There is little more precious than time spent together with family. So this year, give them the gift they will look forward to and talk about for years to come. Give the unique gift of traveling together.

Long after gifts are opened and soon forgotten the memories of time spent on a family vacation will last an entire lifetime. At Cruises International, Vacations, Land and Sea, anticipating popular trends in travel is an important part of serving their community since 1978. “Families traveling together is a huge trend because today, our kids and grandkids value the experience over things,” says Ines Turus, president of Cruises International, whose Travel Consultants are experts in family travel and focus on making your family adventure unique to you and your family. “With varying lengths of vacations to choose from, and with the planning advice from our expert travel consultants, a vacation with the entire family is more affordable than you may think.” One size fits all, and your shopping is painlessly finished early! They will even help you gift wrap for a spectacular gift presentation under the tree!

“Booking the trip is the easy part,” says Ines. “It’s what comes before, during and after the trip. Our value is in taking the time to listen and ‘prescribe’ the right trip for your family. We consider the budget, of course, but also listen to what the family members like doing together, be it adventure and exploring, or beaching and relaxation. Because we are experts in all types of travel, we discuss the pros and cons of a resort vacation vs. a cruise and present the clear options.”

“And in most cases, we save our clients hundreds of dollars than if they were to book directly with suppliers. Many people are confused by this. They think that booking directly will save them money, but quite the opposite, and they leave money on the table, plus forego the important role of the travel agent as their advocate. Their cost is less, or their perks are so much better when coming to a professional service such as ours.”

Don’t be fooled by the name, Cruises International. They are experts in African Safaris, Resort all-inclusives, tours through the heart of Europe, and the list goes on. Cruises International attends to all the fine details for you; the air and land transfers, assisting in selection and reservations of private excursions, pre-post hotel options, visas, what to what to pack and what to avoid, and how to make the most of every minute. They virtually look after every detail, including assuring that everyone is preregistered online.

When asked for some examples of great family getaways, Ines mentioned Royal Caribbean Cruises. “They range from three and four days in length, with seven days being the most popular. Sail to the Eastern or Western Caribbean on their breathtaking, state of the art ships with something for every age. These ships are known for their innovations and are sure to please everyone in the family.

As Authorized Disney Vacation Planners, we can help you select the perfect Disney vacation to Disneyworld, or choose a Disney ship to the Caribbean, Alaska, or Europe. Each providing experiences of a lifetime for the entire family!” recommends Ines. “Also popular for families are all-inclusive resort vacations, to Mexico or the Caribbean. Our Travel Consultants can expertly help you navigate through the sea of choices.”

She said that Alaska cruises are quickly becoming one of the most popular family destinations of 2017, and how important it is to book early when the most desirable cabins for maximum viewing are still available. Their Alaska Planning Sessions are a great place to start. Alaska experts review your many options in an unbiased presentation, comparing all suppliers, from the most luxurious to the more family friendly. Learn the best time to travel to the great land, find out what not to miss, and what to wear.

A perfect gift to each other might be a River Cruise. There are many river cruise companies, each with different ship designs, cabin types, and such varied itineraries that sorting through your choices has become challenging. Through Cruises International’s personalized approach to planning, we’ve introduced a series of River Cruise Planning Sessions. These are extremely informative sessions by experts, presenting your many exciting options.

“Our experienced cruisers know that the very best cruise rates are rolled out when the new deployment is first announced. Now is the ideal time to book for Europe, Alaska and the exotics for 2017 and 2018. You will have your first and best choice of itinerary, cabin selection and price. If the price goes up, you are protected, and on the occasion that it goes down, in most cases we can adjust it down for you,” recommends Ines.

Gift Certificates are an easy option to present at the holidays. Cruises International will personalize the certificate, available in $25 increments, for easy and fun presentation.

Lastly, “Don’t be fooled by rates too good to be true,” cautions Ines Turus. “If you see one, bring it to us for comparison. In most cases, we can match, exceed or explain the hidden cost behind a so-called ‘deal.’ From Cruises International, you can expect the best rate, the great service you deserve, and peace of mind from a company you can trust!”

Call them at an easy-to-remember number of (800) ALL-SHIPS or (847) 303-2020. Or stop by and see them at 200 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, at the first stoplight west of Roselle Road in the MB Financial Building. Visit them online at cruisesinternational.com. Appointments are recommended but not necessary.