Amy at Pure Magic Vacations

06/23/2026

I’ve been thinking about how many “groups” most of us are a part of.

For me, that includes a field naturalist club, a university alumni group, a British ancestry club, a garden club, and my own multi-generational family.

For you, it might be a book club, a church group, a sports team, a circle of friends, colleagues, a service club or a community organization.

And it made me wonder: how many of these groups have ever thought about travelling together?

A cruise can work really well for this kind of trip.

1. Everyone is together, but not joined at the hip. People can choose their own activities during the day, then meet up for dinner, shows or time ashore.

2. The planning is more manageable. Meals, entertainment, transportation between destinations and accommodations are all part of the cruise experience.

3. Group benefits may be available. Depending on the cruise line, a group can sometimes begin with as few as 8 double occupancy staterooms.

Group cruises can be a wonderful fit for milestone celebrations, family reunions, hobby groups, clubs and organizations.

So here’s my question:

Is there a group in your life that has ever said, “We should all take a trip together someday”?

Message me and tell me who you have in mind. I’d be happy to help you explore what a group cruise could look like.

06/21/2026

A little Canada Day cruise inspiration is coming up. 🇨🇦

Celebrity Cruises Team Canada is hosting a virtual event on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET, and you’re invited.

This is a great chance to learn more about Celebrity Cruises, including what makes the onboard experience feel elevated, relaxed, and beautifully suited to adults, couples, friends, and families with older teens.

They’ll also be sharing details about Canada Day offers.

The registration link is here:

https://buff.ly/WMOdo4W

I enjoy recommending Celebrity Cruises to my clients. Beautiful ships, excellent dining, wonderful service, and itineraries that make it easy to turn “maybe one day” into a plan.

Curious about Celebrity Cruises? Join the virtual event, then send me a message if you’d like help choosing the right sailing.

Space and offers are subject to availability.

06/18/2026

Thursday Port Call: Dubrovnik, Croatia 🇭🇷

Dubrovnik is a port I would happily visit again.

It has that old-world European feeling that's a welcome break from the ship. You can walk through the Old City, see the famous stone walls, stop for lunch, take photos and really enjoy a full day ashore.

Some people want a guided tour so they know exactly what they’re seeing. Some want time to explore on their own. Others want a lighter day with a good lunch, a few photos, and no pressure to see everything.

That’s one of the reasons I like cruising in this part of Europe. You can visit memorable places without packing and unpacking every couple of days.

Would Dubrovnik be on your European cruise list? If you've already visited, how did you spend your day there?

(Ready to start planning your next cruise vacation? Reach out to Amy Urquhart, Master Cruise Counsellor at Pure Magic Vacations, [email protected].)

06/16/2026

Some professional news from me today.

I’ve been accepted into Travel Leaders Network’s Distinctive Voyages Host program.

As a Distinctive Voyages Cruise Host, my role will be to provide concierge-style support and added value to Travel Leaders Network guests sailing on select hosted departures. I’ll be onboard to help guests make the most of their vacation and serve as a resource throughout the journey. You're welcome to join me, so please keep an eye out when I share these sailings.

This is a meaningful step in the cruise side of my business. It builds on my early shipboard experience, my ongoing cruise education and the hosted cruise opportunities I’m putting together over the next couple of years.

Cruising has become a much larger part of the work I do with clients, from first family sailings to multigenerational vacations, river cruises and premium ocean itineraries.

I’m excited to keep learning, exploring new ships and destinations, and bringing that knowledge back to the clients who trust me to assist with their travel plans.

If a cruise vacation is on your radar for 2026 or 2027, I’d love to hear from you.

📍 The Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

06/14/2026

Rainy Sunday here in Northumberland County, Ontario.

That feels like the perfect excuse to curl up with a cup of coffee and watch a favourite travel show.

I always love a show that makes me want to learn more about a place, the food, the history and the people who live there.

So let’s make this a Sunday travel poll:

Which travel show host would you choose today?

A. Stanley Tucci
B. Rick Stein
C. Rick Steves
D. Phil Rosenthal
E. Other — tell me who I missed

I’ll put my answer in the comments.

📍 Palacio Municipal de María Pita, La Coruña, Spain

06/11/2026

Universal Orlando Resort vacation packages are now available to book for arrivals through April 30, 2027.

This is great news if your family has been saying, “Maybe next year,” or if you're trying to plan around school breaks, work schedules, milestone birthdays or a special family trip.

Universal has become a destination with a lot of choices, and figuring out what will work best for your family can take some planning.

🌎️ Which hotel should you choose?
🌎️ How many park days make sense?
🌎️ Is Universal Express Pass important for your dates?
🌎️ Should you include Universal Epic Universe?
🌎️ Would your family prefer thrills, shows, pools, dining or a little bit of everything?

These are the kinds of questions I help my clients think about before they book.

Early planning doesn't mean every detail has to be decided today. It simply gives you more time to compare the options properly and choose a vacation that fits your family.

If Universal Orlando Resort is on your radar for 2026 or early 2027, this is a great time to start the conversation.

https://puremagicvacations.ca/Request-a-Quote/Amy-Urquhart

06/09/2026

Sometimes the best family vacation… is the one without the kids.

Virgin Voyages has a new adults-only cruise offer, and it’s a fun one for couples, friends, anniversaries, milestone birthdays or parents who are overdue for a grown-up escape.

Think stylish ships, a relaxed adults-only atmosphere and culinary cruises where the food is part of the vacation.

For eligible Virgin Voyages sailings, the offer may include:

🔻 70% off the second sailor
🔻 a free balcony upgrade on select bookings
🔻 up to $300 USD in Sailor Loot on select voyages
🔻 travel dates available into 2027

Sailor Loot is Virgin’s onboard credit, which can be used toward extras during your cruise.

If a grown-up cruise has been on your mind, send me a message. I can help you compare sailings, cabin options and which offer details apply to your trip.

Eligible sailings, cabins, pricing, and availability are subject to change.

More information: https://buff.ly/dfxw1RS

06/07/2026

It’s fun to be a tourist in your own backyard!

This weekend, our colleague and friend Paula Pure Magic Vacations came to Canada for the first time.

Several of us enjoyed spending time with her and her lovely family in Niagara Falls, making summertime memories.

Come back again soon, Paula! 💕✨

06/06/2026

For the third year, Pure Magic Vacations is proud to support Make-A-Wish Canada through the Trees of Joy campaign.

Together, our agency has already helped fund two wishes. This year, the goal is to raise $10,000 to help make a third wish come true.

Each Trees of Joy wish is created especially for one child, with a Christmas tree designed around their interests, dreams, and personality.

This campaign is also a meaningful way to honour the legacy of Carolyn Williams, whose kindness and generosity continue to inspire us.

I've made my own donation, and I’d love to invite you to join me.

Every donation helps bring a little more joy to a child and family facing critical illness.

Donation link:

Team fundraising page for Pure Magic Vacations

06/04/2026

A lot of my clients are cruising this summer.

Some are heading to Alaska.
Some are sailing in Europe.
Some are taking the kids to the Caribbean while school is out.

And yes, Disney Cruise Line sails to all of those places.

When families think about a Disney vacation, they usually picture the parks first. And I understand why.

But if you’ve ever dreamed about taking your kids on a Disney cruise, it’s a great time to compare both options.

A Disney cruise isn’t always the “way more expensive” choice people assume it will be.

The right answer depends on your dates, your family, your destination, your stateroom, and the kind of vacation you want.

So when you reach out to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask me to compare a Disney resort stay with a Disney cruise. You may be surprised.

Tell me this: if your family could take a Disney cruise anywhere, would you choose Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean or somewhere else?