Because of our company name, many people think that we book cruises only.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Not only can we help you plan complete land-based vacations, but we can also help you if you want to book JUST a hotel stay.

While most of our clients trust that we will always try to find the best price for you, we know some people scour the Internet to see if they can find an even lower rate than what we are able to provide.  All we ask is that you give us a chance.  Sometimes our rates are even better than you can find online OR perhaps one of our suppliers can provide an added amenity that you would not get with an Internet reservation.   We will also check with our wholesale suppliers to see what they can offer!

If you plan on booking 10 more more rooms, we can often get you a special group rate!

Just send us an e-mail and let us know the following information.  We will research the rates and get back to you:

• Exact name of hotel (address will be helpful so we are sure to get the right one)
• The EXACT room type (there are sometimes dozens of room types...we want to compare apples to apples)
• The number of nights including the check-in date and check-out date
• The number of people in your room(s) as well as the number of beds requested (one or two)
  

• If you already have a rate, please let us know the price you were quoted (if known--be SURE to let us know if your quote does or does not include all taxes)
• Any other information you feel will be important to providing an accurate quote
• Be sure to include your contact information...especially an e-mail address and phone number

We hope to serve you on your future hotel reservations!

So many people think that the only choices for shore excursions while on a cruise are those that are offered by the cruise lines.  But there are other choices and resources.  We can help you with them!

ShoreTrips.   You can access ShoreTrips by clicking on their logo on the right-hand side of our home page OR by clicking here.  While this company does not operate in all ports throughout the world, they do have multiple choices for shore excursions in most major ports frequented by the cruise lines.  Often, even if their pricing is similar to those excursions offered by the cruise lines, they are usually offered with fewer participants. 

Customized Excursions.  We have incredibly valuable resources throughout the world!  In most countries we have certified "On Location" specialists with whom we can work to put together a private, customized tour for you in almost every port in the world.  Keep in mind that the cost of private excursions will cost significantly more than the "group" excursions offered by the cruise lines. That said, many of our clients prefer the flexibility and intimacy of private tours.  We also have another supplier, who arranges private trips for us throughout the world.

Group Excursions.  Quite often when we lead groups aboard cruise ships we create our own excursions and offer them to our clients.  If you are traveling with other people, no matter how small or large the group, we can help put together a customized shore excursion and/or pre/post cruise trip suited just for your needs and requirements.

Recently I led a group of clients on a trip to Africa.  As part of the trip we visited Victoria Falls.  The falls were so magnificent that I'm leading another group there next year!  (See the blog entry posted just before this one.)

We were warned that you need to protect your camera equipment because the falls are so powerful, you literally feel as though you are in a massive downpour of rain during much of the walk to view the falls.

Because I didn't know believe it would be "that wet" my camera was destroyed...or so I thought. When we finished the tour, none of the electronics worked, the shutter wouldn't release and all functions were silenced.  I happened to talk with the general manager at our hotel that night.  He gave me a bag of uncooked rice and told me to put my camera in the bag and seal it overnight. 

To my surprise, the camera worked great the next day.  The rice serves as a sort of "blotter" to soak up any moisture.  Might my camera have worked the next day anyway?  Perhaps...but I wanted to share this "trick" that many people have told me really does work.  

All of this said, if you visit Victoria Falls be sure to bring a waterproof bag for any electronics you carry with you on your visit.