I’m incredibly honored and excited to rank in the top 2% of travel advisors again in 2024. Out of over 10,000 national outside agents, I've once again ranked in the top 150.  Amongst the Top 25 Viking Cruise specialists, too. 

I take great pride in the customer service I offer my clients and only partner with suppliers whose customer service and quality, replicate my values. With a fierce passion for protecting clients' interests, I have grown a loyal and repeat clientele, for which I am very thankful.   So many of which, have become friends and feel like family.  And, nothing makes me happier than crafting incredible all inclusive cruise, tour and resort travel experiences and sharing in the joy these trips bring them.  

Here’s to 2025 and helping even more travelers check off their bucket list adventures. Hard work truly pays off and time flies, when you love what you do!

EMBRACE EVERY MOMENT WITH EVERY LUXURY INCLUDED

Go aboard and immediately embrace the freedom and relaxation that comes with the finest luxury cruises. Sprawling suites, multiple dining options and spacious social areas mean there are no crowds and no waiting. Then ashore, immerse yourself in every destination with included excursions, knowledgeable tour guides and cultural experiences.

Contact Luxury Cruise Specialist Chris Rakes, to help plan your next journey of discovery! 919.589.2437 / [email protected]. Chris is an All Inclusive Luxury expert who is both personally and professionally experienced with the finest cruising experiences.

​What’s the deal with the Dutch Tulip? The flower, commonly associated with Holland, has a deep-rooted (pun intended) history with the country. Here are 5 fast facts about Holland’s tulips that you should know…

1. Tulips didn’t originate in Holland. They were imported from the Ottoman Empire (present day Turkey) starting in the 16th century.
2. If you want to see the tulips, look no further than Keukenhof Garden – more than 7 MILLION bulbs bloom here annually.
3. Tulips bloom between late March and early May, but mid-April is your best bet to see the flowers at their peak.
4. The Dutch countryside is lined with flower fields. The area between Haarlem and Leiden, known as the Flower Strip, is also an ideal place to frolic among the flowers.
5. You can take tulips home! Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam’s floating flower market, sells fresh tulips or bulbs that you can have shipped home to plant in your own garden.

The season is officially upon us when the world seems to bloom with new sights and sounds to discover. One region that truly dazzles this time of year is along the Rhine River through the countryside of the Netherlands and Belgium, where millions of dormant tulip bulbs bloom each spring and cloak the landscapes in color. This spectacular performance by Mother Nature is not to be missed, so we encourage you to forgo the traditional spring cleaning in favor of a spring European getaway on an incredible river cruise.

Voyages along the Rhine are where flower-filled views meet meandering canals, and medieval architecture presides over bustling town squares that exude modern life. A “Tulip Time” itinerary typically sails from Amsterdam, beginning  with overnight stays. From there you will explore charming historic riverside towns where stair-stepped gables, imposing castles and cobbled alleyways take you back a century or two Other stops might include urban sophistication like that found in Rotterdam, sitting in stark contrast to the old-world charms of the rest of the region, with its contemporary architecture and high-energy boulevards.



For more springtime sunshine, follow the hillside paths through the endless tulip fields, punctuated by the iconic windmills of Holland. In a similar distinction between haute and historic, a typical Flemish itinerary will showcase the classic Dutch culture in Holland’s oldest city, Dordrecht, as well as Belgium’s high-fashion and art scene with an overnight stay in Antwerp. These sailing are filled with opportunities to taste world-class beers and chocolates, see the inspired brushstrokes of Van Gogh, discover the ingenuity of Dutch engineering and embrace the warm welcome of the destinations and your luxury river ship.
This is no time to spend cleaning out closets and daydreaming about adventures yet to come. Now is the time to find what discoveries will bloom when you sail through Europe on a fantastic river cruise.

Contact [email protected] to help you pick the right cruise-line and itinerary! She is an all inclusive expert & certified river cruise specialist. Her professional planning services bring you added value at no additional cost.  

IN THE FAR EAST, you can explore undiscovered corners from primeval forests and volcanic landscapes in Japan to fascinating wildlife encounters and island expeditions in Russia.  Along the coast of Japan you will find a timeless empire steeped in tradition, lore, and natural beauty.   The islands give you a true feel for the past, present, and future in this land of the rising sun.There is a profound serenity in the mountain ranges of Kanazawa, ancient Samurai houses in Hagi, and mystical collection of gardens and temples in Kyoto. There here are also a myriad of escapades beckoning you in the Philippines, Borneo and Indonesia.  From jungle treks in Malaysia and the misty valley views of Indonesia to unexplored beaches in the Philippines, each destination is a chance to encounter mesmerizing island beauty.  You can marvel in a mosaic of colors and cultures while discovering ancient Komodo dragons and/or standing on the edge of an active volcano!

IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND, you will discover a vast paradise of islands teeming with untouched wilderness and secret underwater worlds of colorful marine life and dancing corals.  Visit jade-colored islands and revel in the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Experience Outback adventures along the rugged coastline of Australia’s and New Zealand’s most breathtaking islands. Get a glimpse into the world of fairy penguins.  Feast your eyes on pink granite mountains, and uncover rushing rivers and golden beaches beyond the Tasman Sea.  Perhaps, explore beyond the ethereal beauty with a visit to New Zealand’s wine region, nestled amid charming fishing villages.  Either way, you will find an escape to this untouched corner of the world, where rugged peaks, thermal valleys, hidden inlets, and rainbow-colored lakes all add to the magical landscape!

IN ANTARCTICA & THE ROSS SEA, you will find a world of immense scale and visual splendor in the vast white wilderness of Antarctica. Iceberg prisms and glittering glaciers, historic explorers’ huts, bellowing elephant seals and the world’s largest penguin colony are just a few of the sights you can expect to see on this trip of a lifetime. Wake each day as if in a snow globe!

ADVENTURE CALLS on a luxury expedition cruise.  Itineraries balance days at sea with scheduled ports of call, and is intentionally designed to be flexible, allowing the Captain and his team of experts to incorporate unplanned “expedition days” when favorable weather conditions invite the opportunity for uncommon discovery.  The Expedition Team will maintain a keen eye so that if an opportunity arises and conditions allow, the Captain will attempt to position the vessel accordingly. 

Over 25 million people will take a cruise this year, and while these numbers are staggering, so is what the cruise industry is doing to attract and accommodate this growing, and increasingly demanding, clientele. Ships are larger and more spectacular than ever before, and with even the most budget-friendly cruise lines offering tiered service and an impressive list of amenities, what does it mean to take a luxury cruise these days? Of course, the definition of luxury is highly subjective, but for those looking for a truly exceptional experience, let me introduce you to the world of true luxury cruising.

What sets a true luxury cruise apart from its mass-market counterparts? First, the size of the boats. True luxury cruises from lines such as Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea rarely carry more than 500-750 passengers, with many ships topping out at around 250. This small manifest ensures a level of personalized service that is hard to achieve on a larger ship. Imagine the ambiance of a private club, where perfectly prepared cocktails are sipped in before a gourmet dinner.

If this sounds inherently dignified, that’s because it is. While ultra-luxury cruises aren’t for everyone; families with young children and those looking for an endless party might be better served elsewhere. They are an extraordinarily refined way to explore the world! Sailings are usually accompanied by renowned lecturers in the arts and sciences, onboard piano bars, host jazz singers and classical musicians. Shore excursions are often included and are small group affairs that range from private tours to authentic cultural experiences.
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The food and wine is world-class as well, and onboard restaurants often feature menus curated by internationally celebrated partners such as Thomas Keller and Relais & Châteaux. Staterooms are typically suites with spacious verandas and bathrooms. Luxuriously appointed suite staterooms, spacious well-designed public spaces and serene spas are standard on all the lines. If an authentic luxury cruise sounds like something you might enjoy, keep in mind that they can also be a very good value considering the level of service and amenities. A seven-day Caribbean cruise can cost as little as $2,500 per person including food and beverages, gratuities.  On some lines the cost even includes flights and shore excursions!

Luxury cruising is without a doubt my favorite way to travel. And, it is certainly a vacation experience you will not forget!

To learn more contact - [email protected] 

When you’re shopping for a cruise, the first price you see isn’t usually what you pay. And, if you are constantly worried about extra fees adding up while you’re on-board, it’s not much of a vacation.
No matter which of the hundreds of destinations you are looking to explore on a luxury ocean or river cruise, it’s not a low-cost purchase. But it’s one of the best values out there. Here’s why.

1. Everything is included for one price. Really.  The amount you pay to get on the ship, is NOT the how much it will cost to get off! With lines like Regent Seven Seas and Crystal Cruises your price covers everything from airfare, suite accommodations, excursions and gourmet meals. Try experiencing all that with on other cruise lines, and your final bill is likely to be much higher. 

2. You get flights and airport transfers to and from your cruise. And, depending on your cabin choice, a pre-cruise hotel stay!  You have to find and book your flights separately for most cruise vacations. On luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas and Crystal Cruises, international travel includes business class tickets with all the perks — airport lounges, attentive service, food and wine. Domestic itineraries like Alaska, include coach airfare. Once you land, transfers to your pre-cruise hotel or directly to the ship are part of the package!

3. You can take unlimited shore excursions.  There are hundreds of included experiences available, from active adventures to those that cater to travelers with limited mobility. You can explore museums, historical towns, art, culture and nature with guidance from local experts. Take a pub crawl in Antwerp, ; drive an ATV or birdwatch through Icy Strait Point; explore the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai; see the hilltop villages in Saint-Tropez; view ancient oracle centers in Lima; or visit the orchard region and Cu Chi tunnels in Saigon. The choice is yours. If an excursion books up early, the luxury cruise lines do their best to add more availability so you don’t miss out.
 
4. Smaller ships enrich your journey.  There are luxury ships that hold as few as 250 people and yachts and river boats that hold less than that!  My personal favorite ship size holds approximately 750 passengers.  Lines like Regent and Crystal allow you to keep the perks found on mass market lines while enhancing the entire experience further.  The entertainment options and service are Top Notch!  You get a more personalized, intimate experience with a staff-to-guest ratios of 1 to 1-1.5. Because they are smaller ships you get to less traveled ports and destinations the larger ships can't access. Closer to glaciers and waterfalls, and ports like Kotor, Montenegro or Rijeka, Croatia, for example. This is a feature that really appeals to well traveled cruisers who have visited a destination before, but now want a more in-depth experience.

5.  You get a suite.  Smaller ships mean bigger accommodations! Entry level suites are approximately the size of most hotel rooms. Ninety-eight percent of them come with private balconies. Balconies are a must when sailing to scenic destinations found in places like Alaska, Hawaii, Bora Bora and Europe. All suites include a marble bathroom, sitting area, in-suite mini-bar replenished daily, large or walk-in closet, luxury bath products like L’Occitane or Guerlain, plus a welcome bottle of champagne and fresh fruit. If you love the cabin so much you don’t want to leave, not to worry.  There is twenty-four-hour room service included so you can dine on your veranda in the complimentary plush bathrobe or silk kimono, while you take in the fresh sea air between bites!
 
6. Sophisticated but, definitely NOT pretentious. Lines like Regent Seven Seas, Crystal Cruises and Avalon Waterways have country club causal environments. Everyone is welcoming and friendly and there is no tux or black tie requirement. Of course if you enjoy getting dressed to the nines, that is your prerogative. These lines also feature fascinating lecturers who provide passionate firsthand accounts and scholarly insights about destinations on the itinerary. Speakers include television personalities, noted architects and former diplomats. Alaska cruises often include programs led by authors who have written guidebooks on the region. European voyages might spotlight archaeologists and art or culinary historians who can bring illuminating detail to each port. The featured speakers stay for the entire voyage and are there to mix and mingle with you.

7. All meals are as good as, or better than those found at your favorite restaurants.  Offering some of the best food on the seas, these lines’ on-board restaurants serve a variety of world cuisine (French, Pan-Asian and fine steakhouse fare, for example). Yes, the whole Maine lobster is included, along with choices like jumbo lump crab cakes, Korean barbecue lamb chops, Chilean sea bass and escargot in burgundy-dijon sauce. Every menu has vegetarian options, and vegan, diabetic-friendly, gluten-free options, and Kosher meals are all available upon request. Aboard Regent’s newest ship Seven Seas Explorer (“The Most Luxurious Cruise Ship Ever Built”), guests can also head into town with the Chef Instructor from the Culinary Arts Kitchen at various Mediterranean ports to shop for fresh local ingredients, and then prepare gourmet destination-specific cuisine during a hands-on cooking class.

8. Your top shelf drinks and fancy coffees are on the house.  Fine wine and premium spirits, from Montaudon Brut Champagne to Grey Goose are poured freely. So yes, you can have your Tanqueray and tonic. The in suite mini-bars are stocked with wine, beer and spirits as well. Don’t drink alcohol? These lines host daily themed tea times (often with live music) so guests can enjoy diverse teas and coffees. Ships also have coffee bars serving intricate lattes, espresso, cappuccinos and more, all included. If you have taken a mass market cruise, you know you will pay extra for the likes of these.
 
Bottom line:  If you want an all-inclusive cruise that offers a complete luxury experience, one of a few cruise lines are the way to go.  I’ve done it both ways and I can tell you there is a significant difference.  I tell my clients, “you get what you pay for” and that is the honest truth!  Can you have fun and good vacation on a mass market line? Absolutely. Will you get more for your money and have a better experience on the right luxury ocean or river line? MOST DEFINITELY without a doubt. 
 
When you are ready to explore options and start planning your next cruise, contact me 919.589.2437. I'm a cruise and all inclusive expert who will steer you in the right direction.