In my reflection post for A-Z I said I wouldn’t be participating again next year. I had a few reasons, but one was that I wouldn’t have time – and the reason would be revealed in June.
Well, here it is, I won’t be participating because … in 250 days I am going to be on a writing retreat cruise!!
Along with 3 of my Greek Noodle (the name for our writing/crit group – that’s a whole other post) buddies, we are doing an 18 night cruise from Fremantle to Sydney via New Zealand.
Okay, to put that in perspective, we are going from the western coast of Australia, to the eastern coast via New Zealand (which is actually east of Australia). See the map below…
There are 9 days at sea and 9 days in port. So at sea = work (writing) and in port = play. Although two of the Aussie port days I’m using as writing days as well.
I’ve drafted my writing goals for the cruise, but a lot can happen before then, so I won’t set them in stone until closer to cruising.
We looked at a few options for our retreat, but cruising makes the most sense: cheap, no cooking or cleaning or grocery shopping, entertainment at night after working all day, quiet spaces for writing, designated play days… the list is quite long.
I’ve done weekend writing retreats before, but nothing like this. This is going to be awesome.
June 21, 2019 at 10:09 pm
WOW! This is amazing! Is it actually a writing cruise or are you just calling it that with your friends? It sounds awesome either way!
June 22, 2019 at 11:11 am
It is a normal cruise, my friends and I are just using it as the best way to hold a writing retreat =)
June 22, 2019 at 12:45 am
It IS going to be awesome. I don’t like cruises but you are really making me rethink that, especially for this purpose.
June 22, 2019 at 11:18 am
We’re hoping so Jacqui. On paper it’s perfect…will let you know if it works out as we think.
We’ve set rules so we are productive (like set times for breaks and if you want to break earlier you get up and leave without disturbing anyone else) and have checked for writing space and there is a library and also a bar/lounge which is closed for service during the day but available as a quiet space instead with chairs and tables.
With nothing to worry about except writing fingers crossed it is awesome.
June 22, 2019 at 11:17 am
Oh right on! It sounds amazing!
June 22, 2019 at 11:42 am
I’ll definitely blog about it afterwards – hopefully it will all make your terribly jealous *wink*
June 22, 2019 at 11:51 am
Mission complete! I’m already terribly peanut butter and jealous!
June 24, 2019 at 1:22 am
This sounds like a wonderful time, and well thought out! I’m sure we’ll all be waiting for the full report afterward.
June 25, 2019 at 8:24 am
Hopefully the planning will see results 🙂
June 24, 2019 at 6:15 am
Oooh, I’m envious. That sounds like a great excursion. You’ll have to tell us how it went when you get back. And the anticipation…
June 25, 2019 at 8:25 am
The anticipation is half the fun sometimes. Reading about the places we are going and deciding what to do on the days we are in port.
June 25, 2019 at 6:43 am
Well, that is one way to get away from everything – you’ve found a cheap cruise, though? Wow! Have a great time and get lots done. And see if you can sell a book when you get back.
June 25, 2019 at 8:33 am
Sue, we were really, really lucky. We stumbled across this cruise when there was a huge sale and got room rates 60% off (twinshare with a window!).