A Note on New Client Consultations
August 31, 2025
Thank you so much for your interest in my cruise advisory services. It has been a pleasure to connect with so many of you during my initial operational period.
To ensure I can provide the highest possible level of expertise and personalized attention to every client, I have made the decision to temporarily pause accepting new consultation requests, effective immediately, until early 2026.
This decision is driven by my deep commitment to providing truly exceptional, in-depth advice. To honor this commitment, I will be dedicating the remainder of 2025 to several key areas of professional development:
✅ Deepening My Expertise: My passion for this industry is matched only by my desire to be a true expert in it. With a busy schedule balancing my full-time career, family, and existing client needs, I am reserving this time for intensive, systematic study. This includes completing the necessary training to achieve my official CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) membership by the end of the year, which will further enhance my professional qualifications.
✅ Developing Valuable Resources for You: I've noticed that many of you have similar, excellent questions. I will be using this time to develop a comprehensive library of guides, FAQs, and resources right here on my website. My goal is to build a knowledge base that will make our future consultations even more efficient, targeted, and valuable for you.
Please note, this pause does not affect any of my existing clients. I remain fully committed to servicing all current bookings and travel plans with the utmost care and attention. I warmly invite you to explore the cruise line profiles and other resources currently on the site. Please check back in early 2026 when I reopen my calendar for new inquiries.
Thank you for your understanding and support as I take this time to refine and elevate my services. I look forward to helping you plan your perfect voyage in the new year.
Sincerely,
Xu
My approach is designed to be thorough, personalized, and transparent. I believe that a truly great vacation is a collaborative creation, built on a foundation of expert planning and a clear understanding of your travel dreams. Here’s how we’ll work together, step by step.
Step 1: Fill-in the inquiry form
It all begins with a clear picture of your ideal getaway. To start, I’ll ask you to fill out a comprehensive inquiry form.
I believe that every family and every traveler is unique. You have your own preferences, interests, and non-negotiables that make a vacation truly yours. This form is our essential first step to understanding that uniqueness. The more detail you can provide about your travel style—what excites you, what you'd like to avoid, your dream destinations—the better I can tailor my recommendations to you. Think of it as our strategic briefing; it allows me to do the heavy lifting and research before we meet, ensuring our conversation is productive, targeted, and respects your time by avoiding unnecessary back-and-forth emails.
If you are based in mainland China, you probably cannot access the inquiry form. Please fill in the contact form at the bottom of the About Me page, add your contact info (such as WeChat) in the notes and I will contact you.
Step 2: Book a 45-min initial video call
After you submit the inquiry form, you should be able to see the link to book a 45-min initial video call. If you missed it, please use this link to book with me. A video call is the most effective way to build rapport, understand the nuances of your vision, and deliver true, personalized value.
Important Notes for Booking an Appointment
- Please pay close attention to the date, time, and time zone when selecting a slot. The calendar should automatically display in your local time, but it's always best to double-check.
- If you don't see a time that works perfectly with your schedule, please book any available time slot to get into the system, and then leave a note in the comments section indicating your preferred times. I will do my best to accommodate your request.
- Once your appointment is booked, I will personally send a confirmation email which will include the video conference link for our meeting. Please reply that email to double confirm.
- All I ask is for your commitment to our scheduled time. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please provide as much advance notice as possible by canceling or rescheduling through your confirmation email.
For every client, I create a customized Google Slides presentation that serves as our travel blueprint. During our dedicated 45-minute strategy session, we will cover topics such as:
- Tailored Itinerary Recommendations: A curated list of cruise lines and itineraries that match your specific profile.
- Cruise Line Deep Dive: Understanding the unique character and features of each recommended cruise line.
- Strategic Timing: Discussing the best seasons to travel for weather, value, and experience.
- Cabin Selection: Guidance on choosing the right stateroom category for your budget and comfort.
- Shore Excursion Ideas: Recommendations for activities at each port.
Step 3: Securing Your Voyage (Optional)
After our strategy session, you will be equipped with a comprehensive plan and all the detailed information you need to book your chosen cruise independently. My primary goal is to empower you with expert knowledge.
However, if you find my service valuable and trust me to handle the final, crucial details, I am happy to manage the entire booking process for you. As a registered Travel Advisor with YetiTravel, I book directly through the cruise line's official system. This means you get the exact same price as booking direct—never a penny more.
My value lies in the professional guidance that helps you avoid costly mistakes, like choosing the wrong ship or itinerary. Based on the sailing, my connections, and current promotions, you may also receive exclusive perks like onboard credit.
The booking process involves a second video call where we will:
- Review and confirm every detail of the booking confirmation.
- Clearly explain all terms, conditions, and cancellation policies.
- Securely collect credit card information to pay the official deposit to the cruise line.
Step 4: Beyond the Booking - Your Advocate Until You Sail
If I am honored to manage your booking, my service doesn’t end once you've paid the deposit. I consider my job done only when you've happily set sail. I will continue to be your advocate and resource for:
- Proactive Price Tracking: Cruise line promotions change constantly. If a better offer becomes available after you book, I will actively work to adjust your booking to the new, lower price. Many advisors don't do this, as it can reduce their commission, but my priority is your best interest.
- Final Payment Reminders: I will ensure you are reminded well in advance of your final payment due date, so your booking is never at risk of cancellation.
- Pre-Travel Coordination: I’ll provide timely reminders and guidance for all the crucial details: booking specialty dining and shows, completing your guest registration, printing luggage tags, and understanding the check-in process.
- Expert Advice: From packing lists and shore excursion recommendations to tips on avoiding seasickness, I’m here to ensure your journey is seamless and stress-free.
So, why the side hustle? And why a travel 'Advisor'? I’ve answered some of the most common questions below to share a little more of my story.
Q: You're a Software Engineer in the Bay Area. Why start a side hustle as a Cruise Advisor?
A: That's the perfect first question! This venture is driven by a blend of professional ambition and personal passion.
A: That's the perfect first question! This venture is driven by a blend of professional ambition and personal passion.
For years, I've excelled as an employee in the tech world. But I've always felt the pull to build something that is truly my own—a business. It’s a challenge to step out of the employee mindset, a skill I believe is essential for growth. As a natural introvert, this is also a personal journey to stretch my social skills and connect with fellow travel enthusiasts like you.
Finally, I'm genuinely curious. I want to get an insider's look into the travel industry, understand its complexities, and earn professional certifications like the Elite Cruise Counselor (ECC) from CLIA. The industry perks, like FAM (familiarization) trips, are a nice bonus that ultimately helps me bring better, first-hand knowledge back to my clients.
But at its heart, this all started from a deep love for planning travel—especially cruises, which are far more complex to book than simple flights and hotels. They require a specialist.
Q: Why do you call yourself a Travel Advisor, not an Agent?
A: I use the term "Advisor" very intentionally because it reflects my philosophy and the value I provide.
A: I use the term "Advisor" very intentionally because it reflects my philosophy and the value I provide.
A traditional travel agent might be focused on a transaction—booking a ticket from point A to B. They are a capable facilitator.
As a Travel Advisor, my role is strategic and holistic. I'm not just a booking tool; I'm your partner and strategist in planning. I use my analytical skills from the tech world to:
- Design an itinerary that is truly tailored to your travel style, not just the most convenient sale.
- Optimize your budget and find the best value.
- Navigate complex promotions and decode the fine print.
My goal is to advise you on the smartest way to travel, ensuring every detail is considered.
Q: This sounds great, but how do you get paid? Is your service really free?
A: Let's talk about the money, because transparency is the foundation of trust.
A: Let's talk about the money, because transparency is the foundation of trust.
Currently, my consultation and planning services are offered to you free of charge. My income as a side business comes from commissions paid by the cruise lines and suppliers after you travel.
However, I have a full-time career as a Software Engineer. This business is a passion, not a financial necessity. This means I am not dependent on making a sale. My advice is unbiased and focused on one thing only: finding the absolute best value and experience for you.
To be completely candid, the administrative part of making the final booking isn't what excites me. My true passion lies in the research, the strategy, the planning, and the optimization. I can guarantee that the value of my professional planning service will always far exceed the commission I might receive.
My goal is to build a business based on genuine expertise. In the future, I may explore offering paid, high-value services, such as in-depth workshops or premium content on this site, to share my knowledge as intellectual property.
Q: What happens if I cancel my trip before the final payment? Do you still get paid?
A: If you cancel before the final payment due date, I do not receive a commission. I completely understand that life happens and plans change. If you feel my consultation provided value even if you didn't travel, a voluntary tip is always appreciated but never expected.
A: If you cancel before the final payment due date, I do not receive a commission. I completely understand that life happens and plans change. If you feel my consultation provided value even if you didn't travel, a voluntary tip is always appreciated but never expected.
Ready to Plan Your Voyage?
Planning a cruise should be exciting, not overwhelming. If you're looking for a dedicated partner to help you navigate the options and design a truly memorable journey, you're in the right place. Let's start the conversation.
Planning a cruise should be exciting, not overwhelming. If you're looking for a dedicated partner to help you navigate the options and design a truly memorable journey, you're in the right place. Let's start the conversation.