All aboard the Good News Cruise, the first-ever all-Catholic cruise

In Catholic theology, the Church is sometimes thought of as a ship, the barque of Christ.

The Holland America cruise ship Eurodam set sail from Fort Lauderdale on February 8 with an unusual cargo: a tabernacle, chalice and ciborium, vestments, and all the accoutrements required for a Catholic Mass. What’s more, the Eurodam’s passenger list included two bishops, 24 priests, and 41 deacons. Nearly two thousand passengers embarked on the voyage, and all of them were Catholics, or persons who were interested in the Catholic Faith and hoped to learn more.

The Good News Cruise, as it was called, made history as the first-ever all-Catholic cruise. Mass was offered aboard the ship several times each day, and priests were available to hear confessions for three hours each day. All the musicians, the entertainers, and the speakers were Catholic, and they presented the Faith in a way that was encouraging, challenging, and informative.

John Hale, CEO of Corporate Travel Service, talked with Catholic World Report about the cruise and about the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the passengers can focus on building a closer relationship with Christ while enjoying the company and friendship of fellow believers.

The Corporate Travel team worked for eighteen months, Hale explained, finalizing details for the Good News Cruise, planning which events would take place in each part of the ship, ensuring adequate spaces for the dining room, coffee service, breakout rooms, theatrical performances, daily Masses and confession, and a main stage for concert performances. Corporate Travel designated one unique space, named the Stella Maris Chapel, for prayer and Eucharistic adoration, installing stained glass windows to enrich the prayerful atmosphere. Several Masses were offered each day, including two Traditional Latin Masses.

“We like to think of it as a 360-degree experience,” said Hale, explaining that the cruise offered part retreat, part reunion, and part once-in-a-lifetime experience. The agenda included live music by well-known performers, a variety of entertainment options, informative presentations, and worship.

On this year’s cruise, Hale reported, award-winning chef Fr. Leo Patalinghug, host of the “Father Leo Show” on Catholic TV, offered “culinary feast nights” for the cruisers, featuring special treats and cooking lessons.

Several well-known speakers were drawn from EWTN and the Ave Maria Radio studios: psychologist Dr. Ray Guarendi, whose show “The Doctor Is In” airs weekdays; Dr. Marcus Peter, host of “Ave Maria in the Afternoon”; EWTN host Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers; apologist and speaker Steve Ray. Also presenting was Katie Prejean McGrady, host of her own show on the Sirius XM Catholic Channel.

Other noted speakers included “The Chosen” star Jonathan Roumie; Fr. Mike Schmitz, speaker, author and host of “The Bible in a Year” podcast; Fr. John Riccardo, founder and director of the evangelistic non-profit Acts XXIX; best-selling author and EWTN radio host Teresa Tomeo and her husband Deacon Dom Pastore; accomplished lawyer, sociologist and educator Alan Sears; and speakers Rachel and Jason Bulman.

Music was provided by acclaimed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli; singer and songwriter Matt Maher, a nine-time-Grammy nominee and three-time Dove Award winner; and by Dove Award nominee Sarah Kroger, artist, songwriter, and worship leader.

The participants’ enthusiasm was evident, and many expressed their hope that they could take the cruise again in the future.

Kathleen Braun Billings and her husband Troy, authors of Simply Love: Catholic Marriage Day by Day, spoke on marriage. Looking back on the days of the cruise, Kathleen said,

What an amazing, grace filled week in every way! I cannot say enough good things about this marriage cruise! Every day there are countless opportunities to grow, learn and delve deeper into the Faith while enriching your marriage! All in a beautiful Caribbean setting, on a ship full of dynamic Catholics, with amazing food, service and amenities!

Ave Maria Radio is broadcasting from the ship. On Wednesday, Troy and I recorded an interview with Marcus Peter … We also heard a phenomenal talk by Fr. Mike Schmitz on marriage. I think it might rank as one of the best talks I’ve ever heard on marriage!

Kathleen wrote further:

The entire ship of 2000 people is full of Catholic couples…. It’s absolutely incredible! Our first night in Fort Lauderdale, our pre-board night, we had Mass and dinner at the hotel, followed by an evening with Jonathan Roumie (Jesus from the Chosen) and Fr. Joe Krupp. We sat with Jake and Heather Khym [co-founders of Life Restoration Ministries] at dinner, which was such joy!…. Sunday we boarded the ship and our halftime Super Bowl entertainment was listening to a talk by former NFL Super Bowl champion, Matt Birk, on ‘How to Tackle Marriage.’ We have several friends on the ship also, which is such a gift!

Vanessa Denha Garmo, another of the speakers, commented on Facebook about her experience. “The entire Good News Cruise experience,” Vanessa said,

…is something I’ll carry with me forever. Hubby Ronald Garmo and I loved every moment – the speakers, the activities, the incredible people we met. And one unforgettable highlight was the Andrea Bocelli concert, along with the brief but meaningful opportunity to meet him. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime blessing.

One participant, Sabine McDowell, wrote on social media:

Even though I was coming on board without a spouse, I still had the best time I’ve ever had on any cruise. Daily mass, incredible speakers, more fun and laughter from the priests and bishops (than) I could’ve ever imagined. I am so thankful that this cruise exists!

The Good News Cruise will sail again in 2027, but Hale reports that tickets are nearly sold out. It’s still possible to join the cabin waitlist on the website.

The list of speakers for 2027 continues to grow; speakers and spiritual leaders who are already confirmed for next year’s trip include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archishop of New York; popular authors Scott and Kimberly Hahn; Fr. Mike Schmitz; Jason and Christina Evert; Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowitz OP, one of the four founders of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Andrew Abela, founding dean of the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America.