About me

Hi! I'm Yelena, Personal Travel Adviser

MY SERVICE

Cruise Planning

Personalized cruise planning: the right ship, itinerary, and stateroom, with hotels, flights, and shore excursions handled.

All-Inclusive Resorts

Personalized recommendations for beach vacations and luxury resorts, including family and adults-only options.

Flights & Transfers

Coordinating air travel, airport transfers, and ground transportation to make your journey seamless from start to finish.

Custom Itineraries

Custom-designed travel experiences -thoughtfully designed trips with tours, activities, and special destinations.

Yelena Kondratyeva

Personal Travel advisor

I’m Yelena—travel advisor, cruise enthusiast, and founder of Cruises and Tours Pro. So far, I’ve explored 24 countries and experienced it all: from camping in the wild to unwinding at five-star resorts. But my heart truly belongs to the sea—cruise life is my happy place.

Before diving into the world of travel service full-time, I spent 17 years as a Staff Research Associate at one of the top universities in the U.S. That chapter taught me the power of research, precision, and thoughtful planning—skills I now bring into every trip I design.

And now, with my agency, I get to do what I love most: helping each client enjoy a truly unforgettable vacation, planned with heart and care in every detail.

Do You Have Questions About How I Will Arrange Your Trip?

Let's see how it works

Where Do I Get Information About Availability and Pricing for Travel?

I work with the host agency "Cruises and Tours Unlimited" as an independent contractor. You can view the agency’s accreditations and professional affiliations at the bottom of this page.

This partnership gives me access to trusted travel suppliers, cruise lines, tour operators, hotel partners, and global booking systems, allowing me to provide accurate, up-to-date information on a wide variety of travel experiences.

Through the agency, I also have access to continuous professional training, industry education, and a strong support network that helps ensure every trip is planned carefully and professionally from start to finish.

Our resources allow us to check:

Cruise availability and promotions
Resort and hotel pricing
Guided tours and vacation packages
Flights and transportation options
Group travel rates
Luxury and custom travel experiences
Last-minute deals and special offers

Because travel prices and availability change frequently, we continuously monitor updates to help you find the best options for your travel dates, preferences, and budget.

Instead of spending hours comparing countless websites, you receive carefully selected recommendations tailored specifically to your travel needs — all in one place.

What Information Is Needed to Start Planning Your Vacation?

To begin creating your personalized travel experience, a few basic details are helpful. The more information you share, the better I can match you with the right destinations, cruises, resorts, tours, and travel options.

Helpful information includes:

Preferred travel dates or time of year
Destination interests or dream locations
Number of travelers and ages of children, if applicable
Estimated budget range
Preferred style of travel
(luxury, family-friendly, adventure, relaxation, group travel, cruises, etc.)
Departure airport or preferred region of departure
Cabin, hotel, or room preferences
Special occasions, accessibility needs, or personal requests

You do not need to have every detail finalized before contacting me. Even if you only have a general idea of the type of vacation you want, I can help guide you through the planning process and recommend the best options for your needs.

My goal is to make vacation planning simple, personalized, and stress-free from the very beginning.

What Is the Best Way to Discuss Your Vacation Options?

I want the planning process to be easy and convenient for you. We can discuss your vacation plans in whichever way works best for your schedule and comfort level.

Available communication options:

Phone calls
Email correspondence
Zoom or video meetings
Text messages
WhatsApp and other messaging apps
Facebook Messenger and social media messaging

Whether you prefer a quick conversation, detailed planning sessions, or messaging at your own pace, I'm happy to communicate in the way that is most convenient for you.

My goal is to make planning your vacation simple, comfortable, and personalized from the very first conversation.

What Is the Next Step After We Discuss and Choose Your Vacation Option?

Once we select the vacation option that best fits your preferences, I will place a reservation and prepare a detailed proposal for you.

The proposal will include:

Current pricing at the time of reservation
Trip details and itinerary
Cabin, hotel, or room category information
Payment schedule and deadlines
Cancellation policies and important travel information

In most cases, reservations can be held for a few days before a deposit or final confirmation is required. This gives you time to review all details carefully, think everything over, and make sure you are completely comfortable with your decision before officially booking the trip.

Once you are ready to move forward, I will guide you through the booking process and help finalize all travel arrangements.

How Are Payments Processed?

All payments are processed securely through credit card transactions.

I will send you a secure payment link generated through my host agency’s protected booking system. The payment form will clearly show the name of your trip and the exact payment amount.

For additional security, you will enter your credit card information directly into the secure system, except for the CVV security code. The CVV number can be provided separately in whichever way is most convenient for you.

Once I receive the required information, I will process the payment and your reservation will be officially confirmed.

Your privacy and payment security are always handled with care throughout the booking process.

How Do You Ensure My Reservation Is Completed Correctly?

Once your payment is processed, I will provide you with an official booking confirmation that includes all reservation details.

This confirmation will outline your trip information, travel dates, services booked, and payment status for your records.

In many cases, the travel supplier (such as the cruise line, resort, or tour operator) will also contact you directly via email to reconfirm your reservation and provide access to your booking details.

This dual confirmation system ensures your reservation is properly secured and accurately recorded in the supplier’s system.

You can always reach out at any time if you need clarification or additional verification regarding your booking.

What Happens After Your Reservation Is Confirmed?

My support does not end once your trip is booked. I remain available to assist you throughout the entire travel experience — before, during, and after your journey.

After your reservation is confirmed, you can expect:

Ongoing support with any questions about your upcoming trip
Assistance with planning excursions, activities, dining, and upgrades
Help with travel documents, updates, or itinerary changes if needed
Direct communication and coordination with the travel supplier on your behalf
Support in case of unexpected issues or travel disruptions

You will always have a dedicated travel professional available to guide you and provide assistance, so you can travel with confidence and peace of mind.

My goal is to ensure your entire experience is seamless, enjoyable, and stress-free from start to finish.

Have more questions? Please feel free to get in touch with me anytime!

Kind words from my lovely clients

"Yelena listened to what we wanted and created a trip better than we ever imagined."

— ALINA KORSOKOVA

"Every step was stress-free - I felt supported from planning to the moment we came home."

— ALEX KORS

"I never knew planning a vacation could be this easy - everything was done for us. "

— MARINA SOBOLEV

“This was our first cruise, and Yelena guided us through every step — we’ll definitely book again with her.”

- TOM & LISA ROBINSON

“I loved that she gave us honest advice and not just the ‘glossy brochure’ version.”

- JULIA BRONSHTAIN

“Traveling with a group can be stressful, but Yelena made it effortless.”

- JEFF CARPENTER

“Everyone in our group felt special, and the itinerary was perfectly balanced.”

- SOFIA CARPENTER

“Yelena found us the perfect cruise — the ship, the cabin, even the excursions were exactly what we wanted.”

- SARAH MILLER

“Thanks to Yelena, we discovered a new itinerary we wouldn’t have found on our own.”

- LAYREN PARKER

“Her advice on shore excursions was spot-on — every port was a highlight.”

- MICHAEL SMITH

From my perspective

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