When to Use A Travel Consultant, When Not To

Travel Consultants can and do add value to justify their support and fees on many types of vacations. As an intelligent buyer, you must first determine whether you’re better off using their services or making the arrangements yourself. Generally speaking, if you are someone who likes special VIP treatment or added amenities, hire a consultant. And if you are short on time, hire a consultant; it will make everyone much less stressed and happier for it.

Do Hire a Consultant For…
•  When you want to relax, enjoy yourself and be spoiled
•  Start-to-finish customized itineraries created with all the bells and whistles
•  Once-in-a-lifetime splurges (e.g., wedding anniversaries) involving four- or five-star hotels
•  English-speaking guides and drivers
•  Special access to monuments, events, or people
•  Cruises with private shore excursions
•  When you want to avoid lines and crowds
•  Receive extra amenities and VIP treatment
•  Experience a vacation that makes a difference and fills you up

Don’t Hire a Consultant For…
•  The cheapest options
•  Airline tickets only - a simple, domestic, round trip
•  Single components of a trip (e.g., a one-day tour, transportation, restaurant reservations)
•  B&Bs or budget and mid-range chain hotels
•  Redeeming frequent-flier miles or guest points only

You hire a professional do other tasks for you, why would this be any different?

How has your professional travel advisor helped you?

Answers To Your Travel Questions

In any industry, it is a given that you have to be knowledgeable of your market’s offerings. It is all about knowing the answers or knowing where to find the answers. Being of service to clients on requests, the key is to have strong relationships with well connected people of influence. My relationship with Virtuoso goes a long way to bridge any gaps. However, I believe a true measure of success in knowing the answers is knowing my client –  their interests, their preferences both positive and negetive, plus their wants and needs.

Each customer is unique and what they value is equally as unique. A good Travel Advisor keeps ongoing notes with each customer. Every time they chat,  it's an opportunity to learn something new.

One size does not fit all. Just because a place was listed highly, does not mean it will meet everyone's needs and wants. However, combine professional knowledge of the pros and cons of a destination or property with the knowledge of the customer’s preferences and interests to find the best choices for their request is the one who has the answers to your travel questions.

When you are working with your travel professional on your next trip, ask yourself – do they remember your favorite food, your favorite beverage, what your hobbies are, and who you like to travel with or without? Do they specialize in the kind of travel you want?  Think of  Travel Advisors like doctors – there are generalists, but the really good ones specialize because no one can know it all. Make sure the travel advisor you use specializes in the destination or style of travel you want to experience.

Does your travel advisor take the extra steps to make your travel special?

Top Tips For First Time Cruisers

On departing Vancouver this past Sunday, I had the good fortune of chatting with a few cruisers that had just finished an Alaskan cruise.  I like hearing different people’s perspective, speaking with them about what they liked and did not like as well as the things they were unaware of.

I think of cruising is kind of like dating. It is great when you are with the RIGHT match, and by that I mean you and your traveling companions are paired up with the right cruise line and the cruise vessel for you. What one person feels is the best, may not be the same as the next. Personal preference plays a huge factor in this. Just like in dating you may not be attracted to every person on the dates you go on. Cruising can be very complicated and challenging when you don’t know - what you don’t know. Some first time cruisers think after they have paid-in-full for their dream vacation cruise that they are done and everything is included. Unfortunately they learn the lesson that this is not true after the fact.

Like dating, you have to DREAM about all the aspects you want on your cruise:

Courtesy of Seabourn

• what activities you will do- read and relax by the pool or explore every port or a mix? do you want to gamble? do you like nightlife? would you prefer to stay overnight in a certain port? are there children’s programs? do you need all kinds of activities for all kinds of age and taste ranges? what destinations do you want to visit? do you want mainstream ports or off the beaten path ports? is the ship your destination or are the ports?  does the ship have shopping? what kind of fitness options are available? do you want to have some spa treatments? do you have to make appointment for your entertainment or can you just show up?
• what is your cabin is like- is it cozy or spacious? is there a bathtub? are there two sinks? is there a vanity outside the bathroom? is your cabin close to the elevators or under the dance club? if you are sailing from east to west around Italy for example, does your cabin face the view of the coast or of the ocean? do you need connecting cabins? do you need a wheelchair accessible cabin?
• what your view is like- is there a window or is inside cabin OK? is there a balcony or is it just a window? is your balcony covered or is it uncovered?  does the window have an obstructed view?
• what the meals and beverages are like – is there a line to be seated? is it buffet style or do you have servers? is the dining open seating or scheduled? what kinds of beverages are included in the price? do the specialty dining rooms charge? will you eat with the same people every meal or can you mix it up? can they meet your special diet requirements?
• how many people are around - does the ship have 5000 guests, 2000 guests, 1200 guests, 600 guests, 450 guests, 200 guests or as few as 8 guests? what is the staff to guest ratio? will you be able to secure a lounge chair by the pool each day? how long will it take for your to disembark in port?
• what are a few of the extras you need to be aware of - are gratuities auto paid or do you need to pay them upon disembarkation? do you owe gratuities at all or is that included? are the pool cabanas an extra charge? are there days of the week that things go on sale? are there better days to eat in certain restaurants? is there a better time to book you spa appointment? is the spa treatment included? is the shore excursion included? can I book a separate excursion? are there formal dress nights? do you have butler or concierge service with your cabin? is your air flight included? do they carry your brand of beverage? do you get fresh fruit in your cabin each day? do you have to take a tender to land or are you walking off directly dockside? do you get seasick easily? are transfers included?

Courtesy of Oceania

Now is the time to PLAN and prioritize what are must haves and what are nice to haves.  The best way to get the most on your list is to plan early. Gone are the days of the last minute discounts, in fact many cruise lines are discounting for early reservations. I recommend employing a travel specialist to assist you in getting the best cabin, fare, and available amenities rather than going at it on your. Many travel advisors have access to special upgrades, excursions, and more that you will not find access to on your own or without a lot of time spent researching.

Once you are booked then it is time to TRAVEL and enjoy the vacation. As you are completing the cruise, many lines offer a discount to book your next cruise while on board. Definitely an offer to consider. And finally it is time to REPEAT the cycle and begin dreaming of your next vacation.

What are some of the cruising lessons you would like to share with other first time cruisers?

Dream. Plan. Travel. Repeat.

Ideal Vacation vs Total Nightmare

Travel is a serious investment. The people who base their decisions on brochures pictures and feedback from a site of strangers have a 50/50 chance of getting what they think they will get. If the price is too good to be true or the room is too good to be true then, it likely is. What if you receive two or three vacation promotions that look and sound the same – how will you know which is the best deal? One could be the most awesome experience while the other your worse nightmare.

What you need to ask your self is “what is your expectation”.

Is it important to have:

• Let a professional manage it and save your time or you do all the research and maybe the information is good?
• Unobstructed ocean-view or some bush view – not even the garden?
• A peaceful retreat with a quiet night's rest or a resort or hotel undergoing a noisy renovation?
• Private car transfer or share van with 12 of your new closest foreign friends?
• An aisle seat toward the front with extra leg room or a seat in the middle at the back of the plane next to lavatory or a window?
• A private tour with a guide and no one else in the space or a mass group tour after standing in line for 2 hours?
• Name brand liquors or generic brand?
• All inclusive resort with quality dining choices included or buffet meal with limited choice at a set time with a limited menu?
• Someone to call when things go wrong or wing it your are on your own?
• Recommended stops from locals to give you that authentic experience or a guidebook and a massive crowds of people?

As a professional travel advisor with Virtuoso, my role is to ensure your vacation is exactly the experience you are seeking. I will ask questions to learn about your personal preferences. I will take the time to listen about past experiences likes and dislikes. I will take the guess work out of will this be a good choice or not. From my personal experiences and extensive relationships, I will create vacations that you can relax on and enjoy because it is tailor made for you and your family.

Everyone deserves an ideal vacation!

How valuable do feel your time is?
Do you have a professional travel advisor, if not I can recommend a few.