Our story
More than a hundred ships. Every voyage, hosted.
A growing family-owned business that has run over 100 full-ship charters, serving thousands of travelers, since 1992.
Karl & Julie Johnson, owners
Karl and Julie Johnson met at Cornell University. After raising five children in Ithaca, New York, they now live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Karl founded Chesterton House, a center for Christian studies at Cornell, and serves as Executive Director of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers. Julie is the Managing Director of First Century Voyages.
Both love to travel and to read, because you can see the world from a boat or a book.
Two things have always set these trips apart: the way we travel, and the mentors we choose to lead us.
We help non-profit groups advance their work through trips with their supporters and partners. A church, a ministry or a school hosts; we charter the ship and plan everything around it.
Our ships are small by design. They do not hold large numbers, and our trips usually sell out, so the widest choice of cabins goes to those who call first.
Host a voyage
How a charter works
Most of our voyages begin with a host: an organization that wants to travel with the people who support its work. These are some who have hosted with us.
1
Tell us about your group
Who you are, who you would like to travel with, and where. A church, a ministry, a school, a circle of supporters.
2
We charter the ship
We reserve the whole ship and build the voyage around your hosts: the route, the hotels, the guides and the hours for teaching.
3
We open the voyage
Your voyage gets its own page and reservation forms. We take the bookings, answer every question and send the practical notes.
4
You travel with your people
An FCV tour manager runs each day with the ship's crew and our guides, so your hosts can be hosts.
- St. Andrew United Methodist Church
- Young Life
- INSPIRE
- Museum of the Bible
- The Gathering
- Langham Partnership
- Chesterton House
- Society for Classical Learning
- El Dorado Holdings
In their words
4.9 out of 5 from 72 Google reviews
“My husband and I recently completed the “Travels of Paul” cruise, including the prelude in Turkey and extension in Greece. It was the trip of a lifetime for us! … Our tour guides were knowledgeable and did a great job of sharing the historical and Biblical significance of where we visited.”
Beth Littlejohn · Google review
“We have been on three amazing trips with First Century Voyages: Turkey, Egypt and Malta. … First Century Voyages has long standing connections in so many locations. We were able to see things in smaller groups with special permissions.”
Glenn & Lucy Siddle, Alabama
“Julie is the master at quietly taking care of every detail, and adding the fun. And Karl is the calm, steady one giving directions and running interference when needed with guides and bus drivers.”
Robert & Donna McArthur, Oklahoma
“We spent our thirtieth anniversary on a First Century Voyages trip to the Aegean. It was SO fun and educational that we’ve done eight more and have signed up for another this summer!”
Clyde G. Lear, Missouri
“Three cruises on the Sea Cloud II with First Century Voyages have all been fantastic! … The intimacy of a ship of this size is wonderful.”
Bill Refvem · Google review
“Although we are not a typical “cruise couple,” we had a magnificent time with First Century Voyages in the Greek Isles aboard SEA CLOUD. … It was truly a trip of a lifetime.”
Nancy & John Brandon, California
“High quality guides are personally vetted. Ships and hotels are expertly chosen. … Guest speakers are immensely knowledgeable and still relatable.”
Susan Lee · Google review