Best Cruises

Located in Freehold, New Jersey, Best Cruises has established itself as a significant player in the travel industry since its inception in 1993. Initially founded by Jeff and Ruth after a life-changing Caribbean cruise experience, the company has grown into one of the largest independently owned travel agencies in the Northeast. They have successfully organized over 100,000 trips, evolving from a cruise-centric agency to one that handles a wide array of travel types. The agency operates with a clear mission: to provide clients with meticulously tailored vacation packages, exceptional personal service, and competitive pricing. This approach has earned them a long-standing A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, accredited since 1996.

Strengths and Client Experiences

The most prominent strength of Best Cruises, as reflected in numerous client testimonials, is its profound expertise and the high-touch, personalized service it delivers. The agency is not merely a booking portal; it functions as a team of dedicated travel consultant professionals who invest time in understanding and executing their clients' vacation aspirations. This is particularly evident in their specialization in complex, multi-part journeys like Alaska cruise tours and extensive Hawaiian island-hopping cruises.

Clients repeatedly praise specific agents, such as Larry Levine, for being professional, knowledgeable, and consistently available to address questions and concerns throughout the vacation planning process. This level of support is highlighted in experiences ranging from Hawaiian vacations, where every detail from the Hyatt Regency Waikiki stay to inter-island travel was flawlessly arranged, to comprehensive Alaska tours. One client noted that the owner, Jeff, personally hosted their Alaska trip, acting as a knowledgeable host and ensuring a seamless experience. This hands-on approach from the company's leadership underscores their commitment to client satisfaction.

This commitment fosters immense loyalty, with some clients, like Michele Sacks and her family, using the agency's services since 1992. She describes the owners—Ruth, Jeff, and Randi—as “wonderful, kind & caring,” emphasizing the family-owned atmosphere that makes clients feel personally valued. This sentiment is echoed by another traveler who remarked that Jeff and his team “pamper you like you’re one of the family,” positioning the company as a creator of “Bucket List” experiences rather than just another travel business.

Specialization and Capabilities

While the name suggests a singular focus, Best Cruises has demonstrated proficiency across various travel styles. Their website showcases expertise not only in ocean cruises but also in river cruising, all-inclusive resorts, and custom land vacations. For example, they successfully orchestrated a 50th-anniversary trip involving a Viking River cruise in Europe, complete with a pre-cruise stay in Prague, providing invaluable advice on everything from shore excursions to currency exchange. This indicates a broad capability to handle intricate international travel itineraries.

Their specialization in Alaskan travel is particularly noteworthy. Operating also as CruisesToAlaska.com, they are recognized as one of the top sellers of Alaska vacations in the Northeast and are members of the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA). They don't just book trips; they create custom land and sea guided tours, often escorting the groups themselves to ensure a high-quality experience. This deep regional focus allows them to navigate the overwhelming number of options available and craft a unique vacation for their clients. Their status as a “Top Producer” with major cruise lines enables them to secure competitive pricing and block staterooms on key sailings, passing those benefits on to their customers.

Potential Considerations and Drawbacks

In an assessment of Best Cruises, it is challenging to find explicit negative feedback. The available online reviews are overwhelmingly positive, and the company maintains a spotless record with the BBB. However, for a potential client, this lack of critical feedback can itself be a point of consideration. Without documented issues, it is difficult to gauge how the agency handles unforeseen problems or client dissatisfaction. The narrative is uniformly positive, which, while a testament to their service, offers a one-sided view.

Furthermore, the nature of the trips frequently praised—such as 11-day Hawaiian cruises, comprehensive Alaska cruise tours, and European river cruises—suggests a focus on the premium and luxury travel market. The descriptions of “first-class” accommodations, meals, and meticulously planned excursions indicate that their services are geared towards travelers for whom budget is not the primary concern. Those seeking simple, low-cost booking for budget cruise deals might find that this agency's comprehensive, service-oriented model is more than they require and potentially outside their price point.

Finally, the agency's branding as “Best Cruises” could inadvertently mask its broader capabilities. While they are clearly experts in land tours and river cruises, a customer looking for family vacations at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean might overlook them based on the name alone. Prospective clients interested in non-cruise travel would need to look past the name and inquire directly about the full scope of their vacation planning services.

Conclusion

Best Cruises positions itself as a premier travel agency that excels in creating detailed, stress-free, and memorable vacations. Its strengths lie in its deep expertise, particularly in Alaskan and Hawaiian cruises, and a highly personalized, family-run approach that fosters strong client loyalty. The consistent praise for its knowledgeable agents and involved owners speaks to a business model centered on quality service over sheer volume. Potential clients should view this agency not as a discount booking engine, but as a professional service for crafting comprehensive travel experiences, especially for complex or premium-level trips. While the lack of public criticism makes it hard to identify specific weaknesses, the agency's focus on higher-end travel and its cruise-centric branding are important factors for prospective customers to consider when evaluating if Best Cruises is the right fit for their travel needs.