Frequently Asked Questions

In today's online booking world, travel agents remain invaluable allies in your adventure planning! Their passion for expert knowledge about destinations and personal experiences sets them apart. Like dedicated professionals, travel agents travel extensively to bring you the best recommendations. They continuously participate in education programs to stay ahead of the ever-evolving travel landscape, especially after challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. With their up-to-date insights on current requirements and restrictions, you can travel confidently, whether you're heading to a particular destination, cruise line, or tour operator. Partnering with a travel agent ensures your journey is well-planned and full of exciting possibilities! Let the adventure begin!

Travel agents are here to craft personalized itineraries for you, ideally suited to your preferences, travel style, and budget! Did you know the average traveler spends over 20 hours scouring multiple websites for a single week-long adventure? With travel agents on your side, you can save precious time and often find great deals, thanks to their access to various vendors. While planning your trip yourself is an option, why not let the experts handle it so you can focus on the exciting journey ahead?

Travel agents build fantastic relationships with vendors and suppliers and are ready to support you if anything unexpected arises during your trip. They excel at anticipating potential challenges, ensuring a smoother experience. While the internet offers many options, a travel agent can expertly sift through the information overload, providing personalized recommendations that align perfectly with your travel style, preferences, and budget. Trust their expertise to make your journey truly enjoyable and memorable!

We're excited to be part of your travel journey! From choosing the perfect destination to checking in after your trip, our team is committed to making your experience truly outstanding. Whether you need help with dining reservations, finding exciting tours, or tips to enhance your vacation, we're here for you every step of the way!

Your preferences matter! Whether you want to be hands-on in the planning or prefer to let us take the reins, we've got you covered. Some of our clients love to dive into the details, while others relax and enjoy a stress-free experience—we happily cater to both! Our mission is to provide the level of support you desire, ensuring your vacation is fantastic. Let's make unforgettable memories together!

We're excited to help you create unforgettable travel experiences! While we occasionally waive fees, there are times when a professional planning fee applies, especially for those personalized itineraries that go beyond standard cruise bookings or all-inclusive resorts. These fees reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional service just for you! Rest assured, any fees are separate from your vacation package price and ensure that your journey is tailored perfectly to your needs. Happy travels!

We're excited to help you plan your dream vacation! Did you know the average American spends over 20 hours online researching for a week-long getaway? With our strong vendor relationships and expertise, we can handle all the details much faster. We aim to deliver every proposal within 72 hours, though some may take a little longer to ensure everything is perfect. Let us take the stress out of planning so you can focus on enjoying your trip!

Our agency values your business and is dedicated to turning your vacation dreams into reality. Nobody wants to work for free, and as a professional travel advisor, your agent must be compensated for the time and effort invested in creating your vacation itinerary. 

We're proud to offer a fair fee structure that's transparent and reflective of our professional certifications and expertise. The fees you pay contribute to our overall compensation, while the remainder comes from commissions from trip suppliers received post-trip. This means your investment directly supports the top-notch services we provide. Here's what your fee covers:

• We will research it for you. We're excited to include all of our time and services! We'll thoroughly assess availability, pricing, and promotional opportunities to create a fantastic proposal tailored just for you.
• Total flexibility in provider options: As an independent travel agency, we work with all the cruise lines and many land-based travel vendors, giving us the flexibility needed to build a package based on your travel style, likes, desires, and budget. Therefore, we are NOT beholden to any single provider and will not base our recommendation on any provider's inventory. We fully understand that cruise lines and land resorts are NOT one-size-fits-all and try hard to match the right property with the right client. We base ALL our recommendations on the information you provide for your travel style, likes, desires, and budget, and therefore, we are not just looking for which vendor offers the best commission for us. We will NOT push you into a situation that is not right for you.
• Options for your consideration: We're excited to help you create a personalized package proposal with optional activities, excursions, and tours that perfectly match your travel style, preferences, and budget! The great news is that these recommendations are entirely optional. If there's anything you'd like to skip, just let us know, and we'll happily adjust your package. Our suggestions aim to reflect our conversations and the insights you've shared, but remember, this is your journey. We're here to ensure you have a fantastic experience tailored just for you! Your adventure awaits!
• Trip preparation & documentation: Get excited for your journey! We'll collect everything you need to ensure you're fully prepared for your adventure and ready for a smooth return home. Your travel documents will arrive 2-3 weeks before you jet off, and you can conveniently access all your travel info on the go with our Client Portal. Happy travels!
• Consistent monitoring: We happily monitor your reservation before your trip and update you with any changes from the travel supplier so you can relax and enjoy!
• We are your advocate. Rest assured, we are available to support you if any issues arise during your travels, ensuring you can enjoy your journey with peace of mind.
• A single point of contact: When you book with us, you get the personal touch of a dedicated Travel Advisor who will be with you every step of the way! Unlike websites or big stores where you may speak to a different person each time, you can enjoy the ease of having someone who knows your specific needs and concerns. It's all about making your travel experience seamless and enjoyable!
• We are with you until you get home again. Consider us your committed allies, guiding you through every stage of your journey until you're back home safely!
• Itinerary revisions: We understand that life can throw surprises your way; sometimes, that means adjusting your travel plans. We're here to help! Depending on your travel type, we're happy to offer up to three complimentary revisions to your proposal. It's essential to remember that any additional changes may incur a fee after those. Once your trip is booked and deposits are made, the travel supplier will have their change fees, which we can't control. Don't worry, we'll ensure you have all the supplier's terms and conditions upfront, so you'll know exactly what to expect. We're committed to making your travel experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible!

Booking your trip earlier can genuinely make a difference in your plans!

Many travel suppliers, including cruise lines, resorts, and beautiful destinations, typically ask for full payment anywhere from 30 to 120 days before your adventure begins. When we share your trip quote, we'll tell you when the final payment is due. If you're booking well in advance, a simple deposit will hold your spot, giving you plenty of time to settle the remaining balance. The sooner you book, the more flexibility you have! Let's get your dream journey started!

As your dedicated agent, we're thrilled to use the credit card information you provide to take care of all your payment needs. While we don't have specific payment plans, we're committed to working within established deadlines to make the process seamless for you. 

If you'd like to set up regular payments, we're here to help! Many of our clients find it helpful to simplify their budgets by designating a specific amount to apply toward their balance each month. Alternatively, some prefer to save and pay the total by the due date. Whatever option suits your lifestyle best, we're flexible and ready to accommodate your unique needs! Let's create a plan that works just for you!

We're excited to help you plan your next adventure! Please note that while we don't accept direct payments for travel reservations, we accept payments for our planning fees. After discussing your travel plans, we'll send you an invoice, and you can easily make your payment using a credit card or ACH transfer through the link we provide. Let's make your journey unforgettable!

ALL reservation payments are made directly to the suppliers, and most suppliers will accept all major credit/debit cards; a handful of suppliers do not accept Discover. If that situation arises for your reservation, we will let you know! When paying with a debit card, please double-check with your bank regarding any daily limit requirements to ensure successful payment processing. 

We do not accept personal checks or cash.  

As a travel agency, we do not charge agency fees for changes or cancellations; however, the suppliers often do. All cancellation policies will be shared with you when booking, typically on the booking confirmation. We know it is an awful experience to cancel your vacation. We hope that you appreciate that your travel advisor will have already done a lot of work on your reservation when you cancel. Because of this, we respectfully ask that you allow them the first shot at booking your next vacation. Please note that the suppliers' change and cancellation policies will still apply. These vary by supplier. Your personal travel advisor will be glad to answer any questions you have. 

While we don't usually offer price matching, we want to ensure you get the best value! If we consider it, we'll match identical offers, including all details like room types, flight schedules, transfers, and included activities. Remember, when you find a lower price with another agency, there might be differences worth considering. We're here to help you find the perfect experience that fits your needs!  

Here are a few reasons you might see something for a lower price online:

• They do not disclose the taxes, fees, or other charges associated with the reservation you will be responsible for once you arrive.
• They have an exclusive group rate on that sailing or land package.
• They are reducing their hard-earned commission by rebating part of it to "buy your business," which is not allowed by most suppliers.
• They are essentially "buying your business" by providing offers, such as hundreds of dollars in In-Store Credit that can only be used for merchandise in their store after your travel or Onboard Credits for various cruise packages.
• OR a combination of any of the above

If you find a lower price you would like us to consider, please provide us with all relevant details to make an "apples-to-apples" comparison. A screenshot of the price alone is insufficient for an adequate comparison. All components of the itinerary we presented must match precisely with the one you're comparing. If they are a 100% match and the lower rate is a public offering—meaning it is available to everyone rather than being part of a membership—we will happily match that price. However, if the lower price arises from specific conditions we previously mentioned, we cannot match it.

We also encourage you to consider the level of service our agency provides. Often, it is unmatched by other agencies, which may offer lower prices. When working with one of our agents, you will have a consistent point of contact throughout your planning process. You won't reach a call center but will communicate directly with the same person, strengthening our relationship. Our agents are dedicated to getting to know each client and treating you as a valued individual rather than just another transaction.

After 15 years in business, we cherish our repeat clients and greatly appreciate their loyalty and the referrals they provide. Thank you for choosing us for your travel needs!

For this question, the answer is Maybe. We will advise you on how to transfer your reservation to us, and once successfully transferred, we will start planning your dream vacation. Some reservations booked directly may have already passed the transfer deadline before you reach out to us, so we cannot guarantee this without first receiving your reservation details. Due to liability concerns and restrictions by our insurance company, we cannot service ANY reservation we have not made. With that in mind, we also cannot advise you on a reservation we have not booked for you.    

Please note: This offer only applies to reservations booked directly with the destination. We will not transfer a reservation from another travel agency out of professional courtesy.

We strongly recommend adding travel insurance for every trip you take. Travel insurance is an excellent protection plan that provides peace of mind and covers various aspects of your journey, such as:

• Trip Cancellation/Interruption
• Medical & Dental Emergencies while on vacation
• Travel Delays
• Travel Accidents
• Baggage Loss, Damage, or Delay
• Emergency Transportation
• And more

You might wonder why purchasing travel insurance for your vacation is essential. It's not just about protecting your financial investment; it's also about safeguarding yourself and your family while you're away from home. Did you know that over 95% of health insurance companies in the United States do not cover individuals when they are traveling abroad? It's true! Moreover, in foreign countries, doctors and hospitals often require payment in cash before providing treatment, which can amount to thousands of dollars. With Allianz Travel Protection, those costs are covered by your policy, allowing you to receive treatment immediately.

Planning a vacation can take months, but unexpected events can ruin it in a few hours, whether you must cancel or fall ill while traveling. Insurance protects against these unforeseen circumstances. We all hope our trips will go smoothly without any issues, but we cannot control the weather, airlines, or other events that could disrupt an otherwise incredible vacation.

Allianz Global Assistance offers Worldwide Travel Protection, which includes benefits such as trip cancellation and interruption coverage, emergency medical and dental services, and more. Additionally, they provide a 24-hour assistance hotline, ensuring help is just a phone call away. With the Bipack trip cancellation and interruption coverage included, you are protected if your vacation is canceled or interrupted for covered business reasons.