FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
For a simple cruise, tour or vacation package, there is no charge other than the commissions the vendors pay me. That is a big misconception that it costs more to use a travel agent - it doesn't When I create custom itineraries for people, there are additional fees for that depending on how much detail my traveler wants. For example, do they just want to know the top museums in Florence, Italy or do they actually want me to reserve tickets for them. For that work I charge a concierge fee with half of that being paid up front and half upon booking completion.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We do most of our work these days via email and phone. We have a couple of questionnaires that we forward that help to streamline the process and learn what our clients are looking for. I typically will ask a lot of questions and do a lot of listening at first. It's not about what I may want to "sell" them, it's about creating the travel experience that best suits them.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have traveled myself all over the country and the world, learning a lot from the "school of hard knocks" if you will. I know what works and what doesn't. I also have product certifications from numerous vendors after completing their training. Celebrity Cruises 5-Star Academy, Disney Destinations Genius, Viking Master Cruise Expert and more.