If you're seeking attentive, thoughtful travel planning and well-curated journeys, you've found your travel advisor! I am trained, certified and hosted as a Travel Advisor by Fora Travel, and I am also licensed and experienced as a mental health counselor. I have a passion for peaceful travel and compassion for individuals who want more support in their travel and travel planning. Although I won't be acting as your therapist, I will use my many years of helping experience to partner with you and create an itinerary that honors your unique travel needs. Whether you're neurodivergent, have sensory processing differences, live with anxiety, or you're simply someone who wants travel that feels less stressful every step of the way, I can help you. I meet you where you're at to get you where you want to go.
These days, it's easier than ever to book travel online, so you're probably wondering why you'd have someone else book it for you. The first thing I'll tell you is there's no charge for most of my services. Cruise lines, hotels, tour companies, all inclusive resorts, experiences through travel sites like Viator and Expedia and many other travel partners include a commission for travel advisors in the prices you already pay! Travel partners value working with advisors because they can train us on their offerings and we help get their product to the right consumers. They're happy to pay us and you won't pay extra for my help so you might as well get the benefit of having an advisor do the work for you.
I do the research, seek the best fit for your travel needs, make the reservations, track payment due dates, monitor for price adjustments to save you money whenever I can, and I advocate on your behalf for any extra needs and requests you have on your journey. When plans change or something goes wrong, you’re not alone; you have an advocate who handles the issues so you don’t have to!
Travel advisors also sometimes get access to upgrades, perks, group discounts and specialty pricing so it isn't uncommon to end up getting more and/or paying less than you'd pay on your own. As a special thank you to my clients, I also add onboard credits and/or specialty dining for most 7-day and longer cruises booked through me.
When I do charge a fee for certain travel planning services, such as full itinerary planning, extensive cruise research or travel coaching, you will know ahead of time exactly what the fee is and what you're getting. Whether you select a free-to-you service or a paid service, my goal as a travel advisor is always the same: take the stress out of travel so you can focus on the adventure and the joy.
So I guess the real question is, why wouldn't you use a travel advisor?!
- Cruise research and booking - all cruise lines, many with onboard credit and/or other perks! I am trained by every major cruise line so I can best understand their ships, itineraries, policies, and ports. Whatever I don't already know, I will make the calls to find out so you don't have to. Let me be your resource!
- Cruise coaching - new to cruising or nervous cruiser? I can give you tips and tricks for cruising including recommended products, packing tips, and thorough preparation for what to expect in the cruising process, start to finish
- Cruise port and excursion research
- Multiday Tour research and booking (Tauck, Kensington, Rail Tours, Abercrombie and Kent, etc.)
- Hotel research and booking (Access to upgrades and perks, when available)
- Rental car booking (reduced rates available)
- Collaborative full itinerary planning for U.S. destinations
- Destination research including finding unique attractions and restaurants to fit your interests
- Business and First Class Flight Booking
- Travel coaching - Whether I book your travel or not, I offer nonjudgmental, patient, and gentle virtual coaching to help you identify travel destinations, strategies and accommodations that fit your unique travel needs. Travel can be great for mental health but for some, it can be an overwhelming process. You don't have to do it alone.
- Travel advocacy - I will call cruise lines, hotels, and excursions to get whatever answers you need to feel informed and comfortable with your itinerary. Whenever possible, I will advocate for special requests and accommodations.
Heather's Viking Cruises Site:
https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/myagent/heatherwynn
Heather's Viator Site:
https://www.viator.com/?pid=P00058688&uid=U00604888&mcid=58086¤cy=USD