
Partner in Medicine Spotlight: Physician wellness through travel: Curating dream vacations with Cruise Planners
Partner in Medicine Spotlight: Physician wellness through travel: Curating dream vacations with Cruise Planners
For physicians juggling demanding careers and family responsibilities, finding time to unwind can seem like a distant dream. But travel isn’t just a luxury – it’s a key component of wellness. This is where a personal connection with a trusted travel advisor can make all the difference, working with one person that truly gives you peace of mind, listens, and makes travel seamless, safe and wonderful. With an eye for detail and an understanding of busy schedules, Cruise Planners – Kief family, a physician-run travel agency for over 15 years, brings the world to your fingertips with seamless, stress-free vacation planning.
The power of expert guidance in a crowded digital world
In today’s fast-paced, information-rich world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the options available online. That’s why we like to say, “the internet is for looking, and travel advisors are for booking.” Having traveled over 90 countries and all seven continents, we can make great suggestions based on our knowledge and experience. We listen, understand, and can plan a customized, hassle-free experience – an approach particularly beneficial to time-strapped physicians.
With our deep network of connections in the travel industry, we can deliver top-tier experiences without the stress of planning. From luxurious small-ship cruises to exclusive land tours, we’re able to recommend destinations and experiences that blend adventure, relaxation and cultural immersion.
Luxury destinations for
the ultimate escape
Luxury travel, with its emphasis on personalized, authentic experiences, is especially appealing to physicians seeking a meaningful escape. For those looking to balance adventure and tranquility, we highlight destinations like Antarctica, Iceland and the Galapagos for expedition cruises, where travelers can experience nature in its most pristine form. French Polynesia’s Bora Bora and Tahiti offer stunning marine life and a peaceful cultural retreat. Other top destinations are Japan, Croatia and Italy.
Europe remains a favorite with beautiful river cruises, exploration of the Mediterranean, incredible Norway, beautiful capital cities and history, countryside and wonderful people and cuisine. For those who enjoy wildlife and scenic landscapes, Africa’s safaris and the majestic wilderness of Australia and New Zealand are top picks.
Family-friendly getaways:
Fun for all ages
Families looking for vacations that are engaging for multi-generations can rely on Cruise Planners to recommend unforgettable experiences. Time spent with the entire family is so important and there are great opportunities for family-friendly cruises, which often feature kids’ programs and activities that allow everyone to enjoy their time. Adventures by Disney, Tauck Bridges and more offer immersive, educational journeys designed specifically for families. One standout option is the Paul Gauguin cruise ship, renowned for its youth program created by the family of Jacques Cousteau.
For families looking to combine festive cheer with travel, European holiday markets offer a magical experience that brings people of all ages together, while still maintaining a relaxed pace.
Wellness on vacation:
Prioritizing relaxation
and self-care
Given the nature of the medical profession, physicians understand the importance of balancing activity and relaxation. It is easy to build wellness components into each trip, whether it’s a serene spa day, a workout session, or unwinding on a beautiful beach. Fitness and nature enthusiasts alike can find joy in cruises that offer wellness facilities, fitness classes, and guided excursions into breathtaking natural settings.
One of our most memorable vacations was our five-month world cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas luxury cruise line. We visited 90 ports and had such a diverse and enriching experience. The opportunity to relax while also immersing ourselves in different cultures was transformative.
Another memorable trip planned was a group trip for 75 on a cultural cruise in the Caribbean. This allowed the group personal time to connect with their suitemate and experience beautiful islands with friends and family. Another great trip we planned for a family was a river cruise, followed by trains around Switzerland, ending with the Olympics in Paris.
Navigating travel challenges with confidence
As travel advisor professionals we understand that travel disruptions and delays as well as natural disasters can happen. We offer trip protection to every client. It often provides concierge services for advice, flight monitoring, and coverage for any interruptions or medical emergencies. With us or one of our associates on call to help, travelers can rest easy knowing their vacation is in good hands. This is one of the ways we stand out: Our excellent customer service!
Curating the perfect getaway: Timing is key
The key to a great vacation is timing. Some need to coordinate vacations with school breaks or holidays. Others may have the flexibility to travel during the “shoulder seasons” – spring or fall – when there are fewer crowds and often better value. Others plan around specific events, such as Japan’s cherry blossom season, tulip time in the Netherlands, or Africa’s great migration. We know as travel advisors the best times based on destination, hemisphere, or country you wish to see and what you are looking for there.
Cruise Planners – Kief family are here to curate your land or cruise vacations anywhere in the world and to listen and help create the trip of a lifetime for you. We know the ships from eight- to 6,000-person capacity and land options from private to group to expedition travel for all abilities. We are proud to partner with TCS World Travel, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise, and others to help be of support to the Colorado Medical Society and its members.
For physicians and their families, wellness travel should be a seamless, rejuvenating experience. By working with trusted professionals like Cruise Planners – Kief family, planning that dream vacation no longer feels like just another item on the to-do list. It becomes a reality to rest, reconnect and experience the world.