Why Having a Travel Advisor Matters: Real Story from a River Cruise in France
One of the biggest questions I get is: “Why should I use a travel advisor instead of booking everything myself online?” The truth is, it’s not about clicking “book now.” It’s about what happens when things don’t go as planned — because that’s where the real value shows up.
Recently, I had clients sailing with AmaWaterways on a luxury river cruise through France when they received a dreaded notification: their flight home was cancelled. Instead of panic or wasted hours at the airport, here’s how the situation was handled.
The Situation: Cancelled Flights Mid-Cruise
My clients were enjoying their last few days onboard when United Airlines suddenly cancelled their flight home. For most travelers, this would mean hours on hold, scrambling for solutions, and added stress at the end of a vacation. But because they booked with me, they never had to lift a finger.
Behind the Scenes: What I Did for Them
While my clients continued sipping wine and enjoying the French countryside, here’s what was happening in the background:
I immediately message my clients: Before they needed to reach out to me, I reached out to them to let them know what was going on and that I was already handling it.
On the phone with the airline: I secured new flights departing the next day so they could still get home smoothly.
Airport hotel in Marseille: I booked them a fabulous airport hotel with free shuttle service, so their unexpected overnight felt seamless.
Travel insurance support: I sent them step-by-step guides on how to file a claim for the additional expenses with their insurance provider.
Peace of mind: By the next morning, they woke up with their new plans in hand and were able to enjoy the remainder of their river cruise stress-free.
Why This Matters for You
The difference between booking online and booking with a professional?
You don’t waste time on hold. I do the heavy lifting while you keep vacationing.
You have a safety net. Unexpected cancellations, strikes, or weather disruptions don’t derail your entire trip.
You get solutions, not stress. Instead of chaos, you get calm — with hotel, transfers, and claims already handled.
You keep the luxury experience intact. Even in a hiccup, your trip still feels smooth, comfortable, and elevated.
River Cruises: A Seamless Way to Travel Europe
One reason my clients choose AmaWaterways river cruises is the ease of unpacking once and gliding between Europe’s most beautiful towns. But the peace of mind isn’t just on the water — it’s knowing you have someone watching out for you from start to finish. While I was working on securing a new flight home, the concierge onboard the AmaCello was rescheduling transfers for my clients so they could go directly to their new airport hotel without any issues!
Do you love the idea of traveling stress-free? Of knowing someone has your back when things don’t go as planned?
Let’s start planning your next luxury river cruise or European getaway. I’ll handle the details, you handle the memories.
