EXPERTS TO SERVE YOU, SHIP TO SHORE
During your cruise you’ll be well taken of. Your Cruise Director will provide briefings about upcoming ports, coordinate social and cultural activities on board ship, and generally make sure that your experience is the best it can be. And to guide your included shore excursions, we’ve selected the best regional experts. If your program includes a land stay (or if you have chosen an optional extension), you will also enjoy the services of your Cruise Director at your hotel, who can help you plan your exploration.
CRUISE DIRECTORS MAKE YOUR TRIP "SMOOTH SAILING"
Your Vantage trip will be led by a seasoned Cruise Director who will ensure your comfort and satisfaction. Think of him or her as your onboard “host,” the person to turn to with questions about your itinerary, updates on the day’s activities, reservations for optional tours, and so much more.
Gail Bryant
It was by happenstance that British-born Gail landed in travel. While working in a small French hotel barge, the resident tour leader fell ill, so Gail stepped in at the last minute. “Even though it was really nerve-wracking that first time, I loved it,” she said. “Although I’ve done other jobs in travel, this is always my preferred position.” She now boasts more than 20 years in travel, including planning and development, but Gail loves leading Vantage travelers around the UK the most. “There’s something special about sharing the country of your birth with travelers,” she said. “I love introducing the varied cultures of the British Isles. For such a small place, it’s incredible just how different people are in each place we visit! Even if the distance between them is less than 100 miles, the customs, accents, and even the language can be nothing alike!”
ALONGSIDE YOUR Expedition TEAM, IN-DEPTH EXPLORATIONS AWAIT
Your 5-person Expedition Team will provide the framework of your discoveries into more rugged regions. Our experienced and knowledgeable team will guide your shore excursions as well as lead your soft adventures — including nature walks, hikes, kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and more. They’ll also enhance your experience by providing lectures on geology, oceanography, history, and other topics specific to your journey.
NEW! CONCIERGE SERVICE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND
If you have a special desire or personal interest that you'd like to pursue while abroad, you have an inside track: your Vantage Destination Manager. This new service is available to all travelers, no matter what cabin category or flight class you’ve reserved (making us the best among other deluxe travel companies!). Whether you want to plan an anniversary party, want to track down a bit of your family’s heritage in China, or organize an intimate pub crawl for your multigenerational group of family and friends in Ireland, your Vantage Concierge is just the person to make your travel dreams come true. Simply log in to My Portfolio and submit a request or send a pre-trip request to Concierge@vantagetravel.com up until two weeks prior to departure and you'll have your answer from our overseas Concierge within five business days.
RESIDENT LECTURER
We’ve handpicked these regional experts to join you on your journey and oversee your historical and cultural enrichment specific to your destinations. Through them, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of major chapters in world history and other, in-depth subjects relevant to your travels.
REGIONAL EXPERTS IN EACH PORT
No one knows a destination better than an insider, so in addition to your Cruise Director, you’ll enjoy the services of experienced, English-speaking regional experts in select locations during your included excursions. Their deep command of regional history will certainly enrich your viewing of important attractions. But our “insiders” go a step beyond, sharing insights on behind-the-scenes aspects of local culture that ordinary tours usually overlook. How do families in this area get by? What are some of the local legends? What do the decorations on a particular house mean? Your regional expert is eager to bring it all alive for you.
