Travel Agent Details

About Cruise Planners - Kara Beutel

 





Thank you for being here, and for your interest in working with us! We look forward to getting to know you, and wanted to let you know a little bit about us first...


When you partner with us on your vacation plans, we will care for your vacation as if it were our own. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that we've taken care of all the details, so you can embark on your journey with confidence.


Our goal is always to give our clients an elevated experience and provide the kind of detailed attention that small businesses are known for. We hope to develop a lasting, loyal relationship with you and plan your vacations year after year.


 


Our Approach


Quality First


We put our clients' experience as the top priority, and we work to make that experience the best it can be. After all, "quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten." Our goal is to help you maximize your time away, as well as your travel investment. 


Expert Guidance And Trusted Partners


Our knowledge, training, and experiences, and our connection to trusted partners in the industry allow us to know the ins and outs of the various cruise and vacations options, so we can find something that is the right fit for your needs. No one wants to spend hours scouring the internet trying to figure out what might work well. With us, you're in good hands!


We work with trusted travel partners and destination specialists to help you get the best experience. We do not work with things like AirBnB or VRBO due to issues with quality. Instead, we work with partners who have a trusted reputation for quality in the travel industry, and who have provided fabulous experiences for our clients already.


Human Connection


Yes, it's possible to book travel online, or even with the "help" of artificial intelligence these days. But neither can replace a personalized human connection. The internet can't care about you or your trip the way we can. Nor will it be by your side to assist if something goes wrong along the way. We're here to provide the human touch that makes the travel-planning experience one that feels both expertly guided and thoughtfully cared for.



The Process


 


Step 1: Consult Call



Our process begins with a Consultation Call over the phone or Zoom so that we can get to know you, as well as your travel style, "must-haves", and ideal price point for the vacation you're looking for. Then, you'll sign our Travel Services Agreement, pay the Planning and Support Fee when applicable, and complete your Client Profile information. You can schedule your consult call with us HERE.



Step 2: Planning



Using the details from our call, we'll get to work on a proposal for your vacation that fits your vision and preferences. We can tweak the details as needed based on your feedback until it's just right! You'll then pay the deposit to lock it in, which varies based on the supplier or cruise line we're using.



Step 3: Support



We're with you every step of the way to answer questions, add additional arrangements, navigate the entry protocols, remind you of payment deadlines, and provide you with travel documents, tips, reminders, and more. We support you during the trip too, both directly and by arming you with additional contacts you'll need if anything goes awry.



Planning Options



Our Professional Planning and Support Fee covers our service and expert advice in handling all of the details required to make sure you have the best vacation possible. Prices are per reservation and are separate from the vacation costs.















Cruise Only (US departures):
(No fee, but minimum of 5 nights)




  • Research of cruise line and itinerary options and recommendations

  • Reservation management

  • Entry requirement guidance

  • Insurance options

  • Linking travel party reservations (if all booked through our agency)

  • Value-Tracker technology to alert for fare drops (when applicable)

  • Pre-departure document preparation (electronic)

  • In travel support




Cruise + Land: $100
(Stays of 1-5 night pre/post cruise)





  • Same as cruise-only inclusions, plus the following:

  • Flight recommendations and booking assistance*

  • Hotel recommendations and booking assistance*

  • Transportation assistance between airport, hotel, and pier

  • Tour/excursion reservations (Separate from cruise line)

  • Itinerary summary









Single-Destination Land, or Guided Tour: $100




  • Research and recommendations of up to 3 resort or guided tour options

  • Reservation management

  • Entry requirement guidance

  • Flight recommendations and booking assistance*

  • Transportation assistance between airport and resort/hotel

  • Tour/excursion recommendations and reservations

  • Insurance options

  • Itinerary summary

  • Pre-departure document preparation (electronic)

  • In-travel support





Multi-Destination Land: Starts at $200
Same as single-destination, plus the following:




  • Land package inclusions, plus:

  • Research and planning for a customized multi-destination itinerary

  • Management of travel logistics between destinations

  • Up to 3 itinerary edits (prior to deposit)

  • Recorded video itinerary walk-through

  • Pre-departure document preparation (electronic)



Pricing is based on two adults for up to 7 nights and may increase based on length and complexity of the trip, as well as additional travelers if necessary.




 *We can not book with points, credits, or miles


Let's Get Started! When you’re ready to discuss a new vacation, please schedule your Consultation Call with us HERE!  


Some Key Points:


Office Hours: 


Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm EST. Evenings and weekends are kept for in-travel emergencies or urgent payment deadlines only.


Inquire Only When Ready to Book:


Travel pricing and availability are constantly changing. We ask that you wait to reach out until you are willing to place a deposit on a reservation shortly after receiving our proposal (and making any necessary changes). Similarly, timely feedback to proposals helps us to avoid price increases or availability issues between proposal and deposit.   


Email is Preferred:


Email allows us to serve our clients in an organized and consistent fashion. You can typically expect a response within one business day, and sooner if it's urgent. While we will occasionally send text messages for time-sensitive matters, we ask that most correspondence be by email.


Frequently Asked Questions:



What types of trips do you plan?


We love to work on trips where your focus is to explore the fascinating destinations around the world, whether that be by cruise (both ocean and river), guided tour, or customized land package. While we certainly work on Caribbean cruises and itineraries, we most enjoy destinations like Europe, Alaska, Costa Rica, etc.


Are there trips you do NOT plan?


Short road trips or weekend getaways are not a focus for us. We reserve our services for vacations of at least 5 days, so that we can provide the best experiences. We do not work with AirBnB, VRBO, or any other property rentals, with the rare exception of villas. And we do not plan US-based road trips, weekend getaways, or theme park vacations.


Why work with you if I can book a cruise or resort online?


While technology has made it easier for travelers to book aspects of their trips online, the benefit and value of working with a Travel Advisor lies in our first-hand knowledge and experience, personalized service, and in-destination support.


Not only can we cut through the overwhelm to find the right vacation experience for you, we save you time and effort by handling all the research, booking, and logistics, to ensure a stress-free and well-coordinated trip. Along the way, we are here to answer questions, troubleshoot any issues that arise, and offer peace of mind and personalized attention so you can have a memorable vacation experience. You don't get that from clicking a "book now" button.


Can you get the best deals?


We always work diligently to secure the best value for your vacation while putting your experience as the top priority.


There are often times we are able to offer exclusive perks, rates, or amenities due to our industry connections, but the real value is in how we can save you time, stress and frustration either prior to traveling or while actually in the destination.


We cannot promise we will have the lowest price for your vacation, and we are not looking to compete with online travel agencies or discount sites. If you’re primarily looking for the lowest rate, we may not be the best fit for you.



 

Hours of Operation

Monday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Saturday -
Sunday -

Testimonials

Each cruise I book with Kara at Cruise Planners always turns out to be a memorable one. Everything is perfect and well planned. Wonderful time and I can’t wait to go again! - Kristina F.
As always Kara provides first class service. Thank you! - Carlo D.
Kara’s communication during our planning process was prompt and informative We left feeling fully prepared - Alice B.
Very professional and timely experience - Stephen L.
Kara’s attention to detail, caring and availability was the key to such a great vacation for my family and myself. We had 7 people in our group for her coordinate, satisfy and take care of it includes first time cruisers like a 17 and 15 year old, through my children only on second cruise all the way to my son now a Diamond and finally my wife and I seasoned cruisers. . Kara did not disappoint. I have been using the company for over 20 years and they only gotten better. Always go with the professionals like Kara. - John S.
Kara is so attentive to our needs. She is very detail oriented and doesn't miss a thing! - Justine L.
We love working with Kara. I felt like she was keeping track of our trip behind the scenes, insuring transfers and reservations were as planned and making sure everything was going smoothly. - Pamela R.
Kara met all my needs and wants for this trip. It was prefect from the beginning to the end with no hiccups. I will use her again and again - Anna K.
Kara was very informative on all aspects of our cruise. She kept us up to date on all the pre boarding procedures and what documents we needed. Everything went very smoothly and our trip was amazing. - Kyle K.
Always a pleasure working with Kara and Cruise Planners. Highly organized in all of our experiences. Thank you again, we will be in contact soon with our next adventure. - Jeffrey B.
We just returned from our Canada, Greenland & Iceland cruise and what an amazing trip it was! Thank you Kara!!! As always with all our trips we book with you it went on without a hitch! To have the peace of mind when traveling is priceless! - Lisa V.
The trip was terrific all transfers from airport to hotels and ship went flawlessly. All the planning worked out perfectly and nice weather was an added bonus. - Mark F.
We had a terrific time on a 4 day land 7 day cruise to Alaska. Transportation and luggage from airport to hotels and ship went flawlessly. Our trip could not have been planned any better by Kara. - Mark F.
Kara was amazing! She made the whole process a breeze. She was professional, knowledgeable and prompt! I would highly recommend Cruise Planners for helping plan your vacation. - Andrew B.
Kara was such a big help. My husband and I don’t travel much so it was such a relief that I could call her when we had a problem in Chicago. - Genevieve T.
I want to thank Kara for her help planning our cruise. She coordinated 3 families for a birthday celebration and everything went smoothly. She was available to answer all of my questions promptly with good insight as to what would be best for the family. Her mom was our planner for over 30 years and the commitment to their clients is evident in every interaction! Next up Mediterranean cruise in October!! - Pamela R.
Started planning this trip last July and scheduled for this April 23. Two days prior in Amsterdam join the Avalon river cruise in Amsterdam sailed down the Rhine and travelled to Zürich for two days. Kara kept us abreast of what we needed to do and when we needed to do it. She made any last minute changes professionally and graciously. The helpful hints she provided were so important for smooth sailing. I would never hesitate to recommend her to friends as she was recommended to me. She is my go to person. - Kathleen D.
Kara is so wonderful. She has helped us so much planning our wonderful cruise on carnival jubilee. Even my last minute injury She went over and beyond for us. We can't wait to book our next cruise. Thank you so much Kara! - Jennifer H.
Kara is amazing, She takes her time answering all of my questions our vacations are always smooth and carefree no worries at all - Suz M.
Kara helped my friend and I choose the perfect cruise for a much-needed bestie vacay—she heard what we were looking for and totally guided us in the right direction! We had a blast, and will come back for her services in the future! - Allison G.
Kara did an excellent job arranging our trip to Hawaii. Due to the recent tragedy in Maui, there were multiple changes to the trip itinerary and Kara kept us up to date and made adjustments quickly and in a timely manner. We appreciate all of Kara's help and expertise. Thank you, Kara.
We had a great time on our cruise. It is one item off our bucket list!
Kara booked a group of 8 of us on an Amawaterways cruise on the Amadouro on the Douro River in Portugal. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING went off without a hitch. in addition to the included tours with the 3 night pre-cruise land package in LIsbon, Kara even arranged a private tour for the 8 of us to CasCais (portugal Riviera), and Capo de Roca (furthest point of continental Europe), and the most amazing Portugese dinner with oceanview. Our guide Jose was outstanding! Amawaterways is a fantastic company! We HIGHLY recommend using Kara to book your European river cruises (and all other great adventures as well). She does a fabulous job! Thank you SO much, Kara! We are already looking forward to our next trips you have booked for us! - Tracy B.
Kara came through for us once again! She always knows exactly what we are looking for!!! And, because she does, our cruises are always PERFECT!!!!!! - Colleen M.
I had last minute changes and Kara and Tracy were fast to react and straighten things out for me. Very professional and super friendly. Much appreciated and definitely will be booking again! - Ken B.
Kara is amazing!! She not only booked our excursions she also took care of the transportation to and from the ship. She went above and beyond. She also remembered it was our anniversary and had a cake on our special night at the steak house. - Suzanne M.
Kara was amazing. With little time to plan a spring break vacation, she knocked it our of the park. My parter and I couldn’t have been more thrilled! - Machree Q.
I haven’t had a vacation in 21 years, I was looking at cruises and called Kara! Handled everything and got a great price for a Royal Carribean cruise for 7 nights with balcony room! We had a blast!! Thank you so much Kara!!???? - Linda S.
Been booking with Tracy and her daughter for over 20 years. Great follow through never a problem. Work very hard for us. Always available. Bottom line. “They're the best” - Charles T.
We took our 2nd cruise this past summer and used Cruise Planners again. Kara was always very responsive to questions or changes we wanted. The cruise was awesome and we're already talking about a future cruise! I will use them again cause it just feels more secure and less hassle booking. They know the ins and outs of cruising. Would highly recommend! - Annmarie F.
Tracy is the best. Always quick to answer your emails and answer any questions you may have. She makes it so easy and I will definitely book with her again!
The best travel agents ever. I have been using Tracy for years now Kara . The service is excellent and they always returns our calls and answers my 1,000s of crazy questions. Would never use anyone else. - Suz M.
We were getting overwhelmed trying to look for a vacation spot for our family of 10 adults. A friend recommended Kara. We reached out to her with our vacation preference and budget, and she got back to us immediately with a Florida beach resort that checked all our boxes! Kara kept us up to date with the planning and was patient with any questions or concerns we had. Our vacation packet was specific with details and there were no unwanted surprises. We just showed up to the resort and had a great time! We will definitely consider going back, with Kara's help. - Tina A.
We cannot thank Kara enough...this is our third cruise and cannot imagine having anyone else arrange our cruises for us.She knows exactly what we like and goes above and beyond to make everything PERFECT!!!!! - Colleen M.
Hello All. I have been using Tracy and her company – Cruise Planners, for almost 20 years. She has assisted me in all of my vacations (cruises, Disney Land, Mexico) . My wife is handicapped and Tracy and Her family has made sure that in all cases we have the support and equipment we needed. Several years ago she arranged a vacation with my children in Disney Land. There were 7 of us from two different locations. Tracy arranged travel arranged rooms and everything for that trip. We needed a wheel chair travel at the air Port, needed wheel chair to get to the Bus, once in Orlando and also needed a scooter once we were there. SHE arranged all of this. When there was a hiccup during the travel Tracy was there to fix it. After maybe 10 total trips Covid came along. We arranged to travel with my In-laws for a cruise to Alaska. Covid caused a lock down and also real concern about taking such a trip along with the money involved we had already paid. Tracy reached out to us and we did a Lift and shift. (recall this involved airfare, room because we were flying to Alaska, Travel from Hotel to the cruise ship, Room, amenities and everything dealing with cruise ship, Wheel chair and scooter for my wife and then of course the trip back home. The cruise costs itself froze as the lift and shift allowed us to get the original booking price for the current year. Yes we are going on an Alaska cruise in 2022 on 2020 Prices. That is what is Lift and Shift involves. Tracy and her GROUP – took initiative and lead in this lift and shift from 2020 to 2021. Then in 2021 Again Tracy stepped in and we did another lift and shift with all the details. I must emphasize that Tracy is handling ALL of the details. We are now getting ready for taking this twice delayed trip this summer. All of the details are falling in place with little to no prompting by me. She is handling the Whole thing. You cannot go through the maze of details and possibilities without HER expertise. She knows it inside and out and is on top of it all. The planes although in a state a flux she is working and providing details and assistance . There are not enough accolades I can shift to Tracy and Cruise planners. She has stood next to us not dictating but leading and taking the lead in this planning for more trips then I can think of. If have the opportunity use Tracy and Cruise Planners, Let her use her expertise with you and I know that she will never disappoint you in the result. - John S.
I used Kara to plan a father/daughter trip and the value of using a travel agent can't be measured. Starting with Kara's expert advice on where to stay, flight information, excursions, tips and things to know all the way to the special touches she arranged. Kara's help and guidance was the icing on the cake for our trip. - Michael W.
Kara was awesome! She communicated necessary trip details and info quickly and found us a great place to stay over our winter break. Definitely asking for her help again soon!
Kara is a true professional. She managed the wedding of my son and his wife in Cancun and did a fantastic job. Her communication was incredible. We always remained up to date on all information. Her response time to our emails was very prompt and she returned my few voice messages in a very short time. Shortly before our flight, there was a family issue that required my wife and I, her daughter and boyfriend to push our flight out 24 hours. Kara did not learn of this until 48 hours before the scheduled flight. She jumped right into action and updated our room and transfer from the airport to the resort. We were extremely pleased with her work and would recommend her to anyone making travel plans. - Ken P.
Used Kara Beutel as our travel agent for the first time (since our previous agent, her mother Tracy, was out of town). Kara provided excellent service answering all of our questions in a timely fashion. In addition, when it became apparent that we needed PCR tests she emailed locations in our areas as well as links to find a site that produced the results in a short time-frame. Would definitely used Kara again as our agent for future trips. - Gary A.
Our previous trip was effortless and perfect!
I don’t know why some people choose to book their cruises directly, I for one needed all the help and professional advise I can get. Yes I can go on line on my own, but a professional agent has traveled and experienced product and destinations and can give me first hand knowledge. I always try to convince people that I talk with, that they need a PROFESSIONAL AGENT..
Kara has been great helping wade through all the unkown in travel right now.
I grew up in a family that does not enjoy cruising. I was lucky enough to take a chance and go on a cruise with friends organized by Tracy and Kara, and had the GREATEST time! I always look forward to cruising now. Life changing and relaxing vacation.
Kara is detail-oriented, easy to communicate with, and does such a good job creating itineraries that are just what I want. Traveling is full of logistics, and it's so nice to have someone else manage them. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much Kara for helping to book our cruise to the Caribbean! We had an amazing time visiting St Martins, St Kitts, Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, and Puerto Rico! Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas was a transformative experience! We enjoyed the ship, delicious food, entertainment, spa, pools, staff, excursions and the culture of the islands. It was very memorable and we can’t thank you enough for all of the detailed planning, organization, deals and making this trip special for us! We would highly recommend you to our family, friends and coworkers! Thank you! Tracy
We so enjoyed this cruise, Kara and Tracy were always available to answer any questions we may of had, plus just to encourage us to try something or go somewhere we weren’t sure of. It was a great cruise we enjoyed being with the group of people we were with. Many friendships were made and it’s always fun to just meet and be around people. Thank you Kara and Tracy for all you did to make our cruise so enjoyable and memorable! Mostly for making feel so part of your family and friends. - Kathy B.
THANKS for the invite. First cruise and it couldn't have been better! Everything was just awesome. Hopefully we can go again in the future! - Sebastian A.
Toni and I had a fabulous time! All three of our cruises have been with Cruise Planners, the first two with Tracy and the third one with Kara. All three were fabulous well organized and as always well informed. Any questions we had were answered promptly. We both felt in good hands from beginning to end! We look forward to cruising with all of our friends again! Sincerely, Toni Anne Riozzi Hyland Winnie - Hyland W.
We can't recommend Kara enough. She was extremely responsive and informative. Went the extra mile through the entire process with us. We just booked a cruise and she found us the perfect cabin for our budget and needs at a great discount! She worked out all the options with our personal member rewards and made sure we got the best value. Amazing. Looking forward to using her for our land travel vacation next. - Jason S.
Thanks so much for all the work you did on my Family vacation for 9 people. As you know we had to cancel our trip to the Bahamas at the last minute due to unforeseen document issues. You accepted my calls when I was panicked on the weekend when you were with your family. Thank goodness I took the travel insurance per your suggestion. I expected to have to hassle with forms and beg for refunds. I appreciate that you filed the cancellation for me and I didn't even have to make a phone call. We booked to Orlando the next day and our trip turned out fantastic. Once we shifted our perspective and tried to dwell on the positive aspects. It only took a day and then things fell into place perfectly. We have a wonderful time at World Center by Marriott in Orlando. I have always said that it’s speaks volumes about a business when you see how they handle adversity or emergency issues/ or cancellations. It’s easy to be nice when things are going well and you're making money. I’m very pleased and impressed with how you handled this situation. You helped me cancel the trip even when you weren’t sure if you would make a fee. I would be happy to recommend you and I will definitely use you in the future. Thank you for everything Cora Smaldone - Margaret S.
I have been booking my cruises with Tracy for about 20 years. This past cruise was the first time I needed help while on board. My issue was resolved within 2 hours. Tracy is very efficient, responsive and so knowlegible about all the cruise lines and ships. Why anyone would book a cruise with anyone else is a mystery to me!

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