Mediterranean Quilt and Textile Adventure

with Julie Silber
Cruise the Same Seas as the Merchant Ships of Early Textile Traders

NOW! Cruise only pricing starts at $999* per person double occupancy for all new bookings        

This is your invitation to the adventure of a lifetime.  Join Julie Silber with Deb Roberts in Barcelona, Spain, to set sail on board Princess Cruise’s Ruby Princess® (Bermudan Registry) and embark upon a journey which will explore the history rich seaports of the Mediterranean.  It's an educational journey as we will re-live quilt and textile history from this region with on board lectures and programs relating to styles and various regional influences on quilts and textiles from the 16th-20th centuries. 

Onboard, those who wish will have an opportunity to learn to quilt in the French "broderie de Marseille" style (otherwise known as Boutis)  This style of quilting originated in the East, perhaps Turkey, and was made famous by the French in the 18th century.  (See sample below.) 

Not only is this your opportunity to see these areas with like minded quilters and quilt enthusiasts, but, as it is a cruise, this is the perfect time to enjoy a quilting vacation with your friends, spouse and/or family.  Princess offers hundreds of activities for travelers of any age and of many interests. There will always be something for your significant other to do if they are not as passionate about “old cloth” as you are.

Aside from the cruise itinerary, Deb has gained special permissions and arranged for excursion options that will provide in-depth textile discovery opportunities in several ports.  Should you choose to participate in the optional tours, you will be exposed to the marvelous collections at the Barcelona Textile Museum; the textile Museum in Prato, Italy; the historic textile markets and textile museums of Istanbul; the silk museum and the Antonio Ratti Foundation (with over 400,000 pieces of antique textiles) in Lake Como, Italy, and more.

A note from Deb:  “This is one of my favorite cruises/tours.  I am already excited to think of going back to see those places I have read about for decades, putting them into context with their contributions to early textile trade. This itinerary was chosen as many of the ports are of historic note with regard to several areas of textile history: be it quilts, silks, garments, cotton printing, or what have you, it is all here.  For example, the Broderie de Marseilles quilts are thought to be inspired by 14th century “Italian work” which was transported from Genoa, Naples, and Sicily to the port of Marseille where an entire industry was built around them.  Our presentations will focus on the quilt related textile history of these regions and also include some great quilt trivia from well known collector and quilt authority Julie Silber. To me, this is not only exciting from the standpoint that the history of these places will be coming alive to us, but the scenery will be spectacular as we sail in one of the most beautiful and historic regions of the world.” 

A note from Julie: This will be a wonderful, fun, and informative trip! Not only will we sail, and stop in some of the most beautiful places on Earth, we textile lovers will have a rare chance to learn and share on-board and off! On board, Deb will do her terrific talk on the Indian Chintz trade, enriching and deepening our experience of being in that part of the world! I will do a few illustrated talks on board, with Power Point illustrations as well as a few REAL quilts ~ some rare beauties never before seen! I’ll also be offering several informal “workshops” on topics relating to the trip: We’ll talk about early quilts in America ~ and their oft-ignored European roots. We can all share what we know about this, or just listen in…This is going to be great. Come join us!

      Broderie de Marseille quilting was famous in the Mediterranean region for centuries and is a style enjoying a renewed interest around the world.  Our project will be similar to the style seen in the sample to the left.   Kit fee additional.

Pricing

*Pricing is subject to change due to cabin availability at time of booking, please book early to avoid disappointment. Group pricing is restricted by registration deadlines, after which cabins may still be available, but for a different price.

**Above rates effective 4/28/12 and are special rates for new bookings only.  Special group rate cruise-only pricing starts at $999*/per person, double occupancy.   3rd and 4th person fares are allowed after first two people in cabin pay the double occupancy fare. All posted fares are subject to availability, capacity controlled and may expire.  Government fees and taxes are per person and are an additional $85.  See the applicable Princess® Cruises brochure or princess.com for their  terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings.   Other restrictions may apply.  Ship of Bermudan Registry.  This cruise is in full penalty phase as of 3/1/2012, after this date full payment is required with registration, please inquire for payment details.

Cruise Only Package Includes the following:

• Accommodations onboard the ship
• All onboard meals & shipboard entertainment
• 24 hour complimentary room service
• Welcome Reception and Cocktail Party
• Textile Tours Tote bag and surprise gifts
• Classes and instructor fees
• Farewell party

Our optional Itinerary - In addition to the cruise, you may choose to participate in the following tour extension which will include tours in Barcelona, Livorno, Istanbul and Lake Como, Italy:

     This tour will begin with arrival and an overnight in Barcelona on May 29. On the morning of May 30, we will begin our optional tour with a visit and tour in this lovely city before our ship embarkation.  Arrival on the 29th will allow you to enjoy a pre-cruise stay in the city from where Christopher Columbus sailed; full of history and culture, Barcelona is our embarkation port.  Should you arrive the day before our cruise departure you will have some free time to explore this ancient city, and the overnight will allow you to be refreshed to take in our planned visit to the Barcelona Textile Museum on May 30.  This itinerary includes an overnight stay at the 4* Barcelona Renaissance Hotel with breakfast, deluxe motorcoach transfer to Barcelona Textile Museum, old town Barcelona and the cruise ship terminal for those on the full optional tour.  

    In addition to the above, there will also be specialty shore tours in:

• Livorno, Italy: Our day will begin in Pisa for a short stop at the tower before winding Florence for a morning of antique textile exploration.  Italy is said to have been the driving influence behind the broderie de Marseille style of quilts that took Europe by storm in the 17th-19th centuries.  As the center of the world for generations - Italy's contributions to the world's textile heritage stands alone.  Before returning to the ship, we will stop in Florence for an afternoon of free time to sightsee or shop in this famous city.  One stop you may want to consider is the Academia where they are known to have several early quilted pieces on permanent exhibit; it is also the home of Michelangelo's David.

• Istanbul, Turkey:  Famous for merchants and packed with history, we will have a private guided tour of the historic spice and textile markets, textile related museums,  as well as many of the historic buildings and monuments of this age-old city; and yes, there will be time allowed for picking up some textile related treasures.  Keep your eyes open for antique wood blocks which were used for printing fabrics - these are for sale in the Grand Bazaar. Lunch at an authentic Turkish regional restaurant is included. 

     The optional package also includes a three night post - cruise tour to Lake Como:  The Lake Como district which lies at the foot of the Italian/Swiss Alps, is not only regarded as one of the most scenic areas of Italy, but is the area where Italy has produced silk for generations.  During our first day, we will visit Como's silk museum, Museo Didattico della Seta, and also have a tour of the Ratti Foundation's, Museo del Tessuto, which was established in 1998 by know Italian historian and fabric collector, Antonio Ratti.  With over 400,000 antique textiles on the premises, we are certain to enjoy our time here.   The second day is free to enjoy the lake area or take a short train ride to Milan where you can print on fabric with one of 56,000 antique blocks from the Zucchi Collection. If you choose, you will also have the optional opportunity to visit the Aurifil Thread factory which is very close to Lake Como. Our visit in Lake Como includes 3 nights, with full breakfast, at the charming lakeside Hotel Regina Olga, transportation, entrance and tours of museums.  Morning airport group departure transportation to the Milan airport is also provided.

Our Cruise Itinerary

Port stops include: Barcelona, Spain; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Livorno, (for Florence) Italy; Rome, Italy; Napels and Capri, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul, Turkey; Kusadasi, (for Ephesus) Turkey; Athens, Greece; Venice, Italy (2 days in Venice).

Optional Cruise Itinerary also includes Lake Como, Italy

Fare(s) in USD, per person, based on double occupancy, cruise only, subject to availability, are capacity controlled, may be limited by residency.  Government fees and taxes of  $85.00 are per person and are additional. Princess Cruises® reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement of up to $10 per person per day on all passengers if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel, even if the fare has already been paid in full. See the applicable Princess  brochure or visit princess.com for terms, conditions and definitions that apply to all bookings. Other restrictions may apply.  Passport fees, insurance and shore tours are not included in the cruise only pricing. Princess Cruise Lines or Deb Roberts' Tours are not responsible for typographical errors or omissions. Unless part of the optional tour when some port visits have been arranged, flexibility during cruise port time is allowed so each passenger may enjoy the area at their leisure.  As port time is often quite limited, other than tours specified on this website, escorted trips to quilt shops or other group activities while on shore are not planned so that one has control of their time in each port.