Itinerary

If you’ve got time before settling aboard the ship, stroll Ft. Lauderdale’s famous beachfront promenade, which is just 15 minutes from the port. Grab a bite at a local eatery and experience Floribbean cuisine, a fusion of old Florida favorites and Caribbean influences, with plenty of fresh seafood. History buffs will want to tour the village of historic buildings at History Ft. Lauderdale. And if you’ve got more time, head to the nearby Everglades, or do a little bit of shopping at the Sawgrass Mills designer outlets or Galleria Fort Lauderdale.

5:00 pm Sunday (30 minutes)
The Connect Room

Description: Join us for the first group get-together once we’ve set sail. It’s a chance to introduce yourselves (don't worry, no awkward group games!) and get to know your hosts, Caleb & Verlynda, while picking up your registration packet and retreat workbooks.

10:15 am Monday (60 minutes)
The Connect Room

Truly hear and be heard without misunderstandings or unnecessary conflict

Description: Beginning with what may be the funniest marriage communication video of all time, you will learn how to use active listening to signal to your spouse that you are fully tracking with his or her comments. You’ll have repeated opportunities to practice this 1:1 with your spouse. We’ll be coaching you as we observe each couple implementing what you learn. 

Spend the day relaxing, settling in, and exploring the unique amenities aboard the new Celebrity Beyond. Soak in the warm sea air at the Rooftop Garden, take a dip in one of three spacious pools, catch a show, or sign up for a class at The Studio. Your options are endless!  

4:30 pm Monday (90 minutes)
The Connect Room

Reignite or refuel the warmth in your marriage

Description: You will take a step back from day-to-day issues and explore and engage with each other over those precious aspects of one another’s character and worth that drew you together and continues to keep you together. Beautiful moments of sharing and appreciation will delight your hearts.

1:00 pm Tuesday (90 minutes)
The Connect Room

Learn to talk in a safe, caring, and effective way about the most intimate part of your marriage

Description: Did you know that even in successful marriages, less than 50 percent of the couple’s sexual experiences are deeply satisfying? Learn about sexual norms, the wonder of how your bodies are really working as you make love, and how to talk about what you are experiencing and enjoying as you make love. You’ll have some homework that we will not be discussing as a group the next morning!

Soak up the sun, salt breezes, and stunning scenery in expansive open-air spaces. Savor fine dining that rivals anything you’d find on land. And discover even more ways to relax and renew.

4:30 pm Tuesday (60 minutes)
The Connect Room

Set yourselves up for deeper connection and support around life’s challenges

Description: Life can be challenging, and marriage can be one of life’s strongholds against stress: a safe, secure harbor. But too often couples do not know how to effectively preserve this safe harbor for each other. Building on what you have already learned, you’ll take home tools to make this part of your marriage experience richer and less stressful.

Docked: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

St. Maarten is an island with two distinct sides: French to the north and Dutch to the south (Philipsburg is in the south) so be sure to visit both sides to learn their customs and heritage. Beautiful beaches and amazing snorkelling will have you in the pristine waters surrounding the island, while the fresh seafood might just allure you to land!

No marriage sessions this day.

Docked: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm

The enchanting capital of St. Thomas has attracted pirates and sailors for centuries, giving it a fascinating fusion of cultural influences. Stop by Fort Christian Museum for a nice overview of the island’s history. Soak in the beauty of St. Thomas with a picnic on Magens Bay beach or snorkel in the turquoise Caribbean Sea. You can dine on authentic island dishes like savory curries with roti and the freshest seafood. And remember to save some time (and money) for shopping, as the streets of St. Thomas are lined with shops where you can find duty-free trinkets and bargains on almost anything you’re looking for. 

4:30 pm Thursday (60 minutes)
The Connect Room

Learn about power, influence, and cooperation in your marriage

Description: Since the ship will be docking at an island, each couple will do an Island Survival exercise in the morning to learn more about how to extend inclusion to one another, accept influence, and share power in your marriage. A fun-filled team-building exercise, you will learn how to work together more effectively through the day-to-day challenges of life.

9:00 am Friday (60 minutes)
The Connect Room

Transform the way you interact around your most common areas of conflict

Description: In this session, we’ll do an exercise that produces one of the greatest “Aha!” moments for couples. You will finally understand why you get stuck on certain issues and what is really going on deep inside yourself and your spouse. Equipped with this knowledge, we will show you how to transform those interactions into marriage-building moments rather than marriage-destroying events.

Docked: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

Enjoy the beautiful mountains, pristine beaches and fun adventure when you step onto this Island. Nature presides with options to swim at the amazing 27 Waterfalls complex or hike through the lush jungles of El Choco National Park. There are even opportunities to swim with dolphins, or kayak at the Manatee Reserve. So many options to enjoy the beautiful creation! If you love history, there's the Fortress of San Felipe to tour, and for all, there are delicious local delicacies to sample.

8:30 am Saturday (90 minutes)
The Connect Room

Discover and build a plan for how to lead your lives and marriage toward creating a legacy

Description: This is a beautiful, reflective exercise where you will map out your life as it was before this cruise. Then, you will have an opportunity to map out how you would like it to look after the cruise! Working together, you will come up with a plan for changing the most important areas.

As we head towards Fort Lauderdale, take some time to recharge before returning to life on land! Lounge by the pool, be spoiled at the spa, taste the delicacies, or explore the venues onboard. 

4:00 pm Saturday (90 minutes)
The Connect Room

Uncover how your marriage will transform by making changes that will last for years to come

Description: This closing session will take you through specific tasks to identify and plan how to implement your learning once you are home. We are very purposeful about ensuring this cruise will transform your life rather than just being a flash in the pan. You will identify changes you’re ready to make, share those with each other, and then commit to implementing these once home. Don’t worry, we’ll help you keep it realistic and achievable!

Arrival: 7:00 am