ABOUT TRAVEL & CRUISE DESK

WHO WE ARE

The TRAVEL & CRUISE DESK specializes in providing upscale booking and travel experiences to our valued leisure and business clients and those seeking the very best for their once-in-a-lifetime special occasion.

From the first contact with our Front Desk Concierge and all the way through the booking process to the moment they return home from their trip, our family-owned travel agency prides itself on offering travelers exceptional travel planning assistance. Through unparalleled service and a vast, but vetted network of tour operators, cruise lines, hotels, and resorts our goal is to always provide an experience beyond.

WHAT WE DO

As expert professionals, itinerary designers, and client advocates, our travel advisors work to inspire, create, and enhance tailored and unique travel experiences that go beyond expectations.

  • Inspire: We constantly seek out new destinations, experiences, and connections that enable us to spark the imagination and tailor dream vacations.

  • Create: We get to know our clients so that we can build the travel components and itineraries that fit their individual interests, needs, and schedules.

  • Enhance: We work with our clients before, during, and after every trip to ensure that we continually exceed expectations.

WHERE IN THE WORLD

For a very long time our company tagline was Any Place In the World Or Around It and that has not changed. While we always want to ensure high standards and complete satisfaction in the types of accommodations and itineraries we offer, we can assist with travel experiences to destinations all across the globe. Our travel advisors are true destination specialists and experts in their field.

WHEN DID IT ALL START

Our story starts when Julie Shipley founded Julie’s Travel Desk in 1965. Back then, a desk was pretty much all that was needed. Julie’s attention to detail, creativity, and a desire to help others made selling travel a natural choice for her. The original ‘Team Julie’s’ consisted of three members, who all worked hard making travel arrangements for their clients to any place in the world or around it. Over the past fifty years the travel industry and the way people travel has changed considerably. By keeping up with this ever-changing industry, the TRAVEL & CRUISE DESK has not only survived but has thrived. Originally, almost every journey started with a visit to a local travel agency. These days there are other options available, but by offering expert advice, while providing the highest quality of customer service, we continue to add value to every travel experience that we help to create.

Creating memories since 1965...

WHY USE OUR SERVICES

We believe that there are many ways in which the services we offer enhance the booking process and ensure a better travel experience for our clients. Here are some examples:

EXPERIENCE BEYOND COMPARE

With over 50 years in business and an average of 20+ years industry experience per advisor, we pride ourselves on being one of the most experienced travel agencies around. By having access to a full team of advisors who are experts in specific niches and experiences, our agency is the perfect partner to assist with business and leisure travel needs, no matter the destination.

EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE INTERNET (OR AI)

Booking a trip online or directly with a tour operator, cruise line, or resort is always an option. However, when compared apples to apples, booking with our agency actually works out to be less expensive and there are many reasons travelers should consider doing so:

  • WE ARE HERE: Our service does not stop once the booking is made. We will be there with you as your advisor and advocate every step of the way from the time you book a trip with us through your return home - to answer questions or help you handle the unexpected.

  • WE ARE HUMAN: We get to know you, your likes and dislikes, and your travel preferences. Our recommendations are based on your specific needs and wants. Sure, there are algorithms for that type of thing, but is that really any substitute for a human connection? Through our relationship and personal connections with clients and travel partners, we work to create solutions tailored to your needs.

  • WE ARE IN THE KNOW: Your experience is what matters most to us. Your relationship with a search engine ends once you the booking is made. They owe no responsibility to ensure you read the fine print. Through booking only trusted suppliers, hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and other travel services we ensure that the experiences we recommend are the ones that our clients receive.

  • WE ARE YOUR ADVOCATE: Many resorts and cruise lines pride themselves on their guest-to-staff ratio (the amount of staff on hand per guest at any one time). When you book with one of our advisors you are instantly improving that ratio. Think of our advisors as your very own advocate ready to assist in any way they can to ensure the very best for you.

EXPERIENCE BEYOND THE ORDINARY

We understand that not every traveler or trip requires the expertise and attention to detail our service provides. Our service is tailored to those who expect more. We believe that each trip we book should be extraordinary and our clients should expect that we will do everything in our power to ensure that it is. This is true for leisure travel and our business clients too.

EXPERIENCE BEYOND OUR OWN

We have built a global network of preferred suppliers, in-country partnerships and other affiliations to help us ensure the very best for our clients. We can immediately consult insiders at resorts, cruise lines, and travel suppliers everywhere - not just the big brand-name companies, but also lots of smaller travel companies that offer great services for all types of travel.

EXPERIENCE BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

Everything we do is with the ultimate goal of ensuring an experience beyond. We are extremely proud of our reputation and the talented team that assists us in maintaining it. We are also eternally thankful to our valued clientele. We believe that their continued support and referrals are based on our drive to go beyond their expectations and so this motivation is at the center of every trip we book.