The Embark Conference & Retreat
Please check back frequently as additional information may be added. If you have questions, please contact the Intercultural Ministries department.
What is the purpose of the Intercultural Ministries Embark Conference & Retreat?
The purpose for Embark 2020 is to allow Intercultural Ministries staff and missionaries to build relationship and community through passionate times of worship and prayer, fellowship, cross-pollination, and collaboration.
This is exclusively an Intercultural Ministries conference—missionaries from other windows of U.S. Missions will not be participating in the cruise. However, there will be other passengers aboard—we do not have the entire ship to ourselves!
When and where will the conference be held?
The conference and retreat will be held aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas February 2-9, 2020. The cruise will depart from Galveston, Texas.
Missionaries are encouraged arrive in Galveston or Houston by Saturday, February 1, 2020, to ensure that they are able to board the Liberty of the Seas prior to its departure on Sunday, February 2, 2020.
Our travel agents recommend flying into Houston Hobby or Bush airports and staying at one of the hotels below which will have a free shuttle and a special group rating for IM missionaries. After the cruise, you would take the transfer back to the airport. You are responsible for booking and purchasing airfare. Hotel pricing and booking information is given below. These funds can be reimbursed by your class (48) funds if available.
You will need to either book a shuttle or use a ride sharing service (such as Uber or Lyft) to travel from the hotel to the port if you did not drive or rent a vehicle. If you did drive or rent a vehicle, please see the information below.
Flying in to Bush Airport
Flying in to Hobby Airport
If you plan to drive to the port, you can find out information by visiting their website here. You would need to park in Lot B at 224 33rd St. in Galveston while on the cruise. The cost for parking spots starts at $85 for the week. You can pay upon arrival or in advance by visiting the site linked above.
What is the cancellation policy?
The cruise line will refund total cost only for a death of the family.
Can I use class (48) funds for travel expenses related to the cruise?
Any necessary travel expenses to or from Galveston, TX can be reimbursed by funds in your class (48) as long as funds are available. This includes air, rental, gas, hotel, meals, etc. Missionaries may request these funds prior to the cruise, or they may be reimbursed after. Excursions are not included and are a personal expense.
What is included in the cruise?
Included in the cost of the trip is a seven-night cruise aboard the Liberty of the Seas sailing to Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. All meals and scheduled entertainment aboard the ship and private Intercultural Ministries services, meetings, and activities are also included. These meals will be available on days at port as well. You can also choose to eat off the ship at the port, but this would be a personal expense and would not be reimbursable. Additionally, shipboard gratuities will be included such as gratuities for the cabin steward and dining staff. Please note that excursions and special onboard packages would be personal expense, not reimbursable.
What excursions and on-board packages are available and how do I book them?
You can use your booking confirmation (RCCL number) to log in and view available excursions and packages here. You will log in using your last name, confirmation number, cruise departure date (02-02-2020) and the ship name (Liberty of the Seas). Please note that all excursions and extra onboard packages are personal expenses which will not be reimbursable.
We highly encourage you to only book excursions through the Royal Caribbean website. Once onboard, lines will be long, and prices will be increased. If you choose to book an excursion through a third-party organization and the adventure happens to run late getting back to the ship before departure time, the ship will not wait for you. However, if you are with a Royal Caribbean excursion, they will wait.
Is internet and cell phone service available?
Cell service while at sea would be available. However, depending on your carrier, cost of phone calls, texts, and internet usage would be drastic. Internet packages are available through the Royal Caribbean website linked above or could be purchased once on-board.
They offer a VOOM SURF Voyage Package and a VOOM SURF + STREAM package for internet. The surf package which would allow you to surf the web, check email, and send messages over apps such as We Chat and WhatsApp. The surf and stream package would allow you to do the previously listed activities in addition to streaming shows, music, and movies to your device, sharing posts to social media, and making video calls.
Do I need to bring certain identification?
Identification must be presented to board the ship. Must be what was used to book your room.
Is there a dress code for the conference or any part of the cruise?
We do not have a set dress code for the Intercultural Ministries conference. We do ask that no swimwear is worn during conference times and breakout sessions. There will be one or two evenings which the cruise line will designate for dressier attire. In the past, these were ‘formal night’, however they are more semi-formal currently. We suggest bringing one outfit which could be used for both nights that is Church attire. Our travel agent has suggested dress pants and a button up for men and a dress or slacks and a blouse for women.
Can childcare expenses be reimbursed?
If you will need to pay for childcare, you may have childcare expenses reimbursed only if both you and your spouse are fully appointed. This is due to IRS regulations. If you are unsure if your spouse is considered appointed, please contact the Intercultural Ministries department.
What is the tentative schedule?
After departure, the ship will make stops in Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya, Mexico, and Cozumel, Mexico. Please see below for the tentative schedule and note that more information will be available as we get closer to the trip. A final schedule will be given at a later date.
Sunday, February 2
Monday, February 3 (at sea)
Tuesday, February 4 (at sea)
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Missionary-Led Service - Missionaries to Victims of Human Trafficking (Conference Rooms Aruba & Barbados, Deck 2)
DAYS AT PORT: There will be no scheduled group activities on port days until dinner at 5:30 pm.
Wednesday, February 5
Thursday, February 6
Friday, February 7
Saturday, February 8 (at sea)
Sunday, February 9
Arrive back in Galveston, Texas at 6:30 am. Plan to get off the ship by 9 am or shortly thereafter.1445 North Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
[email protected]
417.862.2781 ext. 3254
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