Karl Kuenzel
Houston, Texas Travel Agent
Enticing Excursions LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
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Food-Lover Cruising
Chef's Table Dinner
One of the reasons that I enjoy cruising is that it provides me access to Michelin quality chef-prepared food that I ordinarily would have to travel to a large city to access.
I can prepare and eat a good meal at home. I can visit a local restaurant and have a tasty meal. But the quality varies with each place I eat. It is not just the ambiance. It is also the culinary training, knowledge, and skill of the person preparing the meal. My wife and I are not trained chefs. The person cooking the food at the local restaurant may have been given some cooking tips and read some books, but is not a chef. However, when I get on board a cruise ship and go to a specialty restaurant, I know I am getting food prepared by a specially trained chef, if not a Michelin star chef.
My favorite dinner on a cruise ship is known as "The Chef's Table." The quality of this varies greatly with the levels of cruise line.
A mass market cruise line may have a sort of "chef's table", but the food is only a step above what you would receive in the buffet line. You have to cruise on a premium cruise line or a luxury cruise line to have the kind of "chef's table" that I am talking about. The difference between the "chef's table" on a mass market cruise ship and a premium and luxury cruise ship is the same as between food from a fast-food restaurant and a fancy steak house.
The "Chef's Table" should include an instructive tour in the galley, sampling a variety of wines, special appetizers, and then a multi-course dinner with an introduction and explanation by the chef.
If you love great food as much as I do, contact me and I will help you book a cruise with this exceptional food.
My Areas of Expertise
CERTIFICATES & AWARDS
TTAUS
CCC CLIA
CTA The Travel Institute
VTA ASTA
Our Cruise Was an Enjoyable, Memorable Experience!
Reviewed By EdwinK - Sun City, Texas | Traveled to Chilean Fjords ~ Chile ~ South America
Karl listened when I explained what kind of vacation we wanted to have. He thoroughly researched and presented us with a couple of options. We selected the one we wanted and Karl did the rest -- planning, organizing, and arranging everything for our cruise as well as our pre- and post- cruise stays. He is great! He did everything for us. Karl has traveled in South America and previously took the same cruise we did. Our vacation was well worth the the cost! Much better than I could have done on my own. I am already talking with him about our next trip.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Dedicated Professional
Reviewed By Heather G - Cuenca, Ecuador | Traveled to Ecuador ~ South America
Karl is super smart, super organised and super experienced. He is also dedicated to making sure his clients get the best treatment possible while traveling.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Are We Glad We Booked Our CruiseTour with Karl
Reviewed By PK - Taylor, TX | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
I was talking with a coworker last week. We both went on a cruisetour in Alaska this summer. I booked through Karl. My coworker booked with one of those online travel sites. My coworker traveled on one of those big ships with waterslides. They spent a few hours in a couple of ports in the Inside Passage, arrived in Seward, got on a bus, spent a night in Anchorage, got back on the bus the next day and rode up to Fairbanks. They spent two nights in Fairbanks and then flew back home. Karl told me that my family could take one of those less expensive cruisetours so that we could say that we had visited Alaska. Or, we could let him arrange a tour for us. We got to meet with native Alaskans, learn about the Athabascan people including their traditions, dances, and totem poles; learn about the Gold Rush and rode the Great Pass train; saw glaciers, whales, eagles, moose, and bears; stayed two nights at Mt. McKinley and two nights at Denali; saw a Gold Dredge, and learned culture in Fairbanks.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Alluring vacation
Reviewed By Lee - Houston TX | Traveled to Caribbean
Karl was up-to-date on everything, including Covid regulations and accessible options for our cruise on Allure of the Seas. He secured an early boarding time for us and assisted us in booking shore excursions. The trip was very relaxing and I didn't have to worry about a thing as he coordinated all the details with me. He was aware of our needs for assistance and booked an accessible balcony for us. That room had better facilities than any I've seen. Thanks for your help, Karl, in planning this vacation.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Enchanting cruise on Enchanted Princess
Reviewed By Lee - Houston Tx | Traveled to Caribbean
Karl carefully researched and provided the most appropriate options for my cruising experience. I'm older, don't like a lot of noisy "music", like to eat, etc. So he interviewed me and used that information to plan my trip , calculating costs and interests and matching that with the cruises available as well as my budget. It was a late season cruise - no hurricanes - and we had smooth sailing all the way. Enchanted Princess was lovely and we were welcomed in all the ports that she visited. Karl advised me about Covid restrictions for each location - much easier when coming on a cruise ship than when you fly into one of these islands! He checked with me regularly to make sure everything was on schedule, my flights and hotels were appropriately booked, and that I was content with the choices I had made. He followed up with me after the cruise to make sure all had gone as planned and offered his services for my next cruise. I will be delighted to use him again!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
What a cruise!
Reviewed By Happy Traveler - Houston, Tx | Traveled to Buenos Aires ~ Argentina ~ South America
I have been working with Karl for several years now. He has researched options and provided the best value for the price on cruises I have taken. He is a dedicated travel agent, willing to consider multiple options to give his clients the best experience. Since he has experience traveling, he has many suggestions that helped me make my decisions. He has never let me down.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
An Anniversary Cruise to Remember
Reviewed By Ed - Sun City, TX | Traveled to Trans-Atlantic ~ Other
Anniversaries have always been important to me. Karl had already booked a fantastic cruise from LA to Sydney for my wedding anniversary. When he told me that HAL was celebrating its 150th anniversary with a special cruise on its new MS Rotterdam, I jumped at the chance. Karl did not disappoint. It was a fantastic cruise and Karl even arranged me to spend the night before the cruise on the previous version of the Rotterdam (version 6), which is now a hotel. I look forward to using Karl again for my next cruise.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We saw Margerie Glacier, Denali, and wildlife
Reviewed By Lee - Houston TX | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Karl has been my go-to agent since he started his business at Enticing Excursions. He is knowledgeable, friendly, and up-to-date with his advice. He interviewed me to see what experience would be best and booked an Inside Passage cruise with visits to Glacier Bay and College Fjord as well as the Skagway train and other shore excursions. The best part was the enormous amount of wildlife on our land portion - and seeing Denali multiple times. Karl was excited to assist me with the booking and helpful in all circumstances - even when we had to rebook air and hotels due to an unexpected change in plans. Before the trip, he very strongly recommended that I should get trip insurance and I'm so glad he did. He was there for me all the way.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Southern Caribbean
Reviewed By Ed - Indian Harbour Beach, Florida | Traveled to South Andros ~ Bahamas ~ Caribbean
Excellent service and follow_up
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
A Great Heritage and Cultural Experience
Reviewed By Prof. K - Houston, TX | Traveled to Mediterranean ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
Karl knows that I am more of a destination-oriented cruiser. I have provided a list of a number of places that I hope to visit. Karl contacted me and told me that he had found a cruise that included Rhodes, Crete, Istanbul, and a couple of Greek Islands. These are places I wanted to visit for years now. Karl assured me that this cruise would give me a great experience into the local heritage and culture. He was right! I look forward to continuing to work with Karl in the future.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
From Fairbanks to Kenai Peninsula - what a trip!
Reviewed By Lee - Houston | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Karl had booked a cruise on the Grand Princess for me and then found that we could connect with a cruisetour that started in Fairbanks the day after disembarking the Grand. I said "YES" - Why go to the trouble of traveling to Alaska and not see any of the interior? He set me up with a great deal on the Majestic Princess. But, before we got to the Majestic, I was to do a tour of Alaska. Disembarking the Grand Princess, transferring to Anchorage through the Whittier Tunnel and Turn Again Arm was amazing but just a foretaste of what was to come. I boarded a flight to Fairbanks, for the land tour portion of my reservation. Oh, the sights and sounds. Karl had recommended that I book the Connoisseur Tour so I could see all of the Princess Lodges and experience more of Alaska than other tours. Excellent advice. Sadly, I didn't get to experience the Majestic as I was forced to quarantine in Anchorage (Covid-related), but Karl stood by to help me change all my plans and reservations.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Enjoyable Cruise Because of Karl's Recommendation
Reviewed By Edwin K - Sun City, Texas | Traveled to Caribbean Sea ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
I have a mobility issue and did not think that I could travel. How fortunate I was to learn that Karl has knowledge of and experience with mobility issues. I recently returned from a cruise on which Karl helped me rent a mobility scooter. Because of the scooter, my cruise was most enjoyable! Thanks Karl
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
A Travel Agent Who Gives Us What WE want
Reviewed By HK - West Allis, WI | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Karl did everything wellHe interviewed us to determine what we were looking for and what basic itinerary we wanted
He arranged everything we needed for our trip, all we had to do was pack and get to the airport
Karl even arranged a complimentary dinner for us on the ship
His recommendations for shore excursions were spot on
We are looking at booking our next cruise through Karl.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Enchanted vacation
Reviewed By Lee - Houston TX | Traveled to Caribbean
Karl was on top of things - searching for the best, most economical opportunity to sail on the beautiful, new Enchanted Princess. He planned the trip to coordinate with other activities on our agenda and kept in touch with us prior to the trip as well as following up afterwards to make sure we had a good time. Importantly, he kept us up to date on all the Covid requirements. I look forward to working with Karl because he is the best, most engaged agent I have ever had.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Karl Kuenzel responded:
It was a pleasure working with you. Looking forward to helping you with your future vacation plans.
It was a pleasure working with you. Looking forward to helping you with your future vacation plans.
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Visiting Where My Dad Fought in WWII
Reviewed By Walt W. - Sun City, TX | Traveled to Philippines ~ East and Southeast Asia
I have always wanted to visit the area where my Dad fought in WWII. I have been to Europe and seen where many of the battles took place on that continent. But, I had not yet seen the area where much of the fighting in the Pacific Theater took place. I asked Karl if he could arrange a tour for me to see this area. Karl listened to my thoughts and desires and set me up on a beautiful cruise of Southeast Asia. So I visited Manila, Luzon, and even got over toward Japan. As sort of a bonus, the cruise included visits to Viet Nam so I got to see where my uncles and cousins fought. It was interesting to see not only the terrain, but also experience the heat and humidity that they had to endure. The cruise was fantastic as well. I would highly recommend Karl to anyone who wants to take a cruise.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Celebrity Edge visit to Mediterranean
Reviewed By Lee - Houston | Traveled to Mediterranean ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
Karl has always been on the lookout for best fares and options combinations. On the Celebrity Edge, he found a cruise that visited places I have never seen and arranged not only the cruise, but also a rollator walker that would provide better access to shore excursions. He suggested shore excursions that would not be overly active and would fit my needs as well as providing an introduction to the destination. Karl understands that for me the destination is more important than the ship and works to provide me with exciting opportunities on the cruise lines I prefer. He is great, polite, up-to-date, and well-versed with places to go and things to do and provides timely information so I get the best prices as well as following up after the cruise. Thanks, Karl
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Holland America 150th Sailing to New York City
Reviewed By Lee - Houston | Traveled to Fort Lauderdale ~ Florida ~ USA
As soon as Holland America announced their 150th Anniversary cruise from Rotterdam to New York City (and on to Fort Lauderdale), Karl contacted me to see if I wanted to book. There were special events and activities along the way he was sure I would enjoy as well as port calls in Le Harve (France) and New York City. I had never been to Paris, so this was an opportunity to see it. He booked a tour for me that included a cruise on the Seine to view the landmarks of Paris - a good thing because it rained all day, so I got to eat lunch on the cruise and not get soaked. He also recommended a tour in New York City that was very worthwhile. Karl was very up to date on all the details and kept in touch with me before, during and after the cruise. Thank you, Karl
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I went "North to Alaska" - a new adventure for me
Reviewed By Lee - Houston | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Karl has been most patient with me as I worked to coordinate my future cruise credits with my future cruise yearnings. I wanted to see Alaska, yes, but was it possible this year? He booked the best price possible for me and made it a most enjoyable journey. Throughout the planning, he consulted me. He even offered me a lower price if I was willing to forgo all the perks that were included in the deal. By calculating the savings and benefits of the higher priced deal, I could clearly see the value in purchasing the same cruise but with perks and benefits. It was wonderful working with Karl. He can explain things very clearly and precisely. Our trip was great!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Sailing on the Rotterdam from Rotterdam
Reviewed By Dave - Ft. Wayne, IN | Traveled to Europe
Karl arranged a great cruise for me on the Rotterdam. He even arranged for me to have a pre-cruise stay onboard the previous Rotterdam, which is now a hotel. It was a great cruise!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends