Frequently asked questions

I specialize in small-ship and river cruises. I also plan land journeys before and after your cruise, with standalone land journeys on request. From my home base in Auburn, Alabama, I work with travelers across the United States to shape a cruise and the time on land around their interests.

I work with AmaWaterways, Tauck, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Viking, Oceania Cruises, and Windstar Cruises. I have personally sailed with AmaWaterways, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Avalon Waterways, Oceania Cruises, Windstar Cruises, and Viking, so my recommendations come from time spent on board, not from a brochure.

My planning fee starts at $250 per person, depending on the complexity of your trip. Our first consultation is free. The fee is due only after we both decide to move forward, before I begin designing your trip. When you book your trip with me, the full planning fee is credited toward the cost of your trip. Read the planning-fee terms.

The trips I plan start at $6,000 per person. That level lets me focus on small ships, river voyages, and well-crafted land journeys where the details truly matter. If you are unsure where your plans fall, share them in the planning form and I will guide you.

Yes. Tick Tock Travels is based in Auburn, Alabama, and I serve clients across the United States. Planning happens through the online form, email, and a consultation with me, so where you live never limits the trip we can create together.

I plan for travelers who would rather see fewer places well than many places in a hurry. That includes solo travelers, couples celebrating milestones, empty nesters, girlfriends' trips, multigenerational families, and groups of friends, classmates, and alumni.

Yes. I plan group trips for friends, classmates, alumni, and families of eight or more travelers. The $6,000 per-person trip minimum applies, and I can plan a river cruise or small-ship cruise, with land journeys before or after the sailing. Standalone land journeys are available on request.

Yes. I plan land journeys before and after your small-ship or river cruise, coordinating accommodations, transportation, and experiences around your sailing. Tell me whether you would like extra time on land in the planning form, and I will help shape the extension around your interests and preferred pace.

The cruise industry generally considers a ship with fewer than 1,000 guests a small ship. Many luxury travelers and industry purists prefer a stricter cutoff of 500 or fewer. I'll help you decide which size feels right for how you like to travel.