Welcome to the first post and welcome aboard to a better way to experience your travel dreams.

I know, you hear it all the time how a travel agent/agency or online travel booking site can make your vacations easier or how they may have the lowest prices but I can tell you from my own experiences that this is not the case. I actually made the career change to becoming a Professional Travel Advisor because of one of these so-called professionals who could make things easier and bring more value to the overall experience. Needless to say, nothing was easier because it took the first 3 days of the vacation to get it all straightened out and the only value that was provided was in knowing that you would never use that agent again because of the mess that they created. What really put it over the edge though was the fact that neither the agent or the agency for whom they were associated with did anything to help resolve the issues, it was all handled directly with the supplier and it was a great learning experience to see what putting together a quality vacation really requires.

I don't focus on perks or amenities as the driving force behind the way I work. My approach is benefits driven for my travel family members and the benefits are:

• You will be working with a true professional who not only has the knowledge and accreditation to make things happen, but also has first-hand experience that lends insight into how to best tailor your vacation to your desires
• You will be working with a true professional that will be with you throughout the entire travel process, from planning through travel and upon return, and they will be there for you should you need their assistance at any time to ensure your trip flows without issue
• You will be working with a true professional who has established partnerships with the best and top-rated suppliers in their categories so that your vacation experience is what you want it to be and expect from a professionally tailored travel plan
• You will be working with a true professional who looks at your travel plans as if they were their own to ensure that your trip is the most enjoyable and memorable experience you can have and that your overall experience is loaded with all of the available value-added options available to you; you will travel the way your travel professional travels, unless you don't want to of course
• You will be working with a true professional who does not see you as just another client or booking, you will be a part of an extended travel family and will have access to your travel professional whenever you need them

I have spent a few years since that experience gaining the knowledge, expertise, and experience through vast amounts of training that has been provided by the suppliers with whom I have now well established relationships, the industry accredited certifications in focused areas of expertise, direct certifications from my own select group of suppliers, and first-hand knowledge through personal experiences for my dedicated areas of expertise. My only focus when creating a travel plan for my clients is the same focus that I put on my own travel plans and that focus is to develop and present a vacation experience that not only meets your wants and needs but exceeds them by bringing together the best options from the best suppliers and including all of the unique extras that you would never be able to experience if you booked your travel yourself. When my clients travel they will experience the same level of service that I do and they will have access to perks, amenities, upgrades, and all of the other added value items that are only available by working with a true industry recognized professional who has established themselves within the travel community. I help you bring your vacation dreams into the world of reality and you return with lifelong memories.

I am not a travel agent, I am a Professional Travel Consultant and Advisor with certification from Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as a Certified Cruise Counsellor (CCC); certification from the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) as a Verified Travel Advisor (VTA); Certified Alaska Expert accredited by the State of Alaska Department of Tourism; and the top level certifications from the suppliers with whom I have partnered: Cunard Line - Commodore, Princess Cruises - Commodore & Princess Alaska Expert, Virgin Voyages - Scarlet Tier (currently highest level available), Celebrity Cruise Line - Certified Advisor, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - Master's, Norwegian Cruise Line - Master's, Holland America Line - Platinum, American Cruise Line - Certified Advisor, American Queen Steamboat Company - Certified Advisor, Disney Vacations (Parks, Resorts, Cruises, Hawaii, et. al.) - Graduate of Disney's College of Knowledge, and many more. 

My specific areas of expertise are:

• Ocean Cruise Vacations
• River Cruise Vacations
• Disney Resorts & Theme Parks
• Universal Resorts & Theme Parks
• All-Inclusive Resorts

And, as an added benefit to my travel family members (clients) who come to me looking for a quick or last-minute week-long getaway, I have the ability to find some really great options for them.

And, most important of all, as a member of my travel family you will have the support of your advisor throughout the entire travel process, even while you are traveling, just in case you need some help with something. Of course, you can also just contact me to tell me how much you don't want your trip to end too.

I look forward to working with you when you are ready to take your travel dreams and turn them into travel memories.

Richard Hardie - CCC, VTA
Professional Travel Consultant & Advisor
R. P. Hardie Travel - An Independent Travel Associate of Incentive Connection Travel
A Proud Member of the Ensemble Travel Group