Cruise Specialist

Danube River Cruise - Avalon Waterways

When it comes to cruising there are so many choices….ocean cruises, river cruises, expedition cruises, …. Cruising is a great way to experience many destinations without having to pack and unpack every day. They can be an all-inclusive vacation where you don’t have to worry about meals, gratuities, excursions, and entertainment if you don’t want to. As your cruise specialist, I can take care of all the details before you leave home.

Large cruise ships are not for everyone. They are like being in a city with a lot of choices of restaurants and entertainment venues. Drink and Wifi packages can be purchased before you leave home as well as shore excursions. The nice part of large cruise ships is that you can find a quiet corner to read or dance until dawn. Families love cruises, because they truly have something for everyone.

My large ship cruise experience: the Caribbean (Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America), Bermuda (Home Lines and Norwegian), Panama Canal (Princess), Adriatic Sea (Costa) and Hawaii (American Cruise Line)

Small Ships are a lot more intimate with only a few hundred passengers. Meals are always included and depending on the cruise shore excursions and drinks may or may not be included. Small ships have the ability to go where larger cruises cannot. You can see wildlife from on deck, touch an iceberg, visit small towns, and get up close and personal with the sea life. The bridge will sometime be open so that you can chat with the captain. Do not look for a lot of nightlife as the shows will generally be more cultural. The expedition ships will have an activity platform where you can paddleboard or kayak right from the deck. The expedition shore excursions will be for the more adventurous – swimming with the sharks, hiking the Galapagos, snorkeling, horseback riding, etc.

My small ship/ expedition experience: Turkey/ Greece (Windstar), Tahitian Islands (Bora Bora Cruises), Caribbean (Windjammer Barefoot Cruises), Nathaniel Bowditch Schooner (Maine), Galapagos Islands (Galapagos Explorer II), UnCruise Adventures (Baja Mexico)

River Cruises are also on a smaller scale with just a few hundred or less people. It is an intimate experience that is very different than traditional cruises. You have the ability to visit small towns and villages, markets, and experience local cultures. Some have bikes and/ or kayaks on board for your exploring pleasure. For these reasons river cruising has become one of the most popular modes of travel whether it be in Europe, Asia, or Africa.

My river cruise experience: Danube River - Europe (Avalon Waterways), Yangtze River – China (Sinorama), Nile River – Egypt (Gate 1)

So, if all the cruise options have become overwhelming for you, I would love to share my insights and help you pick the perfect cruise for you! I will support you from start to finish. From choosing the right ship/boat, destination, cabins, flights, transportation to and from the ships, pre and post land packages, shore excursions to printing your travel documents, let me make sure you have everything you need and more!

Also, know that I am here during your travel if you have any questions or need any assistance.