Meg Strickland - Travel Agent

06/10/2024

One service that I help my custom-itinerary clients with is booking private ground transfers to/from the airport.
...There's nothing wrong with rideshare companies for some clients and some trips, but other times you need security and reliability. I have used Welcome Pickups for those clients.

I got to use Welcome Pickups for the first time for myself!! It was great!

When disembarking, we had to travel to the international airport outside of Reykjavik (not actually near the city). The cruise company was charging $100 per person for the one-way trip to KEF. That was on a large bus. I used this website to book a private car for about $170 total. The driver was waiting for us right at the sidewalk. He pulled our luggage to the car and then we hopped in!

No waiting on 50+ other people...no waiting on 100+ other bags!

If you have more than 2 people in your group, this is a no-brainer. Resorts and cruise companies make a lot of money charging per person for shuttles, unnecessarily! You can book a whole car (or pay extra for a van) and pay one price. I highly recommend it!

Here's my referral link if you're interested in trying the service the next time you travel. Get 5 euros for free!

06/07/2024

Whenever you get off the ship, there are frequently cruise line photographers. (It's one of those rare holdovers from prior-digital times, that may still be relevant because on a cruise we sometimes don't walk around with cellphones in our pockets.)

I saw this furry troll and thought "hey that's one I've never seen before lol..." And hugged him for a picture. A tiny high pitched voice came from inside said, "welcome to iceland! Smile!" Or something like that....and I was totally taken off guard by this tiny strange voice ... so I remarked, as we posed for the picture, "well that's quite a creepy voice you have!"

To which the troll said,
"Well I'm from Honolulu!!!!"

🤣😬

After I insulted the poor little fellow, I bought the picture. We had a great laugh. Woops.

06/04/2024

A beautiful surprise in Nordfjordeid today ... The rain stopped and a perfect rainbow appeared over our cruise ship. 🌈

After this, we did some shopping at the local mall and had a pancake sandwich. Their coffee was great! We strolled down the quiet streets of the little town from the 1800s. Stopped at the 200+ year old Eid Church. Then we finally went to the Sagastad Viking heritage center for a quick visual guide of Viking life and a beautiful recreation of a large Viking ship.

We popped in a grocery store and asked for help mailing a postcard. The employees effortlessly switch to English to assist us, which is very much appreciated.

This was a sweet little town - scenic, authentic, and easily accessible. A great stop on our trip!

06/04/2024

05/22/2024

Holland America's top 10 Cruise Deals for this week!!

Last minute travel!

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/find-a-cruise?dealId=TOPTEN23&csvFileName=multi_TOPTEN23_1.csv&ICID=INTHWEB20240418A086PUUM37

Prices don't include tips or travel insurance, which I recommend.

*You can also double dip savings by getting further discounts on 3rd or 4th guests on select sailings!

7-DAY ALASKA EXPLORER ROUNDTRIP Seattle
starting at $599pp,
Depart July 7! or August 10!

10-DAY ICELANDIC & SCOTTISH MYSTERIES Reykjavik to Amsterdam! July 10
Starting at $599pp.

7-DAY ALASKA INSIDE PASSAGE
Roundtrip Vancouver
Starting at $499pp
July 6

11-DAY ANCIENT KINGDOMS & TURKISH DELIGHT
Roundtrip Athens
Starting at $1010pp
Aug 7

10-DAY ITALIAN COAST & GREEK WONDERS
ROME to GREECE!
July 28th!
$1299pp

Ask about how to load yourself up with the perks-included prices for an "all-inclusive" experience.
These prices are limited, so PM or comment below ASAP if you're interested in traveling this summer.

ALL Prices are subject to availability and are Limited Time Special Fare - Pay in full (non-refundable).

05/10/2024

🌬📣 Special announcement!

We're going on a very special trip that has been on my bucket list for a while... and these parents are going ALONE! 🤯🥳

We're leaving in 20 days (God willing*) for Denmark. We will spend one night there pre-cruise in Copenhagen. Then we will board the Holland America's Nieuw Statendam for a 7 night cruise to Norway and Iceland! I have always wanted to do a Norwegian Fjords cruise because it looks like scenery from a fairy tale! Also, I'm pretty sure this area is where my ancestors are from! :)

After our cruise, we spend one final night around Reykjavik before flying out, through Canada. 🤯

For me this is a lot of firsts!

I'm really excited to learn not only about a new place, but a new company! I have never sailed on Holland America Line before! I'm already loving their itineraries and unique stops! I love that they don't just stop in the major cities that are tourist-filled. I'm also loving this cruise because the ship is within a close walking distance to the little towns...which makes planning so much easier (Not 1-2 hrs from the advertised city!) I have already paid for our laundry to be done all week for a whopping $75!! SIGN ME UP.

What's blowing my mind? 1) The languages! Outside of my comfort zone for sure! It's "ALL GREEK TO ME!" 2) that they swim all the time. There are hot mineral springs everywhere in Iceland and people swim like NBD. In fact, they said just be careful that you don't accidentally get in water that's **too** hot, because there may be ice/snow, and the water will be 98*!! Crazy! 3) packing...swim suit...snow boots...waterproof jacket...one formal dress 🤔 4) How ancient these rural areas are. No new developments here.

05/07/2024

Some travelers are "We're only sleeping there" clients. Some other travelers are "We want a relaxing, luxurious stay." Whatever your method is for your hotel, I want to make sure you get what fits your budget and your needs. Sometimes, a luxury hotel IS worth splurging on. (one reason to use a travel agent is because we track prices and know good deals vs bad deals.)

Here's a great list of amazing hotels.

A couple locations like the Maldives and Ushuaia are already on my list!!!

05/05/2024

💡 Smarter Travel Tip

I have had the wildest month booking really unique trips for my clients.

Doorstep to destination luggage, golf club, and ski delivery service. Guaranteed door-to-door service worldwide. Have bags delivered directly to your hotel, golf course, ski resort, or even aboard your cruise ship.

05/03/2024

Another month in the Agency's top 10! It's no small feat with this great group of agents.

Thanks to all my clients - and especially those of you who have REFERRED others. You have made my business exponentially grow in the last 8 years. I appreciate your repeat business, as it shows how much you value my services. This is a win-win for both of us!

04/25/2024

This is some good news!

The other day I booked a premium economy plane ticket, which I specifically did to include seat selection. Then when I came to select the seat after purchase, the airline company said "Seat selection is unavailable because the flight is full." WELL THEN WHY DID YOU SELL IT TO ME 5 minutes ago!? :P

This is the kind of common sense professional respect consumers need. I will always keep an eye on trends, advertising gimmicks, and regulations for my clients. But we all need this kind of good protection!

The US government has issued new rules for airlines, requiring automatic cash refunds for significant delays or cancellations, and mandating clarity over baggage and reservation change fees. The rules are expected to save American travelers over $500 million annually.

04/12/2024

For the first time in my career, over 7 years, I have two clients in the same city, on the same day.

They're both on Mediterranean cruises - my favorite vacation!

04/12/2024

I've had the pleasure of working with on clients' trips lately - and would love to share the experience with YOU. To help you make the next River cruise yours, here is a promo from Viking good for bookings this month only. Deposits as low as $25! And, rates available for free international airfare on some cruise itineraries.

Ask me how I can help you plan your next river voyage with Viking, the #1 river line by Condé Nast Traveler.

04/02/2024

Summer cruise specials! There are still a couple dozen rooms on these "last minute" sailings, and they're at a great price!!

May 26th ALASKA 7 nights on Celebrity Verandah GYT $3,058.30
May 26th Western Caribbean / Bahamas 6 nights on Celebrity Aquaclass!! $2,706.98
May 26th Mediterranean 7 nights from Barcelona!

Send a message to learn more

03/26/2024

Two great offers available on Disney Parks tickets!

3 days - Skipping Magic Kingdom this time? You can get one visit each to the Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios for only $267 plus tax. That's $89/day!!!

4 days - Can't live without the Magic Kingdom?
The ultimate Walt Disney World trip - one stop in each park - on SALE now.
4-Park Magic Ticket from $99 Per Day, Plus Tax, brings your total price to $396 plus tax. That's at least a $50 savings per day, (if not $70!)

PM me or comment below if you'd like to make these promo tickets a reality for your next Walt Disney World vacation. Since these are stand-alone ticket promos, you could add them another hotel reservation or make an off-site hotel stay. :)

03/20/2024

everyone is right. 😤 These new seats are horrible. I'm very petite and I just fit. How would my 6ft husband sit here????

I feel like I'm sliding forward because the bottom is so short.

The pad comes up easily from the seat bottom. AWFUL. They're so thin I feel like someone is kicking me each time they touch the seat. Bad choice.

03/20/2024

I did it. Three kids basically by myself in DC. Whew....one day they'll appreciate all the wonderful memories we have made. They love adventuring already. We are all so lucky. 🩷🌸

03/15/2024

Ireland is one of my favorite places in the world!! Remember, any day that you're in Ireland can feel like St. Patrick's day! ;)

02/21/2024

Today, I dug through the best deals for upcoming cruises to EUROPE. These are last-minute, meaning prices and inventory can change at any time. Availability is limited. As they stand, they're great prices to see some of the best places in Europe. This is one of my all-time favorite vacations.

The food, the art, the architecture, the history...the coffee. Plus, unpack only once and travel with a spa. Voila.

If you're interested in an early-summer cruise, these are great values (I'm going to gander $600-900 savings) before the holiday-scene gets swamped with tourists.

*Prices are based on TWO people, TOTAL. Do not include tips or insurance, which I advise to include.

***Please PM or comment below if you'd like a specific quote or to place a FREE hold on a cabin.

You will need a passport. :)

☀️🌊⚓️🛳
Fantastic Last Minute Cruises to EUROPE

Royal Caribbean International
7 Nights Western Mediterranean
🇮🇹 Rome, Naples, BCN, Palma De Mallorca, Florence, Rome
Starting 23 MAY 2024
🌊OCEANVIEW: 2,718.10 total

Celebrity Cruises
7 Nights Eastern Mediterranean
🇬🇷🇹🇷Greece and Turkey (so many islands!)
Starting 25 MAY 2024
🌊Oceanview: 3,513.44

Royal Caribbean International
🇪🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷From Southampton (Near London), to La Rochelle France, Havre (near Paris), Bilbao Spain, La Coruna Spain.
7 Nights Europe North
Starting 26MAY2024
Balcony 2,585.66
OV Gyt 2,083.66

Royal Caribbean International
7 Nights Western Mediterranean
🇪🇸🇮🇹Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Provence, Naples, Florence, Rome
Starting 26 MAY 2024
Balcony guarantee $2,864.68
🌊Oceanview gte. $2,484.68
June 2nd (3,055.42)

Royal Caribbean International
7 Nights Eastern Mediterranean
🇮🇹 🇬🇷 🇧🇶Athens, Mykonos, Argostoli, Kotor Montenegro, Split Croatia, Ravenna Italy
Starting 27 MAY 2024
Balcony guarantee $3,398.66
🌊OV Gte $3,057.66

[email protected]
Meg Strickland - Travel Agent

02/06/2024

Last Chance to Enjoy a FREE Dining Plan at Walt Disney World Resort!

For Disney+ Subscribers, you have a few days left to add a free dining plan to your next Walt Disney World vacation. PM or Comment below if you're interested!

02/01/2024

Today I'm working on a quote for a client! She's looking to celebrate a birthday at sea onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship!

01/17/2024

BIG News coming out today! It's been a long time, but FREE DINING IS BACK!

A FREE and Delicious Deal for Disney+ Subscribers



Disney+ Subscribers: Enjoy a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option—for arrivals most nights from July 1 to September 30, 2024.



Value and Moderate Resorts - Receive the free quick service dining plan (can upgrade to Disney Dining Plan.

Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts - Receive the free Disney Dining Plan.

PM Me today to get a free quote on your offer. Don't delay if you want to take advantage of this sale because the applicable rooms are limited.

01/14/2024

Walt Disney World updates!
New this year!!!

🔹 CommuniCore Plaza, CommuniCore Hall at EPCOT
These new spaces extend the EPCOT festivals beyond World Showcase and provide a new home for additional exhibits and entertainment, offering the perfect space to gather with family and friends. ...

🔹 Reimagined “The Little Mermaid” Show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
In 2024, an all-new theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic “The Little Mermaid” is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. ...

🔹All-Day Park Hopping
Beginning Jan. 9, guests at Disney World with a ticket with Park Hopper benefits or an Annual Pass will be able to once again visit another theme park at ANY TIME OF DAY during park hours (subject to capacity limitations). ..

🔹 Dining Plan at Disney World...

🔹 Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World Resort
This year, the Country Bears will debut new songs and a new act that pays homage to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. ...

🔹 Disney Treasure – Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, will debut in December 2024. ....

🔹 Disney Lookout Cay in The Bahamas
This summer, Disney Cruise Line’s newest, one-of-a-kind retreat on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, Disney Lookout Cay, will open. ...

🔹 The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Beginning in Summer 2024, the newest Disney Vacation Club resort, The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will open. ....

🔹New Disney Vacation Member Lounge at Walt Disney World
Construction on a brand-new Disney Vacation Club Member Lounge will begin in 2024 at Walt Disney World. This will be a great place for members to relax and recharge during their day of fun!

🔹 D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event
In 2024, D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is coming to Anaheim, California with a fan experience like none other.

From Aug. 9 to 11, this one-of-a-kind event will have spectacular shows, new venues and multiple days of entertainment and experiences that bring together all the wonderful worlds of Disney. ...

Happy 2024! 🎉 With new attractions, captivating shows, a brand-new resort and more, visit the Disney Parks Blog for 24 exciting Disney experiences to look forward to this year: http://di.sn/6189RgOKN

01/14/2024

Up next in the Pocket Guide series is Disney Sequoia Lodge at Disneyland Paris! 🌳✨ Learn more about the accommodations, dining, amenities, and more at this fan-favorite hotel that celebrates the spirit of the great outdoors. 💬 http://di.sn/6184RUQbY

01/12/2024

One part of being a good travel agent is always keeping track of prices. Generally speaking I know good prices, sale prices, and discounts during the year. I can't make up a discount that doesn't exist, but I can make sure that you're getting the best price from a vendor directly.

This week I checked an existing client's booking because there was a new sale.

I called Royal Caribbean International and asked that the sale price be applied to my client's existing booking.

I did the math, and saved my client $2530 on a one week cruise.

Their price went from $6263 to $3733, and I upgraded their room.

That's $3733 for a one week Mediterranean cruise, balcony room, for two!

This is why I always tell people, there is NO downside to booking early. There's also NO downside to booking through a travel agent.

01/11/2024

❄️ VOILA! ❄️

I scoured RCCL for Alaska ***Kid's sail Free*** dates! Best deal for family vacation ever!

These prices are for FOUR - TWO kids and TWO adults.
Prices don't include tips or travel protection, which I highly recommend. But most everything else onboard, from children's programs and day camps, to shows, to food, to coffee, to pools and saunas... is included.

Alaska is the trip of a lifetime - that you will want to repeat over and over!

If you do not have a passport - choose a sailing from and to Seattle. (Stay a couple nights in Seattle too!!)

**Prices are based on availability. They will change rapidly, unless you make a deposit on a cabin.

❄️ 7 Nights from Vancouver �
5/3 $2464

❄️ 7 Nights from Seattle
4/29 $2406
5/6 $3712

❄️ 7 nights Seward to Vancouver �
5/24 $2910 �
5/31 $3241

01/11/2024

People be complaining about Christmas decorations coming out in the store in August....

Um, you should be a travel agent. We're accepting reservations through 2025. ✅ We don't care how early you put up your tree, either.

🤣🤣🤣

01/09/2024

Comment below if you're dreaming of a sunny spot instead! Any plans to travel this spring???

I've been working on this rainy day to find some good deals for my clients.

Right now Royal Caribbean International has the Kids Sail Free Offer, which is one of my favorite discounts all year!

Here are some sample itineraries and dates!

PLEASE NOTE these prices are based on availability! They WILL SELL OUT. Below is just a few, I will be posting more soon.

😄👩‍👧‍👦👙☀️🌊

☀️Prices are based on TWO adults and TWO kids in an oceanview room! Tips and travel protection waivers are extra.

🚤 4 Nights Mexico Cruise from LAX � 5/6, 4/29, 5/20 $1965 ��

🚤 7 Nights Caribbean from San Juan
5/19 $2690 � 5/12 $2574 �

🚤 8 Nights Southern Caribbean from PCN
5/10 $2925

🚤6 Nights Eastern Caribbean from PCN
5/4 $2648