Who's The Best In Travel??!!

Well, we've recently had the Oscar's, naming he best actors, actresses, and movies, and now we are winding down the collegiate basketball season to find out who is the best men's and women's basketball teams in the land.

Another burning question that we travel agents often get is, “Who is the best cruise line, or which is the best ship?” Again, every year several travel news organizations and trade magazines take a poll of who is considered “the best” based on the experience of their readers. One organization that gets a lot of attention and readership is Cruise Critic, and they have a very loyal following of opinionated cruise travelers.

In their poll this year, for the fifth year in a row Disney Cruise Line took top honors in the Cruiser's Choice Awards with the ship Disney Dream being named for the third year in a row as the “Best Overall” in the large cruise ship category. Other awards going to the Disney product was the “Best Cabins”, “Best Service”, and “Best For Families”. All these awards means that they are very very popular, but is also means that they are much more expensive than the average cruise ship.

Another annual winner in the awards category is Viking River Cruise. You see their commercials on television, and marvel at the beauty. I can testify that those scenes are as they are, very beautiful and inspiring. They have garnered the “Worlds Best River Cruise” by Travel and Leisure readers for the past 11 years, and have been a 5-time winner of the “Editors Picks” by Cruise Critic.

Not to be outdone in the “Best” categories is the up-start Viking Sea. They tout themselves to be the “world's NEWEST ocean cruise line, and also the world's BEST ocean cruise line”. Even Cruise Critic named the ship, Viking Star, as the “best new ship”.

Cruise lines and ships come in all different categories, and in my opinion there are many “bests” to be had by all. In my estimation it is hard to beat the presentations of Alaska by some of the major carriers like Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity. They all do a wonderful job. Then here are the smaller ships in that market that cater to the more adventuresome type who have their niche and do an excellent job of touching and feeling Alaska.

Thankfully I have been blessed to have been on quite a few ships over the years, and with the exception of one cruise experience, I can say that every cruise I have ever been on has been “the best”. When occasionally asked which is my favorite, I usually say “ the last one”.

Travel agents at The Travel Factory have lot of experience selling these “best” vacations; we've been on them, traveled on them , sailed on them vicariously with our guests, and interviewed hundreds after they return. From all that experience, we think we can recommend what we think are the “best” options for our clients based on their needs and pocketbooks. That said, if you are anxious for a “best tip of the day”, give the agents at The Travel Factory a call today and let them help you manufacture the best vacation of your dreams. We can be reached at 698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040, or drop in for a visit at 4150 Southwest Drive, Suite 120 at the Plaza at Park Central near the Shops of Abilene.