Alaska Cruise Travel Specialist

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Ron Hargrove, Travel Agent in Genoa, IL

Ron Hargrove

Genoa, IL Travel Agent

Ron Hargrove

Genoa, IL · 3 Years of Experience

Sandy Sun Travel - Dream Vacations, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(11)
100% Recommended
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cruises and some destination vacations. Every single time he has been willing to go the extra mile,... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Travel Stories & Media

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Alaska, Inside Passage

Interests:

Cruises, Groups, Hosted Cruises, Bucket List, Family Vacations

Suppliers:

Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises®, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises

About Me

Cruising Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier
Cruising Endicott Arm toward Dawes Glacier

Alaska is one of those destinations that's difficult to fully appreciate until you experience it yourself. Melissa and I recently cruised Alaska's Inside Passage aboard Norwegian Bliss, where we also hosted a group of travelers.

We visited Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan and cruised through Endicott Arm. Experiencing Alaska firsthand gave me a much better understanding of the decisions that can make a big difference in an Alaska cruise.

From choosing the right itinerary and cruise line to excursions, pre-cruise stays and what to pack, I enjoy helping travelers sort through the options. Whether you're hoping to see glaciers and wildlife, go whale watching, or simply experience Alaska for the first time, I'll help you plan a trip that fits the way you want to travel.

Alaska had been on our bucket list, too. Now I understand why so many people want to go back.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
11 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 11 reviews

Treats you like family!
Reviewed By ATHoffman95 - Rockford, IL | Traveled to Grand Cayman | Cayman Islands | Caribbean
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cruises and some destination vacations. Every single time he has been willing to go the extra mile, day or night, a year before or 3 months before. I would never think about booking with anyone else because I know Ron will always go the extra mile. I have no doubt that I am getting the same service and treatment he would give to his family members. I have personally referred my family members to him because of this exact reasoning, and they have come away with the exact same feelings.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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First getaway after having kids was a huge success!
Reviewed By Josh815 - Rockford, IL | Traveled to Sarasota | Florida | USA
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget. Ron had mentioned his favorite spot and we took him up on the invitation. He got us all setup with accommodations and travel. He was wonderfully helpful in finding the best options for our travel dates and budget. He had a whole list of great ideas for while we were there! We can't wait to go back!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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What a trip!
Reviewed By Love to travel 2! - Illinois | Traveled to Alaska | USA
We were very impressed with the thoroughness with which Ron planned our trip. He was happy and willing to answer all our questions. We had a wonderful time!
Ron Hargrove responded
"Thank you so much! This one was extra fun for me. I remembered our conversation about Alaska from more than a year ago, so when I saw that last-minute price drop, I immediately thought of you. I’m so glad we were able to make it work and that you had a wonderful time!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Comprehensive and Thoughtful
Reviewed By ADW - Illinois | Traveled to Caribbean Sea | At Sea | At Sea
This is our second booking with Sandy Sun and we could not be more pleased with the experience. Ron listens and tailors recommendations to you. He was also very patient when my elderly mother booked a trip for her and a friend who use walkers.
Ron Hargrove responded
"Thank you! I really try to get to know each person’s wish list and needs tp find the best fit for them. We’re so glad you’ve had such great trips! Plus, your mom is just too sweet. We can’t wait for the next trip!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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The best trip our family ever had !!
Reviewed By Rosa - Roscoe | Traveled to Cayman Islands | Caribbean
Ron and his agency was the best experience I ever had ! He is not only professional but extremely knowledgeable and passionate about making sure all expectations were met from beginning to end …He is the only agent I will continue to work with for all my travel needs in the future..
Ron Hargrove responded
"You make me sound like the greatest travel agent ever- I’m not, but I do my best. We’re so glad you had such a great trip, Rosa. Thank you for the incredibly kind words!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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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 Most Booked Destinations

  • Alaska: 23 bookings
  • Inside Passage, Alaska: 5 bookings

Destinations I've Visited

  • Alaska: 5 trips
  • Inside Passage, Alaska: 1 trip
Caribbean
Booked It 15 Times
Been There 15 Times
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
There’s just something about that Caribbean blue water that never gets old.
Inside Passage, Alaska, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There
We were very impressed with the thoroughness with ...
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Must Do:
Don’t just watch from inside the ship. Get outside and take in the mountains, waterfalls and wildlife. The scenery seems to go on forever..
Perth, Australia, Australia & New Zealand
Been There
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
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Must Do:
I had the opportunity to visit Perth while serving in the Navy. Australia was a long way from home, and getting to experience Western Australia firsthand was one of the highlights of my travels during those years.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 2 Times
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Make time to see Victoria's historic downtown and Inner Harbour. It's a beautiful way to finish an Alaska cruise.
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Been There
Ron and his agency was the best experience I ever ...
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Must Do:
Niagara Falls is one of those places you really have to see in person to appreciate. We visited in 2003, and the sheer size and power of the falls is something I still remember more than 20 years later.
Freeport, Bahamas, Caribbean
Booked It 2 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Sometimes you just have to do the touristy thing. We went to the beach, met the swimming pigs and had a great day exploring Grand Bahama.
Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, Caribbean
Booked It 4 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Great Stirrup Cay is a great place to slow down and enjoy a day in the Bahamas. Beautiful beaches, clear water, good food and plenty of places to grab a drink and relax make it an easy day in paradise.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, Caribbean
Booked It 2 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Sometimes the beach is the destination. Half Moon Cay has beautiful white sand, incredible turquoise water and everything you need for a perfect beach day.
Nassau, Bahamas, Caribbean
Booked It 6 Times
Been There 3 Times
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
We’ve visited Nassau several times, but the Pirate Jeep Tour was one of our favorite experiences. It was an amazing way to get beyond the cruise port, explore the island and learn some of Nassau’s history while having a lot of fun along the way.
Ocean Cay, Bahamas, Caribbean
Booked It
Been There 2 Times
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
We’ve visited a lot of cruise line private islands, and Ocean Cay is still our favorite. Beautiful beaches, incredible water and a laid-back atmosphere make this one place we’re always happy to visit again.
Georgetown, Cayman Islands, Caribbean
Booked It 2 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
Read more
Must Do:
Kiss a stingray at Stingray City! It’s one of those Grand Cayman experiences you’ll never forget.
Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 3 Times
It was Sunday, we were scheduled to leave for Puer...
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Must Do:
Enjoy Amber Cove, but get out and explore! Waterfalls, beaches and Dominican culture make this a great port for an adventure.
La Romana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Booked It
Been There
It was Sunday, we were scheduled to leave for Puer...
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Must Do:
La Romana showed us a completely different side of the Dominican Republic. Beautiful Caribbean water, great beaches and plenty of opportunities to get out and explore.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Booked It 4 Times
Been There 2 Times
It was Sunday, we were scheduled to leave for Puer...
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Must Do:
Puerto Plata is a great place to get out and explore. Beautiful beaches, waterfalls, history and plenty of adventure make it much more than just a cruise stop.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Booked It 8 Times
It was Sunday, we were scheduled to leave for Puer...
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Must Do:
Punta Cana is one of our most-booked Caribbean destinations. Beautiful beaches and a huge variety of resorts make it easy to find the right fit for almost any kind of getaway.
Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean
Booked It 4 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Aruba really is an island of contrasts. You’ll find beautiful beaches and turquoise water, but also rugged coastline and desert landscapes. Get out and see both sides of the island.
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean
Booked It 4 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Get out and explore the island. Aruba has beautiful beaches, but the rugged coastline and desert landscape make it unlike most Caribbean destinations.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, Caribbean
Booked It 3 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Take some time to explore Old San Juan. The colorful streets, incredible history, great food and old forts make this one of my favorite Caribbean cities to simply walk around and explore.
Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, Caribbean
Booked It 4 Times
Been There
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Grand Turk doesn’t need to be complicated. Find a spot on the beach, enjoy that incredible Caribbean water, and just enjoy the day.
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Caribbean
Been There 2 Times
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Sometimes the best travel memories come from taking a chance. We jumped into the back of an open-air taxi and ended up with an unforgettable tour of St. Thomas.
Tortola Island, Virgin Islands, Caribbean
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 2 Times
I have booked several vacations with Ron. Some cru...
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Must Do:
Get out and explore Tortola. The winding roads and steep hills lead to some incredible views of the British Virgin Islands.
Belize City, Belize, Central America
Booked It 2 Times
Been There
We've tried many different travel agents. Most ind...
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Must Do:
We’ve only visited Belize once, but we definitely want to go back. Cave tubing through the jungle and underground caves was an unforgettable experience and one of our favorite Caribbean adventures.
Harvest Caye, Belize, Central America
Booked It 3 Times
Been There
We've tried many different travel agents. Most ind...
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Must Do:
Harvest Caye is an easy place to enjoy the day. Relax on the beach, cool off in the huge pool, or add a little adventure with the zipline and water activities.
Mahogany Bay, Honduras, Central America
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 2 Times
Ron organized a family cruise. I haven’t done a c...
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Must Do:
Enjoy the beach at Mahogany Bay, but take some time to explore Roatán beyond the cruise port. It’s a beautiful island with so much more to see.
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, East and Southeast Asia
Been There
Ron organized a family cruise. I haven’t done a c...
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Must Do:
Hong Kong was unlike anywhere I had experienced before. I visited while serving in the Navy in the 1990s, and the energy of the city, culture and incredible harbor made it a place I’ve never forgotten.
Singapore, Singapore, East and Southeast Asia
Been There
This is our second booking with Sandy Sun and we c...
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Must Do:
Singapore was one of my favorite stops during my Navy travels. The mix of cultures, great food and a city that felt completely different from home made it a fascinating place to explore.
Costa Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 4 Times
Ron was so easy to work with. He was quick to resp...
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Must Do:
Costa Maya has a fun cruise port, but don’t stop there. Get out and explore. You’ll find beautiful beaches, Mayan history and plenty of ways to spend a day in Mexico.
Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Booked It 15 Times
Been There 5 Times
Ron was wonderful to work with, helped answer all ...
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Must Do:
Cozumel has some of the most beautiful water in the Caribbean. Whether you spend the day at a beach club, snorkel or dive the reefs, or explore the island, it’s one of those ports we never get tired of visiting.
Majahual, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Booked It
Been There
We were very impressed with the thoroughness with ...
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Must Do:
Get out of the cruise port and explore Mahahual. Walk the Malecón, browse the little shops, and find a beach club where you can grab a drink, enjoy some food and spend the day by the Caribbean.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Middle East
Been There 9 Times
It was Sunday, we were scheduled to leave for Puer...
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Must Do:
I visited Dubai about nine times while serving in the Navy, usually spending three or four days there each visit. This was in the early 1990s, long before the skyscrapers and resorts that define Dubai today. I’d love to go back and experience just how muc
Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Alaska, USA
Booked It 4 Times
Been There
We were very impressed with the thoroughness with ...
Read more
Must Do:
Get outside and take it all in. The sheer scale of the mountains, waterfalls and Dawes Glacier is something pictures just can’t capture.
Icy Strait, Alaska, USA
Booked It 4 Times
Been There
We were very impressed with the thoroughness with ...
Read more
Must Do:
Go whale watching! Seeing humpbacks here (including a breach) was an unforgettable experience.
Juneau, Alaska, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There
We were very impressed with the thoroughness with ...
Read more
Must Do:
Don't miss Mendenhall Glacier, but leave some time to explore downtown Juneau too.
Sitka, Alaska, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There
We were very impressed with the thoroughness with ...
Read more
Must Do:
Take time to explore downtown and the historic Russian influence. It was one of our favorite surprises in Alaska.
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, USA
Been There 2 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
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Must Do:
Washington, D.C. is a place where American history seems to surround you. From the monuments and memorials of the National Mall to the museums and neighborhoods beyond it, there’s always more to see than you can fit into one visit.
Florida, USA
Booked It 10 Times
Been There 10 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Florida is so much more than theme parks and cruise ports. From beaches and the Keys to great food, fishing, diving, outdoor adventures and horse country, there’s always something new to experience.
Clearwater Beach, Florida, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 8 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
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Must Do:
I first visited Clearwater Beach as a kid, came back with my own family, and returned again as an empty nester. I’ve loved it every time.
Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA
Booked It 6 Times
Been There 5 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
A great place to spend some time before or after a cruise. Enjoy the beach, walk the pier, and soak up some Florida sunshine.
Fort Myers, Florida, USA
Been There 6 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
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Must Do:
I grew up visiting Fort Myers, and I’ve always loved the relaxed Gulf Coast feel. It’s a great place to slow down, enjoy the beach and take in a Florida sunset.
Key West, Florida, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 8 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Explore Duval Street, enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, and don’t leave Key West without having a slice of Key lime pie!
Miami, Florida, USA
Booked It 10 Times
Been There 5 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Don’t just fly in and head to the ship. Spend some time in Miami before your cruise—the city is part of the vacation.
Orlando, Florida, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 15 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Orlando has always been special to us. I lived here, and Melissa and I got engaged at Universal more than 35 years ago.
Port Canaveral, Florida, USA
Booked It 10 Times
Been There 10 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Don’t just rush to the ship. Port Canaveral has some great waterfront restaurants and is a fun place to start your cruise vacation.
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Booked It 2 Times
Been There 11 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Don’t miss Siesta Key. We’ve been back more times than I can count, and that white-sand beach never gets old.
Tampa, Florida, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 9 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Tampa is worth more than just a trip to the cruise port. Enjoy the city, try some great food, and don’t miss the Columbia Restaurant!
Walt Disney World, Florida, USA
Booked It 2 Times
Been There 9 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Don’t try to do everything. Pick the experiences that matter most to your family and leave some time to simply enjoy the magic.
Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Booked It
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Make time to experience Maui beyond the resort. The beaches, scenery and Road to Hana are a big part of what makes the island special.
Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Been There
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
I first visited Waikiki while serving in the Navy, and all these years later, I’m still in awe of that beach.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Don’t miss the food! New Orleans is packed with history, music and personality, but the food is an experience all its own.
New York City, New York, USA
Booked It
Been There
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
They call it the city that never sleeps for a reason. I remember walking through Times Square at midnight, and it was as busy as most places are in the middle of the day.
Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA
Been There
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Enjoy the stunning beaches, and don’t miss the chance to see the Outer Banks’ famous wild horses.
Galveston, Texas, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 2 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Don’t miss The Strand. It’s a fun area to walk around with plenty of unique shops, restaurants and places to grab a drink.
Seattle, Washington, USA
Booked It 4 Times
Been There 2 Times
We were looking for a quick trip within our budget...
Read more
Must Do:
Arrive a day or two before your cruise and explore Pike Place Market and the waterfront. Seattle is worth more than just a trip to the cruise terminal!

My Travel Stories

Melissa and I exploring Juneau together

I Thought Alaska Would Be a One-and-Done

I’ll admit it: I’m a beach bum at heart. Before our Alaska cruise, I had pretty much decided this would be a “one and done” trip. I wanted to experience Alaska, but I couldn’t imagine it replacing the warm weather and Caribbean beaches I love. Then we sailed Alaska’s Inside Passage aboard Norwegian Bliss. We cruised from Seattle wi...
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