Amy at Pure Magic Vacations

06/02/2026

It’s early June, and my desk is quieter than usual.

But for a lot of families, June isn’t quiet at all.

It’s end-of-school concerts, permission forms, team schedules, summer sports, graduation parties, yard work, changing routines, and trying to figure out summer.

So here’s my simple travel thought for today:

A cruise can be one of the easiest vacations to start dreaming about.

You don’t have to begin with every detail.

Just start with a place you’d love to see.

Alaska?
An island in the Caribbean?
A charming city in Europe?
The east coast of Canada?

There’s a cruise for that.

And once you choose the right ship, with my guidance about the itinerary, stateroom, and timing, the rest of your vacation will start to fall into place.

Unpack once.
Wake up somewhere new.
Let the ship handle the meals, entertainment and transportation between ports.

That’s a big reason I love helping families think through cruising.

It can feel exciting without feeling like another project on your already full June list.

So tell me: what travel destination can you not stop thinking about right now?

If cruising has been sitting in the back of your mind, this is a lovely time to start the conversation.

📍La Rochelle, France 🇫🇷

05/31/2026

A great big beautiful tomorrow is coming for Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

Disney has shared that this classic Magic Kingdom attraction will close on July 6, 2026, before reopening in 2027 with newly imagined scenes from the 1960s, 1980s, 2000s and beyond.

I know this attraction has a special place in the hearts of many Walt Disney World guests. It’s nostalgic, it’s classic Disney storytelling and it’s one of those shows families often remember from trip to trip.

If Carousel of Progress is part of your Magic Kingdom tradition, 2026 may be the year to make time for one more visit before this version takes its final spin.

And if you’re thinking about a Walt Disney World vacation before the refurbishment begins, I’d be happy to help you plan it.

Do you have a Carousel of Progress memory from a past Walt Disney World trip? I’d love to hear it.

05/28/2026

Arrival day at Walt Disney World is exciting, but it can also be a lot.

Between the airport, luggage, getting to your resort and waiting for your room, the first day can feel rushed pretty quickly.

In my latest blog post, I’m sharing a few simple ways to make arrival day smoother, including what to pack, how to think about dinner and why you may not want to do too much right away.

A smoother start can make such a difference.

Read the full post here:

Walt Disney World arrival day tips for families, including resort check-in, dining, luggage, transportation and a smoother first day.

05/27/2026

Thank you to Disney Canada for a fun update on the Disney Destinations, followed by a screening of The Mandalorian and Grogu. What a fun evening! This is the way.

Have you been to see the movie yet? What did you think?

05/21/2026

It may be spring, but I'm thinking about autumn in New York, and a Canada/New England cruise from the cruise ports located right in the heart of New York City.

There’s a lot to like about boarding a ship with the city skyline right there after spending a couple of days in the city that never sleeps.

A fall cruise from New York can be a great option if you’ve already done the Caribbean and want something different. The ports can include a mix of New England and Canadian stops, with autumn colours, coastal towns and time at sea.

Some sailings have preferable port stops, better timing in port and a route that feels more like the Canada/New England cruise people are picturing.

That’s where I can help.

If a fall cruise from New York has been on your list, I’d be happy to help you compare the options and find the right fit.

Would you cruise from New York in the fall?

05/19/2026

March Break might still feel far away, but the best family cruise vacations are often booked well in advance.

I’ve arranged a small hosted group sailing for March Break 2027 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, with special group pricing secured for my clients.

This is such a fun option for families who want more than just a quick getaway. Think waterslides, entertainment, great food, time together at sea, and a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

One of the things I love most about hosting a group sailing is seeing families travel together, whether that’s siblings, grandparents joining the trip, or friends making memories together.

Because this is a hosted group, my clients also receive:

• Special group pricing on select staterooms
• My support before and during the cruise
• The fun of sailing alongside other families travelling with my agency

I’ve put together all the details, including example pricing, here:
https://amyatpuremagicvacations.ca/utopia-of-the-seas-march-break-2027/

If this sounds like the kind of March Break your family would enjoy, feel free to send me a message anytime.

Join Amy Urquhart at Pure Magic Vacations for a special group sailing aboard Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas for March Break 2027.

05/14/2026

Deck plans help. Time at sea helps more.

Kimberley and I had such a fun time together during last year’s inaugural sailing on Star of the Seas.

We’ve cruised together several times now, and every sailing gives us more to compare, notice and bring back to our clients.

Because ships aren’t interchangeable.

The layout, dining, entertainment, stateroom options, private island day, embarkation process and overall atmosphere all affect the vacation.

That’s why I think it helps to work with a travel advisor who cruises.

I can study deck plans, review dining options and compare itineraries from home. But sailing gives me the chance to see how the trip actually flows for families, couples and multi-generational groups.

It also gives me time with colleagues who know this industry well. We share observations, ask questions, compare notes and have a lot of fun along the way.

That combination of firsthand experience and shared knowledge makes us stronger advisors.

And yes, sometimes it also means taking a quick selfie between two of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Thinking about a cruise? Send me a message and I’ll help you figure out which ship makes the most sense for your vacation.

Would you rather try the newest ship, or do you prefer a smaller ship with a familiar feel?

05/12/2026

When two Disney Cruise Line ships are in port together, listen for the horns.

This was sailaway from Nassau aboard the Disney Destiny, with the Disney Dream docked right beside us.

If the timing lines up, the ships may do a little horn battle, and yes, that means you can hear those famous Disney ship horn tunes across the port.

It’s not a guaranteed scheduled activity, but it’s absolutely something to watch and listen for.

My tip: if your Disney cruise itinerary has another Disney ship in port the same day, try to be on deck for sailaway. Don’t rush back to your stateroom too quickly.

You may get one of those fun, only-on-a-Disney-cruise moments.

And yes, this is what I call official sailaway hair. Sea breeze, ship deck, no regrets.

Save this for your next Disney Cruise Line sailing, or send it to the friend who would absolutely love hearing the ship horns in person.

05/07/2026

Booking a Disney cruise is easy.

Choosing the right Disney cruise for your family is where good advice helps.

This is a vacation I know from more than one angle.

As a Master Cruise Counsellor, Disney and cruise vacations are my specialty. I’ve sailed with Disney Cruise Line regularly, and I’ve worked through the uncertainty of the past six years and stayed committed to this work.

I also have a long personal history with Disney Cruise Line. Before I was a travel advisor, I was a Disney Cruise Line crew member.

So when I help a family plan a Disney cruise, I’m not just looking at the ship, the itinerary or the price.

I’m looking at:

The stateroom location.
The ages of your kids.
The dining experience.
The ports.
The pre- and post-cruise plans.
The little decisions that can make the trip better.

Disney Cruise Line can be a fabulous experience for families, especially when it’s the right fit and planned thoughtfully.

And yes, I care about your vacation the way I would care about my own.

If a Disney cruise is on your radar for 2026, 2027 or beyond, save this post as a reminder to start with good guidance.

And if you know a family who keeps saying, “One day we should do a Disney cruise,” send this to them. They may be closer than they think. ✨

05/05/2026

Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party go on sale today for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests.

This photo is from a party night with my friends at Pure Magic Vacations, and yes, we fully understood the assignment.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separate-ticket event at Magic Kingdom, with trick-or-treating, special entertainment, themed character appearances, fireworks and Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade.

It’s playful, festive and very Disney.

However, it’s also something I’d plan with some strategy.

Party dates can sell quickly, especially closer to Halloween and around school breaks. The event can also affect how I’d plan your park days, dining reservations and rest time.

You don’t want to pay for a special event and arrive already worn out.

If Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is on your family’s wish list this year, send me a message. I’m happy to help you look at dates and see where it fits best in your Walt Disney World vacation.

Have you ever dressed up for a Disney event, or would you keep it simple with Halloween ears?