Cheryl McDonald, Travel Agent in Lindsay, ON

Cheryl McDonald

Lindsay, ON Travel Agent

Cheryl McDonald

Lindsay, ON · 23 Years of Experience

Cruise Holidays Plus, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
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5.0
(11)
100% Recommended
I have been with Cheryl for almost 7 years now and she has always looked out for our best interest when it come to cruising. ... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Caribbean, Hawaii, Bermuda, New York City, Alaska

Interests:

Cruises, River Cruises, Luxury Cruises, Groups, Family Vacations

Suppliers:

Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises®, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Avalon Waterways

About Me

Agency Owner, Distinctive Voyage Host

South America.  Penguins!
South America. Penguins!

I fell in love with cruising watching  “The Love Boat” TV show 'back in the day'. My first cruise was on my honeymoon, on Princess (of course) to Alaska.  I was thrilled to meet Gavin MacLeod (Captain Stubing) on a Royal Princess inaugural cruise.  

To date I’ve sailed on almost 50 ocean & river cruises on eleven different cruise lines including Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and Uniworld. These cruises have taken me to South America & Antarctica, the Panama Canal, British Isles, the Mediterranean, Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, Norway, France, Canada/New England, Bermuda, Bahamas, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, and just about all the ports in the Caribbean.  

I'm often asked what's my favourite cruise line or destination - it’s hard to pick a favourite cruise line but our recent cruise to Antarctica certainly tops the destination list.  Of course, it’s always the best cruise when sailing with family regardless of the ship or destination.  It's so much fun sailing with our grandchildren (7, 7 & 5) who are already avid cruisers.  We are booked to sail together again in February 2027 on the Star of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world!

In 2019, I was approved as a "Distinctive Voyage" host for this Travel Leaders program. My first hosting gig was on the Seabourn Quest to Eastern Canada and have since hosted a 22-day South America/Antarctica cruiseon Holland America, an 11-day Mediterranean cruise and a cruise sailing from New Jersey to Eastern Canada, Greenland & Iceland, both on Celebrity.  

In 2026, I'm also hosting a 14-night land & sea Alaska adventure on Princess in June and a 'Jewels of the Rhine' Emerald Waterways river cruise from Zurich to Amasterdam in October as part of our agency's 20th anniversary celebration.

On a personal note, I was born in Welland and moved to Etobicoke when I was 3 years old. My husband & I were high-school sweethearts and bought our first home in Bolton where we lived for four years before moving to Lindsay.  I am a graduate of York University's Business Administration program.  Robert is retired from the Toronto Fire Services where he worked in Etobicoke as a Professional Firefighter for over 35 years.  

Raising our family, we always managed to set aside time for family travel and cruising. We’ve passed this love of cruising on to our two sons who have each been on multiple cruises as well. Our grand daughter was the youngest passenger on her first cruise when she was just 9 months old.  

In 2003 I combined my business background and customer service experience with my love of cruises for a career change from the financial services industry to the travel industry as a Cruise Specialist, eventually opening own cruise-specialty agency in 2006 in Lindsay.  The years have gone by so fast and it's hard to believe that we are in our 18th year of operation! In 2016 we moved from our office in the Whitney Town Centre to downtown Lindsay and in November 2021 moved to our current location behind the Lindsay Square mall.  The move was a good opportunity to re-brand the business and we changed our name to CRUISE HOLIDAYS PLUS to better reflect the fact that although we remain cruise experts, we are a full service travel agency. 

When it comes to cruises, I’m proud to say that I am an expert – there’s nothing about cruises that I don’t understand thoroughly and deal with daily.  I have the answers to the questions you haven’t even thought about asking.  I strive to ensure that your vacation is perfectly planned, hassle-free and exceeds your expectations by efficiently managing all of the travel-planning details from the moment you start dreaming until the moment you return home.  I’ve achieved the designations of Elite Cruise Counselor and Luxury Cruise Specialist from the Cruise Lines International Association, and I am also a Princess Alaska Expert. 

In addition to the delights of being out on the ocean on a big beautiful cruise ship, eleven years ago I achieved a life-long dream of living full time on the water, when we bought our family ‘cottage’ on Balsam Lake from my father, now our permanent home. I’m also considered a bit of a “speed demon.” I simply love being in motion: on our Seadoos, or on a sailboat, ATV, Segway or dune buggy in the ports of call. 

In my spare time, I am thoroughly enjoying being a Grandma to my 3 grandchildren, two 7-year old girls and a 5-year old grandson.

It’s important to me that we provide our clients with our personal experience and insights as they rely on our “been there, done that” insider knowledge to help create personalized dream-come-true vacations. With so many cruise options out there, it can be overwhelming - but that is what I'm here for. After all, your vacation is an investment of precious time and money - why not consult an expert and make sure you get it right?

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

All trips have been the best trips of our lives.
Reviewed By Dianne & Robert - Bobcaygeon ON | Traveled to Caribbean
I have been with Cheryl for almost 7 years now and she has always looked out for our best interest when it come to cruising. She knows what we like without being told.
Cheryl McDonald responded
"Thank you! Always a pleasure working with you!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Experience is key when giving travel advice
Reviewed By Gerry - Fenelon Falls | Traveled to
My husband and I have 45 + yrs of enjoyable cruising years to look back on and hopefully many more years to continue . It was when we moved to the Lindsay area, seeking an experienced travel agent such as Cheryl MaDonald was so important to fill our future traveling needs without the hic- ups that offten get headlines in the media. We have no hesitation in referring our friends to Cheryl
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
58 of 118 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Crusie Consultant Extraordinaire
Reviewed By Pat and Max - Lindsay | Traveled to
Cheryl McDonald is the quintessential cruise consultant. Her knowledge of the industry is extensive and makes it possible for her to provide advice appropriate to meet the client's wishes. Since 2009 all the cruises she has proposed, planned, and organized for us have been exactly what we wanted. Her warm and friendly nature and her enthusiasm for what she does make it a joy for us to plan holidays with her help. We have no hesitation in recommending Cheryl to our family and friends and have often done so.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
49 of 103 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Excellent in every way
Reviewed By Muriel and Norma - Toronto Ont. | Traveled to
We have booked several trips with Cheryl . She attends to every tiny detail to insure that our trip is highly successful. Now we cannot go to another travel agent since Cheryl is the perfect one.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
45 of 103 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
SHE TOOK CARE OF EVERYTHING
Reviewed By Bear - Brampton, On | Traveled to
Cheryl came recommended to us by a friend who had enjoyed many cruises in the past. Being new to cruising, we needed guidance on how to proceed and Cheryl was there to help. We essentially just let Cheryl know where we hoped to go and a general time line that we would like to have. Cheryl went to work for us and planned a perfect cruise vacation for us. All we had to do on our end was pack and show up at the airport. She couldn't have made the process any easier for us. That was 5 cruises ago and we continue to take advantage of Cheryl's excellent service, experience and advice. She has NEVER disappointed us. I would highly recommend Cheryl to anyone even considering a cruise. You won't be disappointed either!!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
45 of 104 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
President's Club Member
Elite Cruise Counsellor, CLIA
Luxury Cruise Specialist, CLIA
Princess Alaska Expert
Hawaii Destination Specialist