YOUR QUESTIONS,
ANSWERED
Travel with Confidence
We’ve compiled the essentials here to help you plan with confidence. If you don't see exactly what you’re looking for, we are here to help. Simply head to the Have a Question? section at the bottom of the page to send us a message.
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We believe travel should feel like a deep breath, not a to-do list. While the internet offers infinite choices, it can’t offer personal insight. Here is how we bridge that gap:
Less Searching, More Finding: We trade the endless hours of research for recommendations that actually match your style. We filter out the noise so you only see what matters.
The Invisible Details: We look closer to make sure the path is clear. From finding that unique local meal to securing reliable support on the ground, we handle the tiny details that make a trip feel effortless.
Someone in Your Corner: If the unexpected happens, you are never stuck on hold with a call center. You have us, ready to solve the problem so you can get back to your vacation.
Ultimately, we take the weight of planning off your shoulders, leaving you with just the fun part: the anticipation.
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We see ourselves as your partners in discovery, not just booking agents. You trust us with your precious time away, and we take that responsibility seriously. Here is what that partnership looks like:
We Go There First: We believe the best advice comes from experience, not a brochure. We never stop traveling, scouting the hotels, testing the beds, and sailing the ships so our recommendations are grounded in what we’ve actually seen and felt.
People Over Bookings: We believe the best trips are built on friendship. We keep our client list intentional so we can focus on you. We take the time to learn your style, your quirks, and your dreams, ensuring every trip feels like it was made just for you.
Your Time is Valuable: You have enough on your plate without managing the logistics of international travel. We handle the heavy lifting and the fine details, giving you back your time and the freedom to simply enjoy the journey.
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We offer three distinct levels of service designed to match the complexity of your trip. Whether you need a quick hotel reservation or a fully orchestrated international adventure, we have a path for you:
Hotel Booking: Perfect for when you know where you want to go but want VIP treatment. We book your stay and unlock exclusive amenities like daily breakfast, resort credits, and room upgrades. (Complimentary)
Cruise Planning: We help you navigate the endless options of ocean and river cruising to find the perfect itinerary, ship, and cabin for your style, ensuring you never feel lost at sea. (Complimentary)
Custom Itineraries: Our signature service. We design fully tailored, multi-stop itineraries from scratch, handling every logistical detail, from flights snd private transfers to perfect hotels and unique local experiences along with any accessibility needs. (Includes professional planning fee)
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Starting your journey is simple. We have designed our process to be as easy and conversation-focused as possible:
Step 1: Reach Out. Fill out an inquiry form. This gives us the starting blocks: dates, destinations, or just a general vibe you are looking for.
Already have a vision? Great, tell us the details.
Not sure exactly what you need yet? That is perfectly okay. Just let us know you are looking for inspiration, and we will take it from there.
Step 2: The Consultation We will schedule a complimentary consultation call. This isn't a sales pitch; it’s a conversation to get to know your travel style, your "must-haves," and what makes a trip special to you. We will brainstorm ideas and help you select the right service for your needs.
Step 3: The Proposal & Design For hotel and cruise only bookings, we will move straight to securing your reservation and any VIP perks. For custom itineraries, we will begin the detailed research and design phase, crafting a proposal that brings your vision to life.
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The ideal time is as soon as possible because, in general, pricing goes up and availability goes down as time marches on. But the real answer is that it depends on the complexity of the destination. To ensure the best availability and pricing, we recommend the following windows:
For Custom Land Journeys:
Bucket-List Expeditions (e.g., African Safaris, Galapagos): 12 to 18 months.
International Travel: 6 to 12 months.
Domestic Travel: 3 to 6 months.
For Cruising:
Expedition Cruises (Antarctica, Arctic): 12 to 24 months due to extremely limited capacity.
Luxury Cruises & River Cruises: 9 to 12 months (or longer for very popular European routes).
Mainstream Ocean Cruises: 6 to 9 months for the best cabin selection.
Why Start Early? Planning in advance is about capturing opportunity rather than just marking a calendar. It ensures you hit the "sweet spot" for pricing, secure the best room configurations, and guarantee access to high-demand experiences that otherwise sell out. For travelers with specific mobility needs, starting early is even more critical, allowing us to thoroughly vet accessibility details for seamless logistics. Ultimately, this lead time gives us the space to research and refine, resulting in a far less stressful and more customized itinerary.
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Because every trip is unique, we begin with a complimentary consultation to discuss your vision. Our pricing structure is simple and transparent:
Complimentary Services (Hotels & Cruises) For hotel and cruise bookings, our compensation comes from the vendor, so it costs you nothing extra. In fact, you gain value: we typically match direct rates while unlocking exclusive VIP perks—like room upgrades, daily breakfast, and resort credits—at our 4- and 5-star partner properties.
Professional Planning Fees (Custom Itineraries) For fully bespoke journeys, we apply a planning fee of $100 per day of travel (per couple/family). This investment allows us to work for you, not the vendors. It covers the extensive hours required to curate accommodations, manage complex logistics, and provide real-time advocacy while you travel. This fee includes full itinerary management and access to our travel app, and is paid after the consultation to begin the research process.
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Absolutely! We specialize in harmonizing the needs of families, friends, and corporate teams to make group travel feel effortless. Because every group is different, we provide a customized quote for our planning fee based on your group size, the complexity of the trip, and how much hands-on support you need.
From securing room blocks and syncing up airport transfers to arranging private excursions that everyone will love, we handle the "heavy lifting." Our goal is to take the burden of leadership off your shoulders so that everyone, especially the organizer, can actually relax and enjoy the journey together.
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This is one of the most common questions we get! The short answer is that the cost of professional service is already accounted for in industry-standard pricing.
Same Rates, Better Value In almost all cases, the rate you pay with us is identical to booking directly. The difference? Instead of the vendor keeping the built-in commission, that margin funds our personalized service at no extra cost to you.
The "Preferred" Advantage When you book through us, you stop being an anonymous confirmation number. Our industry partnerships ensure you are recognized as a VIP guest, unlocking exclusive privileges (like room upgrades, resort credits, and daily breakfast) that you can't get on your own. Our partners know that the best way to maintain our relationship is to ensure your stay is flawless.
In short: You pay the same price (and occasionally less), but you receive significantly more value, attention, and perks.
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Ensuring you get the best value is our priority. Here is how the numbers work:
Rate Parity In almost all cases, the rates we access are identical to, and occasionally lower than, the standard rates found on the hotel’s own website.
The Value Equation Even on the rare occasion our preferred rate is slightly higher (e.g., compared to a restrictive non-refundable deal), the inclusions tip the scale. When you factor in daily breakfast, room upgrades, and resort credits—amenities typically unlocked at our 4- and 5-star partner properties—the total value of your stay is significantly higher than a bare-bones rate found online.
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If you have an existing reservation at a 4- or 5-star hotel, it is worth checking if we can enhance it. We can often take over the booking to add value without changing your rate.
How it Works Simply forward your confirmation email to judy@tudortravels.com. If eligible, we become the official agent of record, costing you nothing while often unlocking exclusive amenities like daily breakfast and resort credits.
Important Note We can generally take over direct bookings made with a credit card. However, we cannot access reservations made using loyalty points, credit card rewards, or third-party sites like Expedia.
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To us, "Universal Travel" means designing a trip where no one sits on the sidelines. It’s about ensuring dignity and ease for your entire party.
Every Pace, Every Need Accessibility isn't one-size-fits-all. From slow walkers to full-time wheelchair users, we plan for your reality. We know that when the most vulnerable traveler is comfortable, the whole group can relax.
Lived Expertise We don't just book accessible travel; we live it. With decades of personal experience navigating the world in a wheelchair, we look past online labels to verify the critical details, like bathroom setups and transport, so you avoid the pitfalls others miss.
Fairness First While these trips require extra time and care, we never charge extra for it. We apply our standard planning fees regardless of your specific needs.
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Absolutely. We aren't just here for the "once-in-a-lifetime" trips; we are here for every time you pack a bag.
The Weekend Upgrade For short getaways, let us add the sparkle. When we book your hotel, you typically pay the same rate but gain VIP status, like free breakfast, upgrades, and credits, that you won't get online.
The Big Trip For complex journeys, we handle the heavy lifting. From the first idea to the final flight home, we manage every moving part. This is especially true for cruising, where we meticulously plan pre- and post-voyage logistics to ensure seamless transitions.
Real Human Support Even on a short trip, things can go wrong. Instead of fighting with a call center, you have a real person on your side ready to step in and fix it.
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We focus our full-service flight booking on the premium experience to ensure your journey is as comfortable as your destination.
Premium Cabins For Domestic First and International Premium, Business, or First Class, we manage the entire process. We leverage our expertise to secure the best routes and configurations for you. (Note: A ticketing fee may apply.)
Main Cabin/Economy For economy classes, we act as your strategic advisor. We research and recommend the best options to fit your itinerary, allowing you to book directly and avoid service fees.
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We are avid points collectors ourselves! But while portals are great for earning, they lack the personal touch. Here is how we differ:
Relationships, Not Algorithms Credit card portals treat you as an anonymous third-party booking. We personally contact the property to introduce you, ensuring you are recognized as a VIP rather than just a confirmation number.
True Priority Our personal relationships with General Managers carry weight. This connection often makes the difference between a standard room and securing a better view or upgrade that an algorithm simply cannot offer.
Direct Advocacy If an issue arises, you call us, not a 1-800 call center. We leverage our direct contacts to resolve problems immediately, saving you the frustration of hold music.
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Think of it as the best of both worlds: the dedicated, boutique service of a small business backed by the global buying power of a major industry player. As an affiliate of Fora Travel, we unlock access far beyond standard booking.
Instant VIP Status Through Fora, we belong to invitation-only programs like Virtuoso and Four Seasons Preferred Partner. When you book 4- and 5-star properties, you skip the line to become a top-tier guest, prioritized for upgrades and amenities from the moment your reservation is made.
Real-Time Intelligence Our planning goes beyond brochures. We tap into a worldwide community of experts for real-time, on-the-ground feedback, ensuring your itinerary is vetted by recent experience rather than outdated reviews.
Preferred Partners at Sea Our network extends seamlessly to the water. We hold preferred relationships with the world's best lines, from luxury brands like Crystal to river specialists like Viking, allowing us to secure amenities and onboard credits for our clients.
In short: You receive the personal advocacy of TudorTravels, amplified by the global reach of Fora.
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We believe a truly great itinerary is defined by curiosity, not just logistics. We treat your vacation as a personal project, not a transaction.
The Whole Picture We dig deeper than dates, asking what specifically sparked your dream and which stressors we can remove to ensure you truly relax.
The Right Rhythm We prioritize flow over checklists. We balance big adventures with necessary downtime, meticulously planning logistics so you never feel rushed.
Dining Your Way Whether you are an adventurous eater seeking local delicacies or a traveler who prefers familiar comforts, we respect your palate and curate dining options that put you at ease.
True Comfort for Everyone For mobility or health needs, we don't just "book" accessibility; we verify it. We vet rooms, transport, and partners to ensure the journey is effortless.
Our goal is simple: To ensure every person in your group—regardless of age, ability, or palate—experiences the vacation they’ve been dreaming of.
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We want planning with us to feel easy, like chatting with a good friend who just happens to be a logistics expert. Our goal is to replace the stress of planning with the joy of anticipation.
It Starts with a Chat: We don't do templates. We want to know what makes you tick. Whether you love hunting for street food, need to sleep past 11 AM on vacation, or require a truly quiet room away from the elevator, we design the trip around your habits.
We Do the Homework: You get to stay in the 'dreaming' phase. While you look forward to the destination, we handle the tedious research, the double-checking, and the reservations.
You Are Never on Your Own: You travel with the confidence of having a partner in your corner. If the unexpected happens, you don't have to panic. We are just a text or call away to fix it, so you never feel alone on your journey.