Frequently Asked Questions

Booking your next vacation with us is easy! See how to plan your cruise or vacation, then start by completing our secure interest form. You can also email Mark directly at mark@seassummitsskies.com or call (256) 580-6145. Mark will arrange a consultation to discuss your travel needs, answer your questions, and provide personalized guidance to help plan a vacation that's right for you.

Interest Form

No! Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel does not charge service fees for our travel planning services. Our personalized guidance and assistance are provided at no additional cost to you. While gratuities are never required, they are always appreciated, particularly for services that do not earn commissions, such as airline reservations, shore excursion research, customized trip planning, and group travel coordination.

We work with a growing selection of cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Margaritaville at Sea. We also work with select river cruise companies. We're continually expanding our travel partnerships, so if you have a particular cruise line in mind that isn't listed here, just ask! We'll be happy to explore your options.

Our destination specialties include Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Norway, with a particular passion for scenic cruising, wildlife, history, and cultural experiences. We also have extensive experience with Germany, including its charming small towns, historic communities, and hidden gems that many tourists never discover. Whether you're dreaming of Alaska's glaciers, Norway's spectacular fjords, Germany's lesser-known treasures, or the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean and Mexico, we'll help you plan a vacation that reflects your interests and travel style.

Absolutely! We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to help protect both your vacation and your financial investment. Depending on the policy, travel insurance may provide coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, delays, lost baggage, and unexpected medical emergencies. Coverage can extend beyond cruises to include flights, hotels, excursions, and even qualifying road trips. Many cruise lines offer their own travel protection plans, but these may provide different benefits and limitations than comprehensive policies available through independent insurance providers. We can help you explore your options and understand the differences. If you decide to decline travel insurance, we'll ask you to sign a waiver acknowledging that decision and the associated financial risks.

Of course! Cruises are just one part of what we do. We also help plan road trips, family vacations, resort stays, and independent travel adventures. Whether you're exploring Germany's charming villages, planning a scenic road trip through the American West, or organizing a family getaway, we can help research destinations, compare accommodations, coordinate transportation, and recommend experiences that match your interests. Our goal is to make travel planning easier, no matter where your adventures take you.

Yes! We can assist with airline reservations for vacations, business travel, family emergencies, and other travel needs. We'll help you compare flight options, review fares, and find schedules that fit your needs and budget. Since airlines generally do not pay travel advisors commissions, we welcome optional gratuities for this service. Whether you're planning a vacation months in advance or need to travel on short notice, we're here to help make the process easier.

Yes! We help families find cruises that offer something for every generation, from young children and teenagers to parents and grandparents. We have extensive knowledge of the children's and teens' programs offered by many cruise lines, including supervised activities, entertainment, and age-appropriate experiences. We also help families compare stateroom options, dining arrangements, and onboard amenities to find the right fit. Whether you're planning your family's first cruise or a multigenerational vacation, we'll help you choose a ship and itinerary that everyone can enjoy.

Yes! Accessibility is a priority at Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel. We work with travelers to understand their individual needs and research cruise lines, resorts, accommodations, and excursions that may be suitable for them. Whether you use a wheelchair or mobility aid, travel with a service animal, require medical equipment, or need sensory-friendly experiences, we help you understand available accommodations and accessibility policies. We also assist with accessibility request forms, communicate with travel providers, and follow up on arrangements before departure. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions and travel with greater confidence.

Safety conditions can vary significantly from one destination to another and may change without warning. Before traveling internationally, we encourage you to review current government travel advisories, entry requirements, and local conditions. The following official government resources provide information about potential safety concerns, security risks, health considerations, and travel restrictions:

• U.S. Department of State: International Travel Advisories
• Government of Canada: Travel Advice and Advisories
• United Kingdom: Foreign Travel Advice

Travelers are responsible for reviewing current advisories and making their own decisions about whether to visit a destination. No destination can be guaranteed safe, and circumstances may change before or during a trip.

Traveling alone can be a wonderful and rewarding experience, but deciding whether it's right for you is a personal choice. As with any trip, preparation and awareness are important. Before departing, research your destination, accommodations, and transportation options. Share your itinerary with someone you trust and check in regularly with friends or family back home. Stay aware of your surroundings, protect your personal information, and trust your instincts. If a person or situation makes you uncomfortable, don't hesitate to leave. Solo travel doesn't have to mean being isolated. Cruises, guided tours, and group activities can offer opportunities to meet fellow travelers while still enjoying your independence.

At this time, Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel does not offer campground or RV park reservations. However, we would be happy to assist with other aspects of your vacation planning.

Yes! You don't have to live in Alabama to work with Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel. We can assist travelers throughout the United States and, in some cases, those living abroad.

Some travel providers have restrictions on bookings for international clients. Most reservations must be quoted and paid in U.S. dollars, although certain travel providers allow us to offer pricing in Canadian dollars.

If you live outside the United States, contact us to discuss your plans, and we'll confirm whether we can assist with your booking.

If you encounter a travel-related problem, Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel is also here to help. You can contact Mark at mark@seassummitsskies.com or (256) 580-6145. Please leave a voicemail if your call isn't answered, and Mark will return your call as soon as possible.

Unexpected situations can happen when traveling, including canceled flights, illness, accidents, and itinerary changes. That's one of the reasons we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.

Many travel insurance policies include access to 24-hour emergency assistance services. Depending on your policy, these services can help with medical emergencies, travel disruptions, and other unexpected situations. Always carry a copy of your travel insurance policy, including the emergency assistance contact information, when traveling.

For emergencies requiring immediate attention, contact your travel insurance provider's 24-hour assistance service or local emergency services.

Yes! Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel can help organize vacations for a variety of groups, including families, churches, social organizations, clubs, charity events, and bachelor or bachelorette parties.

Group travel can offer some wonderful benefits! Many cruise lines provide special perks for organized groups of 10 or more travelers. These benefits vary by cruise line and may depend on the number of guests, staterooms reserved, and specific sailing.

Some cruise lines require stateroom block hold fees to reserve a group of cabins, regardless of group size. Depending on the cruise line, the group leader or organizing entity may be required to pay $50 to $100 per person to secure the block of staterooms. These payments are applied directly toward the travelers' reservations but are generally nonrefundable.

Stateroom block hold fees are separate from the individual booking deposits required by the cruise line. Requirements and policies vary by cruise line, and we'll explain any applicable fees and conditions before proceeding with your group reservation.

Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel works with a host agency, as do many independent travel advisors. Host agencies provide professional training, booking credentials, technology, and support that help travel advisors serve their clients.

Our current host agency is Atlas Coast Travel Group. This affiliation allows us to provide personalized travel planning while having access to the resources and support of an established travel organization.

Prior to September 1, 2026, our host agency was Cornerstone Travel. If you booked your vacation before that date, your reservation is still handled by Mark at Seas, Summits, & Skies Travel, but it remains under Cornerstone Travel as the host agency.