Viking Great Lakes Cruise Travel Agent Expert

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Rey Alton, Travel Agent in Bellaire, TX

Rey Alton

Bellaire, TX Travel Agent
Super Agent

Rey Alton

Bellaire, TX · 25+ Years of Experience

A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
5.0
(95)
98% Recommended
Rey has booked several domestic and international trips for me over the years. Each time the experience was fantastic. Rey is not only a knowledgeable and... Read More >
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Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Mackinac Island, Thunder Bay, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Detroit

Interests:

Adult Only, Luxury, Luxury Cruises, Cruises, Holiday Travel

About Me

As a travel advisor with firsthand experience on the Viking Great Lakes cruise, I’m passionate about creating memorable trips for my clients. I’ve explored each destination and know all the best spots to visit. My journey onboard taught me about the ship’s comforts, exciting excursions, and delicious dining options. I’m here to help you plan the perfect Great Lakes adventure and make lasting memories! 

 

Here are several reasons to consider a Great Lakes cruise:

A Comfortable Floating Hotel

From the moment I stepped onboard, I was impressed by the elegant design and spacious accommodations. The ship felt like a luxurious floating hotel, with every detail meticulously attended to. My stateroom was a perfect retreat, complete with a balcony where I could enjoy the views as we sailed through the serene lakes.

All-Inclusive Convenience

One of the standout features of my Viking experience was how everything was included. Excursions, dining, and even complimentary wine and beer with meals – it made planning so effortless! I loved knowing that I could fully enjoy my vacation without worrying about extra costs.

Explore Iconic Cities and Hidden Gems

The itinerary included stops in charming cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Mackinac Island, where I immersed myself in local culture and history. I enjoyed guided tours, like exploring the fascinating architecture of Chicago and learning about the rich heritage of the Great Lakes region. Each destination had its own unique charm, and Viking provided insights that enriched the experience.

Culinary Delights

Dining onboard was a true highlight. The menus featured dishes inspired by the regions we traveled through, showcasing local flavors. I even participated in a cooking demonstration, learning to prepare a regional dish, which was both fun and delicious! The meals were a fantastic way to experience the local culture.

Engaging Enrichment Programs

Viking is known for its commitment to cultural enrichment, and this cruise was no exception. I attended fascinating lectures about the Great Lakes’ ecology, history, and the Native American tribes that originally inhabited the area. These sessions added depth to my understanding of the places we visited and made the journey even more enriching.

Ideal for 55+ Travelers

What I appreciated most was the atmosphere onboard, where I met so many fellow travelers in their 50s and 60s. The pace of the cruise was just right – not rushed, allowing plenty of time to relax or explore on my own. Plus, the excursions were designed with varying activity levels, so there was always something to suit everyone’s preferences.

Nature’s Beauty at Your Fingertips

Sailing through the Great Lakes was breathtaking. I marveled at the pristine waters and stunning landscapes. Whether we were cruising past the dramatic shorelines or docking in quaint lakeside towns, the natural beauty was a constant reminder of why this region is so special.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
95 reviews
98% 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 95 reviews

Another fabulous trip!
Reviewed By TC - San Antonio, Texas | Traveled to Punta Cana ~ Dominican Republic ~ Caribbean
Rey has booked several domestic and international trips for me over the years. Each time the experience was fantastic. Rey is not only a knowledgeable and experienced travel agent, he is patient with groups and always provides stellar customer service. The resorts are always fabulous and his recommendations on what to do when we arrive at our destinations make my vacations more enjoyable. I’ve counted on Rey to book fabulous vacations for over 10 years and he always delivers the best. I’ve always enjoyed the individual attention and care Rey provides his clients. He understands the apprehension that comes along with trying new places and is thorough and accommodating as a result. He’s also great at making suggestions on future vacations and I’ve never been disappointed when I follow his suggestions. Rey will remain my travel confidante for many years to come. He’s the best, hands down!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
76 of 120 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Travel Expert
Reviewed By Randy - Houston | Traveled to Europe
We have worked with Rey for many years and have always enjoyed the experience. Most of our travel has been river cruises in Europe but last year we did a trip to South Africa. Rey is very thoughtful, thorough and responsive.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
72 of 121 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Destination Wedding Planner
Reviewed By Destination Wedding Planner - Elite Eventz - Houston, Texas | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Love working w/ Rey! Very knowledgable and detailed!! Definitely recommend to any and everyone traveling abroad.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
64 of 110 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
July 4th Fun!!!
Reviewed By Lady on the Go - Beaumont, Texas | Traveled to Washington D.C. ~ District of Columbia ~ USA
Rey and the Almeda Travel family have been so good to my family in assisting us in all of our travel needs/goals from beginning to return. Rey has shown nothing but the utmost professionalism, patience,guidance, and quality service that is so difficult to find these days. We have trusted Almeda Travel for the last 5-6 years for our vacations and will continue to do so, I also strongly recommend if you’re looking for an agent/team that is knowledgeable and consumer responsive go with Almeda Travel!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
64 of 113 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Anniversary Trip
Reviewed By Chris Cooper - Humble, Texas | Traveled to Montego Bay ~ Jamaica ~ Caribbean
I have the opportunity to book travel with Rey at Alameda Travel several times over the past 5-8years. He is very informative and knowledgeable about different places to travel and the hospitality service companies in those areas. I have been very pleased with every interactions and trip we have been on.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
56 of 101 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Luxury Leaders Alliance is a unique networking environment for a carefully selected group of luxury advisors that have common experience, skills and mindset. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and educational opportunities, these elite advisors are empowered to provide sophisticated, personalized experiences to luxury travelers.
The Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Leaders Alliance is a network of carefully selected travel advisors who excel in destination wedding and honeymoon travel planning. These elite advisors provide sophisticated, personalized experiences in the most desirable destinations and venues to discerning honeymoon and destination wedding travelers.
Trusted Travel Advisor: A Trusted Travel Advisor credentials, resources and global connections translates to today’s consumer in respectful interactions, confidentiality, knowledge, and client advocacy of travel services provided in parallel with building long lasting client relationships that builds with each interaction.  A Trusted Travel Advisor knows their client better than the client may know themselves and puts those polishing touches on each travel collaboration.

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

Viking Cruise: The Great Lakes
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Viking Cruise: The Great Lakes

Client Testimonials

Honeymoon Dubai & Maldives
Thank you so much for helping plan our dream honeymoon! It was the trip of a lifetime, one that we'll never forget, and we owe so much of that to you. Thanks again for all of your meticulous planning and helping to organize everything to be as smooth as possible. We had no hiccups in any of our itineraries, and everything was on time and exactly according to plan. Thank you so much again, and I hope to work together again on another wonderful vacation! Best, Quinn
Quinn C Washington DC
Portugal River Cruise was wonderful
We want to thank you very much for coordinating our Portugal River cruise, everything worked out perfect and we had the best time. We loved every minute.
Louis & Martha G, Houston, Texas
Europe Trip
Rey, Just wanted to say thanks from Elaine & I and let you know trip went great. Everything went without a hitch and we’ll definitely be in touch when we get ready to plan next trip. Lucien
Lucien S, Houston, Texas
The trip to Europe was awesome. All went well.
The trip to Europe was awesome. All went well. I do need to give you feedback about the Eurostar ticket people what the reviews say is completely true. The man comes 15 minutes before you leave. We were there an hour before. But all was great!
Kimberly F
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