Interview with Deb Roberts, of World of Quilts Travel, our EQ Cruise Organizer - May 2010
by Penny McMorris
Q: Deb, I first met you in Houston during Quilt Market, when I found out you were organizing cruises, and we talked about how it might be fun to organize one for EQers, especially as we were about to celebrate our company’s 20th Anniversary in 2010.
My first question of course: How did you get started organizing quilter’s tours?
I have always loved to travel and having a husband who worked as a commercial pilot gave me many opportunities to see places I may not have otherwise seen. I have had the travel "bug" since a small child and while that is not the reason I married a pilot, it certainly has been a great benefit. It was on a trip with my family that I visited my first European textile museum; this visit changed my personal world in many ways. It became important to me to share the world's quilt and textile culture with others, and I haven't looked back.
Q: Are you a Quiltmaker yourself? How did you get involved with quilts?
My grandmother planted this seed in my life. She was a prolific quilt maker and also my care-giver before I started grade school. I have studied quilts and printed fabrics for many years and worked in the field for over 20 of those years as a writer, fabric designer, teacher, historian, judge, appraiser, producer and consultant, I have covered a lot of quilt territory; and yes, I am also a quiltmaker.
Q: OK, imagine I’m a new cruiser, and have never been on a quilt cruise before (no lie, that!). My first thought was that everyone on the whole boat is a quilter, and they’re all taking classes. Wrong?
Our quilt cruise is organized as a ‘group’; most of us will be quilters. The ship is rather large, with room for 2,200 passengers. Our group will be just a small percentage of the passengers on the ship. We will probably have around 70 quilters and their special guests on our cruise. We have private classroom space set aside for our use, but the remainder of the ship will be open for everyone to enjoy.
Q: I’ve never been to the Caribbean. Can you describe what people can expect on a typical day at sea? Imagine I get up, then do I go and have breakfast? And after that…..
Oh my, there is so much to do. Outside of the quilting classes which will be on our days at sea, there is a spa, a fitness center, jogging/walking track, basketball, volleyball, cinema, multiple lounges, casino, 3 swimming pools, several hot tubs, organized activities and more. There is something going on all of the time. Personally, when I can spare a minute, I like to grab a lounge chair in a shady area on deck and read a book, it is such a nice ‘get-away’ for me.
Q: Is it a set menu, or buffet?
The choice is yours to make! Known for its ‘Freestyle’ cruising, Norwegian Cruise Lines offers food service 24/7. There are 11 restaurants, including 2 main dining rooms which offer ‘full service’ with a menu of selected items that varies each day. There is also a large buffet area on one of the top decks where one can dine near a window and take in the incredible views. If someone would like a midnight (or later) snack in the comfort of their cabin, rooms service is available 24 hours a day.
Q: It’s not going to be all work in classes all day is it? Will I have vacation time to swim, or sun, or read, relax and hang-out?
Absolutely! Our schedule will be very flexible, the workshops will be about 3 hours long, and one can choose to come to two a day, one a day, or not come at all. We don’t keep attendance records. (GRIN) The concept is to provide a wonderful vacation experience where one can also enjoy their passion, in this case quilting or photography.
Q: What goes on at night on a boat, hmmmm?
Activity is happening from early morning through the late night. One can find entertainment in most lounges, night swim, get a massage (!!), go to a movie or take in one of NCL’s fabulous Broadway-style productions in the theater. There will never be a shortage of things to do.
Q: I know that Mary Ellen Kranz and Barb Vlack are teaching EQ7 classes. Can I mix and match classes so I experience something from both teachers?
Of course, the program is flexible and meant to be fun.
Q: Will I be sewing too, or will it all be computer work?
Currently, the plan is to have some classes on the new EQ7! Having
this opportunity with the new EQ is so exciting, as I am sure there is so much
that we will all want to know and learn. Having photographers onboard to help
us with our personal photography skills has sparked the idea to do some imagery
on fabric with our own images which will then be incorporated into a sewing
project. It may be difficult to envision, but, to give you an idea, go to Mary
Ellen’s web site to see what can be done with a camera and a piece of fabric!!
Q: The description mentions photographers Gregory Case and Elena Morena.
Who are they and what will they focus on (pun intended) in their classes?
Outside of being some of the nicest people, Gregory and Elena are world-class quilt photographers. With Elena’s assistance, Gregory is the photographer for some of quiltmaking’s elite, including Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson. Together, they photograph hundreds of quilts for juried exhibitions and their work has appeared in over 100 publications. It will be wonderful to have them along as Gregory is also known for his landscape and architectural work, so, he will help all of us develop (pun intended) our personal photography skills. He even promises to teach those who are interested, the secrets of obtaining a great quilt image for juried competitions.
Q: So how does the schedule work? Sometimes people are on the boat, other times they’re off-shore, right? What do people do when they are offshore? Is everyone on their own? Do you then return to the boat to sleep?
The schedule begins with departure from Miami. During the days we are at sea (3) we will offer the workshops from 9am-5pm. Again, workshops will be approximately 3 hours each. One will sign up for the workshops about 2 months in advance of the cruise, once we have an idea on the number of attendees. Specific registration information, including class descriptions and supply lists, will be emailed to each attendee on the cruise by September 15. Our days in port will be independent days. The ship has a great itinerary of shore tours in each port that one may participate on, or one can explore a port on their own. It is really time to enjoy the area with your friends/family. Each evening, the ship departs for the next port so everyone returns for the night.
Q: Will I have time to try out some of their photography ideas when we dock?
Yes, Gregory will be available at several of our ports for short excursions and photography pointers. At other times, one can always have their camera with them in port, take some great photos and bring them back for tips from Gregory and Elena.
Q: Since the cruise is from January 28 - February 6, 2011, I’m guessing it will be warm and sunny in the Caribbean when it’s cold and snowy at the EQ offices – yes?
Yes. Weather.com tells me that afternoon temperatures average about 80 degrees during this time of year. Nice.
Q: The destinations sound full of color and inspiration. Since you’ve been there, do you have any favorite ports?
I can’t pick a favorite! I enjoy each one. I believe my favorite thing is the breathtakingly crystal clear and turquoise blue water in this part of the world. There is no way to duplicate that color – I have tried!
Q: Will students be sent a supply list prior to the voyage?
Yes, they will.
Q: Do many people bring their “non-quilter-significant other” along, and is there enough for them to do on ship?
There are hundreds of activities onboard the ship, something for almost every interest. I have had non-quilting husbands, friends, sisters, mothers, cousins and children along on trips, and they all seem to have a great time. It is a wonderful opportunity for a family to travel together while allowing the quilter of the house some time to develop their skill. While most travelers are quilters, I would estimate that about 20% bring along a non-quilting significant other.
Thanks for letting me quiz you and fill in more details about our planned EQ cruise, Deb! I know we already have some sign-ups, and hope this will raise more questions and ideas as some of our EQers decide to come along.
Thank you Penny, I am looking forward to a great time with EQers next year. Congratulations to you on your 20th anniversary, and for the release of EQ7.