Serendipity Boutique — Local services in Ocala

We booked and fully paid for a Northern European cruise through Serendipity Boutique (with MY) in June 2023, for a trip departing July 11, 2025. The reservation included myself, my boyfriend, my brother’s family, and his in-laws. Unfortunately, it turned into the most stressful vacation planning experience I’ve ever had.

Over the 18 months leading up to the trip, we made numerous attempts—via email and phone—to get basic information: our cruise cabin assignments, pre-departure hotel, international flights, and transportation. Martha consistently dodged our questions, gave vague responses, and shifted blame to Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).

We communicated early that we intended to upgrade our flights to business class. Despite this, no itineraries or confirmations were provided as prices steadily rose. With just two months to go, we still had no flight info, no hotel details, and no cruise cabin assignments. Martha’s advice? Book our own flights and hope to be reimbursed—though she couldn’t confirm how much. She later mentioned a $750 credit per passenger, reimbursed only after the cruise. By then, even economy flights had nearly doubled in price.

She repeatedly changed her timeline for finalizing details: first 60 days out, then six weeks, then 30 days. When we checked in again at 30 days, she claimed NCL was “delaying confirmations” and that she had “pulled back” our flights to book them herself. On June 13, 2025, my brother’s in-laws received their NCL balcony room confirmations. My brother and I still had nothing. At 21 days out, my brother contacted NCL directly. To our shock, NCL had no reservations for us at all. Worse, balcony cabins—the category we had paid for—were sold out.

We made repeated attempts to reach Martha to salvage the trip, especially as one of our travelers—my brother’s mother-in-law—was battling stage 4 lung cancer. This was her dream trip. Martha knew about her condition and her intent to upgrade flights. While she had a cruise room (still no flight), my brother and I had no booking.

Out of options, my brother sent a formal demand letter via a process server on June 16, 2025, requesting receipts and proof of booking. Within hours of her signing for the letter, we received confirmation that our cruise had just been paid and booked—on June 16—less than a month before departure. The timestamp made it clear: she had not secured anything until that very moment, despite having our full payment since 2023.

Only one of the three cabins was booked in the correct category. My cabin was eventually upgraded to balcony level before departure, but my brother’s never was. Meanwhile, business class UPGRADE fees had soared past $6,000—nearly double what they had cost just months prior.

This entire experience turned what should have been a joyful, once-in-a-lifetime trip into a mess of stress, frustration, and last-minute panic. Instead of excitement, we were left scrambling and anxious in the final days before departure.

Martha repeatedly misled us and refused to take responsibility, continuing to blame NCL for what was clearly her failure to secure our arrangements. We plan to file a formal complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture (which regulates sellers of travel) and are still considering legal action due to the serious negligence involved. Though she later refunded my brother due to the cabin downgrade, the damage had been done.

Bottom line: I strongly caution anyone considering Serendipity Boutique. This was a clear case of mishandling and deception, despite having our full payment for more than two years. A trip we had looked forward to became a chaotic, last-minute scramble that took a major emotional toll on our...

Words cannot adequately share how amazing are the owners of Serendipity Boutique and Travel. Martha and Karen are simply in a word, GRACIOUS. They work over-the-top hard to give their customers the absolute best quality experience whether it is finding travel you will love or if you are shopping in their unique and beautiful boutique. You will not go wrong having Serendipity in your life and you will be Blessed to get to know Martha and Karen. These women are a Gift! Thank you for so many years of blessing...

A wonderful place to shop. Beautiful selection of clothing, jewelry and purses. They also have a wide selection of gifts and children's toys. But the bonus is the people that work there. All they want is for you to have the best experience in their store. I encourage everyone to just stop by and look. I guarantee you you will go back...