those are all pretty easy options!

Ask Allison if you have questions about a particular type of transfer—she’s done them all.

Please check your passport expiration date. Your Passport must be valid for at least 6 months past your departure date for the last country you visit—so at least until mid-February 2026. If it’s sooner than that, start the renewal process now!

Yes! Travel Mate Pros can help you use the Cunard discount on most airlines.

Whether you book through them or on your own, you can fly from home to London Heathrow or London Gatwick. At the end of the voyage, you can fly from New York JFK, LaGuardia (LGA) or Newark (EWR) to home.

Cunard prioritizes safety. Unlike hotels and regular public spaces, ships have had anti-viral cleaning procedures in place for many years.

All guests and crew are required to follow enhanced health and well-being measures developed with guidance from global medical and public health experts and scientists and in close coordination with UK and US government agencies.

Safety protocols include:

• Every area of the ship is rigorously and regularly cleaned and disinfected
• Hand-sanitizing stations in all public spaces
• Enhanced on-board ventilation systems provide improved filtration and increased fresh air on board
• Everyone on board must follow the latest guidance regarding the use of face-coverings and social distancing (and if that guidance changes mid-trip, masks are provided)
• Cunard uses pre-booking and boarding health screening, and approved standards for the service of food and drink, entertainment and experiences on board and on shore.

We strongly recommend travel insurance, which can be booked through our travel advisers.

If Cunard deems it unsafe to travel, all cruise dates will be rescheduled and we will be in touch with you to coordinate the new date.

Cunard generally offers a choice of a full refund or a Future Cruise Credit. The Future Cruise Credit may range from 100% to 125% of the value paid. The choice will be up to you.

The Queen Mary 2 is specifically designed to handle the rigors of the North Atlantic, but there can be some rolling. If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring medication to ensure a comfortable voyage (Dramamine, etc). Experienced sailors also swear by ginger chews, wristbands, green apples and citrus peels.

If you forget to bring medication and are feeling unwell, medication is available at the Purser’s desk in the main lobby.

We are strongly committed to accessible retreats, which is why we’re on a ship!

Elevators, smooth thresholds, wheel-friendly floors, accessible rooms, and space and entertainment for your partner or caregiver are all present.

Staff are available to carry baggage and serve from the buffet if needed.

If you have mobility concerns, let us know.

Our instructors have worked with writers who are d/Deaf, hearing-impaired, blind, visually-impaired, neuro-atypical and with physical disabilities and mobility aids. We want to work with you—let’s discuss how to make it an excellent experience!

Cunard will joyfully accommodate your dietary needs!

Every menu includes vegan and vegetarian options; food ingredients like pork and shellfish are clearly labeled. The buffet has a separate gluten-free section.

For strict dietary needs and allergens, staff will show you the next day’s menu at dinner, to ensure your selections are available. Please let Karen and Dave know when you book your cabin.

Our 2026 voyage includes the period of Rosh Hashanah. Kosher meals may be pre-booked, and Cunard’s rabbi will be onboard for community connection and formal holiday services.

If you do have any disability or medical requirements, please advise Dave and Karen at the time of booking.

Cunard asks that you complete and submit their online questionnaire at MyCunard as soon as possible and ideally, no later than 14 days before departure; this is to ensure there is sufficient time to be able to contact you should they need to discuss any of the information that has been provided.

There is a small range of over the counter medications available from the shops on board such as Paracetamol and sea-sickness tablets. Should you require more specific medication there is a medical center located on board.

CPAP units are permitted; bring your distilled water (or purchase it in the UK before boarding). 

You are welcome to utilize the in-cabin refrigeration unit in order to store your medication if you should wish to do so.

Check out Cunard’s “what to pack” guide.

You’ll be comfortable in “smart casual” clothing during the day (stylish jeans, linen pants, well-cut trousers, nice t-shirts or sweaters). 

We dress for dinner in “smart attire” (dressy pants and top, cocktail dresses, collared shirt with dress pants.)

There will be passengers in shorts during the day and passengers in fancier dresses and suits at dinner. Cunard advises no ripped jeans, and no jeans/khakis/t-shirts/sweats at dinner.

During our Transatlantic crossing, there two Gala nights for the entire ship. The first is a Black and White Ball and the second will be a Masquerade or a 1920s theme. We’ll let you know well in advance!

Evening dress on Gala nights ranges from cocktail dresses and suit-and-tie all the way to ballgowns with gloves and black or white tie. Men must wear collared shirts, ties and jackets on formal nights. No jeans or t-shirts on formal nights. If you prefer to dress down, the buffet is always available.

Find the level of formality that’s fun for YOU, and enjoy checking out your fellow passengers’ finery!

Staterooms have outlets for UK and US plugs.

You can bring a curling iron/flatiron. Your stateroom will have a blowdryer. Other heat-generating appliances are not recommended as they may overload and break.

There are limited public outlets for laptops in lounges, classrooms and the library.

Complimentary launderettes (soap included!) are on several passenger decks; those have a professional iron and ironing board.

Your stateroom has a retractable clothesline in the shower.

Onboard laundry and drycleaning services are available for an extra charge.

The internet can be slower than on land, but you’ll be able to send and receive email, check social media, even watch YouTube.

The mild inconvenience of ship-speed internet is just enough to remind us we’d rather be writing! Cunard’s internet package prices are here. If you’re sharing a room, you can both use the same package, just not at the same time unless you pay to add another device.

We strongly recommend checking with your carrier; some US phone services offer cruise data. Otherwise, put your phone in Airplane mode when we sail away from Southampton–reception through marine satellites is expensive!

We have daily announcements at our morning sessions and communicate via WhatsApp.

You”ll receive a detailed itinerary with all scheduled events before boarding.

Announcements are made each morning at the panel session.

We strongly recommend you download WhatsApp (a secure messaging app) and purchase the basic internet package to communicate throughout the day and find other writers.We’ll add you to a group chat for any updates, too.

If you are on the Literary London tour, WhatsApp is how we communicate daily updates.

INCLUDED

• Craft & Publishing panels
• Small-group breakout sessions/classes with each teacher
• Opening cocktail/mocktail party
• Reading nights
• Additional writing events and networking tables
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, room service
• Gym and some fitness classes
• Laundry facilities
• Port charges & taxes

NOT INCLUDED

• Alcohol/drinks packages
• Specialty restaurants
• Spa services
• Dry-cleaning and laundry services other than self-serve
• Cunard standard gratuities ($119)
• Airport transfers
• Airfare from your home to the UK and New York to your home.

All meals in the main dining room (multi-course breakfast, lunch, and dinner), the King’s Court buffet, room service at breakfast and late-night snack buffet are included.

Cunard’s afternoon tea, lectures, shows, and many other activities are also included.

On the ship, you will also have the opportunity to visit the specialty restaurants, spas, casino, and other activities and services, which will be clearly noted if they have an extra charge. You are under no obligation to spend any additional money beyond your booking.

Cunard charges a per-person, per-day gratuities fee that is divided among the crew. If you wish to reward exemplary service from your cabin steward or waiters feel free to tip them in cash.

Travel Mate Pros can also arrange your transfer to the ship, and additional hotel nights before or after the voyage.

Please note that your primary booking does not include tours or events before or after the crossing unless you add on Literary London or Lunch with Agents in New York.

Rebirth Your Book accepts Venmo, Zelle, Canadian e-transfers, US cheques, PayPal and credit cards via PayPal. 

Travel Mate Pros accept credit cards. The charge will show as “Cunard” or “Carnival PLC” on your statement. You’ll pay a deposit upon booking and Karen and Dave will familiarize you with Cunard’s payment schedule.

This event does not offer scholarships. We’re happy to accommodate a longer payment plan, or write supporting documentation for a grant application in your home region. 

Our affiliate link program will give you cash back when you share the program with your writing friends ($350 per writer who books). Ask us through the contact form to learn more!

We offer retreats in different locations throughout the year. Very often, students ask to be added to the waitlist for the next retreat, sometimes regardless of location! When a new retreat is announced, we tell the waitlist first, and retreats often sell out before they’re publicly announced. We can’t guarantee you a place, but if you sign up for The A-List, you will get first notice of waitlists and open registrations for upcoming retreats.

Your best bet is to be on the mailing list for when we announce future retreats. We often start a waitlist before the dates are set, and you’ll be able to join that in advance (and then decide whether or not the retreat is for you). Join The A-List here

For your ship fare, a passenger cancellation, or a single name change, can be made outside of the penalty period. Once the penalty period comes into effect, there are penalties for cancelations and name changes. The cancellation schedule will be provided before you make your deposit.

Travel Cancellation/Medical insurance can be purchased to cover such fees to protect the passenger from monetary loss—ask Travel Mate Pros when you book.

For event fees, if we can fill your place from the waiting list, your event fee can be transferred to another Rebirth Your Book retreat or event, after a $350 administrative fee.