THE GRIEVING BRAIN AT SEA:
Understanding Loss, Discovering Who We Are Now & Restoring a Meaningful Life
Join renowned grief researcher and author Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor for an extraordinary seven-day journey through the breathtaking Adriatic Sea aboard a private luxury yacht in Croatia.
Grief is the price we pay for love, yet understanding what happens to our brains and bodies when we lose someone we love can transform the way we navigate loss. Through groundbreaking neuroscience, compassionate teaching, and meaningful reflection, Dr. O’Connor will guide us into the science of love, attachment, and bereavement, exploring how grief affects our brains, bodies, and sense of identity.
Drawing on her pioneering research and bestselling books, The Grieving Brain and The Grieving Body, she will illuminate why loss can leave us feeling emotionally stuck, how we gradually integrate grief, and how we can begin to rediscover who we are and rebuild a life filled with purpose, connection, and meaning.
Set against the restorative beauty of the Adriatic, this intimate experience offers a rare opportunity to deepen our understanding of loss while reconnecting with ourselves and others.
Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab. Following her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the University of Arizona, she held a faculty appointment at UCLA’s Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology before returning to Arizona in 2012.
Her internationally recognized research investigates the neurobiological and psychophysiological dimensions of grief, including brain function, immune responses, hormones, and prolonged grief. She founded the Neurobiology of Grief International Network and has published extensively in leading scientific journals. She is the author of The Grieving Brain (2022) and The Grieving Body (2025), and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and Scientific American.
Each day is thoughtfully designed to balance inspiration, connection, leisure, and exploration, while allowing guests plenty of time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Croatia.
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM (optional) early-morning meditation, movement, yoga, breathwork, or gentle fitness
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM breakfast on board
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM swim break / free time
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM daily presentation session
Please note * Presentation times may occasionally shift between morning and afternoon depending on the yacht’s location, itinerary, and group preference, and are typically confirmed the day prior.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Three-course lunch on board. Vegetarian, fish, meat, and gluten-free options available . The first and last day include dinner on board. Fresh fruit, snacks, smoothies, coffee, tea, and refreshments are available throughout the day.
Dining Experience
A talented onboard chef prepares delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine using fresh regional Croatian ingredients. Guests may also enjoy a wide selection of local wines, cocktails, and beverages available for purchase to complement each meal.
Afternoon Leisure & Exploration
After lunch, guests enjoy free time to relax and experience the beauty of the Adriatic:
Late Afternoon Island Arrivals
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM The yacht typically docks at a new island or coastal destination, allowing guests to:
Evening On Board
After exploring, guests return to the yacht for relaxed evenings, conversation, laughter, connection, and overnight stays in beautiful Croatian harbors.
YACHT AMENITIES
Designed for comfort, relaxation, and luxury, the yacht includes:
For guests seeking extra relaxation, optional onboard massage treatments may be arranged in advance.
DAY ONE: Welcome, Connection & The Journey of Love and Loss
Begin your journey with a warm welcome and an opportunity to connect with Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor and your fellow participants. As we gather in the beauty and tranquility of the Adriatic, we begin creating a shared space for connection, reflection, and discovery.
Throughout this week, we will explore the profound relationship between love, loss, and the human experience, opening ourselves to a deeper understanding of how our hearts and brains carry the bonds we share with those we love.
Together, we will set our intentions for the journey ahead, embracing curiosity, compassion, and the possibility of new perspectives. This first gathering marks the beginning of a meaningful exploration of how understanding our grief can help us reconnect with life, love, and ourselves.
DAY TWO: The Science of Love & Attachment
How the Brain Learns to Love
Love is more than an emotion; it is a biological process deeply embedded in our brains. In this presentation, Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor explores how our brains form and maintain powerful attachments to the people we love. Discover how neural pathways create expectations of connection, familiarity, and belonging, and why these bonds become such an essential part of who we are. Understanding the neuroscience of attachment offers a fascinating foundation for understanding why losing someone we love can be so profoundly life-changing.
DAY THREE: The Grieving Brain
What Happens in the Brain When We Lose Someone We Love
Why does the death of someone we love feel so difficult for the brain to comprehend? Drawing on decades of groundbreaking research, Dr. O’Connor explores how the brain responds to bereavement and why we continue to search for someone who is no longer physically present. Discover how the brain’s expectations, memories, and attachment systems respond to loss, creating the yearning and disbelief that are so familiar in grief. This presentation offers a new scientific perspective on one of the most universal experiences of being human.
DAY FOUR: The Grieving Body
Understanding the Physical Impact of Loss
Grief does not live only in the mind. It can affect our entire body, influencing stress responses, sleep, immune function, hormones, and overall well-being. In this presentation, Dr. O’Connor explores the relationship between emotional loss and physical health, revealing how the body responds to the profound stress of bereavement. Drawing on emerging research in psychophysiology and neuroscience, she offers a deeper understanding of the physical dimensions of grief and the importance of caring for ourselves as we navigate loss.
DAY FIVE: Integrating Grief
Moving Beyond Avoidance, Rumination & Emotional Stuckness
How do we begin to move forward when grief seems to keep pulling us back? Dr. O’Connor explores the processes involved in integrating loss and gradually learning to live with the absence of someone we love. Drawing on the science of grief, this presentation examines how avoidance can limit our ability to reengage with life and how repetitive thoughts, unanswered questions, and rumination can keep us emotionally stuck. Discover how the brain gradually learns new expectations, how we can begin to approach rather than avoid the painful realities of loss, and how small steps toward reconnecting with life can help us find our way forward.
DAY SIX: Rediscovering Who We Are
Love, Identity & Restoring a Meaningful Life After Loss
Losing someone we love can change not only our relationships but also our sense of who we are. The future we imagined may no longer exist, and the person we were before the loss may feel unfamiliar. In this presentation, Dr. O’Connor explores how grief transforms our identity, how the bonds we share with loved ones continue to shape us, and how we can begin to discover who we are now. Explore how memories and enduring connections can become part of a new understanding of ourselves, while gradually rebuilding a life filled with purpose, connection, and meaning. Rather than leaving love behind, we can learn to carry it forward as we embrace the possibility of living fully again.
DAY SEVEN: Closing Gathering
Questions & Answers with Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor
An opportunity for participants to reflect on the week’s discoveries, share their questions, and engage in a final conversation with Dr. O’Connor. A meaningful closing to a week dedicated to understanding grief, honoring love, and discovering new possibilities for life after loss.
DAY EIGHT: Farewell & Disembarkation in Split
After a nourishing breakfast, we gather one final time to share heartfelt goodbyes with Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor and our fellow travelers, honoring the meaningful connections and shared experiences of the week.
As we disembark in Split, we carry with us new insights into the profound relationship between love, loss, and the human experience. May our deeper understanding of the brain, the body, and the enduring bonds we share inspire greater compassion for ourselves and others.
Though our voyage together comes to an end, may the connections we have made, the wisdom we have discovered, and the love that continues to shape our lives remain with us long after we return home.
Safe travels, and may the journey ahead be filled with meaning, connection, and renewed appreciation for the beauty of life.
See Gems of Dalmatia for full travel itinerary
THE GRIEVING BRAIN AT SEA Understanding Loss, Discovering Who We Are Now & Restoring a Meaningful Life
AN EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCE AT SEA
This extraordinary experience is limited to just 28 paying participants sharing 14 beautifully appointed double-occupancy cabins, creating a rare opportunity for meaningful connection, personal growth, and intimate engagement with renowned neuroscientist Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor.
With an intentionally limited number of guests, this private yacht experience offers a unique setting for exploring the science of grief, love, loss, resilience, and the human capacity to heal and grow.
COUPLES / PARTNERS / FRIENDS PACKAGE
$16,000 for two guests (plus applicable processing fees)
Reserve one private double-occupancy cabin and share this extraordinary journey with your spouse, partner, family member, or friend.
Each reservation includes accommodations for two guests in one beautifully appointed private cabin.
FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLAN
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION EARLY BIRD RATE
$8,200 per person (plus applicable processing fees)
Available through January 1, 2027.
The Early Bird rate requires payment in full no later than January 1, 2027.
Individual registration is for one guest sharing a double-occupancy cabin with another individual participant.
STANDARD INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION
$8,500 per person (plus applicable processing fees)
Effective January 2, 2027.
Individual registration is for one guest sharing a double-occupancy cabin with another individual participant.
FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLAN
PAY IN FULL & SAVE
Guests who prefer to pay in full by direct bank transfer can take advantage of the following special payment options, with no additional processing fees.
COUPLES / PARTNERS / FRIENDS PACKAGE
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION
DIRECT BANK TRANSFER — NO EXTRA FEES
FOR DOMESTIC USD BANK TRANSFERS
Receiving Bank: American Riviera Bank Address: 1033 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93100, USA Beneficiary: The Bridging Heaven & Earth Foundation, Inc. (501(c)(3)) Account Number: 160508941 Routing Number: 122244333
FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS IN EUROS
WISE BANK Account Name: The Bridging Heaven & Earth Foundation IBAN: BE24 9030 0519038 SWIFT/BIC: TRWIBEB1XXX Bank: Wise Europe SA, Brussels, Belgium
IMPORTANT PAYMENT INFORMATION
Credit card payments, including American Express, must be made through our online registration and payment system.
Direct bank transfers cannot be processed through the online registration system.
Please include your full name and the name of the cruise in the payment reference. After submitting your transfer, kindly email a copy of the transfer confirmation to [email protected] so we can properly credit your reservation.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard for this extraordinary journey of discovery, connection, and transformation.
Travel Insurance & Cancellation Policy
Given the nature of our overseas cruise events, all expenses—including overseas yacht fees—are required to be paid in full upfront in order to secure bookings. For this reason, all initial deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
We require that all participants obtain comprehensive travel insurance, specifically a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) policy. This type of coverage helps protect your investment in the event that unforeseen circumstances arise and you need to cancel your trip.
If you find it necessary to cancel your reservation, we encourage you to seek a replacement for your spot. Our team will do our best to assist you in this process; however, securing a replacement ultimately remains the responsibility of the participant. To ensure the successful planning and execution of our events, we make substantial financial commitments to our overseas partners well in advance. For this reason, all deposits are non-refundable once received.
Please read carefully before registering:
We understand that there may be a significant amount of time between registration and the scheduled event, and that unexpected situations can occur. While we are committed to supporting you in finding a suitable replacement if needed, purchasing Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance is essential to ensure you are fully protected.
By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
Thank you for your understanding and trust in our services.
NOT INCLUDED
*NOTE: All additional fees incurred on board (alcohol, special coffee drinks, spa services, and laundry fees) are due on the last evening and payable in Euro currency in cash only, to the Captain.
Exclusive Access: Sail aboard a private yacht with a small group for an intimate experience.
Engaging Presentations: Guided by renowned grief researcher and author Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor, this week-long transformative experience explores the neuroscience of love, attachment, and loss. Through groundbreaking scientific insights, meaningful reflection, and compassionate dialogue, participants will deepen their understanding of how grief affects the brain, body, and sense of identity. Discover how to integrate loss, honor the enduring bonds of love, rediscover who you are, and gradually rebuild a life filled with purpose, connection, and meaning.
Guided Tours: Explore the outstanding medieval Roman architecture of the Dalmatian Coast with local experts, uncovering hidden gems and cultural treasures.
Culinary Delights: Savor exquisite local cuisine, featuring fresh ingredients and traditional dishes from the region.
Nature Exploration: Visit breathtaking national parks and world-renowned wineries, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Croatia.
Wellness Activities: Enjoy daily yoga sessions, guided meditation, dance, and sound healing to rejuvenate your mind and body.
Creating a Relaxing and Rejuvenating Experience: Ensure ample time for privacy and reflection as you unwind and connect with your inner self.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, fostering friendships and collaborations in a relaxing environment.
Unique Experiences: Engage in group activities that enhance your cruise experience and create lasting memories.
Bianca Childs is the Founder of Heaven to Earth Cruises and Executive Director of The Bridging Heaven & Earth Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to exploring the intersection of healing, consciousness, science, and spirituality. Born in Croatia and now based in Santa Barbara, California, she creates intimate transformational experiences that bring together leading voices in personal growth, wellness, and human potential. Bianca is also the author of the forthcoming memoir I Crossed the Ocean for a Heart of Gold, for which Mariel Hemingway graciously contributed the foreword. Her work is guided by a deep belief in the human capacity for healing, resilience, and transformation.
You will need to fly to Split Airport to and from Croatia:
https://www.split-airport.hr
Please be aware that Croatia is a member of the European Union, and transactions are conducted in Euros. It is advisable to carry some cash for any incidental expenses. You can exchange US dollars at local banks, though most establishments accept credit and debit cards. We recommend checking with your credit card company regarding exchange rates and any potential fees for using your card in Croatia.
Our yacht, ALFA MARIO, will be docked at Split Harbor on the day of your departure, Wednesday, May 26, 2027 at 3PM Croatia (CEST).
INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES SERVING CROATIA
Most flights to Split connect through Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, or other major European hubs.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN SPLIT
RESTAURANTS IN SPLIT
CAR RENTAL COMPANIES
© 2024 Bridging Heaven & Earth, LLC
