Explora Journey Expert Angela Hughes

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Angela Hughes, Travel Agent in Winter Garden, FL

Angela Hughes

Winter Garden, FL Travel Agent
Super Agent

Angela Hughes

Winter Garden, FL · 25+ Years of Experience

Trips and Ships Luxury Travel, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(235)
100% Recommended
After working in the travel industry for 17 years, I am very picky about who I use to coordinate our travel. Angela just booked a Mediterranean... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Italy, Greece, Japan, Caribbean, Alaska

Interests:

Luxury Cruises, Small Ship Cruises, Cruises, European Culture, Meetings & Incentives

Suppliers:

Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea, Seabourn, Windstar Cruises

About Me

 Angela Hughes is the CEO of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel, an award winning luxury travel agency specializing in ultra luxury cruises, expeditions, river cruising, safaris, yachting, and custom global travel experiences. With more than 40 years in the travel industry and travel to over 121 countries and territories, Angela is recognized internationally as one of the leading voices in luxury travel and cruise consulting.Angela has become especially known for her expertise with Explora Journeys, helping affluent travelers navigate the new era of ultra luxury ocean cruising.

She has personally sailed aboard Explora Journeys multiple times, both independently and while hosting groups, giving her firsthand operational knowledge of the ships, suite categories, onboard atmosphere, dining venues, destination flow, and overall guest experience.

This firsthand experience allows her to advise clients far beyond brochures and marketing materials.Her expertise includes helping travelers select the best suite locations, understanding the differences between Explora I and Explora II, maximizing preferred partner amenities, and designing seamless pre and post cruise experiences throughout Europe and beyond.

Angela regularly creates customized pre and post cruise stays for her clients including luxury hotels, private transfers, private guides, culinary experiences, rail journeys, yachting extensions, safaris, and immersive cultural programs tailored to the traveler’s style and interests.

Angela was named the 2024 Luxury Travel Influencer of the Year by Travel Leaders Network and has received multiple Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for training, social media, and marketing excellence. She has also been featured in major travel publications and media outlets including Travel Weekly, TravelPulse, Luxury Travel Advisor, Insider Travel Report, Travel Age West, and the Wall Street Journal.Travelers working with Angela benefit from deep industry relationships, insider access, hosted sailings, strategic cruise and hotel partnerships, and highly personalized planning designed for discerning travelers seeking elevated experiences around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Explora Journeys

Why book Explora Journeys with Angela Hughes instead of booking direct?

Clients working with Angela gain access to professional guidance, preferred partner amenities, hosted sailing opportunities, concierge level support, and customized pre and post cruise planning throughout Europe and beyond.

Can Angela Hughes create pre and post cruise stays for Explora Journeys?

Yes. Angela specializes in customized luxury pre and post cruise experiences including hotels, private touring, transfers, rail journeys, culinary programs, yachting extensions, and immersive cultural experiences.

What makes Explora Journeys different from other luxury cruise lines?Explora Journeys offers a more modern and residential luxury experience with spacious oceanfront suites, elevated wellness, flexible dining, and a relaxed European atmosphere.

Is Explora Journeys considered ultra luxury?

Yes. Explora Journeys competes with leading ultra luxury cruise brands including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Seabourn Cruise Line while offering a distinctly modern luxury style.

Is Explora Journeys worth the money?Many affluent travelers feel Explora Journeys delivers exceptional value through spacious suites, elevated culinary experiences, wellness offerings, included amenities, and a highly personalized onboard atmosphere.

What is included on Explora Journeys cruises?

Most fares include luxury accommodations, fine dining, beverages, gratuities, Wi Fi, and wellness facilities. Angela helps clients fully understand what is included and where additional upgrades may enhance the experience.

What are the best suites on Explora Journeys?The best suite depends on the traveler’s style, budget, and itinerary. Angela regularly advises clients on penthouses, ocean residences, and connecting suites for couples and multigenerational families.

Explora Journeys vs Regent Seven Seas Cruises

While both brands operate in the ultra luxury space, Explora Journeys offers a more contemporary and wellness focused atmosphere with a residential feel, while Regent Seven Seas focuses heavily on traditional luxury and highly inclusive cruise fares.

Why are affluent travelers choosing Explora Journeys?

Many luxury travelers are seeking a more spacious, wellness focused, modern luxury cruise experience without the formality of traditional luxury cruise lines. Explora Journeys has positioned itself perfectly for this growing market.

Additional Languages
Japanese

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
235 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.
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Showing 235 reviews

Angela is truly a travel expert!
Reviewed By Heidi - Utah | Traveled to
After working in the travel industry for 17 years, I am very picky about who I use to coordinate our travel. Angela just booked a Mediterranean cruise for my family and I couldn't have been happier with her superior knowledge and outstanding customer service. We also attended a humanitarian mission last summer that Angela coordinated. I was so impressed with entire experience! I would recommend Angela and her company to anyone.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
44 of 77 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
France Tour
Reviewed By Jan D. - Utah | Traveled to France ~ Europe
Just wanted to let you know that my daughter and I had a great trip to France! Everything worked out beautifully without the stress of making all the arrangements myself as I have done before.??????? We took the option of going to the beaches of Normandy have been there before but I was anxious for my daughter to see them as my father was part of the first assault on day. We had a great tour guide, Jonathan Holburn was was very knowledgeable, helpful and funny.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
25 of 42 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Thanks for encouraging me
Reviewed By Linda - Bedford | Traveled to India ~ Central Asia

We r still in India, I am loving it, the people are so nice. It amazes me how people in US are so frightened. I keep getting messages about, are you afraid, bet you can’t wait to come home, I would never go there. I guess I asked you if I was safe, but I was still going.

Anyway, thanks for encouraging me. I look forward to going home and opening peoples minds. You have an awesome job, you make the world smaller for people, you open people minds, hearts and change lives for the better.

I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
22 of 37 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Greece: Unsurpassed Beauty
Reviewed By Ann - Bedford | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
I do not have much international travel experience, so I was looking for a travel agent that did. In that, I decided to team up with Angela to plan my trip to Greece. She has been there many times and I found that so helpful to plan. She was professional, offered her experienced opinion and ultimately, the trip was amazing.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
21 of 36 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Ireland Anniversary Trip
Reviewed By Brian C - Winter Garden | Traveled to Ireland ~ Europe
We started our journey in Dublin Ireland from there, we went to the Cliffs of Moher, which were absolutely stunning. We also visited Galway, stayed at the Ashford castle, and journeyed to Edinburgh, and the Scottish Highlands. In St. Andrews, where we visited the famous golf course and watched The Open tournament which was a highlight for me.

One of the best parts of the trip was how green everything was. It was so nice to see all the greenery and the beautiful landscapes. The people were also very friendly and helpful. Overall, it was an amazing trip and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking about travelling to these two countries. This was our first guided tour with Trafalgar and it was the right choice for me and saved me a lot of hassle. We would definitely choose the guided option again. Angela helped us with all of the details and even though this had been postponed with covid she still helped us make it happen! Happy wife = Happy life
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
11 of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

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.
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