Alaska on a Celebrity Cruise

I founded The Cruise Store in 1991 with no prior travel industry experience — just an entrepreneurial streak, a love of people, and the slightly crazy belief that an active practicing attorney could also build a successful cruise agency from the ground up.Somehow, it worked.That unusual combination — lawyer by day, cruise guy by… well, also by day and night — caught the attention of national media in our early years, and The Cruise Store was featured in publications across the country. For more than three decades, I balanced both careers, practicing law for 41½ years while growing The Cruise Store into one of the region’s leading cruise and vacation travel agencies.The real secret? I surrounded myself with exceptional people who shared the vision and had the talent, dedication, and customer-first mindset to help us grow. I finally hung up my legal briefs for good last May, and for the first time in my professional life, travel is my full-time focus. It took a few busy decades to get here — but it was worth every minute.Along the way, the industry took notice. We were proud recipients of the GEM Fastest Growing Royal Caribbean Agency Award, an early recognition that confirmed we were building something special. What began as a cruise-focused boutique agency has grown into a full-service travel company specializing in cruises, all-inclusive vacations, and custom group travel on both land and sea.Personally, I have now taken 148 cruises — ocean and river — and I can honestly say those experiences have taught me things no brochure or training manual ever could. I do not just sell cruises. I have lived them. I know which ships deliver, which itineraries are special, which experiences are worth the splurge, and where the little details can make a big difference.Group travel is one of my true passions. I have hosted more than 40 groups over the years, ranging from small gatherings of 25 guests to large sailings of 180. There is an art to bringing people together, keeping the details organized, and creating a trip where everyone feels looked after. I love that part of the business.The best part of my travel story is also the most personal. In October 2000, I met Maureen — my future wife, business partner, and favorite travel companion — on a cruise out of New York City. At the time, she was a Vice President at a competing agency, so yes, I suppose you could say I recruited well. We married in 2003, and in 2005, Maureen joined The Cruise Store as President and primary owner. Her deep travel experience, operational expertise, and passion for taking care of clients have made us an incredible team.Today, my role has evolved. While I still love talking travel, my biggest focus is helping grow the brand, sharing our story, creating content, developing our hosted group programs, and — to borrow an old phrase — helping make the phones ring.The actual planning and booking is handled by the amazing team at The Cruise Store, and I could not be prouder of them. They are experienced, caring, detail-oriented travel professionals who take the time to match each client with the right vacation. My job is to help introduce people to what we do, why we do it, and why working with a real travel advisor still matters.Maureen and I also continue to grow our Traveling with Don and Mo brand, where we share our cruise experiences, destination discoveries, travel tips, group travel adventures, and the occasional laugh with our community across social media. You can find us under CruiseStore — and we would love to have you along for the journey.Whether you are planning your first cruise, organizing a group trip, looking for an all-inclusive escape, or just trying to figure out which vacation is truly right for you, The Cruise Store team is here to help.After 148 cruises, 40-plus hosted groups, and more than three decades in the business, I still believe the best trip is the next one. Let us help you find yours.