Specializing in River Cruises

View My Main Profile
Michael Santalucia, Travel Agent in Hamburg, NY

Michael Santalucia

Hamburg, NY Travel Agent
Super Agent

Michael Santalucia

Hamburg, NY · 17 Years of Experience

SantaLucia Travel, LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(37)
100% Recommended
Mike SantaLucia organized our family trip to Ireland and did a superb job. He kept our interests in mind when planning out... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Germany, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, France

Interests:

River Cruises, Luxury Cruises, Castles & Cathedrals, Adult Only, Coach Tours

Suppliers:

Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways, Tauck, Viking, Adventures By Disney

About Me

Durnstein, Austria
Durnstein, Austria

Discover the Magic of the World’s Iconic Waterways
Step aboard a river cruise and enter a world where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes unfold with every bend. Europe invites you to glide along the legendary Danube, romantic Rhine, and storybook Main. Savor France’s elegance on the Seine, Rhône, and Saône, or explore Portugal’s Douro, a hidden gem of terraced vineyards. Beyond Europe, cruise the Nile in Egypt, the Amazon in South America, or the mighty Mississippi in the USA. In Asia, the Mekong winds through Vietnam and Cambodia, while rivers in Thailand and Myanmar offer exotic adventures. Africa, Colombia and Brazil reveal untamed beauty. Every journey becomes your own.

Avalon Waterways: Active Discovery & Panoramic Views
Avalon’s Suite Ships feature wall-to-wall windows and beds facing views. Guests enjoy a relaxed onboard vibe and Active & Discovery itineraries with hiking, biking, and hands-on cultural experiences. The first river cruise my wife and I sailed was Avalon’s 14-night Magnificent Europe from Budapest to Amsterdam — a life-changing journey through six countries and three rivers. Panorama Suites felt like floating lounges, and each day brought castles, cathedrals, markets, and hidden breweries. We’ve also cruised the Rhine and Moselle — an experience filled with charm, history, and unforgettable scenery. From storybook villages to terraced vineyards and hilltop castles, every moment was magical. Avalon consistently impresses with warm service, immersive experiences, and exceptional value.

In 2026, we’re thrilled to cruise the Lower Danube from Bucharest to Budapest, exploring Transylvania’s folklore and the dramatic Iron Gates gorge — a perfect blend of cultural discovery, natural beauty, and Avalon’s signature comfort and style.

AmaWaterways: Heartfelt Hospitality & Global Exploration
AmaWaterways consistently goes above and beyond. Their ships are elegant and comfortable, but it’s the experience that truly shines. Dining features locally inspired meals and regional wines, while excursions include bike rides, walking tours, and tastings. “Ama” means love — and it shows. Our journey felt like being embraced by family. One of our most memorable voyages was sailing from Budapest to Vilshofen — a stunning stretch of the Danube that captured the heart of Central Europe. From Budapest’s Parliament to riverside towns in Austria and Germany, every stop offered something special. We explored Vienna’s grandeur, cycled the Wachau Valley, and wandered Passau’s cobbled streets. Vilshofen welcomed us with an Oktoberfest-style celebration — complete with beer, music, and dancing.

Ama’s itineraries span Europe and beyond, including Portugal’s Douro and Southeast Asia’s Mekong. In Africa, guests cruise the Chobe River, often paired with safaris and Victoria Falls. In South America, Ama’s Magdalena River cruises in Colombia offer vibrant immersion into music, cuisine, and heritage — from Barranquilla to historic Mompox. Each vessel is designed with spacious staterooms, multiple dining venues, and wellness amenities. Whether sailing through Iberian wine country, Southeast Asia’s landscapes, Africa’s wild heart, or Colombia’s river towns, Ama delivers heartfelt hospitality and enriching exploration.

Riviera Travel: European Elegance & Value
Riviera blends British refinement with immersive itineraries on rivers like the Danube, Rhine, and Douro. Guests enjoy guided tours, spacious cabins, and regional cuisine — often with extended city stays. We have sailed with Riviera on the Seine River out of Paris through Normandy, tracing a dramatic arc of European history — from Celtic and Viking origins to William the Conqueror’s 1066 invasion, the D-Day landings of 1944, and the enduring legacy of towns like medieval Rouen.

American Cruise Lines: Exploring the Rivers of the USA
American Cruise Lines offers intimate journeys along iconic U.S. waterways like the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake Rivers, and the Hudson. Their modern riverboats and paddlewheelers showcase small-town charm and historic cities, with regionally inspired dining and personalized service. Popular itineraries include jazz-themed Mississippi cruises, Pacific Northwest voyages with wine tastings and waterfalls, and Hudson River fall foliage sailings through New England’s vibrant landscapes.

The River Cruise Advantage
River cruising offers unmatched charm and intimacy. With under 200 guests, it’s a relaxed, familial atmosphere. Dock in the heart of towns and cities, with stunning views just steps from your cabin. Each day brings enriching experiences — cuisine, historic sites, and cultural immersion. Best of all? It’s all included, and you only unpack once.

Let’s Plan Your Perfect River Cruise!
I’ve helped countless clients sail with Ama, Avalon, Riviera, Tauck, Scenic, Viking, and more. Each line has its own flavor — I’ll help you find the perfect fit. Ready to sail in style? Contact me today to start planning your unforgettable river cruise adventure!

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
37 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
Search reviews:

Showing 37 reviews

Four girls in the Emerald Isle.
Reviewed By Lynne - Hamburg, NY | Traveled to Ireland ~ Europe
Mike SantaLucia organized our family trip to Ireland and did a superb job. He kept our interests in mind when planning out everything. His guidance and suggestions as to the choice of airlines, the hotel accommodations and places of interest to see helped us make the most out of our trip. He even recommended alternate activities if the weather was unsuitable on a particular day. We will definitely use him again.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
29 of 45 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best trip of our lives
Reviewed By Anthony and Viviana - Telford | Traveled to Playa Mujeres ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Mike was extremely helpful. He helped us plan our honeymoon to meet our specific needs, and found us the perfect vacation spot. He was always prompt in getting back to us to answer our questions, and touched base with us several times leading up to the trip with specific advice to make our travel easier. He also took the time to set up a package for our honeymoon that made it extra special. We were referred to Mike through a mutual friend, and we're glad we went through Mike to book our trip because it far exceeded our expectations and truly was the best trip of our lives.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
33 of 53 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best Travel Agent Ever
Reviewed By Patty - Orchard Park, NY | Traveled to Caribbean Sea ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
Mike goes above and beyond. He's not finished with his job helping you enjoy a great vacation, until your home again.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
20 of 31 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Wonderful visit to Ireland
Reviewed By Mom K - Elma, NY | Traveled to Ireland ~ Europe
Hi Mike,
Our trip to Ireland was great. As you know, Ireland is a wonderful place. We enjoyed many beautiful sights, exhibits and museums. We spent time walking around touristy areas as well as non- touristy neighborhoods and loved them all.

I especially want to thank you for your suggestion for me to purchase additional car insurance to cover the wheels, mirrors and glass. While filing out the paperwork, I listened to several Hertz employees tell costumers that the extra insurance was available, but “not really necessary”. Once on the roads, it was very obvious that the extra insurance is important! And, by the way, to my relief, the inspector upon my returning the car did not mention the new scratches, and neither did I!!

The first Hotel we stayed in, the Granville Hotel, was lovely. Everything about it was wonderful. The room was pretty, comfortable and the hotel restaurant pub was equally lovely and the food was great. All the staff was eager to do anything to make our
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
31 of 53 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
knows cruise industry inside out, and lots of tricks to make my experience the best!
Reviewed By Pete - orchard park, NY | Traveled to
I cant say enough good things about SantaLucia travel. Mike will bend over backwords to get thing done and knows his business better than any agent I have ever dealt with (any I travel A LOT, and have very high standards!). Mike even took time away from this years Suberbowl to ensure I could get in on a cruise special that was expiring that night! Mikes customer service and travel knowledge is truly outstanding!!! He works very hard at what he does, and is very dedicated!!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
35 of 61 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
Certified Travel Associate (CTA)
CLIA Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC)
AmaWaterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Riviera Travel River Cruise Specialist

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

Client Testimonials

PRIDE OF AMERICA HAWAII - Norwegian Cruise Line
Jamaal and I had a WONDERFUL time on our cruise. We wanted to thank you for the Bon Voyage package, which started our trip off well, as well as urging us to link up with Kaj (he says to tell you 'Hello'). We got to meet with Felix, Director of Outlets, who ensured that Jamaal's allergies were looked after. We were treated as VIP's on this trip and it REALLY made Jamaal's first cruise memorable. We were even invited to dine with Kaj and his assistant, Jason. It was an amazing trip!!!!! We have mentioned to anyone who will listen that we went with Mike SantaLucia from SantaLucia Travel, so hopefully your line will be ringing off the hook! I know our mothers and aunt had a great time as well. We really loved the Ultimate Dining Package and the onboard credit was a great way to treat ourselves guilt-free! Again, many MANY thanks for all your help in coordinating this trip. We had a ball and can't wait to book our next trip.
Erinn & Jamaal S.,Tamuning, Guam
BESbswy