Question 1

What does a luxury travel agent in Tampa actually do?

Accepted Answer

A luxury travel advisor at Travel Squad Vacations designs your trip from start to finish — researching destinations, securing hard-to-book hotels and suites, arranging private transfers and guides, layering in upgrades and amenities through our preferred-partner relationships, and serving as your single point of contact before, during, and after the trip. Most clients tell us the value shows up the first time something goes sideways and we fix it for them in real time.

Question 2

Do you charge a planning fee?

Accepted Answer

No. Travel Squad Vacations does not charge a planning fee — for cruises, all-inclusive resorts, hosted group trips, or fully custom itineraries. Our compensation comes from the supplier (cruise line, resort, tour operator) at no extra cost to you. You simply get a better trip, with the same price you'd find booking direct.

Question 3

How far in advance should I start planning?

Accepted Answer

Twelve to eighteen months out is the sweet spot for planning early — it locks in the best cabins, suites, and group rates, and gives us room to layer in pre- and post-stays, private guides, and upgrades as inventory shifts. Christmas market river cruises and our hosted group trips often sell out a year in advance, so the earlier the better. For all-inclusive resorts and Disney trips, three to six months is usually plenty.

Question 4

Do you have a Christmas markets river cruise for 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our 2026 Christmas markets river cruise sails the Rhine on AmaWaterways AmaLea from November 21–29, 2026, with stops in Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Rüdesheim, and Cologne. It is hosted by Travel Squad Vacations advisors and includes all shore excursions, fine wine and beer with meals, and gratuities.

Question 5

Who is the right advisor for a Norwegian Fjords cruise?

Accepted Answer

Our cruise specialist Melissa Eck hosts our 2027 Norwegian Fjords sailing aboard Norwegian Prima from Southampton to Reykjavík. Melissa specializes in Regent Seven Seas, Alaska, and luxury cruising worldwide.

Question 6

How do I reserve a spot on a group trip?

Accepted Answer

A $1,000 per-person deposit secures your stateroom or tent. We hold each trip to a small group — typically twelve to twenty travelers — and deposits are fully refundable up to a defined window before departure.

Question 7

Do you plan Walt Disney World vacations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have advisors who specialize in Walt Disney World trips across all four parks, every resort tier (Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa), and every investment range. They handle dining reservations at the 60-day mark, Lightning Lane Multi Pass strategy, and park day ordering based on crowd calendars.

Question 8

Do you plan Universal Orlando and Epic Universe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our theme-park specialists plan Universal Orlando trips across all four parks including Epic Universe (opening 2025), Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Volcano Bay. Universal Express Pass planning, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter park-hopping strategy, and Halloween Horror Nights bookings included.

Question 9

Do you book Disney Cruise Line?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We book across the Disney Cruise Line fleet including the Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, and Disney Treasure. We also plan combined Disney Cruise + Walt Disney World stays, which are among the best bundled values in family travel.

Question 10

Are you a Disney-authorized or Earmarked travel agency?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Travel Squad Vacations is authorized to sell Disney vacations. We are not currently part of Disney's Earmarked program, but we are an independent luxury travel agency with theme-park specialists who have deep planning expertise across Disney and Universal properties.

Question 11

Can you plan a Disney vacation with a tighter investment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our advisors plan across every Disney resort tier — from the Pop Century Resort at the Value end to Four Seasons Orlando at the luxury end. We'll match the property to your family's pace and priorities rather than up-selling.

Question 12

Do you plan Aulani and Adventures by Disney?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We plan Aulani (the Disney resort in Ko Olina, Oahu) as well as Adventures by Disney — Disney's guided small-group trip program covering destinations worldwide from Europe and South America to Southeast Asia and beyond.

Question 13

Do you plan African safaris?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our 2028 Hippo Lakes group safari across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro is hosted by our co-founders Melissa Eck and Sarah Riley. We plan tented-camp safaris across Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, Rwanda, and South Africa — built around your travel style, whether that's classic Big Five game drives, gorilla trekking, or a beach extension to Zanzibar.

Question 14

Are you Disney vacation planners?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have advisors who specialize in Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Disney Cruise Line vacations for families across the country. They handle dining reservations, Lightning Lane strategy, resort selection, and on-property logistics so you actually enjoy the trip.

Question 15

Do you book all-inclusive resorts?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We are an all-inclusive travel agent serving Florida and the rest of the U.S., with deep expertise in Mexico, Antigua, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Turks & Caicos. Cana Gardner leads our Caribbean and Mexico planning.

Question 16

Do you plan MICE travel?

Accepted Answer

Yes — MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions. Travel Squad Vacations handles the meetings, incentives, and events segments: executive offsites, board retreats, sales kickoffs, President's Club trips, top-performer reward travel, award dinners, and milestone celebrations. Large-scale conference production and exhibition hall logistics fall outside the practice. Eric Riley leads the corporate and incentive travel practice for groups of 12 and up. See the full scope at our Corporate & Incentive Travel page → /corporate-incentive-travel.

Question 17

Do you plan corporate retreats and sales incentive trips?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Eric Riley at Travel Squad Vacations leads our corporate, incentive, and nonprofit group practice — placing groups from 12-person executive retreats to full-ship charters across Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Mexico. He handles group contract negotiation, multi-city air coordination, room blocks, private dining or event space, and on-site logistics. Read the full incentive travel planning guide at /journal/incentive-travel-planning-guide or visit /group-bookings for current group cruise inventory.

Question 18

Can you organize a nonprofit cruise fundraiser or 501(c) donor trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work with 501(c)(3) nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and associations to plan cruise fundraisers, donor appreciation trips, and major-gift incentive travel. Cruise fundraisers are an efficient model because the ship provides the venue, lodging, meals, and entertainment, while your organization keeps the per-cabin group commission or rebates it back into the campaign. Eric Riley walks each organization through cabin blocks, fundraising structures, marketing materials, and on-board events.

Question 19

How much does corporate or incentive travel cost per person?

Accepted Answer

Incentive travel investments typically range from $1,500 per person for domestic cruise programs to $8,000+ per person for luxury international expeditions. Most corporate programs land between $2,500 and $4,500 per person all-in — airfare, accommodations, group events, and ground transfers included. We build a custom proposal around your group size, target destination, and per-person investment.

Question 20

How far in advance should we plan an incentive trip?

Accepted Answer

Twelve to eighteen months out is the sweet spot. That window locks in the best group rates, secures cabin blocks or hotel room blocks before they release, and gives your qualifying participants enough runway to hit their performance targets. Smaller executive retreats and shorter cruise fundraisers can sometimes be assembled in six to nine months if dates are flexible.

Question 21

Do you sell travel insurance?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend trip insurance and can quote and book a comprehensive policy for you. Coverage typically includes trip cancellation, interruption, medical, and evacuation.

Question 22

What happens if something goes wrong on my trip?

Accepted Answer

Your advisor is reachable throughout your trip via phone, text, or WhatsApp. We have re-booked flights at 3 a.m., relocated guests to better hotels mid-trip, and arranged emergency medical transport — quietly, and on your behalf.

Question 23

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit cards, including most cobranded travel cards so you can earn points on the trip itself. Payment schedules vary by supplier; final balances are typically due 60–120 days prior to departure.

Questions, answered.

Working With An Advisor

Group Trips & Cruises

Theme Parks & Disney Planning

Destinations & Specialties

Corporate, Incentive & Nonprofit Travel

Payments, Insurance & In-Trip Support