Everything you need to know about working with us, what to expect, and how we create meaningful travel experiences.
Why should I use a travel advisor instead of booking online?
We offer three things no booking platform can: advice, advocacy, and accountability.
Advice that is grounded in real human connection. We take the time to get to know you, not just your destination, but how you travel, what matters to you, and the questions you did not know to ask. The difference between a good trip and the right trip often comes down to that conversation.
Advocacy that puts your interests first. We leverage long-standing supplier relationships on your behalf, push for upgrades and amenities, and navigate the complexity of the travel industry so you do not have to. When there is a decision to be made, we are on your side of the table.
Accountability that lasts well beyond the booking. We are not here for a quick sale. We want to earn your trust, your future business, and your referrals, and that only happens by delivering on what we promise. We check in with you when you return, because we genuinely want to know how it went. That kind of relationship does not exist on a booking website.
Do travel agents cost more?
Not for the travel itself. If it is a true apples-to-apples comparison, the travel component should never cost more when booked through us. In many cases our preferred supplier relationships mean you receive added amenities room upgrades, resort credits, breakfast at no extra cost, which effectively makes your trip better for the same price.
What we do charge is a BEYOND Planning and Service Fee, which reflects the time, expertise, and care that goes into creating your experience. That fee is separate from the cost of travel and is clearly outlined before we begin. Think of it as the cost of having an expert in your corner rather than navigating everything on your own.
What are your planning and service fees?
We charge a BEYOND Planning and Service Fee of between $25 and $250 per person, based on the complexity and timing of your trip. The fee is discussed and agreed upon before we begin any planning.
This fee ensures your advisor has the time and focus to make your trip their priority researching the right suppliers, building a customized itinerary, and being there for you throughout. It is non-refundable if you choose not to book. However, if you do travel and feel our service did not add genuine value to your experience, we will refund it. That is how confident we are in what we do.
How does your planning process work?
It starts with a Trip Request. Tell us where you want to go, when, who is traveling, and what matters most to you. We will match you with the right advisor, have a complimentary consultation to understand your vision, and then get to work building an itinerary tailored specifically to you.
You can learn more about each step on our booking process page.
How do I get started?
Submit a Trip Request. It takes a few minutes and gives your advisor everything they need to begin. You can also call us at (503) 636-5684 or visit us in person at our Lake Oswego office we are open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
What happens after I submit a trip request?
We review your request and match you with the advisor on our team best suited to your trip type and destination. They will reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation a conversation to understand your vision, answer your initial questions, and outline how we can help. From there, we discuss the planning fee and, once agreed, get to work.
How do you match me with an advisor?
We match based on destination expertise, travel style, and trip type. Our team has deep specializations across cruise, luxury resorts, European itineraries, honeymoons and weddings, safari, and more. You will always be working with someone who genuinely knows your destination.
Can I work with a specific advisor?
Yes. If you have worked with one of our advisors before or have a preference, just let us know in your trip request and we will do our best to accommodate. You can learn more about our team on the Meet Our Team page.
How far in advance should I start planning?
As early as possible, especially for popular destinations, peak travel seasons, river and expedition cruises, and complex itineraries. For most international trips we recommend starting at least six to nine months out. Luxury properties and small-ship cruises can book up a year or more in advance.
That said, we handle last-minute requests too the sooner you reach out, the more options we have available to you.
Can you help if I have already started planning?
Yes. Even if you have done your own research or already have a destination and rough dates in mind, we can step in and add real value. Many clients come to us mid-planning and find that we refine, elevate, and simplify what they had already started. Just submit a trip request and tell us where things stand.
I know exactly what I want. Can I still use your service?
Absolutely. Even if you have a specific resort, cruise, or itinerary in mind, booking through us means you have access to our preferred supplier relationships, exclusive amenities, and someone in your corner throughout. Clients who know exactly what they want often find the planning fee is lower, and the added value through our supplier connections more than offsets it.
The internet is for looking. Your trusted travel advisor is for booking.
Why do you charge planning and service fees?
Our BEYOND Planning and Service Fee makes our service tangible. It is a commitment on your part and ours. When you pay a planning fee, you are not just hiring help. You are engaging a professional who has set aside dedicated time to make your trip their priority. And when we accept a fee, we are committing to do the work that justifies it.
There is also a practical reality: advisors who do not charge fees have to make up for it in volume. Volume is the enemy of personalization. Our fee is what allows us to stay focused on you, not on how many bookings we can turn over in a week.
What is included in the planning fee?
Your planning fee covers the full scope of our advisory service: the initial consultation, destination research, supplier negotiation, itinerary design, booking management, pre-trip briefing, and support throughout your journey. It is not a transaction fee. It is the cost of having a dedicated expert on your side from the first conversation to the day you return home.
A detailed breakdown of our services is available in our service agreement.
Is it more expensive to book through you?
The travel itself the flights, hotels, cruises, tours should never cost more when booked through us on a like-for-like basis. In many cases our preferred supplier access means you receive additional amenities at no extra cost, effectively making your trip better for the same price.
The only additional cost is our planning fee, which reflects the expertise and service we provide. We encourage clients who see something online to share it with us we will always try to match or improve on it.
Do you price match online deals?
If it is a true apples-to-apples comparison the same property, the same dates, the same room category the travel component should not be more expensive through us. If you see something online, share it with us and give us the opportunity to match or improve on it. We are always happy to try.
What if I decide not to book after planning?
The BEYOND Planning and Service Fee is non-refundable if you choose not to proceed with booking. However, if you do travel and feel that our service did not add genuine value to your experience, we will refund the fee. That commitment reflects how seriously we take the quality of what we do.
Can you help with flights only? What are the fees?
Yes. For flight-only requests, we require a $25 ticketing fee deposit before we assign an advisor to begin researching options for you. If you choose to book with us, this deposit goes toward your ticketing fee:
$75 per person all other international destinations
If you prefer to search for flights yourself first, you are welcome to use our Flight Search Tool to explore options before reaching out.
What makes Travel & Cruise Desk different?
We have been in business since 1965. That longevity reflects something real: the trust of clients who come back, year after year, and refer the people they care about. We operate as a concierge agency, which means every trip is built around you your preferences, your pace, your idea of what a great journey looks like.
As members of Signature Travel Network, our advisors have access to exclusive preferred supplier programs, amenities, and experiences that are simply not available to the public or through online booking platforms. We are also locally rooted in Lake Oswego with a real office, real advisors, and real accountability.
Do you offer VIP perks or upgrades?
Yes, regularly. Through our Signature Travel Network preferred supplier relationships, clients often receive room upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, resort credits, complimentary breakfast, spa credits, and other amenities at participating properties at no additional cost. These are perks that are not available when booking directly or through online travel agencies.
Do you have access to exclusive rates or amenities?
Yes. As a Signature Travel Network member agency, we work with over 1,300 of the world's leading hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and tour operators through preferred partner programs. These relationships allow us to offer amenities, upgrades, and experiences that are simply not accessible through public booking channels.
Can you arrange private guides and unique experiences?
Absolutely. This is one of the most meaningful parts of what we do. Private guides, after-hours museum access, exclusive culinary experiences, behind-the-scenes tours, cultural immersions these are the details that turn a good trip into an unforgettable one. Tell us what kind of experience you are looking for and we will make it happen.
Do you work with trusted partners in destination?
Yes. Our advisors maintain relationships with vetted ground operators, guides, hotels, and local experts in destinations around the world. These are relationships built over years of travel, supplier meetings, and FAM trips not names pulled from a directory. That network is part of what makes our recommendations trustworthy.
What happens if something goes wrong during my trip?
You call us. We have a 24-hour emergency line leave a message, and a team member will pull up your reservation and call you straight back. Whether it is a canceled flight, a hotel issue, or an unexpected change in plans, we work to resolve it quickly so you can get back to enjoying your trip. This is one of the most important things we provide, and it is something no online booking platform can replicate.
Do you provide support while I am traveling?
Yes. Our 24-hour emergency line means you are never on your own. All of your reservation details are on file, so when you call, your team member has everything they need to help you quickly. For non-urgent matters, your advisor is also available during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
What happens if my flight is delayed or canceled?
Call our emergency line immediately. We will assess your options rebooking, alternative routing, or if necessary, alternative transport and work to minimize the impact on the rest of your trip. Having an advisor in your corner during a disruption is one of the clearest demonstrations of value we can offer.
Do you recommend travel insurance?
We strongly recommend it for every trip, without exception. Travel is unpredictable medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and natural disruptions can happen to anyone. The right coverage means these events do not become financial disasters.
We work directly with trusted travel insurance partners, including Allianz and Travel Insured, and have access to exclusive plans not available to the general public. Learn more on our Travel Protection page.
Can you help with last-minute changes or emergencies?
Yes. Our 24-hour emergency line exists precisely for this. Leave a message with your details and a team member will call you back with your reservation in hand. We handle last-minute changes as part of the service it is not an extra or an exception.
Do you plan luxury vacations?
It is what we specialize in. Luxury travel is not just about the highest price point it is about the right experience for the right traveler. We work with the world's leading hotels, resorts, and tour operators to create journeys that are genuinely extraordinary, with the details and touches that make the difference.
Can you help with honeymoons and destination weddings?
Yes, and it is one of our most meaningful areas of work. We have certified specialists in romance travel, honeymoons, and destination weddings. From the proposal trip to the honeymoon to anniversary returns, we have advisors who have dedicated their careers to getting these experiences right.
Do you plan cruises and expedition travel?
Cruises are one of our core specializations. We work with every major cruise line and many of the world's finest small-ship and expedition operators. Whether you are looking for a classic ocean voyage, a river cruise through Europe, or an expedition to Antarctica or the Galapagos, we have advisors who have sailed these routes and know them well.
Do you plan Africa and safari trips?
Africa is one of our most requested and most rewarding destinations. Safari travel requires a level of planning and supplier knowledge that goes well beyond most trips. The right camp in the right location at the right time of year makes an enormous difference. Our advisors have personal experience across East and Southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. We work with vetted operators and small luxury camps to create safari experiences that are genuinely extraordinary rather than just adequate.
Whether you are planning your first safari or returning to go deeper, we would love to help you get it right.
Can you help with European itineraries?
Europe is among our most popular destinations. We plan everything from first-time European adventures to deeply curated itineraries through a single country or region. Our advisors have first-hand experience across the continent and the supplier relationships to make your time there exceptional.
Do you plan multi-generational or family trips?
Yes, and we love them. Multi-generational travel requires a particular kind of planning balancing different ages, interests, mobility levels, and schedules while keeping the group together and the experience cohesive. We are good at this and we have planned many of them.
Do you plan group travel?
Yes. Group travel whether it is a family reunion, a friends trip, a corporate incentive, or a special occasion benefits enormously from professional coordination. We manage the logistics, negotiate group rates, and handle the details that would otherwise fall to one overwhelmed organizer. Submit a trip request and let us know the nature and size of your group.
Who is your service best suited for?
Travelers who value their time, care deeply about the quality of their experience, and want someone they can trust to handle the details. Our clients range from first-time international travelers to seasoned explorers with decades of stamps in their passports. What they have in common is that they want more from travel than a transaction they want an experience that is genuinely right for them.
Do you work with budget travelers?
Our service is best suited for travelers who are investing meaningfully in their trip. We are honest about this: the combination of our planning fee and the caliber of travel we specialize in means we are not the right fit for every budget. If you are looking to maximize value within a modest budget, we are happy to have a conversation and see if we can help but we will always be candid if we are not the right match.
What if I just want the cheapest option?
We are probably not the right fit, and we would rather be honest about that than waste your time. What we offer is the best experience for your investment, not the lowest price. If getting the most out of your travel matters to you, we are here. If the goal is simply the lowest number, there are tools and platforms better suited to that.
How involved do I need to be in the planning process?
As much or as little as you would like. Some clients want to be closely involved in every detail and we welcome that. Others prefer to share their vision once and trust us to handle the rest, checking in for approvals along the way. We adapt to your preference. What we do ask for is responsiveness when we need input time-sensitive travel often requires quick decisions.
What if I like to research everything myself?
We work well with thorough researchers. Many of our best clients come to us having done significant homework they know the destination, have specific ideas, and want an expert to validate, refine, and execute. The research you bring gives us a head start, and our supplier relationships and experience add the layer of value that research alone cannot provide.
Are your advisors certified or accredited?
Yes. All of our in-office employee advisors are ASTA Verified Travel Advisors, one of the most rigorous professional certifications in the industry. Our team also holds Signature Travel Expert certification and individual destination and supplier specializations across cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, and niche travel categories.
What makes your advisors qualified?
A combination of formal certification, ongoing training, first-hand travel, and years of experience. Our advisors have personally traveled to the destinations they recommend, sailed on the ships they sell, and inspected the hotels and resorts they suggest. They participate in regular supplier education, FAM trips, and industry events to stay at the forefront of what is available. This is not a job where reading a brochure is enough.
How long have you been in business?
Since 1965. Travel & Cruise Desk is a third-generation family agency that has been serving the Lake Oswego and Portland Oregon community for over six decades. We have earned the Lake Oswego Business of the Year award in 2025 and have been voted Best Local Travel Agency by Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tidings readers in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Do you have client reviews or testimonials?
Yes. We have over 150 reviews with a 4.9 out of 5 rating. You can read them on our reviews page or on Google. We are also happy to connect prospective clients with past travelers for direct references when appropriate.
What is Travel Elevates?
Travel Elevates is an initiative of Signature Travel Network focused on creating travel experiences that give back to the destinations we visit funding conservation, education, and community development projects around the world. Travel & Cruise Desk donates 10% of all BEYOND Planning and Service Fees to Travel Elevates. We are also members of Travel4Impact and Tourism Cares. Learn more on our Positive Impact Travel page.
What is Pack for a Purpose and can I participate?
Pack for a Purpose is a simple and powerful initiative that encourages travelers to dedicate a small amount of luggage space to bring essential supplies for community projects at their destination. Schools, clinics, and conservation organizations post exactly what they need, and travelers can look up their resort or lodge before they leave and pack a few items to drop off on arrival.
We actively encourage our clients to participate wherever it applies to their trip. Small effort, significant impact.
What does positive impact travel mean in practice for your clients?
It means your journey can do more than enrich your own life. Travel & Cruise Desk donates 10% of all BEYOND Planning and Service Fees to the Travel Elevates Foundation, which funds conservation, education, and community development projects in the destinations we send our clients to. We are also members of Travel4Impact and Tourism Cares, and we actively encourage Pack for a Purpose participation on applicable trips.
One project particularly close to us: through our relationship with Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, we support a school lunch program in the Puros Community in Namibia, providing meals to children in a region where food security is a real daily challenge. These are not abstract commitments. They are specific, ongoing, and part of how we think about travel at every level.
Closer to home, we are an active member of the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce, recipients of the Lake Oswego Business of the Year award in 2025, and supporters of the Lake Oswego Arts Council. We believe that caring for the places we live in and the places we send our clients to are two sides of the same value. Learn more on our Positive Impact Travel page.
Are you involved in the local community?
Very much so. Travel & Cruise Desk is an active member of the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as Lake Oswego Business of the Year in 2025. We support the Lake Oswego Arts Council and are proud to have been voted Best Local Travel Agency by Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tidings readers in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Lake Oswego is not just where we work. It is where we belong.
How do you keep clients inspired between trips?
Travel does not stop when you get home, and neither do we. We send curated newsletters with exclusive travel offers, destination inspiration, flash sales, and travel news relevant to the kinds of experiences our clients love. We also publish and distribute beautiful digital and print magazines, maintain an active travel journal, and run quarterly sweepstakes for our subscribers.
The goal is not to fill your inbox. It is to be a reliable source of inspiration from people who actually know what they are talking about.
Do you have a newsletter and what can I expect from it?
Yes. Our newsletter goes out regularly and includes exclusive travel offers and specials, curated destination features, time-sensitive deals, and travel news selected by our advisors. Subscribers are also automatically entered into our quarterly sweepstakes with a chance to win a luxurious getaway.
It is one of the better travel newsletters out there, we think, because it is curated by people who plan extraordinary trips every day rather than generated by an algorithm. You can sign up at our newsletter page.
How do I stay up to date on exclusive offers and travel specials?
The best way is to subscribe to our newsletter. We share exclusive specials, flash sales, and curated offers that our advisors surface through their supplier relationships. Many of these are time-sensitive and would not appear on a public booking platform. Sign up here and be the first to know.
What digital travel magazines do you publish?
We offer three beautifully produced digital travel magazines, available any time on our magazines page:
Ultimate Experiences Online Showcasing authentic experiences and the new definitions of luxury travel. Designed for the affluent traveler and the curious reader, it focuses on once-in-a-lifetime experiences with stunning photography and evocative video.
The Travel Magazine Online Vibrant imagery, lively content, and interactive video covering destinations across the globe, from contemporary to luxury travel. Includes time-sensitive offers and is built around the idea of the travel advisor as the expert in your corner.
Ready to Roam An immersive dive into the world's most coveted destinations. Vivid imagery, engaging video, curated playlists, and insider access to iconic locales alongside hidden gems worth knowing about.
Do you have print magazines?
Yes. We mail a curated collection of print magazines to our clients throughout the year, and they are also available to collect from our Lake Oswego office. Our current print titles include:
- Ultimate Experiences published three times per year
- The Travel Magazine published three times per year
- Hotels and Resorts Magazine annual edition
- Family Magazine annual edition, designed with younger travelers in mind
- Travel Elevates annual edition, featuring the stories behind our positive impact travel commitments
If you would like to receive our print publications, just let your advisor know or mention it when you submit a Trip Request.
Do you have a travel blog?
Yes. The Journal is our travel blog, written by our advisors and updated regularly with destination guides, travel tips, industry insights, and the kind of inside knowledge that comes from people who live and breathe travel. You can find it at The Journal.
We are happy to answer anything before you commit to a single thing. Reach out, or go ahead and start your trip request there is no obligation until we agree on a plan together.
Start Your Trip Request