DEPARTS: April 20–May 3, 2026 – Join Kay Godfrey on a remarkable journey that combines rich history, spiritual connection, and vibrant culture. Your adventure begins with an overnight flight to Rome, where you’ll delve into the Eternal City’s iconic sites, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican treasures like the Sistine Chapel. Experience meaningful moments at the Rome Temple Visitor’s Center and explore the city’s charming old town, filled with timeless landmarks such as the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. After immersing yourself in Rome’s wonders, we will board Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas Ship in Civitavecchia, setting sail for the Mediterranean’s most captivating destinations.
Set Sail to Paradise!
The voyage takes you to awe-inspiring locales like Naples, where history meets nature at Pompeiit, and Santorini, known for its dramatic cliffs and sparkling waters. Marvel at Athens’ ancient ruins, including the Acropolis, and walk in the footsteps of Paul in Ephesus. Istanbul offers a fascinating blend of Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, from the Hagia Sophia to the bustling Grand Bazaar. With days at sea to rejuvenate and engaging devotionals led by Kay Godfrey, this journey blends relaxation, exploration, and spiritual enrichment, leaving you with memories to treasure for a lifetime.
To book this tour contact:
Dani Edmunds, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6114
Highlights
- Hosted by Kay Godfrey for the whole cruise
- All meals onboard the cruise
- Licensed, insured, and bonded travel agency with 65 years of experience!! It matters who you travel with!
- Cruise on the beautiful Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas ship
Today we depart your home cities and travel overnight to Rome
Meals : In-flight
Welcome to Rome! Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and begin your adventure and exploration of the Eternal City with a guided tour of Imperial Rome with the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Tonight, we enjoy our welcome dinner and introductions.
This morning we will explore the Vatican with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. This afternoon sightseeing includes old town Rome with Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Evening at leisure.
Today we travel outside the “old city” of Rome to see the Rome Temple Visitor’s Center and Temple. For those who wish to do proxy work in the temple, time will be allotted to do so. (Temple attendance pending individual appointment and availability.) Afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own or do some souvenir shopping.
Today we depart to the cruise port city of Civitavecchia to board your awaiting ship, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas
Enjoy your day at sea exploring the ship and all the fun areas it has to offer. Today we will also enjoy a faith-based devotional with Kay Godfrey for those who’d like to join us.
Chania is rich in remnants of the past. Start your adventure in Crete’s second-largest city at Venetian Harbor, the entry to the old port. Soak in the vibe while wandering the narrow streets lined with shops and waterfront restaurants serving local fare like zucchini fritters and sardines stuffed with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes. Then head to Souda Bay, a strategic commercial and military harbor since ancient times, where you’ll find the Aptera Fortress and the oldest Ottoman building in Crete. Cruise to Crete and stop into Archeological Museum of Chania, with artifacts from neolithic to Roman times. Or splash around in the translucent waters of Fallasarna, a beach surrounded by olive groves.
Santorini is one of the world’s most popular islands, known best for its dramatic scenery, whitewashed villages and fiery volcanic activity. Here adventure bubbles above the Aegean Sea in the most bold and breathtaking ways. A cable car takes you to the capital of Fira, a bustling cliff-top town awash with old cathedrals, enthralling museum collections and cozy tavernas. Venture to the coast for a swim in the deep blue waters that lap red and black pebbled beaches. And peel back layers of lava and history among excavated Akrotiri. Whether it’s by bicycle, ATV or on your own two feet, exploring this Cyclades isle never fails to impress.
**No Private Group Excursion Today**
The UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Ephesus impress even those familiar with the world’s other ancient cities. Though excavations have been underway for 150 years, only 20 percent of the city has been uncovered. Check out the the Celsus Library — built in 117 A.D., the site is made up of towering columns highlighted by the statue of the goddess of wisdom. Cruises to Ephesus will give you a taste of Turkish life by strolling the seafront promenade and the bustling city center. Walk Marble Street, paved with actual marble slabs, which takes you from downtown to the Temple of Artemis — you can still see one lone remaining column from this wonder of the ancient world.
*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion in Ephesus, Turkey – $149 per person:
In Ephesus, we will depart the port of Kusadasi and drive to “Mary’s House” one of the believed sites of where Mother Mary, the virgin, may have lived and died after her son’s crucifixion. From here we travel to the ancient site of Ephesus where Paul preached and converted many. It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman sites with much to see and explore. After our included lunch stop, we will visit the Basilica of John before driving back to port Kasadasi. Here you will have free time for exploring and shopping before you board our awaiting ship.
Nestled in the heart of Greece’s Cyclades archipelago, Mykonos pulses with irrepressible energy. With its powder white houses, sparkling blue waters, and red-hot nightlife, The Island of the Winds is as colorful as the people who call the island home. You can walk narrow marble pathways laced with purple bougainvillea blooms or go cycling on two wheels past off-the-path Ano Mera village. Explore Greece’s maritime history at Armenistis Lighthouse and check out the Folklore Museum’s Mykonian ship models. Join in the raucous beach party on Super Paradise’s shimmering sands, or watch the sun burn out beyond an Aegean horizon from an open-air seaside taverna.
Athens offers a looking glass back in time into Greece’s powerful ancient civilization. Art lovers, epicureans and history buffs will be delighted by the ancient ruins, museums and tavernas of this picturesque town. Just 10 minutes from the port, you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, filled with sculptures from the Bronze Age to the Romans. Walk to the Zea Harbour to discover how the Hellenic Maritime Museum will bring to life the grandeur of ancient Greece’s naval capacities. Jump onboard an Athens cruise and relax at the small harbor of Mikrolimano, enjoying a meal of grilled octopus and chilled white wine at a small restaurant overlooking the sea.
*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion in Athens, Greece. – $209 per person
In Athens, it is all about Paul and Acts 17. Our private guide will give us a wonderful tour of the city including Syntagma Square and the Olympic stadium, but it will be when we head to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon and Mars Hill your heart will start to race. We’ll hear Paul’s sermon about the unknown Gods and climb to the top of the Parthenon and walk around the monumental ruins of the UNESCO-listed site. We will enjoy our typical Greek lunch in the area and then we visit the Acropolis Museum. This afternoon we will drive back to port of Piraeus to board our ship.
Enjoy your day at sea exploring the ship and all the fun areas to enjoy. Today there will be an included seminar with Kay Godfrey and lots of free time to enjoy the ship.
Are you an adventure seeker? While there are traditional cruise ship activities onboard, such as bingo, trivia, and demonstrations, there are also lots of whiz-bang things to do as well:
- FlowRider surf simulator
- Rock climbing wall
- Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator
- NorthStar observational pod
- Sky Pad virtual reality bungee experience
- Zone Zero fully immersive virtual reality experience
- SeaPlex activity center
- Bumper cars
- Music Hall
- Splashaway Bay aqua park
With a skyline defined by towering Mount Vesuvis, Naples is a bustling Italian city brimming with beauty. Experience its rich neoclassical architecture at sites like Gesu Nuovo Church, with its lavish interior adorned with detailed frescoes, statues, and gold inlay. Go even deeper into history at the San Gennaro catacombs, where Naples’ first bishops were buried in the second century A.D. Walk along the Miglio Sacro (“Holy Mile”) and people-watch your way through the cafes and shops of the Sanita district with a zuccherato (sweetened espresso) in hand. Jump onboard a Naples cruise and take the short bus ride to the base of Mount Vesuvius — it’s an easy 20- to 30-minute hike will take you to the summit — and tour the ruins of Pompeii afterward.
*Optional Private Group Shore Excursion in Pompeii (Naples) – $299 per person
Today our private group will be met at the port by our host to start our tour of the amazing town of Pompeii and discover this city hidden for hundreds of years under the ash of Mt Vesuvius. This city tells many stories of the ancient Romans and their lifestyle and will surely be a tour highlight for all. After an included lunch stop, we will travel back to the coast and discover why the Amalfi Coast captures many with its pastel-colored towns and thriving fishing port framed by the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Today our ship returns to Civitavecchia Cruise port, and we transfer to Rome for our departure flights with a heart full of the many spiritual and historical sites we’ve experienced. Memories to last a lifetime!
- 3 Night Pre-tour in Rome including touring, free time, and an optional visit to LDS Temple
- 9-night cruise onboard the Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas
- Round Trip transfers with group flight times
- All meals and other public entertainment onboard
- Cruise Port Charges
- Multiple private faith-based lectures on board the ship
- Private group only Shore Excursion options* See details and pricing below
- Travel document package
- Government fees and land taxes of $226.26 per person
- Optional faith-based private shore excursions as listed below
- International Flights
- Trip cancellation & trip interruption insurance - Several options available - Ask for details
- Optional Cruise Prepaid Gratuities $166.50
About Kay Godfrey
Kay Godfrey is a period historian of the life of the prophet Joseph Smith.
He is a graduate of Brigham Young University. He holds degrees in Historic Archaeology and Anthropology as well as Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.
He has studied and researched the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith for over 45 years. He has done extensive “on-site” research in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri. He has spoken to the issue of the “Trials of the Prophet Joseph” at numerous symposiums in Nauvoo, Il. and Independence, Mo. He has edited books and videos for various authors on the historical accuracy of materials pertaining to Joseph Smith. Kay serves on numerous boards and foundations such as Ancient American Archaeology, Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation, the Foundation for Indigenous Research and Mormonism and the Nauvoo, Illinois, and Topsfield, Massachusetts Historical Societies.
Kay lectures regularly to missionaries on the topic of modern-day restoration, most recently speaking to the missionaries and investigators of the New Hampshire Manchester, Oklahoma Tulsa and Portland Oregon Missions. He has conducted firesides from Calgary, Canada to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He has authored a comprehensive four-part DVD presentation detailing the life of Joseph Smith. This history is entitled: “Following the Footsteps of Joseph”. Kay’s material has been requested by such institutions as Oberlin College Archives, (Oberlin, Ohio) to be filed with the Spaulding Manuscript documents, Brigham Young University, in celebration of the bi-centennial celebration of Joseph Smith’s birth, the Joseph Smith Memorial Site, (Sharon, Vermont) as a teaching tool for new missionary couples and the archives department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Kay has been conducting domestic Church History tours for Morris Murdock and Legacy Travel since 1990. He also takes groups to Israel and European (Apostle) destinations. He speaks Hebrew and can read Egyptian hieroglyphs. His wife, Debra speaks French. He has served in numerous ward and stake callings including the High Council of the Meridian South Stake, Meridian, Idaho.
Kay and his wife Debra recently served a mission to Sharon, Vermont, where they were involved in numerous historical preservation endeavors including having secured permission from Topsfield, MA, to have a monument erected in Pine Grove Cemetery as a tribute to five generations of the Topsfield Smiths.
Kay has been asked by LDS Media to present a series of 25 podcast on the history and life of Joseph Smith. This podcast cast is to enhance the continuing study of the Doctrine and Covenants and can be viewed at www.comefollowme2021.com or on YouTube, search Kay Godfrey Podcast.
Kay retired in 2012 after serving 35 years with the BSA. He retired as Director of Development/Finance, Support Services, and Public Relations for the Great Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of America. He and his wife, Debra, live in Kaysville, Utah, and are the parents of five children. Kay is dedicated to sharing his knowledge, research, and testimony with groups of all ages.
Pricing Information
Cruise Pricing:
- Balcony Cabin – $3720 per person/double – Category 2E (Cat. 2E has an obstructed view)
- Balcony Cabin – $3990 per person/double – Category 4D
- Other cabin categories may be available.
- Note: Single/triple/quad cabins are based on availability and are subject to change. Rates will be quoted based on availability.
- Note: Most cabins are “Guaranteed status” only. What that means to you is that you’re guaranteed a stateroom in the category you booked (or better), but the cruise line selects your exact room location. You won’t know your cabin number right away — it’s typically assigned closer to sailing. It’s a great way to lock in a lower fare, with the possibility of a complimentary upgrade if available.
Other cabin categories may be available.
Note: Single/triple/quad cabins are based on availability and are subject to change. Rates will be quoted based on availability.
Cruise Tour Add-On Options – See itinerary for more details:
- Optional Private Group Shore Excursion on Day 9 / April 28, 2026 – Ephesus, Turkey – $149 per person
- Optional Private Group Shore Excursion on Day 11 / April 30, 2026 – Athens, Greece. – $209 per person
- Optional Private Group Shore Excursion on Day 13 / May 2, 2026 – Pompeii (Naples) – $299 per person
Payment Terms:
- $500 deposit due at the time of booking
- Final Payment due on or before Monday, January 16, 2026
- Cash discount – $125 off per person for payments made by check.
- ** This cruise/tour is based on a minimum of 26 passengers
Most tour and cruise packages are sold as “Land Only”. This allows you the freedom to purchase tickets on your preferred airline and from your home city. We may offer group flights depending on the tour.
Yes! Once the frequent flyer reservations have been confirmed and ticketed by the airline, please provide a copy of the itinerary to us to ensure that proper transfer arrangements are made. We regret that we cannot assist with making frequent flyer reservations.
Yes! If you want to save some money, this is the ideal option. All reservations paid for by check or cash will receive a discount. The amount varies by tour and will be listed on the web-site.
Yes! If you are a Deseret Book Platinum Club member an additional discount may be available. There may be Expo discounts or other promotional discounts offered from time to time. However, only one discount per person will apply with the exception of the cash discount. Please call for details.
Because unforeseen circumstances may arise, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. This insurance will cover you in case you need to cancel a tour after final payment has been made. Certain restrictions apply.
Some tours do include gratuities for the local guides and bus drivers and others do not. Please refer to the “What is Included” section for your specific trip to find out.
Please note that many of these tours require that participants be in good physical and mental health. You must be capable, without assistance, of walking a minimum of one mile over uneven terrain and of climbing stairs that may not have handrails. Participants should have sufficient stamina to keep pace with an active group of travelers on long days of touring. Anyone with disabilities should have a travel companion who is willing and capable of assisting. Please let us know if you fall into this category.
In order for the enjoyment of all tour participants, we generally request that children be a minimum of 8 years old to participate on the tour. Parents should be advised that they may be the only youth on the tour. Some tours may be designed with family travel in mind and will be advertised as such. Please contact us if you have any questions.
All U.S. citizens are required to have a current passport valid for six months beyond the return date if the trip is international. In some cases a visa may also be required. For tours wholly within the United States a valid Drivers License is acceptable documentation.
Please remember that your first and last name on your ticket must match your passport or drivers license. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please call our office for assistance.
The final payment for an international tour is due 90 days prior to departure and for domestic tours it is due 60 days prior to departure. Full payment is required for new reservations received within the final payment period.
Per person cancellation fees are based on the date we receive notice from you.
For tours in the United States:
- Cancellations within 7 days of booking (if not within final payment date): full deposit refunded.
- Cancellations after the grace period ends to 91 days prior to departure: $125 will be refunded (50% of tour deposit)
- Cancellations from 90 to 61 days prior to departure: no refund of deposit
- Full payment due: 60 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations made 59 days or less prior to departure: no refund.
- Cancellations made on the day of departure: no refund
- Cancellation by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours: full refund.
- No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing.
For all other tours including international tours and cruises:
- Cancellations within 7 days of booking (if not within final payment date): full deposit refunded.
- Cancellations after the grace period ends to 91 days prior to departure: $250 refund (50% of tour deposit)
- Full payment due: 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations made 89 days or less prior to departure: no refund
- Cancellations made on the day of departure: no refund
- Cancellation by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours: full refund.
- No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing.
Will I receive a refund?
The refund amount, if any, will be paid according to the cancellation schedule listed above. We highly recommend travel insurance.
Since each tour is different, please refer to the individual tour recommendations on the web-site. Generally speaking, you will want to pack comfortable walking shoes, slacks and shirts that can be easily layered should there be a change in temperature. Be sure pack an extra change of clothing, camera and prescription medicines in your carry on bag.
Carry-on: Most airlines permit each passenger to take one carry-on bag, total dimensions (22″+ 14″+ 9″) of which must not exceed 45 inches and which cannot weigh more than 22 lbs., and one additional personal carry-on item, such as a purse or briefcase/laptop case; all carry-on items must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
Checked: Please check with your airline to confirm the current luggage limitations and any applicable fees. Most carriers charge a fee for any checked bags, with a discount if this is done ahead of time online.
Overweight: Please note that many airlines charge significant fees for overweight or oversized luggage. Be sure that all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Items such as medications, jewelry, or other valuables, breakable or perishable items, and important documents should be hand-carried. Responsibility will not be assumed by the airline for loss of or damage to these items.
Due to recent security issues on flights coming into the United States, the Transportation Security Administration has updated its aviation security measures. For an up-to-date list of items banned from carry-on luggage and items you can carry on, please visit: www.tsa.gov.
**Please see our complete Terms and Conditions for more information
