FAQ PAGE

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CRUISIN COUPLE TRAVEL AGENCY — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WORKING WITH A TRAVEL ADVISOR
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 Q:  Is Regent Seven Seas really worth the price? It seems so much more expensive than everything else.

  

A: Yes, and here is why that price comparison is often misleading. When you compare Regent Seven Seas to a premium or contemporary cruise line, you are comparing a fully all inclusive price to a base fare that still has dozens of add ons coming. Regent includes roundtrip airfare from your home airport, all shore excursions in every port, unlimited specialty dining in every restaurant, all beverages including premium spirits and wine, butler service in every suite, gratuities, and pre cruise hotel accommodations in their highest suite categories. When you add those same items to a premium cruise line fare, the gap closes dramatically, and in many cases Regent comes out ahead.

For a milestone anniversary, Regent also delivers an intimacy and consistency of service that is difficult to match. The ships carry fewer than 1,000 guests and the crew to guest ratio is among the highest at sea. You are not standing in lines. You are not competing for dining reservations. You are simply experiencing.

My honest take: for a special occasion sailing where you want zero friction and total immersion, Regent Seven Seas is worth every penny. I am certified with Regent and have worked with many clients who said it was the best trip of their lives.

 

 Q:  We want to do a European river cruise. Should we go with Viking or AmaWaterways?

 

A: This is one of my favorite questions because both lines are excellent and they appeal to genuinely different travel personalities. Here is how I break it down for clients:

Viking River is sleek, Scandinavian in design and philosophy, and very culturally focused. Every sailing includes guided tours in every port, onboard lectures, and programming tied to the history and culture of each destination. The ships are beautiful and the overall aesthetic is calm and understated. Viking attracts travelers who want to learn deeply about where they are going.

AmaWaterways is warmer in atmosphere, often described as more social and festive. Their ships tend to have slightly more variety in dining and a livelier onboard energy. AmaWaterways also has a strong reputation for their Chef's Table experience and for active excursion options including biking tours in port that Viking does not match at the same depth.

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  Q:   What is the best time of year to cruise the Mediterranean?

 

A: The honest answer is that it depends on what matters most to your family, so let me give you the real picture.

May and early June are my personal favorite months for the Mediterranean. The weather is warm but not oppressive, the crowds at major ports and landmarks are manageable, and the sea conditions are excellent. You will find that places like Dubrovnik, Santorini, and the Amalfi Coast are far more enjoyable before the peak summer rush.

July and August are peak summer in the Mediterranean, which means higher temperatures, larger crowds at every port of call, and peak pricing across ships and hotels. For a family with school age children who can only travel in summer, this is often unavoidable, and it can still be a wonderful experience. Just know what you are walking into.

September and October are exceptional. The summer crowds have thinned, temperatures remain beautiful, and pricing often softens slightly. For families with flexibility, fall Mediterranean sailings are among the best values in luxury cruise travel.

For your family of five, I would also want to make sure we are looking at ships and itineraries that work well for multiple generations. Some luxury lines are better suited to families than others, and cabin configuration matters when you have five people to accommodate. Let me help you build that search correctly from the start.

 

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  Q:  Asked by a client wanting to bring 18 friends and family members on a Celebrity Cruises sailing.

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A:  Group cruises are one of my specialties and they are more manageable than most people think when you have the right advisor coordinating everything. Here is how the process works.

Most cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, have a dedicated group program. When you book a certain number of staterooms together as a group, typically eight cabins or more, you unlock group amenities that are not available to individual bookings. These can include onboard credit per cabin, a complimentary berth for every set number of paying guests, reserved dining times, private cocktail parties, and in some cases a dedicated group space for an event onboard.

The logistics I manage on behalf of a group include coordinating cabin selection so everyone is placed in the right area of the ship, tracking deposits and final payment deadlines for each individual or couple in the group, communicating shore excursion options so the group can plan together, and making sure the celebration elements are in place before you ever step onboard.

 

  Q:  What is the difference between Princess Plus and Princess Premier? Which one should I choose?

  

A: As a Princess Commodore, the highest designation Princess Cruises awards to travel advisors, I get this question often and I am happy to break it down clearly.

Princess Plus is the mid tier package and includes crew appreciation (gratuities), a Wi-Fi plan for one device, and a daily beverage package that covers drinks up to a certain price point. It is a strong value for most cruisers and covers the essentials that would otherwise add up on your onboard account.

Princess Premier is the top tier package and adds everything in Plus along with specialty dining meals, unlimited photo packages, premium beverages without the price cap, and a higher tier Wi-Fi plan. For clients who plan to use specialty restaurants multiple times during their sailing and who want the premium beverage package without watching the price limit, Premier often pays for itself.

My recommendation for a first Sun Princess sailing: if you plan to dine at specialty restaurants more than twice and you enjoy premium cocktails or fine wines, choose Premier. If you are more focused on the main dining room experience and moderate beverage consumption, Plus is an excellent value. I can run the math on your specific sailing length to help you decide with real numbers. 

 

  Q:  We have never cruised before. Is a luxury cruise the right place to start, or should we try something smaller first?

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A: I love this question because my honest answer surprises a lot of people: for guests with the budget to do it, a luxury cruise is often a better first cruise experience than a mainstream or large ship sailing, not a harder one.

Here is the reasoning. The misconception many first timers have about cruising comes from the large ship, high volume experience, thousands of fellow passengers competing for pool chairs, long lines at the buffet, and a scale that can feel overwhelming. Luxury lines like Oceania Cruises, Azamara, or Regent Seven Seas operate smaller ships with far fewer guests, more personal service, and a pace that is genuinely relaxed and unhurried. If your only reference point for cruising is the mega ship experience, a luxury sailing is an entirely different product.

For a first time couple in their late 50s with a real travel budget, I would look seriously at an Oceania Cruises itinerary. Oceania attracts a well traveled, culturally curious guest, the dining is extraordinary, the ports are carefully chosen, and the onboard atmosphere is elegant without being stuffy. You will arrive home as cruise converts. I have seen it happen many times.

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 Q:  Should we extend our cruise with a pre or post trip to another country? How do I decide?

 

A:  Pre and post cruise extensions are one of the best ways to add extraordinary depth to a cruise itinerary, and for a Danube sailing starting in Budapest, the options are genuinely exciting.

The question I always ask first is this: are you more interested in maximizing the destination at the start of your journey when you have the most energy, or ending on a high note in a city you want to linger in? Both are valid strategies and lead to different extension choices.

For a Budapest embarkation, a Prague extension before or after the cruise is one of the most popular and rewarding options in European travel. Prague is approximately a four hour drive or a short flight from Budapest, and the city is among the most architecturally stunning and culturally rich in all of Europe. A two to three night stay there pairs beautifully with a Danube sailing.

Vienna is another natural extension point, as many Danube itineraries include Vienna as a port of call, but a dedicated hotel stay gives you time to experience the city beyond the afternoon tour pace.

I handle all pre and post cruise hotel bookings, private transfers, and extension itineraries for my clients as part of the full trip design. This is one of the things that separates a true travel advisor from a booking engine. Let me build the full picture for you.

 

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  Q:  How far in advance should I book a luxury cruise to get the best pricing and cabin selection?

A:  The short answer is: earlier than you think, and for Alaska and Japan specifically, urgency matters more than most destinations.

For a 2026 Alaska sailing, the window to get the best cabin selection at the best pricing is right now, in 2025 and early 2026. Alaska sailings, particularly on smaller premium and luxury ships, fill up well in advance. Balcony cabins with glacier views and veranda suites are among the first to go, and pricing does not typically improve as departure approaches for popular itineraries. Luxury lines like Regent, Oceania, and Azamara operate limited Alaska capacity and those ships sell out.

For a Japan sailing, the dynamics are even more pronounced. Japan has become one of the most sought after cruise destinations in the world following the reopening of international tourism, and ships sailing Japanese coastal itineraries, particularly those calling in smaller ports like Kanazawa, Shimizu, and Nagasaki alongside Tokyo and Kyoto based excursions, are booking 12 to 18 months in advance.

My general recommendation for any luxury or premium sailing is to start planning 12 to 18 months out. Deposits are typically modest relative to the overall investment, and booking early locks in your preferred cabin category, protects you against price increases, and gives you the full window to coordinate flights, pre cruise hotels, and shore excursions. Waiting rarely saves money in the luxury cruise market. It typically just reduces your options.

 

  Q:  What is Azamara and how is it different from other luxury cruise lines?

A; Azamara is a destination immersion cruise line, which means they design their itineraries specifically around staying longer in ports that other cruise lines barely visit. While a typical ocean cruise might spend four to six hours in a port before sailing to the next destination, Azamara itineraries regularly include overnight calls and late night departures that give you time to experience a place the way a local does, at evening, when the day trippers have gone and the city comes alive.

Azamara operates smaller, intimate ships of approximately 700 guests. This allows them to call in smaller, less commercial ports that larger ships cannot access at all. If you have been to the usual stops on a Mediterranean or Caribbean itinerary and you are ready to go deeper into places most cruise ships never reach, Azamara is the line built for exactly that kind of traveler.

The onboard experience is upscale without being formal. Included amenities are generous, the crew to guest ratio is high, and there is a genuine warmth to the onboard culture that reflects the kind of traveler Azamara attracts. I hold the Azamara World Academy designation, the highest credential Azamara awards to travel advisors, and I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that this line is a remarkable fit for experienced cruisers who are ready for something more meaningful.

 

 Q:  We are thinking about a Holland America cruise to Alaska. Is Holland America still a good line?

  

A: Holland America has made significant investments in their fleet and product over the past several years and the line remains one of the best options for an Alaska cruise, particularly for travelers who appreciate a refined, unhurried pace with genuine destination focus.

Their Alaska itineraries are among the most comprehensive in the market. Holland America has been sailing Alaska longer than almost any other cruise line and it shows in their itinerary depth, their partnership with lodges and rail excursions through the Yukon and Canadian Rockies, and in the quality of their naturalist programming onboard. The Glacier Discovery sailings in particular give guests experiences that are genuinely difficult to replicate on any other line.

What has changed since your last sailing is primarily the ships themselves. The Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam class vessels introduced in recent years offer significantly upgraded dining with the Rudi's Sel de Mer specialty restaurant, the culinary arts programming in the BBKING's Blues Club, and updated cabin designs. If you sailed Holland America a decade ago on an older vessel, the experience today is meaningfully different and improved.

I hold a Holland America certification and have helped many clients plan Alaska itineraries on their fleet. I would love to pull together a comparison for you across the sailing dates and cabin categories that fit your timeline.

 

Q:  I keep seeing ads for MSC Cruises. Are they a luxury line and should I consider them?

 

A: MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately held cruise line and one of the fastest growing brands in the industry. They are not a luxury line in the same category as Regent, Silversea, Oceania, or Azamara. MSC is a premium mainstream line, closer in positioning to Norwegian Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean, with a European flair that reflects their Mediterranean heritage.

Where MSC stands out is in their new ship technology and their Yacht Club product. The MSC Yacht Club is a ship within a ship concept offering butler service, a private pool deck and restaurant, and a premium experience that does rival some luxury lines in terms of service intensity, all at a price point that is often meaningfully lower than a dedicated luxury line sailing.

For clients who are drawn to MSC, I typically ask what is driving the interest. If it is price, I want to make sure we are comparing the full cost including all the add ons MSC charges separately versus what a more inclusive premium or luxury line includes in the fare. If it is the Yacht Club product specifically, that is a genuinely interesting option worth exploring seriously.

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Q: Why should I use a travel advisor instead of booking on my own?

A: A travel advisor brings something no booking website can: personalized expertise, established supplier relationships, and a real person in your corner when something goes wrong. Research from ASTA shows that travelers who use advisors report higher satisfaction and better value than those who book independently. At Cruisin Couple Travel Agency, we handle every detail — from cabin selection and dining preferences to shore excursions and travel protection — so you can focus on the experience, not the logistics.

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Q: Does working with a travel advisor cost me more money?

A: In most cases, no. Cruise lines and tour operators maintain price parity, which means the price you see with us is the same as booking directly — but you gain a credentialed advisor, white-glove service, and access to exclusive amenities and perks that are only available through a travel advisor. We earn our compensation through commissions paid by suppliers, not from your pocket. A planning fee may apply for certain custom itineraries or land-only arrangements; we will always be upfront about this before you commit.

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Q: What makes Cruisin Couple Travel Agency different?

A: We are a CLIA Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE), ASTA Verified Travel Advisor, and they have certifications among the highest designations achievable in the cruise industry. The co-owners serve on the Board of Directors of the Arizona ASTA Chapter and holds certifications from more than a dozen cruise lines. Our team of advisors brings that same depth of expertise across luxury ocean cruising, river cruising, group travel, European rail, and custom land itineraries. We do not sell packages; we craft experiences.

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BOOKING AND PLANNING
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Q: How far in advance should I start planning my trip?

A: The earlier, the better — especially for cruises, international travel, group sailings, and peak-season departures. For luxury river cruises and popular ocean itineraries, 12 to 18 months in advance is common. For land-based travel, we generally recommend at least six months. That said, we do accommodate last-minute travelers when availability allows. The earlier we start together, the more options we have to find the right fit for your travel goals and budget.

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Q: What information should I have ready when I first reach out?

A: You do not need to have everything figured out — that is what we are here for. It helps to have a general idea of your travel dates (or at least the time of year), the number of travelers and any special considerations such as mobility needs or dietary requirements, a rough sense of your budget, and your destination wish list. If you are open to suggestions, let us know the experience you are looking for — relaxing, adventurous, cultural, celebratory — and we will take it from there.

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Q: Can you help with group travel?

A: Absolutely. Group travel is one of our specialties. Whether you are planning a family reunion, a girls' trip, a wedding group, a corporate incentive, or a milestone celebration sailing, we handle the complexity so you can enjoy the journey. Group bookings often unlock exclusive amenities, dedicated dining times, private excursions, and negotiated rates that are not available to individual travelers. Reach out early — group space fills quickly on the most popular itineraries.

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CRUISES
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Q: Which cruise line is right for me?

A: That depends entirely on your travel style, budget, and the experience you want. Contemporary lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are ideal for families and first-time cruisers who want high-energy ships with a wide range of activities. Premium lines like Princess and Holland America offer a more refined experience with enrichment programs and destination-focused itineraries. Luxury lines such as Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, and Oceania feature smaller ships, included amenities, and sophisticated dining. River cruise lines like AmaWaterways and Viking put you in the heart of destinations with a more intimate experience. We hold certifications across all of these categories and will match you to the right product for your trip.

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Q: What is the difference between ocean and river cruising?

A: Ocean cruises sail on open water and range from three-night getaways to world voyages, aboard ships that can carry anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand guests. River cruises travel inland waterways — the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Mekong, and others — on smaller vessels that dock in the heart of cities and towns, often overnight. River cruising tends to attract travelers who want deep cultural immersion, an intimate atmosphere, and less time at sea. Both offer exceptional experiences; the right choice depends on the destination and what you want to feel on your trip.

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TRAVEL PROTECTION AND DOCUMENTS
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Q: Do I need travel insurance?

A: We strongly recommend travel protection for every trip, regardless of destination or trip length. Travel insurance can cover trip cancellation and interruption, medical emergencies abroad, emergency evacuation, lost or delayed baggage, and missed connections. Without it, an unexpected illness, a family emergency, or a supplier disruption can result in significant financial loss. We will walk you through your options and help you find a policy that fits the value of your trip and your personal needs.

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Q: Do I need a passport for my trip?

A: A valid U.S. passport is required for most international travel. Many countries also require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your return date, so check your expiration date well in advance. Some destinations also require a visa, which we will review with you during the planning process. For domestic cruises and some Caribbean sailings, a passport card or enhanced driver's license may be accepted — but a full passport book is always the safest choice. Processing times for new passports can take weeks or longer, so do not wait until the last minute.

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Q: What happens if my trip is canceled or something goes wrong while I am traveling?

A: This is exactly where having a travel advisor matters most. If a supplier makes a change, a flight is disrupted, or an unexpected situation arises during your trip, you have a real person — not a chatbot — who knows your itinerary and can advocate on your behalf. We stay in contact with our clients throughout their travels and work quickly to find solutions. Travel protection also plays a critical role here, which is why we recommend it for every booking.

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GETTING STARTED
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Q: How do I get started with Cruisin Couple Travel Agency?

A: Simply reach out — we love a good conversation about travel. You can contact Melissa directly at melissa@ccta.co or call 602-558-0154. You are also welcome to visit us at www.cruisincouple.com. We will start with a discovery conversation to learn about your travel dreams, answer your questions, and map out a plan together. There is no pressure and no obligation — just two people who love travel talking about where yours should take you next.