Master Cruise Councilor, Group travel specialist

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John Van Houdt, Travel Agent in Winnipeg, MB

John Van Houdt

Winnipeg, MB Travel Agent

John Van Houdt

Winnipeg, MB · 25+ Years of Experience

Amazing Cruises & Safaris, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
About
Certificates & Awards

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe, Africa, Kenya, Botswana

Interests:

Luxury, Cruises, Expedition Cruises, River Cruises, Safari

About Me

John grew up in the Netherlands and thanks his parents for introducing him to the joys of foreign travel at an early age. Many fabulous holidays were had on the French Riviera, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany and Norway. In 1977 this took him to Canada when his parents visited close friends that had immigrated. John fell in love with Canada and moved in 1980 at the age of 19 to start a new life. In 1984 John married the lovely Natalia and they honeymooned for 6 weeks in New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Hawaii and California. While working as a real estate agent for RE/MAX John visited a Cruise Holidays store in Sacramento when on holidays. Impressed by the Cruise only concept he asked many questions and not long after received a call from the master franchisor in Canada to see if he would be interested in buying a franchise. Having cruised several times to the Caribbean, Alaska and French Polynesia

John and Natalia enjoyed cruising more than any other vacation taking the stress away from busy careers and in 1991 they opened the first cruise only franchise in the province of Manitoba. In 2000 John escorted a Princess Cruise from Mombasa in Kenya to Cape Town, South Africa and was introduced to his first safari in Tsavo National Park. They added this specialty and in 2005 changed their name to Amazing Cruises and Safaris. Since then he has arranged numerous safaris in Africa, India and Nepal.

John receives his greatest satisfaction from clients returning from their vacation calling their experience AMAZING! Having visited well over 100 countries on all continents

John is often asked his favourite destination. There are many, however African Safaris, Antarctica Expeditions, French Polynesia, Brazil and New Zealand top the list.

He is ready to use his 35 years of experience to make your dream vacation a reality.

Additional Languages
Dutch,
French,
German

Certifications & Awards

AMA Academy
AMA Academy
AmaWaterways Specialist
AmaWaterways Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
PEARLS Travel Advisor Specialist
PEARLS Travel Advisor Specialist
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
CLIA Master Cruise Counsellor
Master Kenya Authorized Travel Agent
South Africa Specialist
Oceania specialist, Distinctive Voyages Cruisehost
Azamara certified agent, Rocky Mountaineer special