From Exasperated Traveler to Travel Consultant: The Story Behind Cabanas Coasters Travel
After years of planning travel for others and navigating both excellent and frustrating experiences as a traveler myself, I realized something important: the kind of dedicated, high-touch travel advisory I wanted simply wasn’t easy to find. So I decided to build it.
My background is in the health insurance industry, where I spent years working closely with professionals, including attorneys. Along the way, I often helped arrange their travel. For decades, I’ve also managed trips for myself and for both my immediate and extended family. These trips now include four generations and the planning is getting more complicated as the years go by.
Over the years, I did reach out to travel advisors, but the service I received never quite matched what I was looking for. As a result, I usually ended up planning everything myself—because that was the only way I could make sure the details, communication, and arrangements meet my expectations and ensure the coworkers and family received the best possible experience for work and leisure travels.
What I Expected vs. What I Received
Like many travelers, I had a straightforward set of expectations. A travel advisor should:
• Listen carefully to the request
• Return with thoughtfully curated options for flights, hotels, and activities
• Present clear pricing and timelines
• Communicate promptly and accurately
• Accept full payment for the total trip package proposed
Too often, the reality was different—delayed responses, incomplete arrangements, recommendations that didn’t match the original request, and payments handled in pieces rather than as one complete package (sometimes I had to make the arrangement and payments myself). Planning travel is already time-consuming. When the professional you hire doesn’t deliver, the process becomes even more frustrating.
That experience led me to a simple conclusion: if I wanted travel planning done at a higher service level, I needed to create it myself.
A Different Approach to Travel Advising
Through training and research, I learned that many travel advisors are compensated primarily through commissions tied to hotels, tours, and other suppliers. While this model works for some, it doesn’t always put the client’s specific needs first.
I chose a different path. At Cabanas Coasters Travel, I work on a transparent service-fee basis. This allows me to focus entirely on your preferences, timeline, and requirements—without the influence of commission structures. My role is less “booking agent” and more trusted consultant: someone who understands what you want and delivers it with clarity, care, and accountability.
A Personal Example: Planning with Purpose
In January 2026, I planned a multi-generational trip to Las Vegas centered around seeing The Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. I had visited Las Vegas three times before, but this trip included elderly family members in their early 70s. That meant prioritizing accessibility (including scooter-friendly accommodations), ease of movement, and carefully selected experiences.
I knew exactly what I needed for my family—the right hotel, the right flights, the right experiences, and a clear budget per person. What I wanted was an advisor who would respect those requests, respond in a timely manner, and handle all travel arrangements, including payment, for four adults with precision. I am now providing my clients with the service I expected.
Who This Service Is For
Cabanas Coasters Travel is for people who value their time and expect clear, timely communications and thoughtful planning. Also, if you know what you want from a trip and want a professional who will treat your preferences and time with respect, CCT is designed for you.
Whether you’re planning a multi-generational vacation, navigating travel accessibility needs, or planning a bucket-list experience, I make the process smoother, clearer, and more enjoyable.
You deserve travel planning that meets—and exceeds—your expectations. If you’re looking for a dedicated partner who listens first and delivers second, I would be honored to help.
Ready to plan your next trip with confidence? Reach out through the contact form on this website. I look forward to working with you soon.
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