Twenty years after my first cruise......

and a whole lot of  cruises later, brings me to where I am today. While not on a cruise at the moment (wish I were) I have the ability, personal experience and advanced specialized training to design a truly smooth cruise. It's true, anything can be purchased on-line these days. Purchasing a cruise is no different - or is it?

So back to my first cruise twenty years ago. I didn't exactly purchase my cruise on-line but rather via a telemarketer. Back then, the idea of purchasing a cruise on-line hadn't really come to fruition. Telemarketing "was" our Internet so to speak.

I will never forget how excited I was to take my first cruise! My husband and I had wanted to go on a cruise for years - hence, when the telemarketer had us on the line, we were all ears! Driving to the Port of Los Angeles seemed to take years. As we got closer to the pier, my husband and I tried to figure out which ship was ours.

To be brief, it wasn't Disney, Carnival, Royal Caribbean or any of the other large brands. We quickly nicknamed our ship the S.S. Mino!

 Lessons Learned 

• be sure the twin beds convert to a king.
• gratuities may automatically be charged - don't tip twice, unless you want too.
• formal nights?
• wine can be expensive on board - I'll bring my own.... No You Won't!

Since my first cruise, my husband and I have cruised the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Hawaii, Mexico and California Coast. I have earned my Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation and furthered my specialization through training programs including Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Viking River Cruises and smaller cruise lines including American Cruise Lines and Pearl Cruises.

 When my thoughts turn to travel (which is almost always) cruises are an amazing land and sea or river adventure. When I feel the need to plant my feet on the ground or dig my toes in the sand, I am all in for an All-Inclusive!

My second area of specialization (and it's not second to cruising) is the All-Inclusive Resort Vacation Experience! For me, it's all there, in one tidy package, with no worries!

Just like with cruises, all-inclusive resorts are not the same. It is wise to do some research and utilize the expertise and knowledge of a professional travel planner. The majority of all-inclusive resorts are found in the Caribbean however some can be found in areas like The Pocono Mountains and Switzerland.

One of my seriously unforgettable all-inclusive resort experiences (yes I have at least one) happened to occur when my best friend and I took a "girls get-a-way" to the Dominican Republic. She had never been out of the country and had never been to an all-inclusive resort. Boy did I beef up all that was to be expected on our trip. Guaranteeing her she would want for nothing!

Lessons Learned

• don't assume it's a 5 star simply based on the brand name.
• buffets shouldn't include wild birds at your table (or in the granola) right?
• is that big creepy bug part of the welcome to your suite team? Pest control?
• 24 hr. room service, hum... maybe not! 

Experience, specialization and knowledge counts - it's important and that is exactly what I give my clients. 

Traveler Feedback

Days at Sea!

"Hey Diane!! We had a wonderful trip!! The weather was perfect the whole time till we came back to Florida!! He said he would do another one!! We want to maybe do one with the kids! We LOVED our room!! & Thank you for the candle that was so sweet and added a cute touch to our room!!"

Melissa M.

Diane, 

"Thank you so much for all the time and thought you put into making our cruise experience an awesome one! From all the information/options you sent, to talking through arrangements and actually getting things set. Stateroom with balcony breakfast at sea it was a perfect beginning to end. We could not have done it without your help!"

Thank You,

Ann & Mike S.