Christine Pappin, Travel Agent in Streamwood, IL

Christine Pappin

Streamwood, IL Travel Agent
Super Agent

Christine Pappin

Streamwood, IL · 21 Years of Experience

Christine & Gary Pappin - Dream Vacations, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(17)
100% Recommended
Recently, my wife and I travelled to Rome, Italy with the assistance of Dream Vacations. Christine and her husband Gary were wonderful hosts and navigated... Read More >
About
My Travel Specialties
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Alaska, Caribbean, Europe, Germany, France

Interests:

Cruises, Food & Wine, Luxury Cruises, Christmas Markets, Family Vacations

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, Oceania Cruises

About Me

Cruise, Alaska & Luxury Travel Specialist

For more than 20 years, I've helped travelers turn vacation dreams into unforgettable experiences. My specialties include ocean and river cruising, Alaska vacations, luxury travel, multi-generational family vacations, and group travel for organizations, businesses, and special-interest groups. What sets me apart is a combination of professional expertise and firsthand experience. I've sailed Alaska multiple times, explored Europe's rivers during wine, Oktoberfest, and Christmas Market cruises, and experienced luxury and small-ship cruising firsthand. These experiences allow me to provide personalized recommendations based on real-world knowledge rather than brochures alone. Whether you're planning a family getaway, a luxury cruise, an Alaska adventure, or a group journey, I'm committed to making the planning process enjoyable, stress-free, and tailored to your travel goals.

My Travel Specialties

Luxury Cruise Specialist

Luxury Cruise Specialist
Many travelers who discover cruising find that their tastes evolve over time. My own luxury cruise journey followed a similar path, giving me firsthand insight into the different levels of the cruise experience and helping me guide clients as they determine what level of luxury is right for them....Read More ▶

River Cruise Specialist

River Cruise Specialist
My introduction to river cruising completely changed the way I think about travel. Unlike ocean cruises, where the destination is often reached after days at sea, river cruising places you in the heart of the destinations you visit. Every day brings a new village, historic city, vineyard, castle,...Read More ▶

Certified Alaska Expert

Certified Alaska Expert
My love for Alaska began in 2000 when I embarked on my first Alaska cruisetour—a journey that sparked a passion for the Last Frontier and has brought me back again and again for more than 25 years. What started as a single bucket-list vacation quickly became a lifelong passion for one of the most...Read More ▶

Family and Group Travel Specialist

Family and Group Travel Specialist
I have always had a passion for travel. My passion has become a family tradition that has only grown over the years. From trips with my husband and child at least once a year, to now including trips with our grandchildren. In 2005, I decided to turn my passion into a business, began my adventure ...Read More ▶

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
17 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 17 reviews

The best trip of our lives!
Reviewed By Chanceofrain123 - Streamwood, IL | Traveled to Rome | Italy | Europe
Recently, my wife and I travelled to Rome, Italy with the assistance of Dream Vacations. Christine and her husband Gary were wonderful hosts and navigated us through the whole planning process from flights, ground transportation, hotel accommodations and building the perfect itinerary to discover the best of Rome's ancient history and world-renowned art exhibits including an early access to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour (as well as several of the other "outside-the wall" famous major papal basilicas and a Private Jubilee Tour of Rome's Holy Doors) all of this while avoiding the crowds! I would also be remiss if I didn't add their friendly accompaniment at some of the finest Roman cuisine experiences featuring authentic flavors, traditional pasta and drink activities (we happily discovered the wonderments of Limoncello and Gelato - not together, of course!!). In summary, we rate Dream Vacations with 5-star quality offering a highly personalized standard of customer service exceeding our expectations, providing professionalism that listens to our travel-wish desires, and anticipates our needs in advance!
Christine Pappin responded
"Thank you for your wonderful review. We loved helping you plan your Rome adventure and are thrilled the curated tours, early-access experiences, and authentic cuisine made your trip unforgettable. Your kind words about our personalized service mean so much. We’re grateful for your trust and excited to help you plan your next journey."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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the best trip ever.
Reviewed By elroy - Sarasota | Traveled to Salerno | Italy | Europe
gary and christine did a great job helping plan this trip. we had a great time.
Christine Pappin responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great time on your trip. It was our pleasure to help plan the details and make everything come together smoothly. We appreciate you choosing us and would love to help you create more amazing getaways in the future."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Another Cruise that did not disappoint!
Reviewed By SchultzFam - Arlington Heights, IL | Traveled to Bermuda | Caribbean
We just returned from a wonderful 7-day Bermuda cruise out of New York, and it was exactly what our family was looking for! We were looking for which was something relaxing, flexible, and family-friendly without feeling tied to a packed itinerary, and they found the perfect fit. This cruise included 2 days at sea, 3 full days docked in Bermuda, and 2 days sailing back. What we loved most was the flexibility. Having three days in Bermuda allowed us to explore at our own pace and get on and off the ship whenever we wanted without feeling rushed or having to stick to a strict schedule or curfew. We also had the opportunity to really explore the island. It also helped that they are so experienced and were able to share firsthand knowledge about the itinerary. Hearing their personal insights and recommendations gave us confidence that this would be a great fit for our family, and they were absolutely right. This was an itinerary we probably never would have found or chosen on our own, but it ended up being the perfect vacation. We truly appreciated how well they listened to what we were looking for and matched us with a trip that checked every box. Highly recommend them to anyone planning a family vacation. Thank you, Chris and Gary, we will be back for future trips!
Christine Pappin responded
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re thrilled to hear your 7-day Bermuda cruise was exactly what your family was hoping for. Matching you with a relaxing, flexible, and family-friendly itinerary was truly our goal, and we’re so glad the three full days in Bermuda gave you the freedom to explore at your own pace. It means a lot that our firsthand insights helped you feel confident in choosing this sailing. We appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to help you plan more trips."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Wow! Wow! Wow!
Reviewed By WeBeJD - Rome, Venice, Florence, Sorrento | Traveled to Italy | Europe
Christine and Gary are awesome. We just returned from 15 days in Italy, and they had so much knowledge and provided so many resources that we were ready for our trip. Thank you, Christine and Gary, you rock.
Christine Pappin responded
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re thrilled to hear your 15-day Italy adventure was such a success. Sharing our knowledge, resources, and firsthand experience to help you feel fully prepared is something we truly enjoy. We’re grateful for your kind words—thank you for trusting us with your travels. Christine and Gary appreciate you… you rock too!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Awesome Family Vacation
Reviewed By Larry/Mary - Streamwood, IL | Traveled to Alaska | USA
Christine helped our family plain a cruise to Alaska that was absolutely incredible and exceeded all of our expectations. She worked diligently to ensure all the twelve members of our group which included 4 families with children ages 8 to 14 had their needs met. This included coordinating several excursions in ports and differing travel/flight arrangements. The highlight of the trip was definitely the whale watching experience arranged by Christine through Juneau Whale Watching. She was very knowledgeable about the Alaskan destination and the countless things that were available on shore and and on board the ship. This cruise gave us memories we will cherish for a lifetime. We highly recommend Christine and Gary to anyone looking for an amazing vacation.
Christine Pappin responded
"Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re thrilled your Alaska cruise exceeded expectations for all twelve members of your family. Christine loved coordinating the flights, excursions, and special experiences to make the trip seamless. As Alaska experts, we’re especially glad the whale-watching tour with Juneau Whale Watching was a highlight. These are memories to cherish, and we truly appreciate your recommendation."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Certifications & Awards

AmaWaterways Specialist
AmaWaterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Celebrity Learning Certification
Celebrity Learning Certification
Globus family of brands Specialist
Globus family of brands Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
MSC Masters
MSC Masters
NCL University - Master's Degree
NCL University - Master's Degree
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Princess Commodore Certified
Princess Commodore Certified
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Seacademy - Gold Certification
Seacademy - Gold Certification
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
Viking Rivers Expert
Viking Rivers Expert
Windstar Star Specialist
Windstar Star Specialist
Alaska Certified Expert - (ATIA)
CLIA Master Cruise Counselor (MCC)
Alaska Expert - Princess Cruises
Certified Alaska Specialist
MSC Cruises Certifed Specialist
Silversea Expeditions Certification

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

Norwegian Coastal Voyage
View Album

    My Travel Stories

    Scenic Glacier Cruising Alaska

    Alaska the Last Frontier

    I’d always had a dream of experiencing Alaska, the Last Frontier, and that desire was first fulfilled in May 2000.   My husband had extended time off from work and we booked a cruisetour on Celebrity Cruises.  An Alaskan cruisetour is a type of vacation that involves taking a cruise ship through the waters of Alaska, typi...
    Read more

    Northern Lights Seen on Hurtigruten Voyage

    Hunting for Northern Lights

    This story is about a journey which started in Oslo, Norway, continued by rail to Bergen, then sailed from there past the Arctic Circle to Kirkenes, and returned to Bergen.  It was a 12-night Norwegian Coastal Classic Voyage on Hurtigruten Vesteralen that began in late February several years ago.  Living in the Chicago area, my ...
    Read more

    On the Top Deck Getting Ready to Sail

    A World of Waterways

    When I became a vacation specialist in 2005, I’d been cruising the oceans for twenty years and loving it.  Shortly after that, I learned about another mode of vacation travel – river cruising.   I’m a firm believer in learning as much about the industry and travel products as possible in order to best serve my clients.  One of t...
    Read more

    View from my Room Cancun Mexico

    All-Inclusive Resort Stay - Cancun, Mexico

    Congratulations! If you are reading this page, odds are that you are starting to plan a dream vacation for yourself, family, and perhaps friends.  My hope is that my experiences will help you narrow down what vacation is right for you. For those who want a hassle-free, relaxing vacation with lots of amenities and activiti...
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    Certificate signed by the captain of Yankee Trader

    How My Love for Cruising Started

    Do you remember your first cruise?  If you’ve not cruised before, do you recall an early trip you took with your family?   Vacations are all about making memories. Windjammer Barefoot cruises operated out of Miami, Florida back in the 80s when we took our first cruise. We had no intention of going on a windjammer cruise w...
    Read more

    Client Testimonials

    First-time Cruiser
    First Cruise ever and Chris and Gary made it most enjoyable for us. We were lucky enough to travel with them and they made it a trip to be remembered as they pretty much walked us through everything we needed to do ahead of time and on board. Thank you Chris and Gary for everything.
    Marianne C, Bartlett, IL
    Five Cruises and Counting
    Chris goes above and beyond every time! She is very knowledgeable and is very helpful in planning vacations!
    Trisha S, South Elgin, IL
    Multiple Cruise Vacations
    I've booked 2 vacations with Chris and each has been a wonderful experience. The latest was booking a Cruise. In 1 afternoon, the Cruise, excursion, flights, and hotel were booked. Extremely pleased and highly recommend.
    Mark C, Roselle, IL
    Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
    Christine and Gary Pappin were able to find us an excellent deal on a cruise. We simply told them the dates we had off, our spending budget and what stops we were most interested in making and they found the perfect vacation for us. They are extremely responsive whenever you email them an inquiry and work hard to ensure you are completely satisfied. I will be calling them up whenever I am planning a vacation.
    Karen D, Mount Prospect, IL
    River Cruising Education
    Working with Chris and her husband was the first time we'd ever used a travel agent. Not only did they take all the stress off of us, but we learned a lot about the various options that were out there for us in the world of travel that we didn't know of - and we thought we knew a lot. They were thorough and great to work with.
    Courtney M, Denver, CO.
    Exploring Canada by Rail
    Gary and Christine provided us with outstanding service. Their prime consideration was to tailor their work to precisely what we wanted. They provided connections, options, and advice that would have taken us a lot of time to research online. And then they gathered the entire itinerary into a portfolio putting in one place all of the important details. We would most highly recommend their agency.
    James F, Streamwood, IL
    Happy Repeat Cruising Family
    I've had the pleasure of having Christine and Gary help me with more than a few cruises now. They've been able to help me navigate the cancel / re-book process that we unfortunately fell into and made sure we eventually ended up where we wanted to be. They've also been able to guide me on selecting cabins and ships that best suit our family, even making recommendations based on our preferences when I forget that we have certain ones. We've had excellent experiences with the cruises we've already completed, with one more already booked and the thought process started as to what we are going to do next. We'll be coming back to Gary and Christine for those future ones too.
    Elizabeth B, Poway, CA
    Feasting in the Caribbean
    Chris and Gary are absolutely the best travel agents we have ever worked with. After taking a cruise we booked direct with a line last year, we were unhappy with the service provided at the level of suite we booked. Both my wife and I were raised old school and appreciate the elevated service levels and finer experiences that are available if you are ok spending to receive said experiences. That said, all I had to do was explain what I wanted, and expected, and give my budget, and Chris and Gary set up exactly what we wanted on a line (Royal Caribbean in this case) that would deliver the experience we were looking for. They have since booked even better experiences on new ships and destinations for us later in 2022 and into 2023, and will continue to do so for us as long as we can afford to play, and they're in business. We very much appreciate the extra effort they take on each booking. Can't wait to sail on Beyond in November, and see Alaska in 2023 with their help.
    Clark M, Moultonborough, NH
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