You’ve probably heard gleanings on the Pavlus Travel & Cruise website about “The Pavlus Difference.” But exactly what is that? Well, here are 15 points to show why Pavlus is a “cut above” and the best travel agency to contact when it’s time to plan that next fabulous vacation!
(Shown above is Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a popular draw for travelers heading to Northern Ireland. Credit Line: Tourism Ireland.)
1. Best Travel Agency: Our Experienced Team
Pavlus Travel has a robust, well-trained, experienced team ready and eager to assist customers. Simply put, they’ll work tirelessly on your behalf!
Yes, we know all agencies say that. But our Pavlus team truly delivers when it comes to customer satisfaction. One solid piece of evidence?
Pavlus Travel & Cruise is rated A+, the highest mark possible, by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). That says it all.
2. Best Travel Agency: A Great Balance
Have you ever been told by other agencies that “you can’t have both excellent personal service and a low price?”
Many make you choose one over the other. But if you want both, stop in your tracks. Choose Pavlus instead.
We deliver both superb personal service and the lowest price – guaranteed — 365 days a year. It’s that simple. Keep reading to learn more about how.
3. Great Perk: Your “Dedicated Travel Planner”
All Pavlus customers have their own dedicated personal travel planner. Many are certified by top travel suppliers. For example, ALL Pavlus travel planners are Tauck-certified. And that’s just one example.
Many of our travel planners also hold certifications from other suppliers as well as prestigious travel industry groups including Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) or the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA). So, they truly understand the big picture of the travel marketplace!
In addition, our personal travel planners are global explorers, so they often can impart firsthand knowledge and talk about specific destination experiences. For instance, in the photo above, one of Pavlus’ travel planners hikes up an Antarctic hill during an upscale expedition cruise!
4. Best Travel Agency: NOT One Size Fits All
Unlike some agencies, Pavlus is NOT a “one-size-fits-all” operation. Simply put, our employees aren’t just “order takers.”
In contrast, they truly understand that no two travelers are alike. So, they’ll carefully listen to each customer, ask questions, and “soak in” knowledge about your specific travel style and personal vacation preferences.
5. One-Stop Shop, NO Service Fee
So, each customer’s vacation is customized to fit his or her specific needs. In fact, many of our clients view their Pavlus travel planner as their own personal travel assistant.
Think of Pavlus as a one-stop shop too! Your personal travel planner will handle all details of the booking process; smooth the experience with firsthand tips and advice; send consistent email updates and payment reminders; and monitor your vacation as it unfolds from start to finish.
And the planner will do that without charging a service fee!
(Pavlus’ personal travel planners listen to customers, assess their personal travel style and suggest the best options. Above, a Tauck guest enjoys a new Smaller Group journey in Africa. Photo by Tauck.)
Your travel planner can also discuss and set up any desired pre- and post-cruise or tour activities and packages.
Simply put, we put you first, every time!
6. Dedicated Guest Relations Service Team!
Not all travel agencies employ a dedicated guest relations service team to assist customers. But yes, Pavlus does!
We’ll communicate in the way you prefer – via phone, email, web chat or by video conferencing. It’s your choice. For instance, that team is available to speak with you on the phone seven days a week during normal business hours.
So, if it’s a Saturday or Sunday during those hours, no problem. And if you’ve booked air travel through Pavlus, see the next item for an additional service perk.
7. Best Agency: Air Concierges, Cheaper Air
Pavlus also employs dedicated air concierges to assist those customers who smartly book their air tickets with our agency.
These air concierges know the airlines, routes, frequent traveler programs, hub operations and promotional offers inside and out.
Less Pricey Airline Tickets
Pavlus also has access to “contract air” rates with major airlines. The result? In many cases, our customers are able to secure better airline rates (translation: “cheaper”) than on the open market.
And, as we all know, regardless of the price paid, today’s air travel arena can be impacted by flight delays, cancellations, operational issues and geopolitical issues.
But if you’ve booked your air through Pavlus, you’ll have access to those dedicated air concierges. Plus, Pavlus offers an after-hours hotline to assist with issues encountered during travel.
8. Best Travel Agency: Our Pricing Guarantee
When it comes to price, Pavlus excels! We’re committed to saving our customers money. ($$$!)
Why leave any of your hard-earned cash on the table? You’ll get the absolute best price when booking with Pavlus.
It’s a no brainer because we guarantee the best pricing – for every single booking! Again, we don’t say you’ll possibly get the best pricing on your vacation. We guarantee it.
9. Best Travel Agency: Who Knew? Unadvertised Discounts!
Another enticing customer pricing perk is that Pavlus offers fabulous unadvertised discounts. How so? Given our top sales standing with certain travel suppliers, we have access to unadvertised special pricing.
As a result, our customers will often receive a discount beyond what they’d typically receive in the cruise, tour or hotel/resort company’s online pricing and advertising.
But rest assured, even if that perk isn’t available for your specific choice of a trip, Pavlus’ personal travel planners will always strive to secure the best price.
We’ll tap into any great supplier deals and uncover limited-time promotions. Overall, consider Pavlus your “edge” for saving $$$.
10. Individual Travel at Attractive Group Pricing!
Here’s a piece of “intel” that many travelers just aren’t familiar with:
- As a successful, high-volume seller of many cruise and tour products, Pavlus is able to “lock in” attractive group space rates on upcoming voyages, tours or other vacations.
- So, on select journeys, you can simply travel as you normally would – as a solo traveler, couple, friends traveling together or family group. Nothing is different.
- BUT while you’re NOT on a group tour or journey, you’ll still reap the benefit of Pavlus’ lower group rates. We leverage our travel industry affiliations on your behalf. It’s that simple.
11. Amazing Client Perks, Special Amenities
But we’re not done! As a bonus for clients, Pavlus can often provide special amenities.
For instance, an onboard credit is provided to clients on many cruises as part of Pavlus’ affiliation with Travel Leaders Network.
Also, travelers booked by Pavlus and sailing on Viking will receive extra onboard credit.
In addition, we offer “Bon Voyage” gifts for all Azamara and Oceania Cruises vacations. Those might include flowers, a bottle of wine, chocolates or something else.
Pavlus will give travelers making Distinctive Voyages and Culinary Collection bookings the added perk of a complimentary onboard credit.
We also offer Travel Leaders Distinctive Voyages Perks on select cruises. What does that entail? You’ll travel with an onboard host and be treated to an exclusive shore excursion.
And much more!
12. Best Travel Agency: Lucrative Cash Referral Program
Unlike many other travel sellers, Pavlus offers a program described by many as the “Best Travel Referral Program in the Country.” Bottom line? You can easily make money by referring your family members, friends and fellow travelers to Pavlus.
We pay our clients CASH for referring their friends. Cash rewards are unlimited! And you can get up to $500 per qualified referral. No worries, you don’t need “to sell.”
To make the referral process easy, we provide our clients with custom Pavlus referral cards. So, simply talk about your fantastic vacation planned by Pavlus, hand out a card, and watch your CASH rewards grow.
It’s a great way to reward yourself with a special culinary experience, new fashion purchase or something else you’d love!
13. Best Travel Agency: Getting an Inside Track
As a highly respected Travel Leaders Network affiliate, Pavlus Travel’s clients benefit from our travel industry affiliation in many ways. For instance, we often are privy to insider knowledge of the latest planned promotions, product updates and new services. So, our clients are often among the first to know.
At times, the Pavlus team will also host events for our loyal clients on board ships, during escorted tours or within a destination. And getting the inside track from the industry’s top leaders is also a plus.
Pavlus also gives customers direct access to these executives via our special, complimentary online webinars. So, you’ll hear the latest and greatest insight about cruises, tours, all-inclusives, safaris and other travel options. And you can ask questions of these top executives.
14. New Solo Traveler Efforts for Customers
In early 2025, Pavlus introduced a new solo traveler focus to help those heading out on their own to get the absolute best pricing and top-notch service.
The agency is now proactively keeping solo travelers posted about the latest and greatest solo travel deals and promotions!
Our dedicated personal travel planners will also assist solo travelers in learning more about options for solo cabins/suites/rooms. We’ll also keep travelers posted about any reduced or waived single supplements.
Moving forward, we’ll also publish solo traveler reviews and tips on our website and also the agency’s The Meandering Traveler blog.
Pavlus offers many exclusive webinars for customers. Cruise, tour and hotel executives give potential travelers the latest intel, discuss new options and showcase fabulous itineraries. Now, they’ll also include a bit of “solo travel intel” as part of those programs.
In addition, Pavlus recently tapped travel industry veteran Janet Anderson, the agency’s director of luxury sales development, to head up the new solo traveler efforts.
15. Best Travel Agency: Top Leadership Team
Customers will feel nicely cocooned in the travel planning experience, given all the resources that Pavlus brings to the table. And they can rest easy when placing their trust in Pavlus Travel & Cruise. Just consider the top leadership.
Craig Pavlus, founder, owner and CEO, Pavlus Travel, is an industry icon with decades of diverse travel industry experience. Pavlus Travel has grown into one of the largest luxury travel agencies in the U.S., specializing in cruises, tours, and high-end vacation experiences.
Pavlus’ innovative business strategies and extensive partnerships with companies like Viking and Tauck have solidified its position as a top agency. Did you know that Pavlus is the number one top seller of Tauck worldwide? It’s also in the top 10 for many major luxury cruise and tour brands.
Legend of the West
In fact, Craig Pavlus is often honored with top awards from highly reputable travel industry and media groups. In 2024, TravelAge West honored him with a “Legend of the West” award!
That was based on his customer loyalty focus; maintaining a dedicated team even during challenging times like the pandemic; and his pioneering efforts in luxury travel.
Here’s The Meandering Traveler’s blog published a few years ago for more about Pavlus’ background. (Stay tuned for an update of that blog soon.)
Leadership Team
Highly experienced in travel, tourism and guest relations is Shelby Steudle, Pavlus’ president. She’s a long-time Pavlus team member and successful business leader with a strong customer focus. Here’s one media article about her 2022 appointment as president.
In addition, others on the Pavlus leadership team are also highly skilled, experienced and customer-centric. Among those stars are Michael Steudle, vice president of marketing, and Erin Conner, vice president of leisure sales.
So, call today to chat about your dream vacation. Just follow the contact resources below. We’ll help you get started and smooth the travel planning experience with great pricing, added amenities and top-notch service too!
Important Information from Pavlus Travel
- For information about the best deals, sign up for Pavlus’ email newsletter. It spotlights terrific pricing on a multitude of cruise and travel options. Readers can simply add their email to the sign-up box on the top right corner of the Pavlus Travel website.
- If anything tweaks your interest in this blog above, and you DO have questions about specific pricing, brochures, savings, accommodations, accessible options and so on, please contact us at 800-528-9300.
- Or visit us at Pavlus Travel’s official agency Web site. There, you can “live chat” with us online too!
- This blog site provides “basic, general information” about travel. It’s not staffed by travel advisors.
- Any price examples and included vacation features or amenities mentioned in The Meandering Traveler’s blogs are subject to change. They also don’t represent the full range of options; a travel advisor can assist with additional information.
- Please don’t use the Reply Section below if you are asking for pricing, travel dates, accommodations, brochures or other specific requests. Please use the 800 number or online link.
