FROM ME TO US: A Masterclass At Sea

Terry Real is a nationally recognized family therapist, bestselling author, and teacher whose groundbreaking work has transformed the field of couples therapy. With more than three decades in private practice, he is especially known for his pioneering contributions to the understanding of male depression, relationship dynamics, and the impact of patriarchy on intimacy.

In 1997, Terry published the national bestseller I Don’t Want to Talk About It, the first major book addressing male depression and its hidden legacy. He followed with How Can I Get Through to You?, an exploration of patriarchy’s role in relationship dysfunction, and The New Rules of Marriage, a practical guide for couples and clinicians. His most recent book, Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship, became a New York Times bestseller, offering a step-by-step path to deeper connection and authentic partnership.

Terry is the founder of the Relational Life Institute in Massachusetts, where he trains therapists and leads workshops for couples and individuals. His revolutionary approach, Relational Life Therapy (RLT), teaches the essential relational skills needed to replace shame, grandiosity, and passive-aggressive patterns with what he calls “loving firmness” — a blend of accountability, compassion, and direct communication.

A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and former senior faculty member at the Family Institute of Cambridge, Terry has worked with thousands of couples — earning a reputation as “the turnaround guy” for his remarkable ability to help relationships on the brink of collapse rediscover connection, intimacy, and hope.

Get ready for an absolutely amazing and inspiring journey on our cruise! Our itinerary is packed with thrilling activities and opportunities for relaxation that will leave you truly captivated.

7:30am – 8:30am  early-morning meditation and/or movement (optional)

8:30am – 10:00am  daily breakfast

10am–10:30am swim break

11:00am – 1:00pm  daily presentations

*The presentation itinerary is subject to change between morning and afternoon hours, depending on the yacht’s location and group preference, and will be decided a day ahead.

1:30pm – 3:00pm: three-course lunch (vegetarian + meat/fish + gluten free option)
*Last day dinner on board*

Plenty of snacks, fresh fruit, and smoothies will be available all day.

A talented chef will delight your taste buds with delicious meals from Croatia, using only the freshest regional products. At the bar, you can also choose from a wide range of local wines and drinks, ensuring you’ll find the perfect beverage to complement your meal.

After a delicious lunch, you’ll have ample free time to indulge in a variety of activities. Dive into the crystal-clear waters for a refreshing swim or explore the vibrant underwater world with mesmerizing snorkeling adventures. Feel the warm sun on your skin as you relax on the deck, soaking in the breathtaking views that surround you.

The MS NERA also has various facilities and amenities designed to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. These include a large sun deck with chairs and a Jacuzzi, a spacious dining room, and a bar with a lounge area where you can enjoy a cool drink while taking in beautiful views. Other amenities include free use of two sea bobs and six paddle boards, air conditioning, a massage room, a piano, and Wi-Fi available 24/7.

For those seeking ultimate relaxation, we offer optional on-board massages. To ensure you don’t miss out on this pampering experience, please schedule your massage ahead of time by emailing Bianca at: [email protected]

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage in group discussions and connect with fellow cruisers. Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences as we foster a sense of camaraderie and create lasting memories together.

Between 4:00pm and 5:00pm, we will dock at a different location, igniting a sense of anticipation and excitement. This is your chance to step off the yacht and immerse yourself in the wonders of each destination.

You can choose to join a guided tour, where knowledgeable experts will lead you through the hidden gems of the island or town. Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can explore the area on your own. Discover local attractions, indulge in mouthwatering cuisine, visit charming wineries, or simply take a leisurely stroll to absorb the enchanting surroundings.

After our explorations, we will gather back on the yacht for casual conversations. Share stories, laughter, and create unforgettable memories as we enjoy an overnight stay in our comfortable cabins. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and prepare for the exhilarating adventures that await us the next day.

Your journey of a lifetime is about to begin, and we can’t wait to embark on this incredible adventure with you. This itinerary promises to be an unforgettable experience.

FROM ME TO US: A Masterclass At Sea

A Relational Life Therapy Experience with renowned family therapist and creator of Relational Life Therapy (RLT), Terry Real 

June 26 – July 03, 2027 

Day 1 – Welcome Meet & Greet 

Begin the journey by gathering in a relaxed, welcoming setting to  connect with fellow guests, Terry Real and his wife Belinda. This  informal meet and greet offers space to settle in, share intentions,  and ease into the week ahead.

Through relaxed conversation and shared presence, we’ll begin building a sense of community and setting a thoughtful, supportive tone for the journey ahead – together. We’ll also engage in a brief self-reflection to clarify what brings each of us here and the kinds of relationships we hope to explore. What are our deepest wishes for this experience? If we were to leave on Day 8 saying, “That was amazing,” what would amazing actually mean? What would a truly successful experience here give us – individually and in our relationships?

Day 2 – Relational Living 

Understanding the Shift from “Me” to “Us” 

Modern relationships don’t fail because people don’t love each other. They fail because we were never taught how to relate in ways that sustain the love and connection we start with. We’re sent into the most complex emotional endeavor of our lives with almost no relational training. 

To create the lifelong, meaningful relationships we long form, need an entirely new set of skills. You’ll start learning those today as you discover the move from individualistic behaviors to mature relational living – from me to us. 

You’ll develop the foundational shift in your approach to relationships that makes learning all other skills possible: how to think, act, and speak as part of a relational system instead of as a defended individual.

Day 3: We All Marry Our Unfinished Business

Trauma and Healing in the Crucible of Our Relationships

All of us had imperfect childhoods. All of us adapted to what was hurtful, neglectful, or overwhelming. Falling in love is often the deluded belief that this person will heal what we didn’t get growing up. But in a real intimate relationship, you realize your partner won’t just fail to give you what was missing – they are exquisitely designed to trigger it. When things get hard, we get flooded. We lose access to the thoughtful part of ourselves and revert to knee-jerk survival responses – fight, flight, fawn. 

You’ll get to know what your childhood adaptations were, where they came from, how they show up in your current relationship, and how they fuel painful patterns. You’ll begin shifting from the reactive mind to the responsible mind. You’ll learn Relational Mindfulness – how to re-center in the heat of the moment when you’re flooded.

Day 4: Loving Power

Shift From Complaint To Request

Most of us take a passive approach to our relationships: we let our partners do whatever they’re going to do and then we complain about it.

Today, you’ll learn how to be more proactive in your relationship with the 3 steps to getting more of what you want: 

1. Dare to Rock the Boat: Asking for what you want with love and skill. 
2. Helping Them Win: Teaching them what right looks like (with vulnerability, not criticism)
3. Making It Worth Their While: Be encouraging not discouraging and celebrate what they’re doing well.

This is called Loving Power: learning how to assert what matters to you, teach your partner how to love you better, and create a relationship where both thrive.

Day 5: The Art of Repair

It Isn’t What You Do – It’s What You Do After You Do What You Do

No matter how skilled you are, in a long-term relationship there will be moments when the wheels come off. Rupture is inevitable. The real question is: How do we come back?

We’ll work both sides of the repair process – how the unhappy partner must speak to get heard, and how the repairing partner must listen and respond in a way that truly restores closeness.

You’ll also look at the role of healthy self-esteem in repair: 

Can you be imperfect and still lovable? Can you accept the apology? Can you allow repair and move back into connection?

This is the art that turns conflict into intimacy – and pain into deeper connection.

Day 6 – Living Love

Getting Your Sea Legs at Home

The final workshop day integrates the week’s learning into a  practical, sustainable relational roadmap. You’ll explore how to maintain connection over time using simple, repeatable  practices rooted in Relational Life Therapy and reality-based  accountability. Drawing from principles similar to the “check-in”  approach – evaluating relationships at meaningful intervals – you will learn how to stay awake, responsive, and honest in love. You’ll pay particular attention to daily relational habits: repair over  perfection, responsibility over reactivity, and courage over  comfort. You’ll create personal commitments for how you will show up differently in relationships – romantic, familial, and  professional.This closing day is not about ending the journey, but beginning a new way of relating. You’ll leave empowered with tools you can use immediately, long after the ship returns to shore, carrying forward a deeper capacity for intimacy, integrity, and connection. 

Day 7 – Closing Q&A and Reflections 

“What Happens on Monday?”

It can be difficult to go back to “regular life” after a week focused on growth and healing. This interactive session invites questions, shared insights, and meaningful dialogue with your fellow participants.  

Together, we’ll reflect on key themes from the week, explore  lingering curiosities, and consider how the perspectives gained  can be integrated into everyday life. This closing gathering offers  space for clarity, connection, and a grounded sense of completion  as we carry these reflections forward. Today is also devoted to questions and answers and a chance to bring together what we learned, as well as one last hands-on exercise to integrate. It will be a day of sharing what has worked, what hasn’t worked, and paying it forward to our fellow travelers! 

Day 8 – Disembark in Dubrovnik

After a nourishing breakfast, we will gather one last time to share  heartfelt goodbyes with newfound friends. As we disembark, let’s take a moment to reflect on the journey  we’ve shared – the insights gained, the connections made, and  the compassion cultivated throughout this transformative  experience. May we carry the lessons of healing, connection,  authenticity, and understanding into our lives and communities.  Until we meet again, let’s hold each other in our hearts, 

embodying the spirit of compassion and connection we’ve  embraced together. Safe travels, and may your paths be filled  with light and warmth and clarity.

See ŠIBENIK TO DUBROVNIK ONE WAY for full travel itinerary

See Nera for more information on our yacht.