FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF WORKING WITH A TRAVEL ADVISOR INSTEAD OF JUST BOOKING IT MYSELF?

Honestly? Time, expertise, and someone in your corner if anything goes sideways. Technology has made it easier to book a trip. It has not made it easier to book the right trip. Travel advisors bring firsthand knowledge, real supplier relationships, and the kind of high-touch experience a search engine simply cannot replicate. And if something goes wrong before or during your trip, you have an actual human being advocating for you. That is not something Expedia offers.

DO YOU GET BETTER RATES THAN I COULD FIND ONLINE?

Often, yes, especially for cruises, where our Travel Leaders Network membership unlocks exclusive pricing, added onboard credit, and amenities that are not available to the public. But even when the rate is similar, the real value is in everything that comes with it: the expertise, the custom itinerary, the insider knowledge, and the peace of mind. We are not just saving you money. We are saving you from the "I wish I had known that before we left" moments.

HOW DO I GET ACCESS TO YOUR EXCLUSIVE CRUISE RATES?

One word: flexibility. Our exclusive cruise rates are often significantly lower than booking directly with the cruise line, and they are tied to specific sailings and cabin categories. The more flexible you can be with your dates, ship, and stateroom category, the better your chances of landing one of those rates. And yes, they often come with extras like onboard credit and exclusive shore excursions on top. It is one of the best perks of working with us!

HOW ARE YOUR PLANNING FEES CALCULATED AND WHY DO YOU CHARGE THEM?

The short version: because our time and expertise have real value, and we want to be able to dedicate both fully to your trip. Fees are based on the complexity of your itinerary, including number of destinations, travelers, nights, and how close you are to your departure date. The fee ensures we can do the research, build the right connections, and hand-select the partners who will actually deliver the experience you deserve, not just whoever pays us the highest commission. And as a reminder, the $350 fee is fully waived when you book with us. So if we are the right fit, it costs you nothing extra.

WHY DO YOU PROVIDE BUNDLED PACKAGE RATES INSTEAD OF PRICING EVERYTHING SEPARATELY?

Because travel is an experience, not a spreadsheet. When we bundle flights, accommodations, transfers, and experiences together, we can leverage our industry relationships to get you better overall value than if you priced everything separately. It also means one streamlined experience: one proposal, one point of contact, one person making sure everything works together seamlessly. That is the whole point.

I LOVE PLANNING! CAN WE STILL WORK TOGETHER?

Yes, and I love that about you! A lot of the joy of travel is in the anticipation, and I completely get that. Here is the thing though: my job is not to take that joy away. It is to add to it. I bring the insider knowledge, the supplier relationships, and the "you did not know to ask about this but trust me it matters" details that make the difference between a good trip and a great one. We can absolutely collaborate. And if you really just want to pick my brain without the full planning experience, I offer consultation calls at $100 per hour, perfect for the DIY traveler who wants expert eyes on their plan.

DO YOU BOOK TRIPS OUTSIDE YOUR SPECIALTY DESTINATIONS?

Potentially! If I have the bandwidth and the confidence to do your trip justice, I am absolutely open to the conversation. My goal is always to give your trip the attention it deserves, so if it falls outside my wheelhouse I will be honest about that and do my best to connect you with a trusted peer who specializes in exactly what you need. Just ask. The worst I can say is "not this time, but here is who can help." 😊

CAN YOU BOOK MY FLIGHTS IF I HAVE REWARD POINTS?

Maybe! As more and more clients travel with rewards miles, our suppliers have worked to accommodate this, sometimes. Make sure to tell me about your points situation early in the process so I can check whether our supplier works with your airline and can apply them to your booking. Do not sit on that info because it matters!

CAN YOU BOOK JUST FLIGHTS FOR ME?

Technically yes, but honestly you probably do not want to pay us to do it. Airlines stopped compensating travel advisors years ago, which means we would need to charge you a booking fee. Since you can book directly with the airline yourself with more flexibility and no extra cost, that is usually your best bet. Where we shine is when flights are part of a full package. Our bulk air rates kick in when flights are bundled with at least a rental car or 3 nights of hotel, and that is where the real value is.

DO YOU WORK WITH VRBO OR AIRBNB?

We do not, and here is why: we cannot stand behind the quality of individually managed properties. If something goes wrong with a private rental, our ability to help you is very limited, and that is not a position I am willing to put my clients in. If you need shared space options like a villa with a common living area for a group, we will work with our vetted supplier partners to find something that fits without the risk of a privately listed property.

WHAT DESTINATIONS DOES ADVENTURE BOOK TRAVEL SPECIALIZE IN?

Our sweet spot is Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, and Mexico, on land or on the waterways via river and ocean cruises. Within those destinations we specialize in milestone celebration travel: honeymoons, anniversaries, milestone birthdays, retirement trips, family reunions, group cruises, and more. About 65% of what we plan is cruise based, with the rest being land destination celebrations.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I START PLANNING MY TRIP?

The earlier the better, especially for milestone trips. For cruises, group travel, and peak season departures, 6 to 18 months out is ideal. The best cabin categories, the best itineraries, and the best pricing do not stick around. Early birds really do get the best cabins. If your trip is coming up in the next 3 months, reach out anyway because we can often make it work, though a rush booking fee may apply.

DO YOU WORK WITH CLIENTS OUTSIDE OF FLORIDA?

Absolutely! ABT is based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, but our clients are nationwide. Our roots are in Indiana, which is where we built our referral base, and it has since spread all over the country. Distance has never been a barrier to planning an incredible trip together.

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