“Anything but a cruise!”   Maybe you feel the same way?  Believe me, I get it.  I had always said the same thing but my friend Kelly Gruber, founder of Sherry Lane Travel changed my mind!  Many times the answer to a travel challenge is take a cruise!

I hope you enjoy her insight!

xo

Alicia

From Kelly:

Sometimes a particular voyage is the wrong fit.  But — like hotels, ships are not created equal. The experience can differ based on factors like cruise line, ship size, cabin type and itinerary.   And the truth is that a carefully selected cruise can actually solve some of life’s biggest travel challenges.

Travel Challenge #1:  “I want to cover ground, but I don’t have a lot of time.”

Think Europe, where many want a number of destinations in a limited timeframe. Consider that a nine night cruise could hit eight different countries, and in half the time of a comparable land based trip.  And without any unpacking, transportation issues or hotel changes! The right voyage truly turns a complicated itinerary into a true vacation.

Travel Challenge #2:  “Food, food, food.  What’s for dinner?”

Allergies, picky eaters, and foodies all present unique challenges to a family on the go, especially when traveling  ALL TOGETHER.  You could spend hours finding the right restaurant (if that even exists!).  Or, a cruise could address these situations. Some truly nail it, offering an unbelievable variety – with cook to order gourmet, specialty restaurants, room service options, and yes even a (gasp!) buffet experience.  Dare I admit we sent one kid to the buffet after her disappointment with a concierge restaurant meal?  OK, I’ll admit it.

Travel Challenge #3:  “I want a unique experience”

Exclusive access is the new luxury.  More and more clients want their trips to deliver something special.  So enter the cruise.  First, there are amazing spots that can only be fully experienced from a ship.  Think Norwegian Fjords or Galapagos.  And of course, Alaska’s Inside Passage.  And then there are those places that are just so hard to get to!  SeaDream is a leader in this genre with 100 person yacht trips that target those tough to get to spots from Martinique to Saba to Corsica.

Alicia took a voyage on SeaDream to Spain and truly enjoyed it!  “I would never have booked a cruise on my own but with Kelly’s recommendation, I couldn’t wait to experience SeaDream!  It was the best way to see the coast of Spain and experience small, special ports that I would only dream of visiting but never book a trip to cover them all.  And, certainly not in 7 days!”

Travel Challenge #4:  “I am all about luxury.”

You have seen them – mass market ads that say a cruise is just one kind of thing.  But, don’t believe them!  Many clients have found 5 star experiences aboard some of the other options out there.  Many of these companies never advertise because they don’t have to.  Their world of mouth and repeat customer base keep them booked year-round.  Butler service – check.  Private excursions – check.  Sumptuous suites – check.  Gourmet food and wines – check and check.  As one client said, ”it was hard to leave the ship.”

Kelly Gruber is the founder of Sherry Lane Travel in Dallas, Texas, a boutique, luxury agency, and valued member of the AWL Team.  You can reach her at inquiries@sherrylanetravel.com

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