Our Travel Specialists

Barb  Diggs

Group and Leisure Consultant

Areas of Expertise: Alaska | All Inclusive | Bahamas | Bermuda | Caribbean | Central America | ClubMed | Cost Rica | Cruises | Cruises - Canada | Cruises - Mexico | Disney | Family | Groups | Hawaii | Las Vegas | Latin America | Mexico | Mexican Riviera |

When you have a group that's ready to travel, I'm the person to call. Since joining Carol's Travel in 2007, I have personally embraced the challenge of creating itineraries for gatherings small and large, and I'm adept at customizing each trip to the needs of the whole group as well as the individuals within it. I'm good at arranging the necessary touches, like special excursions for participants, anniversary celebrations and dinners with little extras.

I get along with all types of people, and I pride myself on customer service from start to finish. If someone presents me with a request, I do everything in my power to take care of it. We have terrific internal resources here at Carol's Travel, so if I don't know the answer to your question, I know just who to turn to for advice.

When it's time for my own vacations, I'm a big fan of summery weather and sunny shores, so it's no surprise that I love Florida, especially the Gulf side with its sugar-sand beaches and clear blue waters. I enjoy all types of cruises and I've been to Las Vegas over 20 times, seeing it as a fun choice for a quick and easy getaway to a warm climate with nice hotels and pools. I've traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, the Disney parks, Universal Studios, Hawaii and countless cities across the U.S., all of which I feel confident in selling. One of my favorite trips took me to Brussels with my husband, including a two-day rail excursion to Paris and back. It was the first time I had been to Europe, and experiencing the European way of life was a real eye-opener for me. Everything was so wonderfully different there, from the modes of transportation to the food and the lifestyle. I was particularly amazed at the architecture of the churches, unlike anything I had seen in the U.S.

In order to constantly broaden my horizons, each year I go somewhere new as well as revisiting a destination I've been to before. Firsthand knowledge is key, so I keep as busy as possible inspecting hotels, checking out restaurants and familiarizing myself with transportation options. That way, I can share all the inside tips you'll need to know and provide you with the ultimate in travel advice.

Contact Barb via email -- click here.

Maureen Ellul

Cruise & Tour Vacations

Areas of Expertise: Adventure | Alaska | All Inclusive | Asia | Bahamas | Bermuda | Canada | Caribbean | Central America | China | ClubMed | Cost Rica | Cruises | Cruises - Canada | Cruises - Mexico | Disney | Europe | Europe - Central | Europe - Cruises | Europe - Western | Family | Great Britain | Greece | Greek Isles | Hawaii | Honeymoon | Hong Kong | Ireland | Italy | Latin America | Luxury Cruises | Mediterranean | Mexico | Mexican Riviera | Reno | Russia | Safaris | Sandals | Ski Trips | South America | Spain | Tahiti |

In 1993 I parlayed my love of history and adventure into a profession as a travel consultant, and in 1996 I joined the talented team at Carol's Travel Service. Since then I've taken a wide variety of trips by land and sea, and I've kept my skills sharp by earning certifications with many destinations and cruise lines. Whenever I go anywhere in the world, I read about it first and immerse myself in its uniqueness, which ultimately allows me to share valuable insights with my clients.

I'm a big fan of river cruises and have toured much of Europe in that fashion. The small size of the ships - usually about 100 passengers - allows an intimate look at a relatively small geographic area, with onboard naturalists who add depth to what you're seeing. Plus, on seven-day river cruises, the atmosphere is conducive to making friends with fellow passengers. As a history buff, I love Germany, with its castles around every bend. My travels have also taken me to countless destinations in the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii - where my daughter lives, as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Belize, and Tahiti Since I ski, raft, kayak and ride motorcycles, I enjoy selling adventure and eco-travel, which means going anywhere off the beaten path. For instance, in Costa Rica I took public transportation and stayed in jungle lodges. In Ireland, I stayed in a hotel where they wait to turn on the hot water until you say you want a shower. For me, part of the joy of travel is learning how to expect the unexpected, and I encourage clients to stay flexible and keep an open mind.

As I work with clients to craft their trips, I paint a picture that's as real as possible for them. I help them understand that cultures are different from place to place, and other destinations aren't like home. As I listen to them and understand their expectations, I tell them about my own experiences, from my opinions about certain hotels to my thoughts on certain attractions and transportation options. All of those attributes combine to help me achieve my overall goal of exceptional customer service.

Contact Maureen via email -- click here.

Mary Goecking

Cruise & Tour Vacations & Destination Weddings

Areas of Expertise: All Inclusive | Bahamas | Bermuda | Caribbean | Central America | ClubMed | Cost Rica | Cruises | Cruises - Mexico | Disney | Family | Great Britain | Groups | Hawaii | Las Vegas | Mexico | Mexican Riviera | Pacific | Sandals |

Destination weddings are my passion. While I enjoy planning travel of all types, the wedding trip is a thrilling time in the lives of a bride and groom, and I get excited right along with them. Each couple is unique, so I believe there's no better way to fashion their perfect vacation than to listen to them. For instance, do they want to tie the knot in a church, or say "I do" while going barefoot on the beach? What do they want to do before and after the ceremony? How small or large is their guest list? The more they talk about their wishes and needs, the better I'm able to use my experience to come up with the right answer for them.

I've been a travel consultant for 12 years, the past few years with Carol's Travel Service and Cruise Center. A former hairdresser, I decided to parlay my love of travel into a job, and today I visit places I never thought I'd have a chance to see. Sometimes I even get to bring my three children with me. I am a firm believer in visiting destinations firsthand in order to better serve my clients, and today I feel well-versed in the similarities and differences of resorts in many locations. Thanks to my own travel experiences, I've learned how to make trips as smooth as possible for my clients, preparing them for unexpected surprises and discussing the advantages of purchasing insurance. I tell people that it's important to go with the flow and be open-minded in order to have a positive travel experience.

Since I'm a beach person, I specialize in travel to the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii. Some of my own favorite trips have been to all-inclusive resorts -- like Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort in the Bahamas -- because they emphasize relaxation and great service in beautiful settings. I make sure that my clients understand just what is included at an all-inclusive resort, and I do everything in my power to make their vacation exciting and memorable.

Contact Mary via email -- click here.

Amal Mulhem

International & Exotic Travel Planning

Areas of Expertise: Africa | Alaska | All Inclusive | Antarctica | Asia | Australia | Bahamas | Bermuda | Canada | Caribbean | Central America | China | Cost Rica | Croatia | Cruises | Cruises - Canada | Cruises - Mexico | Disney | Egypt | Europe | Europe - Central | Europe - Cruises | Europe - Western | Great Britain | Greece | Greek Isles | Groups | Hawaii | Hong Kong | India | Indonesia | Ireland | Italy | Latin America | Luxury Cruises | Mediterranean | New Zealand | Pacific | Russia | Safaris | Sandals | Saudi Arabia | Scandinavia | Scotland | Serbia | Slovenia | South America | South Pacific | Spain | Tahiti |

My history with the travel industry stretches back to high school, when I got invaluable on-the-job training in an agency owned by my cousin. I continued to work as a travel agent in order to put myself through college. After I graduated, my degree could have allowed me to go in any number of professional directions, but I decided to pursue what I love: planning trips for other people. Seeing the reactions of my clients when they come back from a perfect vacation is more fulfilling than any other job I can think of.

I like creating trips that are more wonderful than they ever expected. I do this, in part, by focusing on details. That conscientious attention to a client's every need has led to many referrals, because people really appreciate it. I'm also a patient person, which helps me to customize each trip according to the client's desires. I listen to what they want to do on their trip, and I let them know I'm someone who is truly interested in what they have to say.

My extensive classes, certifications and studies have helped me hone my skills further. At the same time, I believe in the importance of learning by traveling, so whenever I go somewhere, I remember all the little things that can make or break a trip - the location of the ATMs, the best restaurants, the bus stops - all of which adds perspective to a destination. I go out of my way to meet the residents of each place I visit, so that I can provide a richer sense of the destination when working with my clients. I encourage people to learn about places ahead of time and, once they get there, to avoid acting like an outsider. As the old saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

While I can put together a great vacation at any budget, I'm particularly adept at planning luxury trips for our clients who are looking for an upscale experience. Whether it's Europe, the South Pacific, the Orient, Middle East, Africa or South America, I'm ready to help my clients discover their own little slice of heaven.

Contact Amal via email -- click here.

Kelli Powell

Group Air Consultant

Areas of Expertise: Alaska | Business Travel | Groups | Hawaii | Sport |

As the group air coordinator for Carol's Travel Service, I specialize in getting our clients where they need to go, as smoothly as possible. Although I initially work with the group's leader, I also make myself completely available for any and all travelers who have individual needs and specific requests. Along with incentive groups, a lot of the organizations I assist are sports-oriented, which means I put together travel for runners, triathletes and other fitness buffs. While I wouldn't call myself a hard-core athlete, I certainly love getting out into the fresh air during a walk or a bike ride, so I appreciate the concept of health and wellness travel.

I've been involved in the travel industry since 1995, when I worked as a reservation agent for United Airlines, so I feel well qualified to coordinate the comings and goings of our clients. I believe that the most important skill I can offer is customer service. I try to resolve issues and provide answers quickly and efficiently in order to make people as comfortable as possible. Patient and detail- oriented, I'm able to juggle many tasks at once, which comes in handy when several groups require assistance at the same time.

I have loved travel ever since I was young, taking part in family vacations to destinations from Montreal to Mexico. I've been all around the U.S. as well as foreign countries like England, but I particularly love San Juan, Puerto Rico. Although it's governed by the U.S., there's a unique atmosphere to its culture and its residents, and I adore its beaches and weather. Along the same lines, I truly enjoyed a recent trip to Hawaii, with its tropical beauty, friendly people and unique history. When I work with our clients, I emphasize the joys of learning about different cities and the rewards that come from opening yourself up to the people who live there. Most of all, I get tremendous satisfaction out of helping my clients find joy through travel. For me, the payback comes when they return from their trip full of happy memories.

Contact Kelli via email -- click here.

Judy Riordan

Cruise & Tour Vacations

Areas of Expertise: Alaska | All Inclusive | Australia | Bahamas | Bermuda | Canada | Caribbean | Central America | ClubMed | Cost Rica | Cruises | Cruises - Canada | Cruises - Mexico | Disney | Europe | Europe - Central | Europe - Cruises | Europe - Western | Family | Great Britain | Greece | Greek Isles | Hawaii | Honeymoon | Ireland | Italy | Las Vegas | Latin America | Luxury Cruises | Mediterranean | Mexico | Mexican Riviera | New Zealand | Pacific | Sandals | South America | South Pacific | Spain | Tahiti |

I have always been fascinated by other people's culture and history. Growing up, I read everything I could about places beyond the U.S., which piqued my interest in travel and made me want to get out and see the world. Now, after two decades of working with Carol's Travel Service, I feel like I've successfully achieved that goal and found a professional that's perfect for me.

I've gone on many cruises with large lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Costa, as well as small ships such as Cruise West and Uniworld, both unique specialized cruise companies. I've enjoyed countless land tours, taking me across the U.S., around Hawaii and Alaska, and from Costa Rica, Mexico and Jamaica to Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales. Italy, France and Germany. A true highlight was a trip to Peru, including an awe-inspiring visit to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. All of these adventures have helped me constantly improve my skills as a senior travel consultant.

As I gauge each client's expectations and interests, I help them focus on what they'd like to do during their excursion, whether they are individuals or traveling as part of a group. It helps that I'm interested in people and enjoy listening to their wishes and dreams. As we work together, I try to share the education that I've gained from my own travels, often calling on my experiences by way of example. For instance, I tell them that they shouldn't be afraid to ask questions during their trip. They should try to talk to the locals and get a feeling for the culture. They should read up on their destination ahead of time to enrich their experience. And, they shouldn't expect everything to come to them. They need to reach out and be open to the uniqueness of their destination of choice. By the time I send them on their way, they're ready for the trip of a lifetime, and that's my ultimate goal.

Contact Judy via email -- click here.