New England Waltz Weekend & Dance Cruise (Oct 13-20, 2017)


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Join  Ari Levitt & Roll Up The Rug  this Fall for a fabulous

New England
 "Waltz Weekend" 
and "Dance Cruise" 

Join us Fri-Sat (Oct 13-15) in Boston for a fabulous "Waltz Weekend", followed by a one-week dance cruise (Oct 15-20) onboard Royal Caribbean's majestic Serenade of the Seas as we sail the spectacular New England & Canadian coastlines, taking in the beauty and splendor of the changing Fall colors!  Sign up for one, the other, or for both offerings -- it's going to be fantastic any way you put it together!

BOSTON WALTZ WEEKEND:  October 13th-15th (Fri-Sun)
NEW ENGLAND DANCE CRUISE:  October 15th-20th (Sun-Fri) 

Departing from and returning to Boston, MA.  

BOSTON WALTZ WEEKEND:  
Full details for the Fri-Sun Boston "Waltz Weekend" portion of this event are below and can also be found at the New England Folk Arts Center link.  
  • CLICK HERE to go to the registration page for the Boston Waltz Weekend.  You will need to sign up for this weekend event separately from the cruise.  There is plenty of room for all to attend, no worries.

NEW ENGLAND CRUISE:  
That being said, the cruise portion of the event has limited space, so you will want to reserve your spot quickly and make sure you get on the ship.    
  • CLICK HERE  for full details, pricing, & registration for the Sun-Fri New England Cruise.  To reserve your spot on the cruise, please contact Malori (with Amazing Journeys) at (412) 571-0220 (phone); (800) 734-0493 (toll-free); (412) 344-3937 (fax)or email her at malori@amazingjourneys.net

Waltz Weekend Overview:

CLICK HERE to register

DATES:  

Oct 13-15, 2017 (Fri to Sun), in & around Boston, MA

WORKSHOP ITINERARY:   (CLICK HERE for full details from the FAC site)

FRIDAY, Oct 13:  

SATURDAY, Oct 14:  (See class descriptions & locations below)

  • 10:00-12:00   Waltz Workshop#1: "Striding & Gliding Waltz Combos"
  • 2:00-4:00       Waltz Worshop#2: "Waltz with a little Latin Flair"
  • 4:00-5:00       DJ'd open dancing & guided practice with Ari 
  • 7:30-8:15         Pre-Dance Beginning Waltz Lesson with Ari
  • 8:15-10:30      Mostly Waltz Dance Party (Waltz's and more to live music!)

SUNDAY, Oct 15:  (See class descriptions & locations below)  

  • 10:00-12:00   Waltz Workshop#3:  "Swinging The Waltz"
  • 12:30                Transfer to the port to board the "Serenade of the Seas"


WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS:

SATURDAY, 10am–noon:   Fun "Striding and Gliding" Waltz Combinations:
Learn a variety of fun, new, innovative cross-step waltz combinations from Ari’s ever-expanding library of moves and inventions; beautiful, flowing, and elegant as always.  Plus, get a little introduction to the art of free-flowing “Fusion Waltz”. It’s easy to learn and lots of fun to do!  
Level: Non-novice Beg/Int. Comfort with any turning waltz style and basic partnering skills are assumed.

SATURDAY 2–4 pm:  Waltz with a Little Latin Flair!  (Innovative Latin-waltz fusion)
In this new and very applicable class, you’ll learn how to blend some fun Latin steps into your favorite cross-step waltz patterns. Ari is one of this country’s leading innovators in Latin waltz fusion, and regularly leads classes in this throughout the USA and abroad.
Level:  Int/Adv. Facility with any turning waltz style and partnering skills are assumed.

SUNDAY 10 am – noon:  Swinging the Waltz (Fun swing-waltz fusion)
In this fun and informative class, you’ll learn how to intermix and blend some classic swing moves into your waltz. A perfect fusion of two dances that we all know and love! 
Level: Int/Adv. Facility with any turning waltz style and partnering skills are assumed.



WORKSHOP & DANCE LOCATIONS:   


FRIDAY:

See Schedule Above

 

SATURDAY:

1326 Washington Street

Newton, MA 02465


SUNDAY:

Masonic Hall  (Porter Square)

1950 Massachusetts Avenue 

Cambridge, MA




PRICING:

Advance registration package pricing for Saturday and Sunday:

  • FULL WEEKEND (Saturday & Sunday workshops, dancing, and Mostly Waltz Party) $75 / FAC members $70 / Students $50
  • SATURDAY ONLY - workshops, dancing, and Mostly Waltz Party $55 / FAC members $50 / Students $35 
  • Any 1 workshop $25 / FAC members $23 / Student $15
  • Any 2 workshops $45 / FAC members $40 
  • All 3 workshops $65 / FAC members $60 

For carpooling, email mostlywaltzboston@gmail.com or post on the Mostly Waltz Facebook event page.


SMALL PRINT:

  • The workshops are designed for non-novice dancers, experienced in any form of turning waltz, who are looking for something more!
  • For any of these workshops, it is not necessary to attend with a partner, as we will rotate partners.
  • Please arrive 15 minutes before your first workshop to check in.
  • Help protect the halls’ wooden floors by changing from street shoes to clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing.

CLICK HERE for the FAC Waltz Weekend Website Page

CLICK HERE to register


 MEANWHILE, GET YOUR CRUISE TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT!  

(See details below)

Dance Cruise Overview:

CLICK HERE to register

DATES:  Oct 15-20, 2017 (Sun to Fri), departing at 4:00pm, returning at 7:00am from Boston, on board the Royal Caribbean's "Serenade of the Seas"


ITINERARY:   Ports of call include Boston (Mass), Bar Harbor (Maine)St. John (New Brunswick), Halifax (Nova Scotia), and one day at sea.


DANCE CLASSES & GROUP ACTIVITIES:  Group classes on the ship will include a mix of morning and/or afternoon sessions in a variety of dance styles (swing, social, ballroom, Latin, blues, fusion, WCS, tango, etc), with a strong focus on both partnering & connection, as well as introducing fun new step patterns and stylings.  Other group activities may include afternoon & evening dances; a cocktail social hour, games night, special dance outings in ports; as well as many other fun "non-dancing" activities onboard the ship and on dry land.  


THE "SERENADE OF THE SEAS":  Sailing some of the most popular cruise vacation destinations in the world, this amenity-filled ship is a crowning jewel of the Royal Caribbean fleet.  Our trip will be her last full-week New England run before repositioning to the Caribbean, so be sure to get your tickets early as it promises to be quite popular and will undoubtedly sell out soon!  Incidentally, if you want to buy anything in these beautiful little coastal towns, this is the week to go because everything will be on sale for the end of the season!


PRE-CRUISE BOSTON WALTZ WEEKEND PACKAGE:  If you would like to join us in Boston before the cruise to participate in any part of our Boston Waltz Weekend (Fri & Sat night social dances, and/or Saturday & Sunday workshops), we will have more information about that very soon.  (Check back on this page)


PRE-CRUISE HOUSING IN BOSTON:  If you are coming from out of town and need a hotel room or a place to stay, you may want to look for options on any of the numerous online search engines such as hotels.com, kayak.com, AirB&B.com, TripAdvisor.com, etc.  You may also contact Malori at Amazing Journeys at 412 571-0220 for any questions you have about a possible pre-cruise tour package


CRUISE PACKAGES & COSTS:  There are several cruise packages available for interior, balcony, or suite cabins.  Rooms at our guaranteed group prices are available through July 25th.  After these sell out, prices will be subject to change by Royal Caribbean Cruises.  For full details, registration, & pricing information, CLICK HERE (or go to http://amazingjourneys.net/trip/canada-and-new-england-dance-cruise), or call  Malori (with Amazing Journeys) at 412 571-0220


TO REGISTER:   CLICK HERE    (or go to http://amazingjourneys.net/trip/canada-and-new-england-dance-cruise)


WHO TO CONTACT FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS:  

  • For questions about cruise pricing, registration, booking your cruise ticket, or any other travel plans, contact Malori (with Amazing Journeys) at 412 571-0220.    
  • For dance-related questions, please feel free to contact Ari at arilevitt@hotmail.com 

Why you should join us and what makes this cruise so special:

 

--> IT'S ALL TOP SHELF!:  You'll get world-class dance instruction during the day, with many more opportunities for one-on-one coaching, dancing, socializing, and mingling during the afternoons and evenings. Add to this the ship's own special amenities and many available activities such as the fitness center, spa, pools, live music, sports, golf, theater, lectures, shows, entertainment, and more, as well as the comfort of the ship's 5-star hotel and dining facilities, and you've got yourself one incredible week of no-worries, hassle-free fun!

 

--> A GREAT ITINERARY, A FABULOUS SHIP, AND THE PERFECT WAY TO SEE NEW ENGLAND DURING THE SPECTACULAR FALL FOLIAGE SEASON!   We'll cruise the coasts of New England & Canada, taking in the spectacular Fall colors; We'll visit the historic & quaint seaside towns of Bar Harbor, St. John, and Halifax; and we'll get to enjoy a full day at sea!  

       Sea days are frequently a cruise passenger's favorite -- they're wonderfully relaxing (or as busy as you want to make them), with opportunities to take advantage of everything the ship has to offer.  We'll do most of our dance classes and privates during the sea day.  


--> IT'S A DANCE ADVENTURE, TAILORED TO YOU!   You'll meet people from all over the USA and abroad, form great memories, and make lasting connections.  We'll have games, mixers, special discussions, and plenty of non-dancing social activities planned, with lots of room for spontaneity, improvisation, and your input in our activities.  As for dancing, classes will move swiftly, and we'll really be able to take advantage of the many opportunities the ship provides for music and dance, all this while at play with a fun group of fellow dance-enthusiasts!    


FAQ's:

Where does the ship leave from and how do I get there?  The ship leaves from the port of Boston, MA.  If coming from out of town and not using one of the pre-cruise hotel package options, you will need to arrange your own travel to the port which is very accessible from the Boston (SEA) airport, and anywhere in Boston.  There are many shuttles and taxi's available throughout the region, as well as Uber, Lyft, and other shared ride services.   

Who is the organizer and administrator for this cruise?  This cruise is being organized by Ari Levitt at "Roll Up The Rug & Dance, Inc"; and administrated by the travel professionals at "Amazing Journeys, Inc."  

  • For questions related to either the cruise and/or your travel, please contact Malori (with Amazing Journeys) at (412) 571-0220 (phone); (800) 734-0493 (toll-free); (412) 344-3937 (fax), or email her at malori@amazingjourneys.net.  
  • For questions regarding the dance workshops, please contact Ari at arilevitt@hotmail.com

If I am single and would like to share a room, how can I find other participants who would like to do the same?   If you are interested in connecting with other single participants who would be interested in sharing a cabin, please indicate this on your registration form.  Alternatively, you can direct any specific questions or requests to Malori at Amazing Journeys and she will be more than happy to help arrange room sharing for you. You can reach Malori at (412) 571-0220 or at malori@amazingjourneys.net.

How can I find out more about the ship?  More information about the ship can be found on the Royal Caribbean website

When do I need to have my down payment submitted by?   A deposit of $350 ($700 for single occupancy) is due with your reservation of the cruise.  Full payment is due July 25th, 2017.

What is included in the price?  What additional charges/fee's should I anticipate?  The price includes your cruise, taxes, port charges, dance workshops, and all onboard gratuities. It does not include transportation, optional onboard amenities, excursions, or incidentals.

Are prices guaranteed?  Yes, but only through July 25th, 2017, or until the number of group cabins allotted to us by Royal Caribbean are sold out.  After that, the pricing cannot be guaranteed, and will fluctuate based on RC's current room charges and availability.  Please check with Malori at Amazing Journeys to confirm the latest status and pricing for rooms (Royal Caribbean frequently runs special deals that Malori can help you negotiate, so be sure to call her and check on the latest offers)

What is the refund policy?    To review the refund policy, please refer to the "Terms" page at http://amazingjourneys.net/trip/canada-and-new-england-dance-cruise  (Click on the "Terms" tab at the top of the website to access this page)

What is the typical day's dance schedule?  Dance workshops will take place from 10am-noon during the day at sea, and on the free mornings or afternoons when we don't dock until the late morning or come back in the early evening.  Other classes will be inserted during cruising times when not in port. The schedule will allow you to fully take advantage of all of the ship's activities and amenities during the rest of the day.  There will be plenty of music and dancing in the afternoons and evenings, as well as opportunities for more informal gatherings and "tune-up" lessons.

What kinds of dance classes will be offered?  Specific workshops topics will be decided closer to the sailing date (and on the ship) in order to best tailor the lessons to the group's abilities and interests.  Styles will be selected from among swing, latin (salsa, cha cha, merengue, rhumba), ballroom (waltz, foxtrot, etc), night club 2-step, 1-step, blues, and fusion.  We can be fairly flexible with how all of this is set up.

Will there be opportunities for private lessons?  Yes, these can be arranged individually with Ari onboard the ship or beforehand by email.  If you are taking advantage of the pre-cruise Waltz Weekend in Boston, we can also schedule lessons on shore then.

What level will the dance classes be geared toward and what will be their focus.  Group classes will be geared toward the adv-beginner/intermediate level dancer (ie: you should be comfortable with beginning level dance steps, connection, and framework, and be ready to move forward from there).  If you still consider yourself a novice dancer, not to worry.  You have plenty of time between now and October, 2017, to sign up for some local partner dance classes and get ramped up! (I would recommend classes in swing, salsa, latin, or ballroom, although just about any kind of social partner dance would be fine).  

The class format will be very much geared toward fun, playful social partner dancing, which is to say that we will not be focussing on performance choreography, competition styling, or line-dancing.  In each workshop, we'll start by laying the groundwork for strong partnering foundations, imparting a clear understanding of how connection, framework, and energy can be utilized to create playful movement and improvisations, and reviewing basic steps and combinations. On top of this we build a wide-ranging repertoire of fun moves and variations.

What is the evening dress for the ship?  Each night on the ship, there is typcically a different theme for dress.  Our week of cruising will include two formal nights, two informal nights, and three casual nights.  The recommendations for dress typically applies only to the ship's dining room and public areas after 5:00pm, and are as follow:

  • Formal attire:  For men this might include either a jacket & tie, a suit & tie, or a tuxedo; and an evening dress or gown for women.  
  • Informal attire:  For men this might include shirt, jacket, and slacks; and a summer dress, or slacks & blouse for women.  
  • Casual attire: This is fairly flexible, though the ship does request that you not wear shorts or jeans.

What travel documents will I need?  As per all international travel, you will need to bring a current passport from your country of citizenship.  A driver's license is also recommended.  No special visas or further documentation will be required for US citizens in these ports-of-call.   

Do I need any special immunizations for international travel?  While you should make sure that your regular shots are up-to-date, no special immunizations are needed for travel to these ports.  

 

If I have any questions, who should I contact?  

  • For questions related to either the cruise and/or your travel, please contact Malori (with Amazing Journeys) at (412) 571-0220 (phone); (800) 734-0493 (toll-free); (412) 344-3937 (fax)or email her at malori@amazingjourneys.net.  
  • For questions regarding the dance workshops, please contact Ari at arilevitt@hotmail.com

Statistics about the "Serenade of the Seas" (from online sources)

  • Guest Capacity: 2,146 guests (double occupancy) • 2,476 guests (total)
  • Tonnage: 90,090 GT, 11,936 DWT
  • Built: Built at Meyerwerft Yard, Papenburg, Germany. Construction began Sept, 2001
  • Inaugural Cruise: August 25, 2003
  • Last Refurbished: December 2012
  • Christener: Whoopi Goldberg, TV & movie celebrity
  • Dining and Snacks: The ship has 10 restaurants and eateries: Reflections Dining Room; Windjammer Café (buffet style); Izumi (Japanese); Giovanni's Table Family Style Italian Restaurant; Chops Grille Steakhouse; Rita's Cantina (Mexican); Park Cafe; Chef's Table; Latte'tudes coffee & snack bar; and 24-hour room service
  • Dinner Seatings:  2
  • Seating Assignments in Main Dining Room:  Our Group has been assigned Late Seating 
  • Dining Hours:  6:15 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
  • Main Dining Room Dress Code: 2 formal nights, 2 informal nights, 3 casual nights. No shorts at night in the main dining room.  If you would like to dine more casually or in shorts, you can always eat at the Cafe Caribe or Horizon Court Buffets.  
  • Tipping Recommended?:  Not necessary.  All gratuities have already been covered in your group pricing.
  • Showrooms/Lounges: The ship hosts a 756-person theater (Tropical Theater), outdoor poolside 220 square foot movie screen, 9 story central atrium with aerial Cirque du Soleil type performances in the evening, Casino Royale with slots & table games, 16 bars & lounges (including one non-alcoholic bar in the teens-only Fuel Disco), Card room, Billiard room with 2 self leveling pool tables, a library, two nightclubs (Fuel Nightclub for teenagers, Vortex for 18 and older), Diamond Lounge, Concierge Lounge, an indoor cinema, and an arcade
  • Guest Services: On the top decks are various services and amenities available to guests: the Day Spa and Fitness Center, Beauty Salon, Solarium (indoor, adults-only, pool area), half court basketball, rock-climbing wall, nine-hole miniature golf course, jogging track, three pools, and three whirlpools. The ship also contains many shops, a photo and art gallery, business center, and medical center.
  • Internet:  On board there is a conference center, and the ship hosts pervasive wireless internet connectivity at a charge of 65¢ per minute. Guests can also access the internet through the RC Online Internet Center.
  • Number of Crew: 891
  • Registry: Nassau, Bahamas
  • Length: 962 ft (293.2 m)
  • Beam:  131 ft  (39.8 m)
  • Draft:  28 ft  (8.5 m)
  • Height: 195 ft
  • Number of Decks: 12
  • Speed:  25 knots  (46 km/hr, 29 mph)
  • Guest Cabins: There are a total of 1,073 staterooms aboard, 829 of which are ocean view, 589 of those have balconies. All staterooms convert to Royal king size bed configuration and have private bath, vanity area, closed-circuit, flat panel
    LED televisions, electric mini-bar, hair dryers and individually controlled air-conditioning 
  • Pools: 3
  • Whirlpools Spas: 3