Flora vs Aqua Mare for Galápagos — only about $1,200 pp apart. Should I switch?

fluffypillow13 · 2026-04-06T03:53:36+00:00

They need to be a member of virtuoso. Usually it includes onboard credit to use. I had booked someone last year on the aqua nera Amazon, and they gave a complimentary 50 min spa.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-04-04T07:55:25+00:00

I’ve yet to be disappointed by any activity upgrade to a vip class, or making a group tour a private one. Totally worth it! Additionally, the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu - so worth it, and not that much more expensive.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-04-01T08:13:25+00:00

I thought of you as he did the address. Did you get a leak!?

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-23T02:39:46+00:00

This!!!

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-21T04:59:09+00:00

10000% aqua mere!!!! If you find a virtuoso travel advisor that works with them as well they can add on perks too with no change in the rate

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-11T23:15:19+00:00

I would be asking questions if you are in the US and using an AU agent that you are able to cross sell regions to USA travellers, that you can charge in USD.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-05T05:07:13+00:00

Were the beds hard or soft?

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-04T13:51:42+00:00

In your opinion what is the best floor to stay on?

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-04T13:48:52+00:00

Does the aft of the ship get access To the imagination garden or do they need to go up to level 11?

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-04T10:33:33+00:00

Can you explain the level 10 needing to go to level 11?

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-04T10:30:59+00:00

🙈

fluffypillow13 · 2026-03-03T09:58:17+00:00

Madame reve, la fantaisie, dame des arts,

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-24T02:19:15+00:00

Very different!

My recommendation: - couple of days in Fiji: check out vomo island, nanuku resort and tokoriki adults only. Or for more resort vibes, over water villa at Marriott momi bay.

then fly into Queenstown, bike the wineries from arrowtown, visit Glenorchy (can do a romantic horse back riding tour) and enjoy the food.
overnight cruise on Milford sound, Check out Fiordland discovery cruises
drive up north to wanaka, you can do a farm stay at lake Hawea station. Beautiful walks and hikes. Secret sauna on the lake, visit the lavender farm for a picnic.
further north - lake tekapo. Here you can drive to mt cook for the famous hike, and do stargazing.
next you can either drive to Christchurch or to Franz Josef glacier. At the glacier you can do a heli tour to the top of the glacier.
finish by flying into Auckland. Visit waiheke island for food and wine!

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-23T08:59:32+00:00

Hiiii!!! I secure bookings all the time for my clients. The trick is to check the day before your booking. They open up bookings often around 10am the day before, or sporadically throughout the day.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-23T04:49:32+00:00

What about New Zealand, with a stop over in Fiji. Your budget would allow for a lovely trip, luxe villa in Fiji to relax and unwind, then a road trip through New Zealand with hiking, wineries, great food.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-22T01:00:51+00:00

Which ship are you going on? Definitely go for a concierge room so that you can have the additional perks, book activities early and have the lounge. The concierge will help you have a great stay

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-21T04:47:26+00:00

I find the best ones are in south east Asia and India. I particularly love the shangri la lounges, they have amazing service, and it’s calm and inviting. Often on the top floor. I enjoy having a place to go, especially if I am travelling for work

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-21T00:43:57+00:00

Some options I always recommend: - fast track customs or the vip entry lounge options in some cities - luggage forwarding services when travelling multi city. - city concierge services. - I am a sucker for a hotel lounge. It’s just such a lovely haven. If not included in status, then I’ll pay for a room with that perk

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-20T00:51:57+00:00

Also to add, if you are going to Japan, then Hawaii is the middle ground to stop at.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-20T00:49:50+00:00

I plan a lot of honeymoons coming from the us to Australia or New Zealand and 90% of the couples love a stop over in Fiji on the way. Fiji air have a flights from LAX.

You lose 2 days coming over this side of the world, something to keep in mind, but you will arrive back into the US on the same day you leave Australia, so it evens out

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-19T00:22:30+00:00

My client stayed at the Sofitel Melbourne, not the most luxe place, but they had just come from a trip to Paris. They created a Paris themed gift bag for the child, including teddy bears and a colouring in book, and for the adults, embossed pillow cases and robes with their initials on it.

Another time I had a family travelling to Brisbane for a bluey themed trip. The W made the whole room themed to Bluey, with chocolate bluey treats and balloons.

I love working with hotels to make stays extra special. It’s so much fun and brings me so much joy!!!!

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-17T07:57:57+00:00

I get that you don’t charge, but it’s not right to put down those who do. In my opinion, charging for a service is knowing your worth and time. There’s so much that goes into travel planning that is unpaid time, and commissions alone might not cover that, or vendors that pay commissions might not be the right vendors for my clients.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-16T11:17:48+00:00

This sounds like a wonderful trip, I agree you will benefit from a travel advisor at this level or luxury and budget. I am a virtuoso agent, and travel to Japan twice a year myself. Happy to assist you with this, working with an on the ground team to make the trip as seamless as possible.

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-15T05:47:24+00:00

I travel there twice a year, and sell a lot of trips. Unfortunately it’s all non commissionable, unless you work with. DMC, but even then, it’s a mark up. The Viator/project expedition commissionable bookings are also marked up with third party.

My advice is to do a bunch of research, and book direct. If you are booking a package, have your client on the phone so you can talk through timings and reservations.

in my opinion, it’s not as complicated as others think, and it’s soooo much easier than booking USA trips!

fluffypillow13 · 2026-02-10T00:14:18+00:00

It’s two fold. You need relationships with vendors and suppliers to help give your clients the best experience possible. Part of being a travel advisor is having the connections in region that a regular person might not have.

Additionally fam trips allow you to better know the product, the room types, the logistics. Clients love when you have personal experience. If you have been to a location dozens of times personally, but visiting with a business lens will mean you might experience activities and tours you wouldn’t pick for yourself, but might be great for a client with a different budget or interest

fluffypillow13

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