One of my very, very favorite things to do is hang out with members of our incredible, worldwide community and offer rest and respite from our regular lives. MORE REST AND RESPITE, PLEASE. And, from the reviews, other folks agree.
Truly everything about the retreat was shocking in how incredible it was. Location, people, food, the love and sincerity of everyone there. I would go again in a second and recommend it to anyone.
But COVID REALLY PUT A CRIMP IN THIS PLAN, so now, after two years in hiatus, I’m thrilled to be opening retreats once again. I would LOVE to have you join me. Scroll down for more information on specific retreats I’m offering in 2022 and 2023. And please note this list is not comprehensive. Like all things in the After Times, we’re rebooting as we go, figuring things out on the run, and adding as we’re able. Retreats will be the same. More as more are doable.
Looking forward to seeing your face, friends,
A BRIEF BACKGROUND ON RETREATS
So. We here at BethWoolsey.com (which is Just Me, Beth Woolsey, plus whoever else I can drag into my orbit) have, FOR YEARS, offered small retreats specializing in COMMUNITY, INCLUSION, and TAKING A FREAKING BREAK from lives that are often relentless and overwhelming. We’ve done these primarily in our own backyard on the Oregon Coast, and we expanded to international retreats to Tuscany, Italy in 2019 with plans for more in 2020 (HAHAHAHAHAHA!). Then, like the rest of the world, we took a 2+ year hiatus. And we (I) have been trying to figure out FOR MONTHS how to add retreats–life-giving, people-building, love-mongering retreats–back into the schedule in a way that’s healthy and responsible given the current environment. Locking everyone into a house, even on the expansive, GORGEOUS Oregon Coast where we could become delightful superspreaders seemed Less Than Ideal, especially without a reliable way to verify infection status. So I was flummoxed. As eager to open retreats as I was reluctant.
But then! Then. Then I went on a lovely Alaskan cruise in July 2022. A cruise where they have their own COVID protocols, requiring vaccines or negative tests from all passengers. A cruise where the food is beautiful and plentiful. A cruise where the scenery is extraordinary. A cruise where the adults-only pool, hot tub, and bar area is serene and where I can excel at my Best Talent which is Butt Sitting. And I thought, THIS! This, please! We can gather where all these wonderful things are arranged. And if this is an outcome of the After Times–that I thought out of the box for new ways to commune together–then I am here for it. Let’s do this. All of which is why…
WE’RE CRUISING INTO 2023!
Cruising, you ask? Yes, cruising. On SHIPS. On THE OCEAN. TOGETHER.
With the closest friends you haven’t met yet.
We’ve scheduled….
SPRING 2023: 5 NIGHTS to MEXICO and GRAND CAYMAN out of FLORIA
SUMMER 2023: 7 NIGHTS to GREECE and CROATIA out of VENICE, ITALY
See below for all the details!
Spring 2023: Families Welcome!
5-Night Cruise to the Western Caribbean
out of Tampa, Florida
on Royal Caribbean, Brilliance of the Seas
March 27-April 1, 2023
ITINERARY:
- Monday, March 27: Depart Tampa
- Tuesday, March 28: Day Cruising at Sea
- Wednesday, March 29: Cozumel, Mexico
- Thursday, March 30: George Town, Grand Cayman
- Friday, March 31: Day Cruising at Sea
- Saturday, April 1: Arrive Tampa
GROUP: 30 adult participants maximum, children welcome
COST: Starts at $975 per person for a double occupancy, interior stateroom. Children as Third and Fourth guests in a stateroom begin at $550 per person when in a quadruple occupancy, interior stateroom with two adults. We are happy to provide quotes for families of any size, single occupancy staterooms, or other configurations. A deposit of $200 per person is required to hold your spot. Final payment is due by December 1, 2022. If booking after December 1, 2022 full payment is due at the time of booking. Please contact me at beth@bethwoolsey.com if you need to discuss payment options.
INCLUDED: Your retreat includes lodging aboard the ship, meals, taxes and fees, coffee and tea, exclusive Beth Woolsey group events, and a few fun little surprises.
YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN FOR: 1. Transportation to/from the retreat. 2. Shore excursions in port. 3. Lodging prior to or after the event. 4. Soda, alcohol, and other beverage purchases. Beverage packages are available for purchase prior to sailing. 5. Gratuities. Royal Caribbean charges $16 per person per day in gratuities which go to your room steward and dining servers. You can pay this fee up front or they can bill you at the end of your cruise.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS and OPTIONAL ADDITIONS:
- Travel Insurance. In these uncertain times, we do suggest purchasing travel insurance. It is usually fairly inexpensive and a number of companies offer it online. Our travel agent can also assist you with this.
- Room Upgrades. If you’d like to upgrade from an interior stateroom to an ocean view stateroom, balcony, or suite, say the word and we’ll get you a quote! For example, balcony rooms start at an additional $125 per person.
- Connecting Rooms. Oddly, it can cost less to book two connecting rooms for two people each than one much more cramped room for four people. If you’re traveling with children on the March 27-April 1 cruise and you’d like connecting rooms, please let us know so we can get you the best quote.
- Flights. Our travel agent is happy to assist you with booking a flight at a nominal fee of $35 per ticket.
- Ground Transporation. Our travel agent is happy to assist you with ground transporation to the cruise ship. For example, a transfer package between the ship port and airport is $70 per person roundtrip; transfer reservation must be made at the time of booking.
- Hotel. Our travel agent is happy to assist you with hotel arrangements. Due to flight delays and cancelations, we recommend arriving in Tampa at least a day ahead of the cruise departure.
- Something else you’d like? Please let us know! You may or may not have heard our travel agent is happy to assist you. 😉
HOW TO REGISTER: Contact Beth Woolsey at beth@bethwoolsey.com. Put CRUISE RETREAT in the subject line. Include as much info as you have–YOUR NAME, which cruise date you’d like to attend, roommate info, any upgrades or options you need, and other preferences or concerns.
SUMMER 2023: FAMILIES WELCOME!
7-Night Cruise to greece and croatia
out of venice, italy
on royal caribbean’s explorer of the seas
july 30-August 6, 2023
ITINERARY:
- Sunday, July 30: Depart Venice
- Monday, July 31: Split, Croatia
- Tuesday, August 1: Cruising at Sea
- Wednesday, August 2: Mykonos, Greece
- Thursday, August 3: Santorini, Greece
- Friday, August 4: Cruising at Sea
- Saturday, August 5: Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Sunday, August 6: Arrive Venice
GROUP: 30 adult participants maximum, children welcome
COST: Starts at $1550 per person for a double occupancy, interior stateroom. (Third and fourth guests in a stateroom begin at $999 per person when in a quadruple occupancy, interior stateroom.) We are happy to provide quotes for families of any size, single occupancy staterooms, stateroom upgrades, or other configurations. A deposit of $250 per person is required to hold your spot. Final payment is due by April 25, 2023. Please contact me at beth@bethwoolsey.com if you need to discuss payment options.
INCLUDED: Your retreat includes lodging aboard the ship, meals, taxes and fees, coffee and tea, exclusive Beth Woolsey group events, and a few fun little surprises.
YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN FOR: 1. Transportation to/from the retreat. 2. Shore excursions in port. 3. Lodging prior to or after the event. 4. Soda, alcohol, and other beverage purchases. Beverage packages are available for purchase prior to sailing. 5. Gratuities. Royal Caribbean charges $16 per person per day in gratuities which go to your room steward and dining servers. You can pay this fee up front or they can bill you at the end of your cruise.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS and OPTIONAL ADDITIONS:
- Travel Insurance. In these uncertain times, we do suggest purchasing travel insurance. It is usually fairly inexpensive and a number of companies offer it online. Our travel agent can also assist you with this.
- Room Upgrades. If you’d like to upgrade from an interior stateroom to an ocean view stateroom, balcony, or suite, say the word and we’ll get you a quote! For example, balcony rooms start at an additional $125 per person.
- Connecting Rooms.
- Flights. Our travel agent is happy to assist you with booking a flight at a nominal fee of $35 per ticket.
- Ground Transporation. Our travel agent is happy to assist you with ground transporation to and from the cruise ship.
- Hotel. Our travel agent is happy to assist you with hotel arrangements. Due to flight delays and cancelations, we recommend arriving in Venice at least one day ahead of the cruise departure.
- Something else you’d like? Please let us know! You may or may not have heard our travel agent is happy to assist you. 😉
HOW TO REGISTER: Contact Beth Woolsey at beth@bethwoolsey.com. Put CRUISE RETREAT in the subject line. Include as much info as you have–YOUR NAME, which cruise date you’d like to attend, roommate info, any upgrades or options you need, and other preferences or concerns.
Inclusion Policy: We welcome all adult humans to all of our retreats. Children are welcome to accompany you on retreats noted with “families welcome.” We are LGBTQ+ friendly and an inclusive space. We’d love to have you attend! If you have any questions, please contact Beth Woolsey at beth@bethwoolsey.com.
