Carol Bien
Carol Bien
Certified Cruise & Luxury Specialist
When I was 3 years old, my Mother and younger brother and I, took a train from New York to Seattle, where we boarded a ship bound for my Father, serving in Japan. My Father was determined that we see everything within distance of our new home. All of his time off, we spent traveling throughout the country, going to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo one day, then off to see the Great Buddha in Kamakura another day. We traveled by car through villages still impoverished from World War II, and to Tokyo undergoing revitalization and modernization. We took our lunches and boarded the train to go up to Mt. Fuji. After 2 years in Japan, we moved back to the US, again by ship. Troop Carrier Ships are not nearly as nice as today’s cruise ships, but I fell in love with the sea.
My Dad received orders to Orleans, France, but my mother was pregnant with my youngest brother, and we were not allowed to follow Dad until my brother was 6 months old. This time we got to fly. What a treat that was, flying across the ocean.
Once again in France, my Father made sure that we spent every minute of his leave traveling to every country we could. By the time I was twelve, I had been to most European capitals, as well as museums, monuments, battlefields, and about any historic thing there was in Europe. Paris was a monthly trip for us, and I loved it. The old buildings, the people, the food.
I, of course, married into the military. My husband was in the Air Force, and although we never had an overseas assignment, we traveled extensively in the US. We were stationed on both the East Coast and West Coast, and in between both coasts. We raised our kids the way I was raised, taking in whatever historic place we could.
Once our children moved on to their own lives and we started to travel overseas again. First to Peru, where we climbed up to Machu Picchu and the amazing sights and sounds in Peru. Of course, we went to Mexico and climbed to the top of Chichen Itza. Sadly, that is off limits now because so many people climbed it was becoming damaged.
We started cruising, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Tahiti and the Society Islands and River cruising, through Europe and to Russia. We have traveled to England, Scotland, Wales, France, The Cook Islands and Australia. I have led more 10 groups of travelers on trips all over the world.
I have been in the Business of Travel for 5 years, but I have been in the travel business all of my life. I have been to over 21 countries on 5 continents.
My goal as a Travel Specialist is to keep the knowledge of each location fresh, and to find exciting ideas for my clients. I provide a quality service, and handle each detail from the first conversation to their welcome home “how was it call?” personally. I care what each person wants and I try to give them that and more.
My favorite destinations include Vancouver; Paris; Sydney; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tahiti and the Cook Islands. Washington, D.C and Seattle are my favorite US destinations.
I have extensive experience in planning cruises, including River Cruises. I am qualified as a Specialist or Expert in 16 different cruise lines, and also in several tour vendors as well as destinations. I love learning about new exciting places, and when I plan travel for my clients I try to bring that excitement to them also. I maintain my extensive knowledge by traveling at least once each year to a location that is new to me, and attending travel and cruise conferences as well as taking online travel courses.
What my clients say about me
Leading the group through the trees.
In the past seven years my husband and I have taken 8 trips planned by Carol Bien. We have traveled to several Western European Countries, Russia, Alaska, the British Isles and through the Panama Canal. We have traveled by plane, train, helicopter, cruise ship and river boat. Everything goes smoothly. She thinks of everything; transfers, luggage, hotels and local side trips. Her knowledge of destinations and amenities as well as possible problems is remarkable. We cannot imagine traveling with anyone else. Phyllis and John
My Areas of Expertise
Your package was delightful!
The people of Un-Cruise are among the best. The trip was thrilling!
Thank you for all of your efforts, attention and ideas.
Gratefully, Susan and Gail
My Dream Trip to Italy
Thank you Mark for this review. I will add this and your photo to my website
Viking Northern Lights
Thanks for arranging our Viking Northern Lights cruise, it was so much fun! The ship, Viking Sky, was great, with delicious food and great staff. The excursions were so much fun. We were lucky and had several Aurora Borealis sightings, with one unusually powerful night. Norway is so beautiful, and between all the excursion options and general cruising through the fjords, we saw so much stunning scenery.
Hi Dave and Gina, Thank you for sending along this wonderful review of your Viking Cruise. I know that Viking has become very popular because of the personal attention given to all of their passengers. Thank you for sending me your photos and I have added them to my website. Beautiful! Carol
Australia, New Zealand and Fiji
But, Fiji is great. Rosi Figi is a sub of Globus. Had a great tour yesterday.
Brian and Sandy, Thank you for all of the wonderful photos that you sent along the trip route. Australia, New Zealand and Fiji look terrific. I am sorry that the beach was not as beautiful as we had hoped, but I am glad that you let me know.
My Dream Trip to Italy Fulfilled
Thank you Carol!
- Mark Toro
Columbus, Ohio
Mark, Thank you for this wonderful review. I am so happy that your first international trip went so well for you, and that you were able to visit the area where your grandparents lived. Carol
Trip of a life time
Just wanted to thank you again for helping us plan a trip of a lifetime. UnCruise was a perfect fit for us!
Thanks,
Larry
We cannot thank Carol enough
Charlie and I cannot thank Carol Bien enough for all she did to ensure we had wonderful accommodations while on our trip to Sorrento, Italy this summer. We initially had AAA book our hotel in Sorrento but were disappointed in the selection as it was extremely expensive. I am so glad that through soccer we came to know Carol, because she was so very helpful when I reached out to her to find us more reasonable selections. The hotel Carol selected for us in Sorrento – The Grand Hotel Flora was a fabulous choice. From the moment we arrived, the staff treated us like royalty! As it was our anniversary, they surprised us by sending a bottle of champagne and a card to our room. We had a lovely view from our balcony and could see Napoli and Mount Vesuvius across the sea. We enjoyed breakfast in the morning and lounging by the pool while having cocktails and a light lunch. The hotel was wonderfully located as we enjoyed walking all over Sorrento each day and evening.
Thank you Kathy and Charlie for your great review of my services. It is my pleasure to do everything I can to make your travel memorable. Carol Bien
Wonderful trip to Alaska
of 2015. She not only connected us with Un-Cruise, a cruise company of
small ships, but helped us plan our trip to Anchorage after our cruise ended
in Juneau. Her recommendations regarding the Alaska Railroad, Denali Park
tour, and hotels, flights, and sights to see were spot on.
Thank you Barbara, I am so glad that you enjoyed Un-Cruise and the train to Denali.
Wonderful Travel Agent
From planning a river cruise for two in France to a family Caribbean cruise for 13, Carol's attention to details made the experiences carefree and simply wonderful.
I highly recommend Carol to everyone wanting a hassle free vacation, no matter the destination or size of your travel companions.
Very enjoyable Hawaiian visit
Thank you Sharon, I enjoyed working with you and Tom. I am glad your cruise was wonderful. Carol Bien
A hassle free vacation everytime
From planning a river cruise for two in France to a family Caribbean cruise for 13, Carol's attention to details made the experiences carefree and simply wonderful.
I highly recommend Carol to everyone wanting a hassle free vacation, no matter the destination or size of your travel companions.
Thank you for your wonderful review. Carol
Rocky Mountaineer
Carol and I are not big wine drinkers but we do enjoy a good Riesling. And yes we would love to come over to share our pictures.
Thanks for the vacation info.
Tom and Carol, Thank you for your review. Your photos will be on my website soon. I am glad that you had such a wonderful time, even with the allergies kicking in. Thank you for the referral to your friends. Referrals are the best compliment that I can receive. See you soon. Carol
fun
Great Travel Agent!
Grand Tour of Switzerland
Donna & Steve Jackson
Best travel agent ever
Thank you for your kind words. I have enjoyed working with you and your family for many year, and hope that we will have a wonderful travel future together