Anchors, aweigh! New faith-focused Caribbean cruise sets sail next winter

Corporate Travel's new 'Sailing Grace' cruise to offer Catholic culture, world-class presenters at sea beginning in early 2028

NORTHVILLE — For years, Corporate Travel Service's popular Good News Cruise has provided married couples with a unique opportunity to spend intentional time in reflection, prayer and growth in their marriages while admiring God's creation on a weeklong cruise. 

Now, anyone seeking a faith-focused vacation will have the opportunity for a similar experience with the new "Sailing Grace" Catholic culture cruise, which will set sail in January of 2028. 

The Good News Cruise began in 2020, formed around the four pillars that John Hale, president of Corporate Travel Service, identified as the company's core means of delivering an enriching cultural experience. 

"Our mission has been to enhance lives through travel and events that build culture," Hale told Detroit Catholic. "We feel like we can have a positive impact through faith, family, education and music." 

The Good News Cruise was an immediate success. 

"People were joyful, and the program had a significant positive impact on their relationships, their marriage, their family and every way," Hale said. "The hallmark of that cruise is joy and gratitude." 

As the Good News Cruise's success increased — trips now sell out a year in advance — the travel agency noticed an opening: where is the option for individuals who desire an enriching, faith-oriented cruise opportunity, but for whom the marriage-focused content is less relevant?

The Sailing Grace cruise invites Catholics of all walks and phases of life — whether single or married, with a friend group, a Bible study cohort or a book club — to travel the Caribbean and experience world-class formation and entertainment. With presenters and priests joining from almost every continent, Sailing Grace programs will be designed to appeal to a wide range of faith-filled people looking to experience culture in a new way through travel and excursion, Hale said. 

"It's important for the Church and for laypeople to initiative positive opportunities that are going to enhance people's lives," Hale said. "These grow our faith and grow our joy, and that has an important ripple effect. In our work life, in our family life, in all areas of our life, if we have the joy of Christ, we're going to live that and express and share it." 

The Holland America Eurodam, which will be home to the weeklong cruise, has a chapel on board, which will hold daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, confession, Eucharistic adoration and time for individual prayer. 

The roster of presenters and entertainers for the maiden voyage includes Andre Reyes's GIPSY KINGS, comedian and actor Joe Piscopo, philosopher and author Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., and internationally acclaimed tenor Andrea Bocelli.

"This is really an opportunity for Catholics to come aboard and celebrate amazing things about the faith, and to enjoy the time away, too," said Keilah Batarse, Corporate Travel Service's director of marketing.  

The Sailing Grace cruise will depart from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 22, 2028, and sail through the Caribbean with stops in the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and Miami, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 29.