Work With Us
Become a Professional Travel Advisor

Travel & Cruise Desk has been in business since 1965. When we opened, a travel agent was the only way to book a trip. Today anyone can. That shift is exactly why what we do, and how we do it, matters more than ever.

Booking Travel and Advising on Travel Are Not the Same Thing

The travel industry has made it easy to call yourself a travel agent. Sign up with a host, complete a quick certification, and you can book trips by the weekend. There is nothing wrong with that path, but it is not what we do here, and it is not what our clients expect.

At Travel & Cruise Desk, we practice a concierge model built on long-term relationships, genuine expertise, and professional fees. Our advisors do not just book. They consult, advocate, design, and follow through. The difference shows up in client satisfaction, in repeat business, and in a career that actually grows.

Our Purpose

We inspire, create, and enhance tailored and unique travel experiences that go beyond expectations. With integrity and care in every detail, we design personalized travel that enriches lives, honors our legacy, and makes a positive impact on the world, while creating an environment where our expert advisors thrive as respected professionals.

Our Vision and Values ↗

We Are Selective. That Is Intentional.

We are not for everyone, and we are honest about that. Our model only works when every advisor on the team holds themselves to the same standard. So before anything else, here is a plain account of who we are looking for and who we are not.

Not a fit
Side hustlers and hobbyists
Those who prioritize volume over depth
Anyone looking for easy or passive
Those who prefer a transactional approach
Those not committed to growing
A strong fit
Relationship-driven professionals
Those building something meaningful
Committed to deep destination knowledge
Advisors ready to own their expertise
Perpetual students of the world

Many Paths Lead Into This Industry. Not All of Them Lead Forward.

There are many ways to enter the travel industry today, and some of them are genuinely useful starting points. A quick path to earning commissions, access to a community, some basic training. For many people, that is exactly what they need to find their footing.

But the advisors we tend to attract have reached a point where they want more. More differentiation. More depth. Clients who value their expertise rather than just their access to a booking platform. A career with a real trajectory rather than an income that plateaus without a clear path forward.

If that resonates, it is worth understanding what a different model looks like.

Agency at a Glance
Founded 1965
Location Lake Oswego, OR
Type Family-owned, LLC
Network Signature Travel Network
Specialty Luxury leisure travel
Model Concierge, fee-based
Client Rating 4.9 / 5 (150+ reviews)
"travail"
Old French, n. work, toil
The origin of the word travel. We have always thought that was fitting. This is not a lifestyle brand. It is a craft.
Recent Recognition
Lake Oswego Business of the Year 2025, Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce
Best Local Travel Agency 2024, 2025 & 2026, Lake Oswego Review & West Linn Tidings
ASTA National Luxury Travel Excellence Award 2025
Travel Elevates Spirit Agency Award 2023
Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist
BBB Accredited, A+ Rating
Travel and Cruise Desk full team outside Lake Oswego office 2025

Two Ways to Be Part of This Team

Travel & Cruise Desk is a full-service luxury agency founded in 1965. Our team is made up of two distinct groups, and we are transparent about both.

01
Independent Contractors
You run your own business. We provide the foundation.

Our ICs operate independently and own their client relationships, but they do not do it alone. They work within our infrastructure, draw on our Signature preferred supplier connections, benefit from our agency marketing and reputation, and have a real office and experienced team around them. This is not a host model. There are no nameless advisors in a portal. You are part of this agency, with everything that means.

We are selectively open to bringing on the right ICs. We would rather have three exceptional advisors than thirty average ones.

02
In-Office Employee Advisors
Part of the team, in every sense.

Our employed advisors and support staff are the core of the agency. They are embedded in the culture, the client relationships, and the day-to-day life of the business. All of our employee advisors are ASTA Verified Travel Advisors, a credential that reflects our commitment to professional standards and consumer protection.

While we grow this side of the team carefully and intentionally, we are always open to a conversation with the right individual. If you are someone who wants to build a long-term career within an agency rather than as a solo operator, that conversation is worth having.

What Being a Signature Agency Means for Your Career

Travel & Cruise Desk is a proud member of Signature Travel Network, one of the most respected travel cooperatives in the world. For advisors working with us, that membership is not just a credential. It is a genuine competitive advantage that shapes every client interaction. And for those newer to the industry, Signature has built one of the most rigorous new-advisor programs available anywhere.

  • Preferred Partner PortfolioExclusive rates, amenities, and client perks across the world's leading cruise lines, hotels, and tour operators that you cannot offer outside a Signature agency.
  • Signature Travel Expert CertificationAn intensive, industry-recognized training program that builds real expertise and credibility with high-end clients.
  • Customized Marketing ProgramDigital magazines, email campaigns, and sweepstakes that keep you visible and your clients engaged without you building it from scratch.
  • Online Learning PortalContinuous development including destination training, product knowledge, and business-building resources available on your schedule.
  • Signature Events and Regional SeminarsIn-person connection with top suppliers, industry leaders, and fellow advisors at events designed to grow your network and your business.
  • Member Recognition ProgramIndustry-level acknowledgment of excellence for advisors who consistently deliver outstanding results for their clients.
New to Industry
Signature Embark

Designed specifically for advisors in their first two years, Embark is one of the most structured new-to-industry programs available anywhere in the travel industry. Level 1 is free and focuses on Signature preferred partners, marketing, and training fundamentals. Level 2 is a two-year guided experience with dedicated coaches, peer networking, in-person sales bootcamp, and includes ASTA Verified Travel Advisor certification at no additional cost. For the right person who is new to the craft but serious about it, this changes the trajectory of a career.

Learn more about what Signature membership means for travel advisors at joinsignaturetravelnetwork.com.

Still Reading? Good. That Tells Us Something.
Two Doors. Both May Be Open to the Right Professional.

The best advisors are rarely actively looking. Just like the best opportunities rarely announce themselves at a convenient time. If you have made it this far, you may well be the kind of person we want to know.

Send us a note at careers@travelcruisedesk.com with your resume and tell us why Travel & Cruise Desk, and why now. Whether you are new to the industry, an experienced independent contractor looking for a better platform, or someone who wants to build a long-term career here in the office, we are always open to a conversation with the right person.

Start the Conversation

What a Career Here Looks Like Over Time

Most host agencies do not define this. We think it matters to be clear about it.

1
Discovery and Alignment
A candid conversation about fit. Your background, your goals, and whether our model is genuinely right for where you want to go.
2
Training and Integration
Signature Travel Expert certification, supplier relationships, in-office training, and learning alongside some of the most experienced advisors in the region.
3
Client Introduction
Backed by agency marketing and a growing client base, you build your own book of relationships. Qualified, engaged clients who already trust Travel & Cruise Desk.
4
Growth and Specialization
You develop your areas of depth, a region, a travel style, or a supplier niche. FAM trips, industry events, and ongoing training sharpen your edge.
5
Long-Term Advisory Career
A roster of clients who return year after year because you know their preferences, their histories, and what an exceptional trip looks like for them specifically. This is what the career is supposed to look like.

Five Things That Matter More Than Your Resume

  • 01 A genuine passion for travel. Not enthusiasm. Real-world experience, deep curiosity, and a desire to keep learning that does not stop when the booking is done.
  • 02 Exceptional attention to detail. Our clients trust us with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The difference between a great trip and a perfect one usually lives in the details others miss.
  • 03 A client-first mindset. We do not sell trips. We build long-term relationships, advocate for our clients, and go well beyond the booking.
  • 04 Professionalism and integrity. We hold ourselves to a high standard because our clients, and our reputation, deserve nothing less.
  • 05 The drive to grow. The best advisors are perpetual students of the world. We invest in learning and we expect the same of our team.
Travel & Cruise Desk
Serving Lake Oswego since 1965