Riff's Travel Service

18/08/2024

This morning I disembarked from a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas aboard the beautiful MSC Seashore. I've sailed on this ship twice and have been impressed with the ship, the food, and the service both times.

MSC Cruises offer a great value compared to many of the other cruise lines. They are making huge investments in and upgrades to their US-based ships (MSC World America arriving next year), their Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, and their product offerings. Don't count out MSC when researching your next cruise vacation!

Have you thought about MSC for your next cruise vacation?

29/03/2024

Special delivery! The spring issue of Avoya Travel's digital magazine, The Avoya Traveler, has arrived and you can read it now by clicking https://www.avoyatravel.com/emagazine/.

Inside, you can dive deep into some of the featured travel brands, learn the latest happenings in the travel industry, find destination-immersive inspiration for you next vacation, and tons more.

After checking out this new edition of The Avoya Traveler, message me or call to start planning your perfect getaway. Whether you've already thought through the details of your next trip or you're looking for assistance to get the ball rolling, I'm here to help!

30/01/2024

For those looking to book cruises this year: Cruise lines have more than exceeded pre-pandemic booking levels and many travel advisors are indicating that cabin availability is either low or sold out for certain itineraries and ships in 2024 and even into 2025.

Personally, I booked my family's Thanksgiving cruise more than a year out because of the holiday and the trip being on a brand new ship.

My advice: If there is a specific ship or sailing you're interested in, go ahead and get a deposit in early. I can help you navigate the rules around what can be modified, postponed or even cancelled later (although I'd prefer to see you enjoy your cruise!).

I'm here to help when you're ready to investigate cruises or other ideas for your next adventure!

22/11/2023

Thinking about cruising next year or even into 2025? We often think this time of year is all about holiday gifts and sales at our favorite local and online retailers. Black Friday sales can often yield hefty savings and extra perks on cruises too. A combination of booking early and catching big promotions can really be worthwhile. I'm here to help you navigate the process of finding the perfect trip and making the most of your vacation.

Give the gift of adventure this holiday season!

http://www.riffstravel.com

02/07/2023

Now that I've been back for a week, I'd like to share a couple final tips for cruising in Alaska:

Tip #9: While onboard, you'll have access to the future cruise desk and a special offer for booking your next cruise. You should give this offer some consideration if you're already thinking about your next cruise. Typically, the offer is to put down a fully refundable deposit and you will receive a certain amount of free onboard spending money depending on which cabin type you end up booking. If you take advantage of that deal, you can still work with me to help find the perfect itinerary and get everything booked. The offer is only available while onboard, is good for 12 months, and is usually a pretty good deal.

Tip #10: You may feel a sense of emptiness after your vacation is over (I certainly did). One way I manage that is by starting to plan my next adventure so that I have another trip to look forward to. I'm here to help when you're ready. Please message me on Facebook, visit my website, call, or text to learn more about how I can help with planning your next great adventure.

I hope these tips have been helpful and have shared some insight into what to expect from a cruise to Alaska.

Remember, my services are completely free to you and through my affiliations, I can generally offer access to better deals and offers you won't find when booking directly. My Independence Day sale is underway, so there's no better time to get started with planning!

www.riffstravel.com

23/06/2023

Today we're visiting Ketchikan, a small fishing and lumber town in southeast Alaska. There are 5 cruise ships in port today, so I thought I'd focus my next set of tips on port visits.

Tip #6 - Expect crowds. Many of the port calls in Alaska are small towns with small populations. When cruise ships come, the streets, shops and restaurants become crowded. Expect to navigate these crowds if you plan to walk around town. With travel now exceeding pre-pandemic levels, more people than ever are headed to Alaska.

Tip #7 - Book your shore excursions early (either through the ship or through a reputable private provider). Since demand is higher, tours are selling out, even before sailing. We did a private whale watching experience that exceeded our expectations in Juneau (actually got to see humpback whales bubble feeding!) and also had a great time at the Princess-purchased Great American Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan.

Tip #8 - If you choose to stay onboard and use the pools and hot tubs, don't worry about packing a towel or blanket. Princess provides towels and blankets on the pool deck. Other cruise lines do the same, but expect to check out/check in towels with mass market brands like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

There's more to come as we make our way to Vancouver and then back home! This cruise has been spectacular. If you're looking to experience Alaska yourself, please reach out to learn more about the options available.

20/06/2023

It's time to share my next set of tips for cruising in Alaska. We visited Glacier Bay National Park today and are docked in Icy Strait Point, where we'll spend the day tomorrow.

Tip #3 - If you come all the way to Alaska to cruise, do yourself a huge favor and make sure your itinerary contains Glacier Bay National Park. Only 2 ships per day are allowed, so many who visit Alaska by cruise ship end up completely missing out. This is one of the most breathtaking National Parks I have visited and my pictures don't do it justice. I can help you find the right itinerary to be able to enjoy this amazing place like I did today.

Tip #4 - Bring a good set of binoculars and a nice camera with you to Alaska. Everywhere you visit will be packed with postcard-worthy scenery along with wildlife in every direction. Having the right tools will help you to remember your experience for years to come.

Tip #5 - Dress in layers! While we've had two "blue bird" days in a row, we know the weather can change in an instant. Temps have started in the low 50's and topped out in the 60's for us, but that certainly isn't the norm. Be sure to bring a waterproof outside layer to stay dry.

There's more to come, so stay tuned! Please let me know if you have questions or if you'd like for me to address a specific topic.

I'm so thankful and excited for those families who have entrusted me with their cruise vacation planning to Alaska this summer. They are going to have an amazing experience!

17/06/2023

Over the coming weeks I'll be posting a series of tips and experiences from my Princess cruise in Alaska. I have several families booked for Alaska this summer, and I hope the information shared will be useful for their upcoming journeys as well as anyone thinking about cruising Alaska in the future.

My first couple tips have to do with pre-cruise travel. Although these hold true for all cruises, they are especially helpful for Alaska:

1. When possible, never plan to fly to your cruise the day of embarkation. I planned to leave two days before the cruise, with stopovers in Seattle and Anchorage to explore before heading to Whittier to board the ship. Summertime brings volatile weather, especially in the southeast, which can create unexpected delays and cancelations. Pair that with travel levels eclipsing pre-pandemic levels and overworked airline crews, and you run a higher risk for delays. Even though our cross-country flight was unexpectedly delayed overnight, we still had a buffer for making it to Alaska to board the ship.

2. If you're planning to arrive or depart through Seattle, leave plenty of time for waiting in TSA screening lines. Wait times on Friday evening at all checkpoints eclipsed 55 minutes, which caused many to miss their flights. Be aware that Seattle, as well as other major airports in the Pacific Northwest, are hubs for tourism and international travel, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time for standing in lines at the airport.

Despite the curve balls thrown our way, we had an entire afternoon to spend in Seattle between flights. Proactive planning was our key to success. While dealing with delays was exhausting, seeing our first glimpse of snow covered peaks made the travel frustrations melt away.

There's more to come over the course of the trip, so stay tuned!

I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field in Seattle if you're into aviation and aviation history like I am. Enjoy the photos!

06/06/2023

It's always a special day when your Princess Medallions arrive ahead of your cruise!

Don't know what a Princess Medallion is or why they are different colors? Ask me! I'd love to share with you what it's like to vacation with Princess and utilize this innovative technology.

01/04/2023

It's here! The spring issue of Avoya Travel's digital magazine, The Avoya Traveler, has arrived and you can start reading it now by clicking the link below.

https://www.avoyatravel.com/emagazine/

Inside, you can learn about top brands in the travel industry, get a closer look at both popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations, find travel inspiration with authentic Greek recipes, and tons more.

After you check out this new edition of The Avoya Traveler, contact me to start planning your perfect vacation with the best savings available. I can't wait to help make your travel dreams come true!

https://www.riffstravel.com

22/03/2023

DID YOU KNOW: Only two ships are allowed into Glacier Bay National Park each day?

It's important to look closely at the itinerary when selecting a cruise in Alaska. Picking a ship with a Glacier Bay itinerary ensures you'll get to hear directly from experts from the National Park Service about the natural beauty of the area. Although other lines do visit Glacier Bay on a more limited basis, the two I'd recommend are Princess and Holland America Line due to their unparalleled access to the park, high levels of service, and expertise in Alaska. I'll be visiting Glacier Bay with Princess this summer and have already booked others aboard Princess with Glacier Bay itineraries for 2023. The Alaska season typically runs from late May to mid-September and prices tend to be highest around the July 4th holiday.

I'm a certified specialist with Princess and have sailed with Princess more than any other line. Let me put my expertise and experience to use for you in helping to book your next cruise. Message, call, text, or visit my website to get started!

https://www.riffstravel.com

09/03/2023

Southwest Airlines just released their schedules through November 4th. Anyone ready to start planning for fall travel/Fall Break?

03/03/2023

"How much will it cost me to work with you as my travel advisor?"

Answer: Nothing at all!

I receive a commission from the cruise line, resort, hotel, or vendor where you'll be booked to compensate me for bringing business their way. I charge no extra fees for my time or service.

Beyond being no cost to you, through my affiliation with Avoya Travel, I have access to rates and offers that you can't get by booking directly. Working with me really is a great opportunity to save money, be helped by someone who's got your back, and receive personalized service. What do you have to lose?

Message me to see how I can help you plan your next adventure! It's not too late to plan for summer or even spring break if you're looking for a last minute deal!

https://www.riffstravel.com

23/02/2023

Check out this video highlighting Avoya Travel and the reason you need me, your travel advisor, to book your next vacation. Riff's Travel Service is an independent agency in the Avoya Travel Network.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/798931128?h=f8cada6d23

17/02/2023

***DEAL ALERT***

For those looking to cruise Alaska with kids this summer, now is a fantastic time to book with Princess. On top of already fantastic rates, Princess is running a 3rd and 4th guest free promotion and there are plenty of Alaska itineraries included.

If you didn't know, Princess is one of the the best lines for Alaska (I'd also recommend Holland America). Princess does a great job of providing access to park rangers, enrichment programs for all ages, and outstanding excursions and cruise tours. They also have priority access to Glacier Bay National Park, which is an experience you probably won't get with many other lines/itineraries. I've booked a Princess cruise for myself this summer that includes Glacier Bay and can't wait to go.

Message me for more information about pricing and availability.

http://www.riffstravel.com

09/02/2023

If you've been waiting to price and book your next cruise, now is the time to take advantage of crazy deals. Offers like free gratuities, onboard credit, kids sail free, and more are plentiful right now and I'm confident I can beat the pricing you'll get from booking directly with the cruise line. My exclusive Valentine's Day sale begins today and runs through 2/15.

Whether you're thinking about a river cruise in Europe or a family vacation, this really is an opportunity you don't want to miss. Message me today to get the conversation started.

http://www.riffstravel.com

04/02/2023

I love having a vacation planned that I can look forward to for months ahead of time. This summer, my wife and I will be sailing Alaska on the beautiful Majestic Princess. We're excited to not only see Alaska by ship, but also spend a few days exploring Anchorage, Vancouver, and Seattle during the trip.

What vacation plans are you looking forward to?

If you need inspiration or are ready to explore options, pricing, and availability, I'm ready to help. Message me to get the conversation started.

http://www.riffstravel.com

27/01/2023

Are you a budget traveler? Here are a couple tips for saving money when selecting a balcony cabin while booking a cruise:

1. Look for "Obstructed View" balcony cabins. Sometimes these just mean that the railing is not glass and you can't see through it or something like a lifeboat may be visible. I booked an obstructed view cabin on my last cruise on the back of the ship and our balcony was 3-4 times larger than a normal balcony but still had great views! Would you be happy with the balcony in the photo with the obstruction?

2. Consider a "Guaranteed" balcony stateroom. This just means that the cruise line will select the room for you. Generally, you can pick an area, like front (forward), middle or rear (aft) of the ship, and they will assign your cabin shortly before the cruise. One time I chose a guaranteed balcony cabin and was upgraded to a deluxe balcony cabin in a better location on the ship. Sometimes it pays to be flexible and thrifty at the same time!

When you're ready to search for your next cruise, I'm here to help! Call or text me at (270)283-9420, message me on Facebook, or visit my website at https://www.riffstravel.com.

12/01/2023

Have you visited Stingray City? If not, I'd highly recommend going during your next cruise or visit to Grand Cayman. It's a wonderful experience for all ages and virtually every major cruise line that visits offers an excursion. The water is clear and shallow, which allows for awesome interactions with the local stingrays. Knowledgeable local guides can really help to elevate the experience.

Warm welcomes from the locals await at Stingray City.

01/01/2023

The new website is up and running! I hope to help make your new year's travel resolutions a reality by providing great service and unbeatable value. To get started, simply use the form on my website or message me directly (by text or through Facebook).

I'm looking forward to an adventurous 2023!

https://www.riffstravel.com

29/12/2022

I wanted to provide a quick business update as we begin to leave 2022 behind and start to embrace 2023.

My family and I recently relocated to the Tampa Bay area in Florida and I have already submitted paperwork to move the business from Kentucky to Florida. Please know that it is still business as usual for Riff's Travel Service and I'll continue to be here to support everyone in Kentucky, whether you have already booked travel with me or may be considering it in the future.

I'm tremendously excited about everything in store for 2023. I'll be launching a new website at the beginning of the year which should make engaging with me easier. I'm also thrilled about the many new enhancements and offers available through my relationship with the Avoya Travel Network. The network has expanded greatly in 2022 and there are tons of new offers and opportunities I'll be able to provide as we move into 2023, which will provide even more value for your upcoming adventures. I'll continue to share those opportunities on social media and I invite you to like and follow my pages to find inspiration, learn about current offers, and stay up-to-date with what is happening in the travel industry.

I also want to thank everyone who has trusted me to help them with their travel arrangements this year. While I still feel like I'm just getting started, I really appreciate your willingness to support the development and growth of my small business venture. Thank you!

Happy New Year!

21/12/2022

It's here! The winter issue of Avoya Travel's digital magazine, The Avoya Traveler, has arrived:

https://www.avoyatravel.com/emagazine/

Inside, you can learn about the latest developments in the travel industry, get a closer look at both new and familiar travel brands, get inspired with authentic Mexican recipes, and tons more.

Whether you've got the perfect vacation in mind after reading or you're looking for help getting started, message me or give me a call and I'd be happy to help!

08/12/2022

Have you ridden the Flowrider aboard one of Royal Caribbean's ships?

The Flowrider is one of my daughter and my favorite water attractions. Maybe one day we'll try surfing, but boogey boarding is more our style.

This is your Monday morning reminder that you can handle whatever this week throws at you. 😎
📸: Connor T.

20/11/2022

It's beginning to look a lot like your greatest family vacay ever. 😎

Get up to $600 off, 30% off every cruise, and the kids sail free — Black Friday starts now. 🔗 https://www.royalcaribbean.com/

20/11/2022

Norwegian's Black Friday Greatest Deal Ever is here! Make sure you take advantage of this amazing offer! 🚢💸

20/11/2022

Have you booked your Spring Break vacation yet? Now is the perfect time to take advantage of Black Friday Week specials! Score unbeatable deals on fan-favorite cruises, resorts, and tours and take advantage of limited-time savings including slashed rates, exclusive perks, and more.

Don't waste a minute – message me today to learn about my exclusive offers and book your next getaway before my sale ends November 26th! My services as a travel advisor won't cost you a dime and I can help take the hassle out of planning your next vacation.

21/10/2022

I enjoy cruising, I love good barbecue, and I also enjoy watching Steven's shows on PBS. This sounds like a really great mix of those 3 things!

Call or message me to start planning!

28/09/2022

The autumn issue of Avoya Travel's digital magazine, The Avoya Traveler, has arrived! Discover exciting destinations, unique insights, and more here: https://www.avoyatravel.com/emagazine/

Inside, you can read about the latest developments in the travel industry, get a deeper look at top travel brands, discover authentic Cuban recipes, and so much more.

Once you've gotten your dose of inspiration, call or message me so we can start planning your perfect vacation! (270)283-9420

17/09/2022

How cool is this?!! You get to do some incredible things with a small(er) ship experience.

01/09/2022

Looking for an unforgettable vacation that won't break the bank? You're in luck! My exclusive Labor Day Sale is here featuring the best savings on must-experience cruises, resorts, and tours around the world.

Set sail to stunning ports-of-call, take an in-depth tour through charming European towns, or relax poolside at an all-inclusive resort. Whatever the perfect getaway looks like to you, I can help you find it for less than you thought possible.

Don't waste a minute – call or message me today to learn more about my incredible deals before this sale ends September 8th!