Traveling with the Jones

Travel Insider Interview:  Cathy Larson, Seabourn and Holland America Line

Although we live in the same metro area, we tend to run into Cathy Larson when traveling elsewhere like on a Europe cruise or enroute to Alaska. Cathy is a career travel industry insider who loves exploring new destinations so she can share first-hand knowledge when encouraging others to experience the world via Seabourn and Holland America Line cruises.

We asked Cathy to share her insights on travel and exploring the world with Seabourn.  She also shared some of her personal photos of her favorite destinations.

The Jones: What inspired you to join the travel industry?

Cathy: I have always loved to travel.  After graduating from college with a degree in Marketing, I went to work for, what at the time was, a start-up airline named People Express.  Everyone did a variety of jobs, but I mainly worked as a flight attendant for 5 years and was able to travel a lot domestically and to Europe. 

After a short stint as a sales representative for a travel insurance company, I joined Holland America Line.  I just celebrated my 20 year anniversary in January of this year. In April of 2011, the Seabourn and Holland America Line sales forces were combined and I now have the privilege of representing this incredible luxury cruise line as well.

Why do you think that travel is important?

Cathy: I believe travel is important to broaden your horizons, to help understand that we are all citizens of one world with very diverse backgrounds, opportunities and histories.

I also just love to see new places and to experience the beauty, food and people of different regions.

Do you have a favorite destination?   

Cathy: I have been very fortunate in that I have been able to travel pretty extensively.  While I don’t have one favorite destination, some of my favorites have been:

St. Petersburg, Russia, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, Alaska, the Greek Isles, Norway, Sweden, Dubrovnik, Croatia, England, Tahiti and Australia

Still high on my list to see are – New Zealand and Africa

What personal benefits have you gained from traveling?

Cathy:  An appreciation of how fortunate we are in this country and the many things that we take for granted as well as a better understanding of and appreciation of history.  US history is very short in comparison to many places.

Seabourn has six ships in Europe this summer sailing 75 different itineraries.  Which one do you most want to sail?

Cathy: Lisbon – Barcelona as I have not been to Portugal or Spain.

From your travels, do you have a practice or insight that makes your travel experiences more enjoyable?

Cathy: Always be flexible and travel with an open mind.  I see many travelers not enjoying their vacation because they expect it to be like it is at home.  Or, they become very upset when things don’t go exactly as planned.  Things rarely go exactly as scheduled from start to finish so you must be able to roll with the changes and not let it ruin your trip.

Learn more about the Falkland Islands and its penguins with these resources:

Falkland Islands: Penguin Paradise Falkland Islands (Bradt Travel Guide)

NOTE: this post was updated on 8/20/2020.

Share your comments or questions via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.

The View From My Window — The Andes

Flying into Santiago, Chile we enjoyed a spectacular view of the Andes, the longest continental mountain range in the world. The Andes extend 4,300 miles through seven South American countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela in addition to Chile.

Some other Photo Friday posts that you might enjoy:

• Photo Friday: Stromness, Orkney Islands, Scotland
• Photo Friday: Mission Hill Family Estate
• Photo Friday: Swamp Shade
• Photo Friday: Space Needle Sunset
• Photo Friday: The Barbary Apes of Gibraltar

Follow us on Twitter or interact with us on Facebook.

Travel Insider Interview:  James Minton, Visit Anchorage

James Minton grew up in Washington State but got the travel bug early when flying cross-country to see family on the East Coast.  

A year spent attending McGill University in Montreal gave James an appreciation for the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec – and his cholesterol has never been the same. 

It was during a stint working in the gold rush town of Skagway – as a hotelier living off a diet of fresh shrimp – that James fell in love with Alaska. He worked his way through the tourism industry employed by a major cruise line in sales and marketing, a hotel chain and then running his own marketing consulting business.

James previously was a Director for the Alaska Tourism Industry Association before being recently named Vice President of Communications for Visit Anchorage.  To learn more about Anchorage and the surrounding area, “LIKE” Visit Anchorage on Facebook.

We asked James – consummate host to visitors to Anchorage, and a great friend and fellow global explorer — to share some of his insights on traveling and Alaska.

The Jones: What inspired your love of the travel industry?

James: There is no industry like hospitality in which one can meet as many diverse people from around the world. I’ve watched the northern lights with retired couples from the Midwest, served as a taxi driver for families from India, rafted with journalists and driven on a NASCAR racetrack in my short career. It’s been a heck of a ride so far.

What drew you to Alaska?

James: I wish this was a more romantic answer – but for me Alaska at first was a land of opportunity; I was working to make cash in college. What kept me here was the easy living and friends I met along the way.

Why do you think that travel is important?

James: There are only 26,280 sunrises in the average life. That’s a bit short, right?

Although I live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet – I need to check out some of those sunrises from a different beach. Time is short and there’s a lot of the world to cover.

Do you have a favorite destination?

James: First, in Alaska – I’d recommend the small towns of Skagway, Girdwood and Kodiak. In the entire world – I was overwhelmed by the beauty and food scene in Shanghai, China.

What personal benefits have you gained from traveling?

James: Traveling has been very useful for my work marketing Anchorage’s glaciers, wilderness and wildlife. One has to breathe a bit of smog to appreciate Alaska’s fresh air. I came to Alaska for the work, but I’ve stayed here because my frequent travels remind me how good we’ve got it.

What do you love most about Alaska?

James: Sharing it with others – that was an easy question! The more you show someone where you live, no matter where that is, the more you appreciate it yourself.

Why should travelers to Alaska spend time in Anchorage?

James: You won’t find a city this large with 1,500 moose, direct views of Mt. McKinley, 300 miles of trails or an active downtown salmon fishery. Nor will you find a city this small with rich Smithsonian exhibits, a vibrant local art scene or dining this varied. I appreciate that the Alaska traveler has a lot of ground to cover – Anchorage is lucky to be the year-round hub for it all.

What do first-time visitors to Alaska need to know before they go?

James: If nobody has told you this yet – it will always be true: Take your time! Whether on your first trip or your fifth, the state does not shrink with age. We have EVERYTHING you dream of seeing when you think of Alaska. Don’t shortchange yourself by rushing from cruise to city to park to airport – the more days you budget, the more of your bucket list you can check off.

From your travels, do you have a practice or insight that makes your travel experiences more enjoyable?

James:You’re doing the right thing by starting with seminars like this. My best advice – splurge when it makes sense, especially if added comfort will give you the fortitude to travel longer, stay out later or get more in depth.

Want to learn more from James about Alaska and its largest city of Anchorage?  Join us for a free webinar Insiders’  Alaska: A Travel Chat with James Minton of Visit Anchorage on Wednesday, April 4 at 7 pm Central Daylight Time.  Click here to register.

Can’t make the live event? Register anyway and you will receive a recording of the live seminar to watch at your convenience.