The Cruise Where Speakers Play!
"Kelly’s speaking adventures cruise was a great experience! A seasoned cruiser herself, Kelly thought of everything and prepared us well. She taught some top-notch content and we were given lots of opportunities to speak in front of the group. Plus, the half day training sessions only took place on at sea days, so we didn’t miss out on any shore excursion time."
- Bonnie Roberts
The SpeakUp Adventures Cruise is a unique and transformative experience that combines the joy of a Caribbean voyage with empowering speaking workshops. Hosted on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, this 7-night cruise departs from Los Angeles, CA on January 26, 2026
There are so many great reasons to be on this cruise if you are a coach that wants to reach more people, and reach them more powerfully! Here are just a few you will experience during your thrilling week at sea:
Speak on the ship in International Waters
Receive an International Speaker certificate you can hang on your office wall
Meet other speakers who are also growing their coaching business
Network with like-minded entrepreneurs
Challenge yourself with the impromptu speaking opportunities you will have during the week
Have dinner together each night and build fun, synergistic connections with other coaches and speakers
Attend exciting, growth-filled speaking workshops on the 3 at-sea days
And maybe most importantly, make memories and friendships that will last a lifeti
"Cruising with Kelly was an experience I will never forget. She made everything so easy that it all feel into place. I loved the class and the way she kept us all connected. In the evening we all gathered together and visited about our adventures and what we were learning in class. Kelly is amazing, the cruise was amazing and I’ll be doing it again in the near future!"
- Pam Tolman
Kelly Kaye Walker is an award-winning international speaker, bestselling author, top 5% podcaster, speaker trainer, and certified life coach. She is also a cruise superfan. This cruise will be her 10th one, all on Royal Caribbean. It will also be her 5th Speaker cruise.
Back in 2019, after her 2nd cruise, Kelly set out to find a way to take lots of friends and go on frequent cruises - and she did! With the help of a client who is a travel author and agent, she set up her first group one.
It was a huge hit and led to the birth of her annual speaking cruises. She has had 3 canceled due to Covid, but she pushed through those rough 2 years and is now considering adding a 2nd itinerary to allow for 2 cruises per year if there is demand!
Kelly loves teaching coaches how to be better speakers and what better place to do it than on a ship in the sunny Caribbean during the dismal gray Utah winters! She likes to explain her job to others like this:
"One of the best parts of my job as a speaker trainer is to drag 32 people out to the middle of the ocean and make them face the #1 fear in the world for 7 days. At the end of the week, I release them back into civilization with a tan an a plan! And usually a few extra pounds."
"I thought going on a cruise was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, but when I cruised with Kelly, I found it to be affordable, thrilling, and educational. I have already signed up for the next one!"
- Crystal Walker
🌟 Experience unrivaled accommodations on the Navigator of the Seas with spacious staterooms and stunning ocean views.
🏄♂️ The most daring duo of The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides ever — The Blaster® aqua coaster and Riptide℠ headfirst mat racer.
⚓️ Royal Caribbean is interationally recognized for outstanding service, innovation, and passenger satisfaction.
🏅 Voted Best Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean has been honored with multiple awards for being the best in the cruise industry.
🚢 The Navigator of the Seas has recently gone through an "Amplification" to make it even more amazing than before!
🍽️ Royal Caribbean has been lauded for its exceptional dining experiences, offering a diverse range of world-class cuisine.
💃 From Broadway-caliber shows to cutting-edge performances, the Navigator of the Seas wins awards for its outstanding shows.
"I love Kelly’s cruises. They are the perfect balance of speaking instruction, practice, and inspiration with plenty of free time to enjoy the ship. Plus I get to know some other cool people in the process. My husband tags along and we enjoy our time together on a business ‘vacation’ that we can write off."
- Julie Cluff
Navigator of the Seas stops for a full day at some of the most beautiful locations in Mexico! No passport needed!
Ensenada
In addition to the golden, palm fringed shores of Estero and Mona Lisa beaches. Ensenada offers a bevy of activities and experiences, whether you hike to the towering waterfall of El Salto canyon, or take to the sea on a whale watching boat. Ensenada is also one of the premier culinary hubs of Baja California, whether you crave tacos made with fresh-caught local fish, or pan-Mexican favorites such as torta sandwiches.
As Baja California's most electrifying destination and a playground for the rich and famous, Cabo San Lucas delivers a dreamy set of tropical wonders. Head to Desert Park Natural Reserve to behold expansive cream-colored desert scenery. See soaring natural rock formations plunge into the Sea of Cortez at Land's End, only reachable by boat — the spot is also known for throwing the best beachside parties.
Puerto Vallarta — or simply Vallarta, as the locals call it — is a romantic's dream, with its cobblestone lanes, beachfront eateries and an old city center filled to the brim with charming boutiques. For a break from the city life, head to Jardin Botanico Vallarta and enjoy the delightful scents of orchids and bromeliads and the refreshing waters of a boulder-filled river.
"I went on a speaking Cruise with Kelly Walker last year. I had an amazing time. Kelly knows all of the ins and outs of how to really enjoy a cruise and take advantage of all the opportunities. The days at Sea we were able to have some really great instruction on how to craft and deliver our speeches. Then had the opportunity to practice them and get feedback from Kelly as well as others in the class. I am going on another cruise with her next month and I cannot wait."
- Sean Knudsen
Day 1: Los Angeles, CA (Departs at 4:00 PM)
Day 2: Ensenada, Mexico (From 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Day 3: Cruising Day at Sea (Workshop 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Day 4: Cabo San Lucas (From 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
DAY 5: Puerto Vallarta (From 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM)
DAY 6: Cruising Day at Sea (Workshop 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
DAY 7: Cruising Day at Sea (Workshop 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
DAY 8: Los Angeles, CA (Arrives at 7:00 AM)
*Port sequence may vary by sailing date.
Speaking Workshops at Sea:
During the three at-sea days, from 9 am to 1 pm, our ship's conference center will be transformed into a hub of learning, fun, growth, and camaraderie.
Led by award-winning, best-selling author, international speaker and breakthrough speaking coach, Kelly Kaye Walker, you will engage in speaking activities, challenges, and receive valuable feedback on your time on stage.
Participation is always optional, but those who choose to take the stage will earn an international speaking certificate!
Group Dinners and Game Nights:
In the evenings, we'll gather for delightful group dinners in the main dining room, forging connections over sumptuous meals. Following dinner, optional game nights provide a chance for laughter and camaraderie, creating memories that last a lifetime.
"Being a part of any cruise that Kelly Walker puts together is the only way I'll ever do a cruise again. She makes it seamless. I can't think of what it would have been like without her insight and fun. The Kelly Walker team is the only way to do a cruise right. If you've ever worried abou a cruise being fun or you just don't know what to do or how to do it, go on a cruise with Kelly Walker and you will have the time of your life!"
- Bobby Glenn James
Stateroom (Your layout may vary from photo)
Balcony (Your layout my vary from photo)
Bathroom (Your layout may vary from photo)
Every room we have set aside for the Adventures in Speaking cruise is a balcony stateroom. You can't get a better price for this level of cruising! We get a special deal from RC with our group booking PLUS an amazing exclusive perk! You can cancel before the 90 day cutoff and get a full refund of your deposit - not available with a regular cruise booking!
Room Notes: All beds can be separated into twin beds OR put together to make one king-size bed. Your bathroom will have a shower including a bath mat, bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, shower gel/shampoo dispenser, bar soap at the sink, large mirror with storage on the sides, toilet paper, a box of tissues, 2 drinking glasses, and a retractable drying line. Your room includes a desk with several drawers, closet with shelves and hangers, a safe, a long sofa, bed(s) and bedding, and a balcony with 2 chairs and a table overlooking the ocean.
$4000 per pair
$2500 per person
$2000 per person
Cruise Fare
Port Fees & Taxes
Transportation Between Airport & Ship & Back
Gratuities (about $120 per person)
Speaking Workshops
Game Nights
Ship Entertainment
Rock Climbing Wall
Ice Skating
Laser Tag
Flow Rider
Miniature Golf
Gym and Equipment Inside
Slides, Pools, Hot Tubs
Food at Windjammer Buffet
Food at Promenade Cafe
Food at Loco Fresh
Food at the Main Dining Room
Ice Cream at Sprinkles on the Pool Deck
Ice Water, Juice in the AM, Lemonades
Coffee, Tea and Hot Cocoa at Cafe Promenade
*Transportation to Los Angeles
Shore Excursions
WiFi on the Ship
Specialty Coffees and Fresh-Squeezed Juice
Alchoholic Beverages
Sodas
Photos the Ship Photographer Takes
Bottled Water
Spa Treatments
Food at Johnny Rockets
Food at Playmakers Bar
Food at Chef's Table
Food at Chops Grille
Food at Jaime's Kitchen
Food at Izumi
Food at Vintages Wine Bar
Food at Starbucks
Room Service
Reserving Casitas at the Pool
* = required
Nope! Your Sea Pass card is all you need to get off the ship and explore the islands we are visiting on this cruise. Just make sure to bring a certified copy of your birth certificate and your current valid state ID or Driver's License.
Of course! Lines are usually shorter with a passport. Your passport must not expire before August 26, 2025 for it to be valid. They require a 6 month period of time after your final cruise day before your passport expires.
No, every activity is optional. However, everyone who does speak receives a special International Speaker certificate at the end of the cruise.
No, this is a speaker training, so you can come zero experience to years of experience! In fact, we have that range on all of our speaking cruises - beginners all the way to seasoned speakers.
Yes! If you enroll in my $5,000 group speaker training program, and pay it all up front, you get this cruise for FREE! You will be assigned to share a cabin with another solo cruiser, OR you can bring someone for $1500 (the shared cabin rate).
No, currently there are no mask requirements on the ship or at our ports of call. However, you are certainly welcome to wear one if you like at any time!
The ship will provide you with an extension cord AND a gallon of distilled water upon request. You will receive an email asking if you have any special needs with a link to fill out a form. You can request CPAP supplies in the form.
No, we are only speaking amongst the 32 of us booked as a group. However, you are welcome to invite any friends you make on the cruise to come see you speak in the conference center!
Many people can't! If yours is lost, please contact your state's Bureau of Vital Statistics to request an official copy. Give yourself plenty of time for your new birth certificate to be processed and sent to you because it takes several weeks usually.
Kids 16 and up are allowed to attend the speaking workshops, but you can bring your younger kids on the cruise - just not into the conference center.
Absolutely! Everyone is encouraged to participate in the speaking challenges! There will be a few prepared speeches, but be ready for impromptu speeches at any time during the workshops.
Currently there are no requirements by Royal Caribbean or any of our ports of call for vaccinations.
Those cabins book very quickly, so if you need an accessible room, you need to book as soon as possible, although they may already be all sold out at this point.
You can rent scooters and wheelchairs and have them delivered to the ship, or you can bring your own.
If it's 91 days before sailing, you can get a full refund of anything you have paid. If it's after 90 days, only if you purchase travel protection. There is no refund if you just change your mind - only medical emergencies or transportation probelems (canceled flights, closed airports, etc.) count for the refund policy.
Scroll down for Kelly's cruise packing list! It includes what TO bring, and also what NOT to bring! Avoid over packing or getting your forbidden items confiscated from your luggage!