FAQs
How do I know which cruise line is best for me?
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I believe every traveler has a "sea soulmate," and my job is to play matchmaker. During our initial consultation, I don’t just look at your budget; I look at your lifestyle. Do you prefer a tuxedo or a linen shirt? A Broadway show or a quiet string quartet? Then I use my industry expertise to bypass the marketing fluff and put you on the deck that actually feels like home.
Do you charge a planning fee?
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In short: No. We believe that professional expertise shouldn't come with a surcharge.
The travel industry is built on a commission structure. Cruise lines, hotels, and tour operators include a commission in their "public" pricing. If you book directly with them, the vendor simply keeps that extra margin. However, when you book through us, that same margin is paid to us as your representative. You pay the exact same price—often even less if we have access to special rates—but you gain a personal advocate and an expert planner at no additional cost.
Furthermore, we pride ourselves on being completely objective. Most major vendors offer a standard commission rate across the board, which means we are never incentivized to suggest one ship over another based on our own bottom line. Our only "boss" is your itinerary. We work for you, and we are paid by the industry to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Do you handle the "messy bits" like flights, insurance, and financing?
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My goal is to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible, which often means connecting you with the right specialists for the technical details.
Flights: If your cruise fare or land package includes airfare as part of the bundle, I’ll manage that right alongside your booking. For independent flights, I am happy to offer suggestions on timing and airports, but I leave the actual booking and ticketing to you. Because airlines have specific restrictions and requirements, I find my clients are best served by maintaining direct control over their own air travel arrangements.
Travel Insurance: I can certainly provide you with brochures and plan options from my trusted insurance partners and facilitate the payment for the policy you choose. However, because I’m not an insurance agent, I’m not licensed to interpret the fine print or give advice on coverage. I’ll provide the information; you’ll provide the final decision.
Financing: If you're looking to spread out the cost of your voyage, I can provide links to third-party financing options. I don't offer financial advice or guarantees, but I can point you toward the tools that help make your dream vacation a reality.
In short: I handle the orchestration of your vacation experience, while leaving the specialized logistics to the experts in those specific fields.
How do I get started?
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Schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation here. When you schedule, you will be prompted to fill out a client intake form. This will give me some information about what you are looking for before we talk so we can just dive right in to planning. You can also reach me anytime via my contact page or email. I do my best to respond quickly—usually within one business day.