Leading the Luxury, Cruise Sector

BizTUCSONSeptember 30, 2026

3 minutes read

By Rodney Campbell

When clients contact Bon Voyage Travel to plan cruises or luxury travel, they are guaranteed to work with an experienced advisor who will help make their trip memorable.

It’s the key reason customers return to these seasoned travel professionals and their many resources. Indeed, Bon Voyage Travel oversees an envied online division that includes CruiseInsider.com, WorldCruiseSale.com and RiverCruiseSale.com

“The value proposition for Bon Voyage is our advisors,” he said. “In travel, there are lots of moving parts, and that’s where our advisors shine. They know the complexities. They develop relationships to anticipate and match people to the right product.”

In a business that could be fiercely independent, BVT advisors team up to be even more effective.

“I might not have been to Croatia, but we might have three advisors who have,” said Thea Lawrence, who has been with BVT for 40 years. “We can tell you about restaurants and give little pieces of inside information. It’s important to be able to talk to somebody who’s had experiences.”

Cruise lines work with BVT to host advisors, giving them a chance to see destinations first-hand. Shelley Heyman, who’s been with BVT for 22 years, went on a customized 15-day trip to Southern Japan this past April. Julie Freeh, her coworker, was on a Northern Japan journey at the same time.

When they returned to Tucson, they compared notes and deepened their knowledge of the country.

“We shared the different areas we went to and our experiences,” Heyman said. “There were so many things coming out of that trip that I have since referred to my clients.”

BVT is part of the Signature Travel Network, a cooperative of agencies with more than 650 locations worldwide. Members share knowledge across the network, forming partnerships that benefit clients.

Lynne Miller, a BVT advisor for 31 years, said having access to a community of advisors and destination specialists has been beneficial.

“They have been hand-picked to represent different areas of the world, and they either live there or really know it,” Miller said. “We can’t know it all, so we sometimes get our information through these companies. It’s an incredible tool for us.”

Representatives from cruise lines often come to BVT’s office to update staff on itineraries and offers. They value their partnerships with the company and know that the advisors’ client relationships are built on years of dream vacations.

“Decade after decade, Bon Voyage Travel has set the standard for exceptional travel expertise and service for their clients,” said Holland America Line & Seabourn senior VP Rob Coleman. “We are honored to have been their trusted partner for the journey.”

A BVT advisor for 30 years, Penny Leonhardt said her job doesn’t end after a client books a trip. Her assistance is part of the package, following travelers along the way in case they need her to solve an issue.

“I’m their advocate,” Leonhardt said. “I’m their person when things go wrong. If people are doing their own reservations, they don’t have anyone to step in and help.”

There have been challenging times for the industry, including the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the 2008 financial crisis and COVID. Jennifer Bustamante, a BVT advisor for 16 years, credits former owner Peter Evans and her coworkers for keeping things going during the pandemic when advisors were sent home and spent their days refunding or rescheduling trips.

“There was a lot going on, but we stood strong and did what we needed to do to keep our clients happy,” Bustamante said.

Lisa Summer has been a BVT advisor for 11 years. With more than 30 years of customer service experience, she believes she’s found the right fit.

“I’ve never felt so connected to a business as I have with Bon Voyage,” she said. “It has really felt like home, and I have no desire to go anywhere else.”

Advisor Katie Clark agreed. “My co-workers, now friends, have been the best–highly professional and all willing to help one another if needed. Many of us have known each other for over 30 years.”