Small Ship Experts

Cruising is one of the most ideal ways of seeing the world while being able to fully relax at the same time. Let me help you narrow down all these choices to the perfect ship, the perfect destination and all at a perfectly reasonable price. After all, cruising is one of the most cost effective ways of seeing the world, too. I have expertise in Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, South America (especially the Amazon), Australia and New Zealand, Antarctica, Europe, the Meditteranean and Asia. I am a Certified Cruise Expert with Princess, Cunard, Holland America, Carnival, Cruise West, MSC, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, and am constantly updating myself on these and the other cruise lines available. I frequently inspect ships, and have cruised on the Amazon and Yangtze Rivers. I have a fondness for specialty cruises. If you have some sort of specialty cruise idea and need help fleshing it out and getting it going, feel free to contact me and let me guide you to the perfect cruise.

There is a sea or river adventure just right for you and I’ll help you find it at the best price. As a cruise travel agent I've inspected more than 100 cruise ships (from the sublime to the disgusting) and sailed nearly every sea and some rivers aboard big ships, sailing ships, yachts and river boats. My special areas of expertise: Luxury cruise ships; Premium, mid-size ships; and Adventure ships. How can I help you with cruise planning? I am a Certified Master Cruise Counselor, service oriented and committed to my customers, and I will:
• Help you discover the most excellent ship and destination for your vacation desires, requirements and budget.
• Save you time and money. One call does it all. You get a personal vacation shopper so you can get back to what you do best.
• Handle the details. Ross Perot was absolutely right about one thing…the devil is in the details, and there are plenty of details, which can make or break your cruise vacation.

There are so many ships out there; carrying from a handful of passengers to several thousand… cities at sea, and in my opinion not a ship at all. Thus, what kind of experience are you looking for? Pure adventure? Entertainment, glamour and pampering? There is also a wide price range. The lines are offering countless deals, and it’s not easy to figure out what is most appropriate for a person. At first glance, it seems such a bargain, but when you add components (not included), it often is a better value to go with a premium line where extras are included.

Consider what is most important to you: the size of the cabin, the amenities, entertainment onboard, the ports of call, or the food - as some are famous for their cuisine. Each one of us, has a love. Mine is with small ships that carry under 200 passengers and that have interesting itineraries. Examples are Cruise West, Windstar, river cruises, houseboats and self driving canal boats (our best vacation ever).

I recently made an exception and sailed on a mid size ship that had 680 passengers and our cabin had a veranda. I agree it was truly pleasant to sit on our own private deck. Oceana’s Regatta did not impede you from close experiences with places. Everything was very smooth when we had to tender into port, and onboard. I cannot praise the line enough. Contact me to help you select the right itinerary and ship for you.

My first adventure as a travel agent was sailing the Mexican Riviera thirty years ago on the Princess Line’s Sun Princess. I’ve been cruising and loving it ever since. The cruise industry has changed greatly since those days. Now it takes an expert to sift through all the information about the ships and the deals available. That’s where my cruising knowledge can help you find the best value and experience for you.

For actual onboard experience, I’ve sailed on luxury cruises Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Cunard. I ‘ve enjoyed premium cruises on numerous Holland America, Princess, Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. But for the up close and intimate experience, I can say that small cruise ships, such as Cruise West, are truly the best. My new expertise is on river cruises with travels in Europe on the Danube, the Rhine, the Rhone in France and the Netherlands, as well as on the Nile in Egypt. If you are searching for a small ship cruise, but don’t know where to start, I would love to help you find the perfect cruise experience at the right price.

I am a Master Certified Cruise Counselor and I have completed several cruise lines’ expert programs such as Crystal’s Academy, Cunard’s Academy, as well as Holland America’s and Cruise West’s programs.

Cruising is always a great experience and a small ship adds an entirely new dimension. Imagine being able to access the small, off-the-beaten track cruise ports. Suddenly you may find yourself on the only ship in the bay. No more waiting in long lines. No more villages packed with tourists. Smalls ships afford an intimacy not found on the larger cruise lines. The staff will know you from the moment you step on board. People quickly become familiar faces. Life is casual and relaxed. Shore excursions are small and in depth. You can choose from many unique itineraries that will take you to any area of the world that you fancy. Some are designed for the more active traveler while others may offer more luxurious experiences. Or we can custom design one or more for your personal dream vacation. Let me help you select that perfect ship for you.