FAQ Some of the most common questions that people ask us are the following. Therefore, we provide an FAQ (Frequently asked questions) component to our web site: What is a New Voyages Enrichment Program? What is a New Voyages Enrichment Program? "We had time to consider the theme...." "The theme of leisure focused our attention on the attitude and approach to life that would enhance our ability to bring balance and integration to all our experiences." Why bother with such a unique experience? " I truly enjoyed the cruise. It was a real enlightenment to God's creation." Is New Voyages a type of retreat? "Its focus on 'leisure: a spiritual need', was a unique opportunity to experience the best of a retreat and the best of a cruise." What do you do during a New Voyages enrichment program? Does New Voyages reflect some kind of a new spirituality ? Who should book a New Voyages experience? Do you have to be a strong church person to join New Voyages ? Do you have to be "rich" to be part of New Voyages?
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FAQ: Ministry to Tourism
Why bother with such a unique experience?
Is New Voyages a type of retreat?
What do you do during a New Voyages enrichment program?
Does New Voyages reflect some kind of a new spirituality?
Who should book a New Voyages experience?
Do you have to be a strong church person to join New Voyages?
Do you have to be "rich" to be part of New Voyages?
It's a design that offers you a travel experience on a carefully selected ship or any other means of travel.
It offers you 'lenses' to experience your vacation in a different way. Your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions will be enriched. This travel design is an opportunity to discover the Sacred in reflective travel.
Alaska Cruise Participant, 1993
Today, Christianity is undergoing a major renewal of spirituality. It can affect the way you experience the Sacred in your life; the way you relate to your God; the way you might pray. You need opportunities like New Voyages to help you heighten this awareness. And when you participate in this unique travel design you do so with your whole being. Each part of you needs to be addressed.
Alaska Cruise Participant, 1993
In one sense it is. But this kind of retreat does not allow you to withdraw from the world and one another. Rather you withdraw with new or old friends in order to "grow through leisure". It is intended to help you experience the Sacred or God in another way; to romance the human and the divine within you, to approach life--including your leisure-tourism-- more reflectively . It is a kind of retreat which strives to introduce you anew to the presence of God in creation, in the places visited, in the very savouring of the decor of your "place of retreat"---the cruise ship, or location chosen.
It is not a type of retreat conducive to processing deep spiritual issues requiring individual spiritual direction or therapy. Another place of retreat might better serve this purpose. Nor is it a type of retreat which is geared to profound conversion experiences although some will encounter the Sacred in a special way while on tour or at sea.
Alaska Cruise Participant, 1993
You enjoy the whole travel experience with its stops and activities as an integral part of the design. This is supported by regular theme 'focus sessions'. A pre-cruise package for New Voyages orientation and cruise information is also offered. Regular worship and prayer, discussions and reflection time are suggested , so that your daily experience can be integrated into your life. Some may seek time to be alone by walking, or simply being in the presence of the day's sun or the night's stars. It is your time. Most importantly, it is a time for ministry to self."The 'focus sessions' time make an excellent use of travel time."
Alaska Cruise Participant, 1993
Most churches today emphasize the sacredness of everyday life. Everybody is called to wholeness. All of creation is seen as sacred , not opposed to the secular. Contemporary spirituality strives to integrate the human and spiritual into everyday life.
A New Voyages experience reflects a spirituality which stresses the inter-connectedness of your body, mind and spirit.
"It sharpened our awareness that all of life is God directed and challenged us to celebrate this reality in gratitude and joy".
Alaska Cruise Participant, 1993
It is for people who enjoy land tours. It is for people who love the experience of being at sea aboard a fine ship. It is for people reluctant to board a ship; and yet are interested in this kind of experience. It is for people who enjoy being with persons of all ages, interests and religious backgrounds.
It is for people who have decided they want something more than just the "great escape" to a beach resort or the "fleeting fun" of a party cruise.
It is for people who want to disembark from their cruise holiday, or end their tour as a renewed person--in body, mind and spirit. It is for you !"Our diverse group enjoyed the focus....knowing that our approach to life will never be quite the same. The quality of this "retreat" certainly calls for a follow-up and many of us will return."
Alaska Cruise Participant, 1993
No. You simply need to be thirsting for a growth or rediscovery of the sacred in your life.
People from any mainline Christian background have no difficulty relating to the special thematic "focus sessions".
Besides the input, there are optional ecumenical worship services, regular Roman Catholic Eucharist and appropriate creative rituals and celebrations to mark highlights during New Voyages."This experience is more meaningful for me now".
Alaska Cruise Participant, 1993
Definitely not. Most people today want to be more purposeful in their travel ventures. Often instead of making things a priority, special kinds of travel becomes for them an investment. Participants often indicate that they live quite modestly, even sometimes in spite of their resources, so that they can invest in enriching travel opportunities where value may be realized from their limited hard- earned dollars. By investing in New Voyages they soon discover very good value , since it allows for both a holiday plus a type of retreat . Any perception that New Voyages is only for the "rich" is unfounded."Our spirit life must also be nurished with authentic leisure if we are going to have a healthy approach to life and discipleship." Dr. Leonard Doohan, author of: "Leisure: A Spiritual need"
