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Cliff Bainum / Luxury Cruise Expert, Putting My Clients First
Cliff Bainum

Cliff Bainum

Seattle, WA Cruise Specialist
Years of Experience: 25+
21 Reviews | 100% Recommended

Luxury Cruise Expert, Putting My Clients First

Silk Kitchen & Bar, Crystal Symphony
Silk Kitchen & Bar, Crystal Symphony

My passion for travel was ignited as a graduate of the International Aviation & Travel Academy in Arlington, Texas.For the past three decades, I have been dedicated to serving travel clients in a variety of roles — and for the past several years I’ve been with Cruise Specialists, a prominent luxury cruise travel agency. I am delighted to be part of the Cruise Specialists team, where I am dedicated to crafting enriching and memory-making cruise travel vacations. 

I create a seamless vacation for my clients, matching you with the right cruise — and, when desired, with hotels, airlines, tour operators and travel protection service to ensure the entire aspect of the trip is accounted for and worry free. I am an expert in handling every travel-related detail, understanding the needs of the cruise traveler and providing the best value possible. 

I work with a wide variety of luxury and premium cruise and land tour operators. As part of my ongoing education and efforts to provide recommendations for my clients, here are the ocean cruise lines I have recently inspected:

  • Crystal Cruises
  • Holland America Line
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Princess Cruises 

I excel at arranging lengthy, detail-oriented cruises such as World Cruises and Grand Voyages. The top cruise destinations I arrange are to Europe, Asia, Alaska and the South Pacific. I have personally been to much of the Caribbean and love the relaxed pace and warmth that it offers — along with close-to-home convenience. I lived in Europe for two years and have a comfort level and familiarity that makes it easy for me to arrange a Mediterranean or Northern Europe cruise for you. I’ve also been through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Mexico. A favorite travel memory of mine remains a two-week vacation through Thailand. It was a feast for the senses! 

My experience and commitment to customer service enable me to anticipate and handle all the little things that make for a perfect cruise vacation, no matter what the length. This attention to detail and the quality of service I provide is one of the primary reasons my clients come back time and time again! I eagerly await the opportunity to hear from you and learn more about your travel wishes.

My Areas of Expertise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Trans-Atlantic
  • World Cruise
  • Australia
  • Alaska

Interests

  • Cruises
  • Small Ship Cruises
  • World Cruises
  • Luxury Cruises
  • River Cruises

Supplier

  • Princess Cruises®
  • Holland America Line
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Celebrity Cruises

My Reviews

Rating: 5 21 Reviews | 100% Recommended
  • Review of cruise

    Reviewed By Patrice - Fall City | Traveled to Canada
    Cliff answered all of our questions quickly and presented us with many options. He was helpful getting us through the process of shore excursions and cabin perks. Working with Cliff was easy.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    351 of 437 people found this review helpful
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  • Very helpful cruise consultant

    Reviewed By Todd - Atlanta, GA | Traveled to Mediterranean
    Cliff was on top of things from dealing with cruise line to reminding us is of trip requirements and deadlines. While we made many arrangements, tours, etc online, Cliff was a good sounding board.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    325 of 395 people found this review helpful
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  • Crystal Symphony Alaska

    Reviewed By Julie - Miami Beach | Traveled to Alaska
    Cliff was very helpful and patient with all my questions and was able to get us a good deal.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    280 of 371 people found this review helpful
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  • Best Agent Ever!

    Reviewed By Kathy - Palm City | Traveled to Japan
    Cliff is very thorough and efficient. He finds the best deals out there! He follows up and answers emails and calls ASAP. WE will definitely use him in the future.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    270 of 355 people found this review helpful
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  • Angel

    Reviewed By Oswald - Saint Cloud | Traveled to Trans-Atlantic
    Cliff and Annie were top notch. Everything from start to finish perfect! I would highly recommend "Cruise Specialist". They and the people representing this company are a "class act".!!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    282 of 407 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff

    Reviewed By Murray - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Caribbean
    Cliff and cruise specialists was great throughout booking the cruise.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    436 of 741 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff is great

    Reviewed By Nolan - Pompano Beach | Traveled to Scandinavia
    Cliff is great to work with. He's thorough and responsive.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    157 of 228 people found this review helpful
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  • Working wifh Cliff

    Reviewed By Katharine - Birmingham, AL | Traveled to Europe
    Cliff was very professional and helpful.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    190 of 303 people found this review helpful
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  • He is professional

    Reviewed By Damilia - Austin | Traveled to Hawaii
    He always is ready to listen and to do what it will take to make your travel experience the best that it can be. We normally work with a low travel budget, but that has never stop him from doing his very best.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    122 of 187 people found this review helpful
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  • Regent cruise

    Reviewed By Rhonda - Las Vegas | Traveled to Alaska
    Excellent in all regards.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    79 of 147 people found this review helpful
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  • Best there is

    Reviewed By Douglas - Breckenridge | Traveled to Panama Canal
    Always great travel agent
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    77 of 148 people found this review helpful
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  • Agent Review

    Reviewed By Alger - Los Angeles, CA | Traveled to South Pacific
    I have never met Cliff in person. We live in different parts of USA. He was recommended by a friend. We emailed or talked by phone. Cliff was very pleasant and professional. We have booked with him since.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    76 of 148 people found this review helpful
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  • Norwaycruise

    Reviewed By Cindy - Chattanooga, TN | Traveled to Europe
    Cliff picked up this reservation from a prior agent who left the company. It was thence handled without problems and he was solicitous of our satisfaction. We had no issues with the assistance he provided.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    75 of 148 people found this review helpful
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  • Professional, thorough and extremely nice

    Reviewed By Jean - Las Vegas | Traveled to Europe
    Cliff is the consummate travel agent. He asked the right questions and made sure we would be met and housed appropriately. We've used Cliff in the past, and he has always provided me with the best of care and does those thousand and one things I would never remember to do.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    77 of 153 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff Bainum - Excellent Advisor

    Reviewed By Monika - Nokomis | Traveled to Danube
    Cliff responded to my emails and my calls quickly, answering my questions and connecting me to others when he did not have the answer. All my arrangements were made flawlessly. In that I live on a different coast, our times would not always match, but his responses were always within a couple of hours. He even got my Global Entry numbers tagged to Viking and all appropriate airlines without any problems. He was knowledgeable, making excellent suggestions,and easily available with a pleasant demeanor.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    85 of 170 people found this review helpful
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  • Travel Consultant

    Reviewed By Ursula - Stillwater | Traveled to Caribbean
    Cliff does a great job of handling all our cruising needs.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    65 of 136 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff Bainum

    Reviewed By Dirk - Layfayette | Traveled to Australia
    Cliff has always been very thorough with my cruising reservations and provides excellent suggestions on the best cruise line to recommend for the specific destination I want to see. When the reservations need to be revised for whatever reasons, he handles it with great care and expediency. Cruise Specialists provides some excellent credits to save money on the cruise and offers additional "gifts" to enhance the cruise experience. I would recommend Cliff to anyone who is planning a cruise and wants to work with a very experienced cruise specialist.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    75 of 157 people found this review helpful
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  • Antarctica cruise

    Reviewed By Melissa - Cocoa Beach, FL | Traveled to Antartica
    Excellent. He is very knowledgeable and helpful.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    71 of 151 people found this review helpful
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  • Cruise Specialists and Cliff

    Reviewed By Nanette - Scottsdale | Traveled to South America
    Very fast response to questions. Willing to investigate pricing on cruises and insurance. Appreciate the service.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    83 of 179 people found this review helpful
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  • Fabulous!!!

    Reviewed By Lyse - Liberty | Traveled to Canada
    Cliff was responsive and knowledgeable about all of his cruises. Great to work with!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    75 of 169 people found this review helpful
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  • Seabourn Cruise

    Reviewed By Jody - Santa Ana | Traveled to Mediterranean
    Cliff is excellent to work with. Takes care of our every concern.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    87 of 453 people found this review helpful
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My Travel Experience

Places I’ve personally traveled to or destinations I’ve booked for my clients.

TRUSTED BY:
Conde Nast Traveler
Travel + Leisure
Wall Street Journal
CLIA - Official Travel Agency for the Cruise Industry
Forbes