Meet a Travel Designer: Cruise Expert Cheri Ozimac
Cheri Ozimac knows travel – and cruises, especially. She’s been a Travel Designer with Tully Luxury Travel for 15 years and, having been on dozens of cruises herself, is confident there’s “a ship for everyone.” Ozimac is also a new member of The 1000, a community of top-producing travel advisors from around the world founded last year by industry veterans Tim Morgan and Jeff Sirota. “I’m honored,” says Ozimac of the recognition, “especially after a challenging couple of years for everyone in the travel industry.” Despite the difficulties of the last two years, Ozimac is seeing a strong desire from her clients to get back out there, and the inquiries are steady: “There’s a lot of pent-up demand for travel – a 2024 World cruise with Oceania sold out in 30 minutes,” she says. “It’s an exciting time; the comeback is always greater than the setback.” Here, Ozimac shares more about her role as a Travel Designer; some personal favorite destinations, and what’s trending in the cruise world right now.
What does the role of a Travel Designer entail?
It involves building and cultivating relationships, asking the right questions, listening to and understanding clients’ interests and preferences, and sharing my personal experiences and passion for travel. We plan trips from beginning to end, customizing them to highlight our services and take each one to the next level. We also advise on our recommendations for touring, pre-and post-hotels, transfers, and documentation – including visas and COVID-19 entry requirements.
So, what does a typical day look like for you?
I can be working on any type of request from a new or existing client, which can vary from someone who doesn’t know where or when they want to travel, and who is flexible and open to suggestions, to someone who may already have something in mind, which we can then build on with our VIP amenities and value-added services.
When working with a client for the first time, what’s your process for determining the best cruise and destination for them?
I’ll ask them if they’ve cruised before and, if they have, which cruise lines they’ve sailed with, to get an idea of their travel style and history, as well as what they liked and perhaps didn’t like about it. And sometimes it can be a matter of timeline, too – if they only have a certain window and they’re looking for a higher-end ship, it can depend on the time of year. For example, in the summertime, you’ll usually find those high-end ships in the Mediterranean, Alaska, or the Baltic. In the winter, they’re in the Caribbean, South America, South Pacific, Australia, or Asia. I’ll ask questions such as where, when, and for how many days, and get a feel for their interests and price point. If they’re into entertainment, some of the cruise lines offer more Broadway-style productions. Some ships spend more time in port and are more about the destination with fewer offerings onboard. Each ship has something to offer – and the ship can be a destination as well.
For someone who’s never cruised before, where would you suggest starting?
Many new ships and cruise lines are coming out in the market and, for first-time cruisers, I suggest doing a shorter cruise and one that’s closer to home to get a feel for it. So, for North Americans, the Caribbean, Canada/New England, and Alaska are good places to start. Usually, a Western Mediterranean Cruise will follow (France, Italy, and Spain), then the Eastern Mediterranean, British Isles, and Panama Canal.
You have comprehensive knowledge about the cruise world from your years of experience in the industry, but also from cruising yourself, right?
Yes, my expertise lies with cruises, so anything on the water – ocean, river, yacht, expedition, or barge. I’ve been on most cruise lines several times on various types of vessels. A river cruise is the most convenient way to travel inter-Europe.
What do you love about cruising?
It’s the convenience of it all – not having to schlep your luggage or check in and out of hotels and airports – and being able to see so many places on one vacation. Onboard, the choices are endless; it’s up to you to do as much or as little as you want. Sometimes, when you’re in port, it’s nice to let everyone get off the ship and have it to yourself.
What’s been your top cruise experience?
Regent and Silversea are superior with their spacious suites, superb dining choices and cuisine, six-star service, and luxurious amenities on board. The Regent Explorer is the most beautiful ship I’ve seen to date – everything is top-notch.
Do you have a favorite cruise destination?
I never tire of the Amalfi Coast and French Riviera; I love the food, style, and scenery in both destinations. In Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast, I had lunch at Caruso (a Belmond property) and the view was so spectacular – it’s a slice of heaven up there!
Can you share some cruise trends you are seeing for 2023-2024?
People are leaning towards smaller ships and there is a lot of interest in expedition and river cruising. There are new itineraries to more remote destinations, such as Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, and Spitsbergen. There is also a lot of interest in private charters in Alaska and barges in Europe.
Finally, do you have any upcoming trips or cruises planned yourself?
I will be sailing soon on the newest Silversea ship (to experience the Otium spa and the S.A.L.T. Lab culinary experience). I’m also planning a river cruise in the fall along the Douro River in Portugal – it’s very popular these days.