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Cliff Bainum / Hosted Cruise Expert
Cliff Bainum

Cliff Bainum

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

Hosted Cruise Expert

One of our hosted cruise groups in The Netherlands
One of our hosted cruise groups in The Netherlands

On a hosted cruise, there is a hand-picked Voyage Host who cruises along with our guests and is there to serve as an extra resource. They host a welcome reception, arrange times for the group to get together and chat, host an exclusive shore tour and are there to offer tips on what to do in port or assist with other questions you may have. It’s like having an extra layer of reassurance with you on your trip — and with Cruise Specialists, it’s totally complimentary.

At Cruise Specialists, we have several options on how you can receive the services of a Voyage Host. I strongly encourage many of my clients to seek out a hosted voyage, and with our agency specializing in hosted voyages, I can easily match you with the right one.

Hosted World Cruises

As mentioned in my World Cruise bio, Cruise Specialists has a Voyage Host on the Holland America Line World Cruise. We also are the exclusive agency to have a host on the 2022 Oceania Cruises World Cruise.

Our World Cruise hosts have collectively sailed on dozens of World Cruises! They know the staff and have cultivated personal relationships over the years. These relationships extend in a discreet way to our clients in ways that aren’t always easily describable, but always appreciated. Collectively, they have also been to virtually every cruise port around the world. They can tell you their favorite spots to enjoy a coffee or tea, try some shopping, or hidden gems that they only know about because they’ve been there. Going on a hosted World Cruise provides you with a person on the ship who is there for you. If you’re a solo traveler, the Voyage Host serves as an extra layer of peace of mind that you’ll know someone else on board for the duration of the trip. 

More Hosted Cruise Programs

At Cruise Specialists, we offer hosted cruise programs on hundreds of other cruises throughout the year on several cruise lines, including:

  • Crystal Cruises
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Seabourn
  • Silversea
  • Azamara
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Cunard
  • Windstar Cruises 

We also offer a hosted program with the river cruise line AmaWaterways and with Crystal River Cruises. 

On those hosted voyages, you’ll receive the benefits of a Voyage Host, a Welcome Reception and a VIP Shore Tour. In some ports, on select cruise lines, a Private Car & Driver is offered as an alternative to the shore tour. I recommend my clients take this complimentary opportunity whenever it is offered!

Hosted voyage benefits easily amount to a significant level of added value and provide a level of enrichment you can’t find elsewhere. With my specialization in hosted voyages, I can help select the right one for you, no matter which destination you hope to travel to.

My Areas of Expertise

Destinations

  • World Cruise
  • Europe
  • Netherlands
  • Asia
  • Alaska

Interests

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

Supplier

  • Holland America Line
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Seabourn
  • Viking Ocean Cruises
  • Oceania 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
    352 of 439 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
    326 of 397 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
    281 of 373 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
    271 of 357 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
    283 of 409 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
    437 of 743 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
    158 of 230 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
    191 of 305 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
    124 of 189 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
    80 of 149 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
    78 of 150 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
    77 of 150 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
    76 of 149 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
    78 of 155 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
    86 of 172 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
    66 of 138 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 158 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
    72 of 153 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
    76 of 171 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
    88 of 455 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