Mystery on the High Seas
Mystery on the High Seas – Canada/New England
September 4 – 18, 2027
Discover the charm of coastal New England and Eastern Canada on a spectacular quilting adventure aboard the elegant Holland America Line. Sail roundtrip from Boston to historic Québec City, exploring picturesque ports, vibrant fall scenery, and rich maritime culture while enjoying inspiring quilting time at sea with fellow enthusiasts. Stitch, sail, and create unforgettable memories on this one-of-a-kind Canada & New England quilting getaway!
About the Educator:
Jean Biddick is an award-winning quiltmaker, author and teacher whose specialty is creating stunning machine-pieced masterpieces. She is well known for her quilts inspired by mosaic tile work. Her quilts have won awards from both the American Quilter’s Society in Paducah and the International Quilt Festival in Houston. One of her miniature quilts is in the permanent collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. She is the author of two quilt books published by AQS.
She has been teaching quiltmaking for more than 40 years and loves to help students become more confident in their piecing skills. She started designing Mystery Quilts for The Quilter’s Market in 2006 and enjoys sharing those designs with her students.
About the Project: Mystery on the High Seas
It is a Mystery Quilt so we can’t show you what it looks like – that would ruin the surprise! Jean is working on a new design for this cruise. You will make a generous lap-sized pieced quilt top.
Itinerary: Sewing classes will be held during our time at sea. The classroom will be available for Open Sewing outside of class hours, although irons may only be available for specific hours – this will be dictated by the ship’s onboard security policies. Itinerary is subject to change.
- 4 September 2027: Depart Boston, Massachusetts at 5pm – Group Dining – Evening Class
- 5 September 2027: Portland, Maine from 7am to 1pm – Afternoon Class – Cocktail Hour Meet Up
- 6 September 2027: Halifax, Nova Scotia from 10am to 6pm – Evening Sewing
- 7 September 2027: Sydney, Nova Scotia from 10am to 8pm
- 8 September 2027: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island from 10am to 11pm
- 9 September 2027: Cruising the Gulf of St Lawrence – Quilting Class
- 10 September 2027: Cruising the St Lawrence River – Quilting Class – PJ Night Late Sewing
- 11 September 2027: Quebec City, Quebec from 7am to 11pm
- 12 September 2027: Cruising the St Lawrence River – Quilting Class
- 13 September 2027: Cruising the Gulf of St Lawrence – Quilting Class
- 14 September 2027: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island from 7am to 5pm – Evening Sewing
- 15 September 2027: Sydney, Nova Scotia from 7am to 4pm – Evening Sewing
- 16 September 2027: Halifax, Nova Scotia from 8am to 4pm – Evening Sewing
- 17 September 2027: Morning Sewing – Portland, Maine from 12:30pm to 10pm
- 18 September 2027: Arrive Boston, Massachusetts at 7am
About the Ship:
With its traditional heritage and older demographic, you might expect a cruise on Holland America’s Zuiderdam to be a placid affair. Wrong. Thanks to interesting enrichment partnerships and outstanding entertainment choices, we found ourselves going from morning to night. This timeless ship offers a classic, comfortable cruising experience with elegant spaces, inviting staterooms, delicious dining, live entertainment, and the gracious service Holland America is known for. With its warm atmosphere and refined style, Zuiderdam is the perfect setting to relax, explore beautiful destinations, and enjoy time at sea.
Features of this ship include:
- Afternoon Musical Concerts
- Afternoon Tea
- America’s Test Kitchen Cooking Classes
- Art Gallery*
- Art and Craft Classes*
- BBC Earth Onboard Features
- Basketball Court
- Beer Tasting*
- Billboard Onboard
- Casino*
- Cigars Under the Stars*
- Club HAL – Kids Club
- Digital Workshop Computer Classes
- Explorations Central Port Lectures
- Explorer’s Bar – Traditional bar*
- Feature Movie Matinees
- Fitness Center
- Fitness Classes*
- Happy Hour Drink Special*
- Hot Tubs (5)
- Hydrotherapy Pool*
- Lincoln Center Stage
- Live Nightly Music
- Martini Tasting*
- Onboard Lectures
- Pools (2)
- Queen’s Lounge & Culinary Arts Center
- Retreat – Adults Area*
- Screening Room
- Solo Traveler Get-Togethers
- Team Trivia
- The Greenhouse Spa & Salon*
- The Loft – Kids Club
- The Mainstage
- Volleyball Court
- Wine Tasting*
Package Includes
- Onboard accommodations
- Port fees and taxes
- Quilting and Cruising at Sea
- Complete quilt top kit
- Open Sewing Hours
- Welcome Aboard Cocktail Meet Up
- Group Dining
- Group Games and Activities
- Sewing Machines, Ironing Stations and Cutting Stations Provided
Pricing: ALL PRICING IS IN USD.
Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy. Other categories and occupancy are available upon request. Pricing is subject to change based on availability and is not guaranteed until booked and deposited in full.
All pricing includes the Have It All package offered through Holland America. This package is valued at approximately $1000 and includes the following:
Shore Excursions: Up to $100 off any shore excursion booked through Holland America.
Drink Package: You can choose from a large selection of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails, plus non-alcoholic options like sodas, specialty coffees and more – with bar service charges included. 15 drinks per person, per day.
Specialty Dining: Enhance your cruise with award-winning specialty dining at one of the following restaurants for free: Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto or Tamarind. (2 nights)
Crew Appreciation: Gratuities are paid on your behalf to your stateroom attendants and waiters.
VERANDAH STATEROOMS
Verandah staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows with a door that opens to a private balcony, two lower beds that convert to a queen-sized bed, sitting area, and private bathroom with tub/shower combination. All staterooms include bathrobes, Elemis bath amenities, complimentary fresh fruit, flat-panel TV and DVD player, personal safe, telephone, and hair dryer.
Stateroom Size: 212 – 359 sq ft *
Category VA: Rooms are on Decks 4, 5, and 6 – Midship
Package pricing starts at $7350 per quilter and $6850 per non-quilter
Category VB: Rooms are on Decks 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 – Forward, Aft, Rear Facing
Package pricing starts at $7250 per quilter and $6750 per non-quilter
Category VC: Rooms are on Decks 4, 5 and 6 – Forward and Aft
Package pricing starts at $7150 per quilter and $6650 per non-quilter
Category VD: Rooms are on Deck 5 and 6 – Forward and Aft
Package pricing starts at $7100 per quilter and $6600 per non-quilter
OCEANVIEW STATEROOMS
Oceanview staterooms feature a picture window, two lower beds that convert to a queen-sized bed, and private bathroom with tub/shower combination. All staterooms include bathrobes, Elemis bath amenities, complimentary fresh fruit, flat-panel TV and DVD player, personal safe, telephone, and hair dryer.
Stateroom Size:174 – 180 sq ft *
Category C or D: Rooms are on Deck 1 Midship
Package pricing starts at $5650 per quilter and $5150 per non-quilter
Payment Schedule: Monthly Payment Plans are Available Upon Request
(Pricing and availability are subject to change at any time unless booked and deposited)
1st deposit of $700 per person : Due at the time of booking
2nd deposit of $500 per person : Due on or before 1 February 2027
Final Payment: Due on or before 1 June 2027
**Trip/Travel Insurance will be quoted by email following the original deposit to US citizens only.
Cancellation Fee Schedule: These fees are in addition to any fees charged by the cruise line.
A $700 cancellation fee per person will be assessed beginning 1 February 2027
A $1200 cancellation fee per person will be assessed beginning 1 June 2027
Cancellations made 60 days or less prior to the cruise departure date will be 100% non-refundable.