A Personalized Approach to Travel Planning

Every traveler is different. We take time to learn about your travel style, budget, preferences, and priorities before recommending options.

Rather than overwhelming you with endless internet searches, we curate travel options that truly fit your vacation goals.

 Travel planning involves far more than simply finding the lowest price online.

As a professional travel advisor, we provide:

• Expert recommendations based on training and industry experience
• Knowledge of cruise ships, destinations, and resorts
• Trusted supplier relationships
• Guidance on cabins, itineraries, and travel timing
• Advice to help you avoid common travel mistakes

Our goal is to help you make confident travel decisions.

We believe great travel planning starts with great communication.

Clients working with us can expect:

• Prompt responses during business hours
• Clear explanations of options and pricing
• Transparent information about supplier policies
• Guidance throughout the planning process

Travel involves many moving parts, and we are here to help you navigate them.

Travel planning requires time, research, and expertise. For this reason, Dream Destinations by Heather & Joe charges professional planning fees depending on the complexity of the trip.

Typical planning fees include:

• $75 – Basic travel planning (simple hotel or air research, when applicable)
• $150 – Standard vacation planning (cruises, resorts, most leisure travel)
• $250 – Complex or group travel planning (multi-city trips, Europe, Disney, or groups)

Planning fees cover the time spent researching options, designing travel recommendations, and preparing customized proposals.

The cost of your cruise, resort, or vacation package itself remains the same as booking directly with the supplier.

Many travelers are surprised to learn that travel advisors often spend hours researching and designing trips before anything is ever booked.

In the past, travel advisors relied solely on supplier commissions. However, commissions are typically paid after travel is completed, and some services — such as airfare or hotel-only bookings — may provide little or no commission.

Professional planning fees help support the time and expertise required to:

• Research destinations, ships, and resorts
• Compare travel options and suppliers
• Design customized vacation recommendations
• Provide professional guidance and travel advice
• Assist with documentation and reservations

These fees allow us to dedicate the time needed to properly design your trip while continuing to provide personalized service to each client.

Think of it as similar to working with other professionals — such as a financial advisor, event planner, or consultant — who provide expert guidance and planning services. 

Working with a travel advisor is a great fit for many travelers — especially those who want guidance, support, and a smoother planning experience.

Our services are ideal for travelers who:

• Want expert recommendations rather than spending hours researching online
• Value personalized advice and curated travel options
• Appreciate professional support if travel plans change
• Prefer having an experienced advisor handle the details
• Are planning special trips such as cruises, honeymoons, anniversaries, or group vacations

However, travelers who prefer to book entirely on their own and spend time researching every option independently may find that online booking tools better suit their planning style.

Our goal is to provide thoughtful guidance and professional travel planning for clients who value expertise and personalized service.

Planning your vacation should feel exciting and simple. Here’s how the process works when you plan your trip with Dream Destinations by Heather & Joe.

Start by completing our secure travel planning intake form. This allows us to learn more about your travel goals, budget, preferred destinations, travel dates, and any special requests.

The more information you provide, the better we can tailor recommendations to fit your vacation style.

Once we review your trip details, we will confirm the appropriate planning fee based on the complexity of your trip.

After the planning fee is submitted, we begin researching travel options, comparing suppliers, and designing personalized recommendations for your vacation.

You’ll receive carefully selected travel options that match your preferences, including details about ships, resorts, itineraries, accommodations, and pricing.

We’ll walk you through the options and answer any questions so you can confidently choose the vacation that’s right for you.

Once you select your preferred option, we’ll secure your reservation with the travel supplier.

At this stage, deposits are typically required by the supplier to hold your booking. Payment schedules and policies are determined by the travel supplier.

As your trip approaches, we’ll help you prepare with helpful guidance such as:

• Travel documentation reminders
• Check-in instructions
• Cruise boarding information
• Excursion suggestions
• Travel tips for your destination
• 
  

Our goal is to make sure you feel fully prepared before you leave.

During your trip, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you have a travel advisor who understands your itinerary and can assist if needed.

While suppliers offer 24/7 travel support lines for urgent matters, we are always happy to assist when possible.

If you’re ready to begin planning your next vacation, the first step is completing our secure travel planning intake form. 

Hundreds of travelers trust Dream Destinations by Heather & Joe to help plan their vacations each year. We'd love to help plan yours too. 

There’s no obligation to book — just the first step toward a thoughtfully planned vacation.