March 2019 is when Unlock the Past’s 15th cruise leaves Sydney Harbour, and this will be about eight years after their first history and genealogy cruise.
During those eight years, thousands of cruisers have enjoyed genealogy conferences as part of an Unlock the Past cruise, while visiting the Pacific Islands, visiting New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the UK, Scandinavia and the Baltic region, a European River cruise, and of course Australia.
While their next cruise is Alaska, which is on in September 2018, they’re already planning way ahead with two cruises scheduled for 2019, and one in 2020.
But today I’m just going to tell you about their Sydney to Singapore one.
This cruise is a one-way relocation cruise starting in Sydney and ending in Singapore, and stops at numerous Australian cities along the way. This cruise allows you to see all the sites along the way, and enjoy an extensive genealogy conference during the 15 days onboard with some incredible speakers.
On the 15th Unlock the Past cruise you’ll get:
– 65 topics in the main theatre
– 3 two-hour DNA workshops
– 6 hours of one-on-one DNA help (30 minute one-on-one consultations with an expert)
– A special Discover your family history program of 5 talks for beginners
– Research Help Zone sessions – these give you the opportunity for one-on-one help with an expert to work through your brickwall
WHEN: 29 March – 13 April 2019
ITINERARY: Sydney, NSW > Brisbane, Qld > Airlie Beach, Qld > Yorkeys Knob, Qld, > Darwin, NT, Singapore
SHIP: Royal Caribbean’s ‘Explorer of the Seas’ is a big one. This ship has 15-decks, 1557 staterooms (cabins) and can accommodate 3840 guests. Some of the new additions added in their 2015 upgrade include innovations like the FlowRider surf simulator, virtual balconies for interior staterooms and a variety of new dining experiences onboard. Take a virtual tour of the ship here. The ship is truly amazing, and offers plenty of activities for your non-genie friends or relatives who travel with you. They will not be bored while you attend your conference. There’s more details on the ship here.
COST: from AU$2691 (approx NZ$2950, US$1990, £1510) and includes all onboard accommodation, standard meals, taxes, gratuities. There is an additional cost for the genealogy conference. Details here.
PRESENTERS:
David Rencher (USA) – Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch and leading international expert specialising in Ireland and England, Biography
Richard Reid (Australia) – Biography
Caroline Gurney (England) – Caroline’s web site
Rob Hamilton (Australia)
Eric Kopittke (Australia) – German Family Matters
Rosemary Kopittke (Australia) – Rosemary Kopittke Genealogy
Helen Smith (Australia) – Dragon Genealogy
With presenters from the US, England and Australia there’s no doubt that this will be a great conference. And everyone I’ve come across that’s heard David Rencher speak, says how easy to understand, and totally engaging his talks are – and I have to agree. So to have him onboard for 15 whole days, you will be learning from one of the world’s best. Combine his knowledge with that of Richard Reid, Caroline Gurney, Rob Hamilton, Eric and Rosemary Kopittke and Helen Smith, each who have their own specialities and knowledge of particular aspects of research – it’ll be non-stop genealogy and history learning!
IF YOU’VE NOT BEEN ON A GENEALOGY CRUISE BEFORE … If you’ve not been on an Unlock the Past cruise before, essentially it is a genealogy conference held on board a cruise ship. For the days the ship is at sea, there’s a full conference program scheduled, and you can simply pick and choose what talks you wish to go to, and when the ship is docked feel free to go ashore and enjoy the sites.
There is a preliminary program up, so you’ll get an idea of the wide range of topics that will be covered. Click here for that. There will also be time scheduled for Unlock the Past’s “Research Help Zone” which is where you get to talk one-on-one with the experts, and hopefully break down that brick wall, as well as DNA one-on-one sessions where an expert can help you interpret your DNA results or help you with any other DNA related queries you have.
There’s no requirement to go to ALL the talks – though some do. It really is a very casual conference, and you just attend those you wish.
NEED MORE REASONS TO ATTEND? How many do you want? Having been on a number of the UTP cruises myself, I can personally say that they are a lot of fun, you will make new friends, and you will learn so MUCH and you get to do this while visiting amazing places. Other bonuses are that you don’t have to worry about meals, or even making your bed, and you really don’t have to travel too far to go anywhere (meals, or conference room).
MORE INFORMATION: For more information visit https://www.unlockthepastcruises.com/singapore and if you want to join us, you can book or even just register your interest with Ciaran at Clean Cruising.
