Welcome Aboard, Fellow Travelers!

Hello, I’m Katarina (Kaća, Katie, Katya, Kale, Kat—whatever feels right) and welcome to Adventour Begins!

This website is here to share everything I’ve learned about cruising—whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply curious about life onboard as part of the crew.

I started Adventour Begins in 2020 during the pandemic, after stepping away from my role as Shore Excursions Staff with Royal Caribbean.

With years of experience in the cruise industry and countless ports visited, I wanted to share my knowledge with fellow cruise enthusiasts.

Here, you’ll find in-depth guides to cruise ports—mostly Northern Europe, Mediterranean and the Caribbean—including practical port info, the best things to do, and excursion recommendations.

As a former crew member, I also share behind-the-scenes insights about ship life, tips for applying to cruise jobs, and what to expect as part of the crew.

Over time, Adventour Begins has grown into more than just a website.

I’ve launched a YouTube channel @AdventourBegins, where I explore cruise destinations, and written ebooks packed with everything you need to know about cruising.

What started as a career has now become both my passion and my hobby—I often cruise as a guest, discovering new ports and adventures to share with you!

Now that you know what Adventour Begins is all about, here’s a bit about my journey and how I fell in love with cruising… 🙂

A Life Shaped by the Sea

I come from the charming and picturesque Serbia (Southeastern Europe), where I pursued my passion for languages and earned a Master’s degree in French literature.

But as life often surprises us, my path took an unexpected and exciting turn—leading me from the world of books to a life shaped by the sea.

It all started during my university days when I applied to work as a tour escort for a French river cruise company. I still remember the nerves of that interview, speaking French and laughing a little too loudly—but it worked!

That job opened a world of unforgettable experiences, from sailing the Danube’s iconic stops like Vienna, Budapest, and Iron Gates to visiting the northernmost post office in Svalbard, Norway.

After a few years with Rivages du Monde, I took a leap of faith (or as we say in Serbian, “mladost-ludost”) and joined Viking River Cruises as a concierge.

This role challenged me like never before but also allowed me to explore stunning French destinations like Bordeaux’s vineyards and Normandy’s historic beaches.

Eventually, I returned to Serbia, earned my tour guide license, and tried my hand at freelance guiding. Yet, the sea kept calling.

In 2018, I joined Royal Caribbean International as Shore Excursion Staff, diving into the fast-paced, ever-changing cruise industry—a journey that’s been nothing short of life-changing.

This blog is my way of sharing my love for cruising, from the best destinations and travel tips to behind-the-scenes glimpses of ship life.

Many of the photos you’ll see here are from my personal gallery, unfiltered and full of stories I never planned to tell.