The Reading Cellar has announced its upcoming Indie Author and Reader Cruise, scheduled for 30 October through 6 November 2027. Set aboard the MSC World America, this seven-night Caribbean voyage will host 35 authors and featured authors, four guest speakers, six vendors, and a community of readers and book influencers. The gathering is designed to build organic connections between independent authors and their audiences while offering a vacation setting.
A Unique Literary Experience at Sea
Moving beyond the traditional convention or book fair model, The Reading Cellar’s event prioritises shared experiences and literary discovery. Attendees can look forward to a full schedule of events designed to blend vacation relaxation with bookish community engagement.
Key highlights of the onboard experience include:
- Two dedicated sea-day book signings
- A welcome cocktail reception and a secondary author-reader cocktail event
- An exclusive masquerade gala evening
- Sessions with featured authors and industry guest speakers
- Intimate author and reader meet-and-greets
- Giveaways, advanced reader copy (ARC) boxes, and bookish surprises
Caribbean Itinerary and Destination Highlights
Departing from Miami, Florida, the seven-night sailing offers a picturesque backdrop for literary networking. The ship’s itinerary features several Caribbean destinations, allowing attendees to explore tropical locales alongside members of the indie publishing community.
The port schedule includes:
- Miami, Florida
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas
Participation and Registration Details
The Reading Cellar offers several participation passes, allowing attendees to tailor their experience. It should be noted that cruise fares and travel expenses are billed separately from the event passes. Attendees will have access to book their cruise through a dedicated travel agent to secure a group rate. Following the initial booking deposit, guests will have until 30 July 2026 to submit their final payment.
- Featured Author Pass ($325): Provides enhanced visibility and featured-author opportunities across the literary events.
- Author Pass ($225): Includes participation in designated author activities and book-signing events.
- Vendor Pass ($225): Designed for bookish businesses and services looking to connect with the indie community.
- Reader and Companion Pass ($55 early bird special until 1 November; $110 per person thereafter): Grants full access to The Reading Cellar activities to experience the cruise alongside the authors.
For registration details or inquiries regarding the limited spaces available, interested parties can visit TheReadingCellar.com or contact JessTrawAuthor@gmail.com.