Heather Tracy

Melvin's Travel Adventures

Nerds & Tables Group Cruise

Jan 10, 2027 to Jan 17, 2027
Caribbean

Welcome to the first Nerds & Tables 2027 Cruise -- specifically for North Carolina gamers!

 
We're excited to have you join us on this high seas adventure of RPGs, board games and more. We'll be sailing on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas*, and visiting Perfect Day at Coco Cay, San Juan and St. Thomas. Plus, we'll have three full days of gaming fun onboard! You can check out the full itinerary, including photos of the ship and staterooms, on the Nerds & Tables 2027 Cruise Itinerary Page here.
 
Are you ready to sign up right now? Great! Let's go over some booking instructions first.
 
When you get to the booking portion, you'll be given the following options:
  • [Type] Stateroom - TWO PLAYERS (Double Occupancy, price/person)
  • [Type] Stateroom - ONE PLAYER & ONE NPC (Double Occupancy, price/person)**
  • [Type] Stateroom - PLAYER (Single Occupancy, price/person)
 
First, select number of travelers in the dropdown menu. Then, select the type of stateroom you would like: Interior, Oceanview or Balcony*. Next, select whether your room will be double or single occupancy. If Double Occupancy, select whether both people in the room will be PLAYERS (attending all gaming events) or if one will be an NPC (i.e. accompanying the Player, but only attending the social group functions). If Single Occupancy, the occupant must be a Player.
 
Second, under Extra Options, select whether you would like to add Royal Caribbean Cruise Care. If so, select the corresponding option that goes with your stateroom type and occupancy level. For example, if you selected Oceanview, Double Occupancy, select: Royal Caribbean Cruise Care (Oceanview/Balcony, Double Occupancy, price/person). (Note: The cost for Cruise Care for Double Occupancy Oceanview and Balcony is the same cost.) Make sure to add Cruise Care for everyone in your booking by selecting the appropriate number in the dropdown.
 
Third, still under Extra Options, select whether you would like to add Prepaid Gratuities. Again, make sure to add Prepaid Gratuities for everyone in your booking by selecting the appropriate number in the dropdown.
 
Once you've finished that, go to the righthand side and scroll to the bottom of the booking summary to make sure everything looks good. Then click on "Continue to Traveler Info." Enter all required information for the traveler(s), then you'll be able to authorize your deposit or make full payment (your choice). We'll handle the rest! And, if you get stuck along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to heather@melvinstraveladventures.com, and I'll be happy to help.
 
 
*Note: we have limited balcony staterooms available at the group rate, if these sell out, we will only be able to offer additional balcony staterooms at the prevailing standard rates.
**For PLAYER/NPC Rooms: The per person cost is an average. If you would like this split up on your invoices so each person is paying their specific amount, please indicate that in the checkbox on your booking form and I'll get that set up for you (email heather@melvinstraveladventures.com with any questions).
 
Payment Schedules:
A deposit of $500 will be due at booking to secure your stateroom onboard the ship. After that, everyone will be set up on the following payment schedule for the remaining balance:
  • 2nd Deposit of 25% due March 9, 2026
  • 3rd Deposit of 25% due June 9, 2026
  • Final Payment of 50% due October 9, 2026
You'll receive a reminder one week and three days before each payment is due.
 
If you would prefer to pay the cruise off in monthly installments, select the "AutoPay" option at checkout, and you will be charged automatically monthly via the same payment method you chose for your initial deposit (you can email heather@melvinstraveladventures.com at any time to cancel AutoPay, switch to a different payment method, or make final payment).
You are also welcome to pay in full at time of booking.
Final payment for the cruise is due by October 12, 2026. Anyone booking after that time will need to pay in full at time of booking.
 
Convenience Fees:
Stripe/TravelJoy charges convenience fees of 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction for credit cards and 1.5% per transaction for ACH/bank transfers. These fees will be assessed with each payment and will be nonrefundable (as stipulated in the Nerds & Tables 2027 Cruise Policies below).
 
Do you have questions?
Email us at heather@melvinstraveladventures.com or rocky@flightsandfables.com and we'll be happy to answer them!

Nerds & Tables 2027 Cruise Policies

Accessibility Policy

The access policy of Nerds & Tables follows the Social Model of Disability. This regards barriers to the full participation of disabled people as the fault of society (and more immediately we as the organizers), not the 'fault' of the person with a disability. We further reject any negative value placed on a person because of their disability, or indeed on their disability. 

We picked Royal Caribbean because their ships are designed to accommodate all of our guests, including people with mobility, hearing, and visual disabilities. When you fill out the registration form, please let the Nerds & Tables staff know about any accommodations you require as there is limited availability on board ship. 

COVID-19 Policy

Nerds & Tables acknowledges that we cannot negate all risks associated with in-person group events. However, these are steps that can be taken to mitigate that risk:

We recommend getting vaccinated as is reasonable, considering your medical health and access to vaccines. We also recommend getting a booster about a month before the trip if possible.

We recommend taking a COVID-19 antigen test 1 day prior to arrival in Miami.

While we will not require masking, we will remain mask-positive and will leave masking choices up to the individual attendees and staff.

Harassment Policy

Nerds & Tables is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.

A Note About Names

Please note that your cabin will be booked using the legal name on your passport and identification. This will also be the name displayed on your Sea Pass card, issued by Royal Caribbean.

The badges we provide for the event itself can display whatever name you choose. Our experience has been that the Royal Caribbean staff are welcoming of all gender identities and presentations.

Travel Policy

This cruise is one that does not require a passport, but we strongly recommend having a current passport with at least 6 months of validity. We also strongly recommend buying travel insurance to mitigate the risks of health or delayed travel should something prevent you from attending.

If you have questions about proper travel documentation for this cruise, and/or would like quotes for travel protection, please contact heather@melvinstraveladventures.com or rocky@flightsandfables.com.

Refund Policy

Refunds do not include the convenience fee or transaction fees charged by Stripe/TravelJoy. Refund dates are based on Royal Caribbean payment deadlines. If you need a refund you will need to reach out directly to us at heather@melvinstraveladventures.com or rocky@flightsandfables.com.

100% refund if canceled before October 13, 2026

75% refund if canceled before October 28, 2026

50% refund if canceled before November 11, 2026

25% refund if canceled before December 11, 2026

No refund after December 11, 2026

 
 
*Ship's registry: Nassau, Bahamas.

Available Packages

Interior Stateroom - TWO PLAYERS (Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$1,622.82
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (10 left)
Includes Player Tickets, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
*If sharing stateroom with another Player, select two Players. If sharing stateroom with an NPC, select one Player and one NPC.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Interior Stateroom - ONE PLAYER & ONE NPC (Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$1,397.82
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (10 left)
Includes one Player and one NPC Ticket, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
*Per person cost is an average. If you would like this split up into Player and NPC on your invoices, let us know on your booking form.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Interior Stateroom - PLAYER (Single Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$2,441.82
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Book now (5 left)
Includes Player Ticket, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Oceanview Stateroom - TWO PLAYERS (Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$1,752.82
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (10 left)
Includes Player Tickets, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Oceanview Stateroom - ONE PLAYER & ONE NPC (Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$1,527.82
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (10 left)
Includes one Player and one NPC Ticket, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
*Per person cost is an average. If you would like this split up into Player and NPC on your invoices, let us know on your booking form.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Oceanview Stateroom - PLAYER (Single Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$2,701.82
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Book now (5 left)
Includes Player Ticket, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Balcony Stateroom - TWO PLAYERS (Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$2,074.82
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (5 left)
Includes Player Ticket, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Balcony Stateroom - ONE PLAYER & ONE NPC (Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$1,849.82
Deposit: $250.00 per person

Book now (5 left)
Includes one Player and one NPC Ticket, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
*Per person cost is an average. If you would like this split up into Player and NPC on your invoices, let us know on your booking form.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Balcony Stateroom - PLAYER (Single Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$3,345.82
Deposit: $500.00 per person

Book now (3 left)
Includes Player Ticket, pre-cruise hotel night, cruise port transfer, 7-night cruise, social events.
(Includes $203.82 Cruise Taxes/Fees/Port Charges/person)

Extra Options

Royal Caribbean Cruise Care (Interior, Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$79.00

Add one for each person in your stateroom. You can read more at: Royal Caribbean Travel Protection.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Care (Oceanview/Balcony, Double Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$94.00

Add one for each person in your stateroom. You can read more at: Royal Caribbean Travel Protection.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Care (Interior, Single Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$119.00

Royal Caribbean Cruise Care (Oceanview, Single Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$149.00

Royal Caribbean Cruise Care (Balcony, Single Occupancy, price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$199.00

Prepaid Gratuities (price/person)
Available until October 12, 2026

$130.00

Add one for each person in your stateroom.