About Q
We are Q Cruise + Travel, or Q for short: a team of friendly, professional leisure travel advisors located on Chicago’s famed Michigan Avenue.
Cruise Vacations
Q Cruise + Travel is a Chicago-based luxury travel agency that is widely considered the premier boutique cruise travel agency in Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond. While we like all kinds of ships, our key focus is on premium and luxury cruise travel – think small to mid-size ships and yachts, or the suite enclaves of large resort-style ships. Our advisors have personally sailed on all major cruise lines.
Confused by the many options? We are able to explain the difference between Seabourn and Silversea, Crystal and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, or some of the more hotel-like brands like Explora Journeys, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Club or Four Seasons Yachts. And if you want to know whether Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven or Celebrity’s Retreat is better for you, please give us a call.
We were formerly known as Cruise Holidays Chicago on Magnificent Mile, so it won’t come as a surprise to you that we love cruise travel. The Chicago cruise travel specialists at Q have personally experienced dozens of cruise lines and ships. We explored hundreds of destinations around the world, on all seven continents, on ocean cruises, expedition ships and river cruises. To give you an idea of the extent of our travels: we only use our own photos on this website. (The only exceptions are some cruise line or travel partner photos you might see in our list of current offers.)
That personal experience, combined with our continued education, and certification by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) as certified cruise travel experts, means that we can provide you with expertise and service unmatched by online agencies, impersonal call centers or general travel agencies. And while we’re located in the heart of Chicago, we have many clients from all over the Midwest, nationwide, and indeed, from around the world.
Expedition Cruises and Expedition Travel
Q Cruise + Travel is recognized for its expertise in Antarctica and Arctic expedition travel, providing clients with highly informed, first-hand guidance when planning journeys to the world’s most remote destinations.
Key expertise highlights include:
- Extensive first-hand experience in both Antarctica and the Arctic
- More than a dozen combined expeditions completed by senior advisors
- Travel across a range of luxury and expedition cruise operators, including Silversea, Seabourn, Ponant Explorations, Quark, Aurora Expeditions, Swan Hellenic and Viking Expeditions, allowing for objective, experience-based recommendations.
Our team members Rob Clabbers and David Lauwers have personally explored Antarctica and the Arctic on multiple occasions, gaining deep insight into:
- Differences between expedition cruise lines
- Seasonal variations and optimal travel timing
- Landing experiences, wildlife encounters, and onboard expedition teams
- The overall guest experience across various ships and operators
This first-hand knowledge allows Q Cruise + Travel to provide clear, unbiased guidance tailored to each client’s interests, expectations, and preferred level of expedition style and comfort.
Safari and Land Vacations
We love cruises. But Q excels at planning land vacations too! Our personal travel experience and our membership in the Virtuoso luxury travel network means we can offer insight, exceptional value and access to experiences you can’t find on your own or plan yourself.
Here are some ideas of the types of vacations that we’d be happy to plan for you and your family, friends or group members:
- Vacations and itineraries anywhere in the world, tailored to your wishes and special interests – culinary, wine, cultural, adventure, religion, golf, etc.
- Spend time with your extended family on a multi-generational vacation or family reunion
- Tours and guided vacations, with private guides or as part of a group, for example, an exploration of Great Britain, Ireland and Europe, or a trip through Asia
- See the African wildlife on a safari in Botswana, South Africa. Want to combine it with a trip to Cape Town, or the famous Blue Train?
- Honeymoons or getaways in some of the world’s most romantic destinations. What do you think of Tahiti, Bora Bora and French Polynesia; the Maldives; Paris; the Greek Isles; Venice and Italy?
- A trip to the globe’s hottest destinations. We can plan your trip to Australia and New Zealand; Iceland; Dubai and the United Arab Emirates; Myanmar (Burma); Japan or China and more.
Virtuoso Membership
Q Cruise + Travel is a proud member of Virtuoso, the travel industry’s leading luxury network. Less than 1% of travel agencies in North America are invited to join this exclusive organization. What does that mean for you? Virtuoso allows us to provide our clients with exceptional value and access to some of the best travel experiences in the world.
What does the Q stand for?
You may think of Q as the Q for quality. Or maybe you’ll remember that Q is the division that prepares James Bond for his adventures. We do the same for our clients!
Or think of Q for Quartermaster: the officer historically responsible for accommodation and transportation in royal households.
In any case, you can rely on the team at Q to be there to tailor your vacation to your desires. We’ll be here from your very first phone call until you return home.
Member of American Society of Travel Agents
Q Cruise + Travel is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
