You know I get asked this all the time. Got an email today about this. Will you book Seabourn, will you book Crystal?. I can of course book any cruise line I choose. So let me just do a post and go into this issue in a little detail rather than answer people individually.

There are two main reasons I limit my booking to Silversea, Radisson and Residensea.

(a) I really want to be an "expert" on what lines I sell. As you expand your brands that you represent it is increasingly difficult to REALLY be an expert. Radisson for instance has changed its onboard booking policies, pricing theory, the way they do reservations, their new computer and invoicing, gold points program, every time I turn around there are changes. I am totally up on Radisson, I know the Omaha staff, the Fort Lauderdale staff, I live and breath RSSC. The slightest change and I know. If anything goes wrong you need that edge and the production and credibility with the cruise line behind you to be able to handle a unique situation.

Same thing happens with Silversea and Residensea. Constant changes. Any of you that call me for Silversea or Residensea you know I turn you over to Linda or Susan for that Silversea or Residensea cruise. They know and keep up with all the changes with Silversea just like I do with Radisson. They also know Radisson but if they dont know something I am just down the hall. I just dont have the time to keep up with Silversea or Residensea so it is easier to have Linda or Susan do it. Those of you that work with these two ladies know how good and sharp they are. Susan has worked with me for around 25 years, Linda about 18 years. These are really unqiue women who know their stuff and are very intelligent. No hard ship to move over there for a Silversea or Residensea cruise. In fact I may not get you back once you work with either of these two.

(b) I really only want to book cruise lines or products that I want to go on personally. If I had a group on Seabourn or Crystal obviously it would be not a hardship to go but I have to be honest and admit that I really prefer RSSC or Silversea.

Ken and I were talking about this today. He pointed out how opposed I was to working on ROAR. I honestly felt the group needed to go to a South African expert. I had not even been there once. It seemed really foolish to use me as the agent. What value could I add? Olivia and Marcie really talked me into it. Then of course I could not stand not "knowing" so I went to South Africa and I am very grateful for that. I am so enthusiastic about South Africa I cant wait to learn more and more. I have been studying and working on a Destination Specialist Certification for Africa on this trip. Will take the test in January. I went to Houston to meet the Ker & Downey staff. This all takes a lot of time and effort.

I have to feel that way about what I represent. I have to be an expert and I have to really be enthusiastic about the product.I dont have the time to spend learning Crystal and Seabourn to the level that I want to know the product and company. I am not as enthusiastic about these two lines. Crystal is a lovely line, I am about to write a full report that I will post. Seabourn drawbacks to me are no real balcony cabins and the ships are getting older. I cant just sell something to "make money". Hence my decision to not offer them and specialize in what I know really well.

If any of you really want to book Crystal or Seabourn I can do it for you. Particularly now that Julie is aboard she is so good that it is making such a difference for me. I just cant see sending some of you that have become such close friends elsewhere if you REALLY want to do a Crystal or Seabourn. I have been on both lines so I have some knowledge.

However, I am not sure that would be the best thing for you to do. I am not an expert on these cruise lines. This one cruise on Crystal does not an expert make. You have to know the ins and outs of the cruise line, how they work, the key players in the company, go on each ship, know the differences. Experience multiple cruises as one cruise can vary so much from another. It is probable you would do better booking elsewhere with someone who has all that knowledge. This would be your call of course you know up front that I dont claim to be an expert in these lines. I just wont "offer" them as a cruise line that I represent at this time.

If RSSC or Silversea went downhill and then I thought that Crystal or Seabourn or a new line that might come along were better I would change what I offer. I want to represent what I believe to be the best two or three lines out there that I personally want to cruise.