Has a friend ever come home from vacation and said, "You HAVE to go there"? Or maybe you saw a resort on TV and thought, that's where I want to go.
There's nothing wrong with taking recommendations from friends, family, or social media — they're a great way to find ideas. But I want every traveler to remember one thing: just because someone else loved a vacation doesn't mean it's the right vacation for you. That's one of the biggest reasons working with a travel advisor pays off. My job isn't to find you a vacation that's good. It's to find the one that fits you.
Not All Resorts Are the Same
Sandals is a perfect example. I have clients who love Sandals, and I understand why — but even within the brand, resorts can feel completely different. Sandals Curaçao is one of my clients' favorites, and it's a beautiful property. But I'd never tell someone, "You loved Sandals Nassau, so you'll love Sandals Curaçao." The island is different. The setting, the atmosphere, what you do outside the resort — all different.
A resort can carry hundreds of five-star reviews and still not be right for you. Maybe you want a beach where you do nothing for a week. Maybe you want to explore the island, or chase nightlife, or eat your way through twelve restaurants. Those details matter, and they're exactly what I ask about before I recommend anything.
The Same Is True With Cruise Ships
Clients tell me all the time, "We sailed Royal Caribbean and loved it — you should book it for us too." I love hearing that. But before I recommend the same line or ship to someone else, I want to know what they loved. The food? The entertainment? The size of the ship? The nightlife, or the quiet spaces? The kids' program? The itinerary?
A ship that's perfect for a family with teenagers can be completely wrong for a couple celebrating their 30th anniversary. Nonstop entertainment that thrills one traveler exhausts another. Even two ships from the same line can feel worlds apart. So I don't ask, "What's the best cruise line?" I ask, "What's the best cruise line for you?"
River Cruising Makes the Point Even Better
Most people have heard of Viking — they've done a phenomenal job putting their name in front of travelers. So when someone starts researching river cruises, Viking is often the only name they know. But it isn't the only option. I also work with Avalon and AmaWaterways, and I think every traveler should compare before deciding.
The ships, the food, the excursions, the atmosphere — none of it is identical across lines. I have river cruise lines I prefer for my clients because of what I've found matters most to them: excellent food, included excursions that feel less crowded, an onboard experience I think stands out. That doesn't make Viking a bad choice. It just means Viking isn't automatically the best choice for everyone.
So What Should You Do?
Keep listening to your friends. Keep watching travel shows. Keep reading reviews — they're all great for ideas. Just don't let someone else's vacation become your vacation without asking a few more questions first:
- What did they love about it?
- Would I love those same things?
- What mattered to them that might not matter to me?
- What matters most to me on vacation?
- What am I hoping this trip will actually feel like?
That's where the conversation changes — you stop chasing the highest-rated resort or the most-advertised cruise line, and start looking for your vacation.
This Is Where I Come In
I don't want to sell you the trip everyone else is booking. I want to know what you loved about your last vacation — and what you didn't. Adventure or relaxation? A buzzing resort or a quiet one? A big, energetic ship or something smaller? Every port, or the ship itself? I use those answers to narrow down the choices.
There are a lot of wonderful vacations out there. The trick isn't finding a wonderful vacation — it's finding the one that's wonderful for you. Tell me what you're after, and I'll help you find it. My planning services are always free — the resorts and cruise lines pay the commission, not you.