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 (60 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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.

5:00 pm Monday (60 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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 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. 

9:00 am Tuesday (90 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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.

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.

4:00 pm Tuesday (90 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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!

Docked: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Cruises to Cozumel, Mexico are popular for good reason—after all, Cozumel effortlessly balances its flashy side with a natural, unblemished beauty. The tropical climate promises close heat, plentiful sunshine, and pristine beaches for every kind of traveler.

Divers love Cozumel for its clear waters and preserved coral reefs. Beach lovers can rest and relax at beaches like El Cielo or Playa Palancar, while outdoor enthusiasts will find respite in the island’s jungles and national parks. There’s no shortage of beach bars, clubs, and dancing on the island for nightlife lovers, either. Cozumel may be one of Mexico’s biggest destinations, but it hasn’t lost its heart in the process.

No marriage sessions this day.

9:00 am Thursday (60 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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 harbour. But too often, couples do not know how to effectively preserve this safe harbour 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.

4:30 pm Thursday (60 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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.

Docked: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm

George Town cruise port is located on the island of Grand Cayman, which is the largest of the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman has the glitz and glam you might expect from a city known for its finance district, but also has the sandy beaches, translucent blue water, and laid-back island lifestyle you’d expect from a Caribbean getaway. These two sides of the island: the finance and the beach – give George Town a beautifully vibrant atmosphere unlike any other Caribbean cruise island, and we can show you both sides during a Grand Cayman cruise.

5:00 pm Friday (60 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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.

9:00 am Saturday (90 minutes)
The Meeting Place

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 Meeting Place

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