Cruising

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Over 2 years ago I listened to a representative from Katarina Cruise lines talk about his product at our Travel Expo 2020. I was intrigued. Croatia has always been on my dream list and seeing this amazing country by small cruise line sounded perfect to me. Sign me up!

Unfortunately the world had different plans and like many of my clients, my cruise was cancelled in 2020 and also 2021. Optimistically I rebooked in 2022 and just returned from this incredible experience.

Katarina Cruise lines has overt 20 ships ranging from a deluxe product to a budget friendly option. I went with the deluxe premium option because of all the inclusions like most meals, tickets to experiences and city and town tours.

Our tour started in Split Croatia and went to 5 different islands and ports. My favorite were the small island and towns without big ships and thousands of tourist. My favorite was Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo and Mljet with its beautiful lakes and national parks.

Dubrovnik, our 3rd stop was an amazing town to see with its 3 layer city walls and ancient buildings and towns. Tourism is back in full force there and it was very crowded. I was eager to get back to the smaller ports.

Katerina offers the perfect mix of downtime, which is relaxing on their spacious deck or swimming in the Adriatic at swim stops off the back of the boat. We experienced swim stops a couple times a day and it was one of the highlights.

I was prepared to experience a bare bones cruise but every day breakfast and lunch were included. Most dinners were included except for a couple of nights where we ate at local restaurants on the waterfront. Again, the perfect mix of time on your own and then time with other guests. The food was fantastic. They love their seafood and I never got tired of meals fresh from the sea.

Our ship held 28 guests. Most onboard were Europeans although we had South Africans and New Zealanders as well. It was such a delightful experience to meet people from other countries and hear their stories.

The service on board was very attentive. Our cruise director Mariana made everyone feel so pampered. The waitstaff, cooks, captain and crew were amazing.

I highly recommend this experience for those who want to see Croatia on a more intimate level.

Please contact me and I can help make your cruise dreams become a reality!

Kathy Hirst

If I can help plan your next vacation, please contact me:

Street: 101 South 200 East, Suite #100
City: Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: 801.483.6537

Business Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

I just returned from a 7-day cruise on the Rhine on one of Viking” s ship, Viking Kara, exploring Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The Rhine River runs from the Swiss Alps through the Franco-German border and empties into the North Sea up in the Netherlands. I embarked in Basel on a beautiful sunny Sunday. I spent the night before in Basel and discovered its lovely medieval old town. Embarkation was seamless. Upon entering the ship, I was happily surprised by the décor, simple, classy, and inviting. The entire trip was peaceful and relaxing, a perfect balance between cultural excursions and leisure time. The atmosphere on board was casual, intimate, and friendly. We were only 123 guests which gave us the feeling of a large family reunion. I stayed in a French balcony cabin. The cabin had several outlets, both European and American, so I could easily keep all my electronics charged. The bathroom was perfect, from the shower to the heated floor to the fog free mirror. The large drawers and hanging closet allowed me to unpack completely.

All the Viking’s ships are individually named after different Nordic gods and goddesses. Our ship, Viking Kara, had a giant painting at the top of the main staircase. The painting represented Kara. in Norse mythology, Kara is one of the Valkyries, who are also known as swan maidens or wish maidens.

I enjoyed the small colorful towns, World War II history, amazing castles perched up high on the hills surrounded by forest and the vineyards. For the scenery, my favorite excursions were the Black Forest, the highlights of Strasbourg, and the bike ride in Kinderdijk in the middle of the windmills. The half day sail along the Middle Rhine was spectacular. All the cultural sites, many of them UNESCO sites, were interesting: the Imperial cathedral of Speyer, the Fortress of Koblenz, and the Cathedral of Cologne.

Overall, Viking exceeded my expectations in many ways. Often trips to Europe are so exhausting that you need a vacation when you get home. My seamless, stress-free journey was a pure pleasure.

I cannot wait to travel again on a Viking ship.

I will be happy to help you plan a worry-free Viking cruise. Please contact me at (801) 483-6533 or to view my full travel biography, please click this link.

Bon Voyage!

Murielle Blanchard
Black Pearl Luxury Services
A division of Morris Murdock Travel
(801) 483-6533
email me

 

 

 

I decided to go back on a cruise after months of hiatus. Once all the arranging was done and close by the cruise date I went for my PCR COVID test at CVS pharmacy. I was nervous, but it was not a big deal a couple of swabs later I was done and then In just a little over 24 hours I had my results.

When checking in there was more things they asked for, but it was still a quick process. Once on board I went to a little station that talked about your muster station and that was it so easy and better than before. It was uphill from there things could not have gone any better. Royal Caribbean had the right amount of cleanliness without going over the top. Masks were required inside unless you were eating and it was a V event which there was plenty of those.

The buffet was more pleasant you just grabbed a plate and they put anything you wanted on it. The ship was only 1/3 of the way full so I never had to wait long in lines or at the elevator. The staff was amazing so personable I even became Facebook friends with my head waiter something I have never done before.

Getting off the ship and clearing customs was so easy one look at my face and I was done. I felt so secure even more so than I feel at home.

I would not hesitate to do a cruise with Royal Caribbean and I am already looking forward to a new adventure with them.

Please contact me and I can help make your Disney dreams become a reality!

Amber Lee Johanson

If I can help plan your next vacation, please contact me:

Street: 101 S. 200 East, Suite 100
City: Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Phone: (801) 483-6314

Business Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

I traveled to Dubai from October 4th – 12th, 2021. This was one of my favorite trips ever, as I was able to take a group of 12 people on a once-in-a lifetime luxury vacation experience!

We had a few hiccups getting to our destination due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions. Our departure was on a Monday, which made our PCR testing challenging over the weekend. Some of us had to pay $ 250.00 to get a second test done at the airport the day of departure, because we did not receive our test results on time. The results were actually received a week later, when we were already in Dubai!

Dubai is one of the few cities in the Middle East that are very open to welcoming tourists. It is one of seven municipalities comprising the United Arab Emirates. It has a perfect mix of cosmopolitan city, with traditional aspects of the local culture. It is such an amazing destination, with so many unique attractions, that you need at least a month to see and do it all! It is impossible to try everything Dubai has to offer in one single trip!

Dubai is considered a safe travel destination. They are very strict with regards to community regulations. There are definitely some different laws, and we should adjust our behavior as a sign of respect to local customs.

The historic area is relatively small, but it is fascinating! It is recommended to take a tour. You can start with a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque, one of the few mosques open to non-Muslims. Cross the creek by traditional “abra” (water taxi) to soak up the aromas of the spice souk. Visit the souks and the Dubai Fort. The souks are small compared to those in Istanbul or Egypt, however, one can usually spend several hours strolling the alleyways and be stunned by just how much gold it is possible to wear!

There is so much to do, that you could be skiing on real snow one minute then riding sand dunes the next. Some of the Must Do activities in Dubai are:

  • Burj Khalifa, famed as the tallest building in the world
  • The Dubai Water Fountain – the world’s biggest choreographed water fountain
  • Shop at the world’s biggest mall - The Dubai Mall
  • Old Dubai
  • Visit the Dubai Miracle Garden, the world’s biggest natural flower garden
  • Swim with sharks at the Dubai Aquarium
  • Skydive over the Palm Jumeirah
  • Sand Dune Bashing
  • Camel Desert Safari
  • Stay in the World’s First Seven-Star Hotel (Burj Al Arab)
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride over the dessert
  • Indoor Skiing
  • Ride the World’s Fastest Roller Coaster (Ferrari World)
  • Zipline over the Dubai Marina
  • Eat dinner in the Sky – 164 ft. above the streets of Dubai
  • Drive a Supercar through beautiful desert terrain and the city
  • Helicopter ride over Dubai

A highlight of this trip, was the opportunity to attend the World Travel Expo 2020. We were able to visit several pavilions from 190 countries represented, featuring their achievements, culture, art, technology, etc.

This was definitely a trip of a life time! If I could change anything, is going when the temperature was a little bit lower. Even going a week later in October would have made a difference and it would have been more enjoyable!

Happy travels!

All the best,
Carol Alegre
Morris Murdock Travel - Salt Lake City

(801) 483-6165
Email me

Recently I sailed on the Seabourn Odyssey’s seven day, Southern Caribbean cruise. We embarked from Bridgetown, Barbados on an amazing itinerary through the Caribbean. Because this ship was small and intimate, with a capacity of only 450 guests, we were able to enjoy the smaller ports on the islands of St Lucia, Antigua, Tortola, St Kitts, and Bequia. This particular sailing could be extended to a 14-day trip with visits to several more island.

Seabourn specializes in a luxury sailing experience, with a nearly 1:1 ratio of guest to staff, their focus is entirely on the client experience. It wasn’t long before the staff knew our names and our dining preferences. Even though this was my first time on a Seabourn cruise, I immediately felt like part of the Seabourn family. I was impressed with the number of passengers who had sailed on many previous Seabourn sailings.

All cabins in the Seabourn fleet are ocean front suites. I enjoyed the comforts of the Veranda Suite which included a full bathroom with separate tub and shower, walk in closet, spacious sitting area and baloney with bistro table and chairs. It was a complete treat to wake each morning and enjoy the vista of a new Caribbean island from the convenience of my balcony.

The food on board is exceptional. On the Odyssey there was the option of a formal restaurant, a more casual buffet experience with daily chef specials, the intimate Thomas Keller Italian Grill, the outdoor bar and grill by the pool, and of course in suite dining. Each dining experience was unique and delicious with a large variety of choices. One of my favorite treats was the afternoon English tea in the observation lounge. A beautiful and yummy selection of tiny English sandwiches, cakes, and scones with a wide view of the open sea.

Additionally, Seabourn is a genuinely all inclusive experience with no added costs for gratuities, drinks, or specialty dining experiences. On-board WIFI is also included. The on-board entertainment was classy and enjoyable. Our sailing had a young, talented pianist that could conquer any type of music. There was also an archeologist historian who gave nightly lectures on relevant topics like ancient buried treasures and the pirates parading around the Caribbean. My favorite evening event though was the ship dance party held on the pool deck one beautiful night under the stars.

The highlight of this cruise for me was the unique, small ports we were able to visit. Even with the restrictions of covid, the experience was exceptional.

Rodney Bay, St Lucia

Because of the intimate number of passengers on our ship, those that wanted to go ashore could easily tendered to Rodney Bay for shore excursions. I chose to the Creole experience, where I enjoyed dancing, food, and a tour of a local family farm. Afterwards, a trip up the steep hills to an island estate with a beautifully manicured botanical garden.

St. John’s Antigua

Normally St. John would be a busting cruise port, but Covid has put a temporary damper on this. We were required to stay with our tour operator at all times. We enjoyed a sea kayaking experience around a mangrove filled island followed by a snorkel and private island beach visit. The snorkeling was amazing with plenty of coral and colorful fish to enjoy.

Road Town, Tortola

I choose to take another snorkeling adventure today, the Caribbean is generally a perfect location for this kind of activity. In addition to the coral and colorful fish we also saw a sea turtle and a giant sea bass. Our excursion ended with a relaxing visit to another private beach.

Carambola Beach, St. Kitts & Nevis

After a morning visit to the UNESCO site of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, an early military fort that toggled between ownership of the French and English, we spent our afternoon on the beach. Today we enjoyed one of Seabourn’s signature events - Beach BBQ and Caviar on the Surf. We smiled as the captain arrived at the beach aboard an inflatable raft waiving a Seabourn Flag. The crew had already prepped a surf board with crackers and caviar. We marveled at their skillful attention to passing out caviar and drinks without being swamped by the surf.

Port Elizabeth, Bequia the Grenadines

We toured this tiny island in the back of small pick-up trucked - lined with benches and a protective canopy. This was a great way to see the sights. Because of Covid restrictions and the inability to interact with others on the Island, after the tour, Seabourn arranged a visit to a private beach where we could relax for the afternoon.

Bridgetown, Barbados

We had a late afternoon flight from Barbados back the US, so opted for the shore excursion and transfer to the airport this morning. We took a scenic drive around the island hugging the coast and enjoying the colorful store fronts and scenery. The tour concluded with a relaxing lunch on a hilltop over looking Bridgetown and the coast.

Happy travels!

All the best,
Lara Maxfield
Morris Murdock Travel - Salt Lake City

(801) 483-6436
Email me

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