Which cruise lines does Sand & Seas Travel work with?

Sand & Seas Travel partners with 33 cruise lines including Viking, Norwegian Cruise Line (President's Club), Celebrity Cruises (Partner of the Year), Royal Caribbean (Partner of the Year), Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Avalon Waterways, Lindblad Expeditions, Quark Expeditions, Hurtigruten, and more.

Does Sand & Seas Travel specialize in river cruises?

Yes. River cruising is a deep specialty at Sand & Seas Travel. We partner with Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, and Crystal River Cruises — and can recommend the right line, ship, and itinerary for your travel style and budget.

Can Sand & Seas Travel plan Alaska cruise and land packages?

Yes. Alaska is one of our signature destinations. We plan Alaska cruises, cruise-tours, and land journeys with Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and others. We also host a group sailing to Alaska each year — our August 2026 group voyage departs on Norwegian Bliss.

What luxury cruise lines does Sand & Seas Travel recommend?

For luxury ocean cruising, Sand & Seas Travel specializes in Regent Seven Seas Cruises (the most all-inclusive luxury cruise line), Silversea, Seabourn, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Oceania Cruises, Crystal, and Explora Journeys. For luxury river cruising, we recommend Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, AmaWaterways, and Viking.

Does Sand & Seas Travel plan safari and African travel?

Yes. We plan African safaris and travel through Micato Safaris (consistently rated the world's #1 safari operator), Abercrombie & Kent, African Travel Inc., and Tauck. We can also combine a safari with a cruise or guided tour itinerary.

What tour operators does Sand & Seas Travel use?

Our guided tour partners include Tauck, Collette, Trafalgar, Globus, Insight Vacations, Abercrombie & Kent, Rocky Mountaineer, CIE Tours, Brendan Vacations, and TCS World Travel for private jet expeditions — among others.

Where is Sand & Seas Travel located and who do they serve?

Sand & Seas Travel is located at 6335 E River Rd, Racine, WI 53402. Kirk and Jennifer Kanter serve clients in Racine, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Waukesha, the Chicago North Shore, and travelers nationwide. Consultations are available by phone, video, or in person.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes. We start with a quick conversation to understand your trip goals, budget, and travel style, then recommend the best options and next steps. There is no charge for this consultation.

How do you get paid as travel advisors?

In most cases, we are compensated by our travel partners - cruise lines, resorts, and tour operators. If a planning fee applies for a complex itinerary, we explain it upfront. Our services are typically provided at no additional cost to clients.

Is it more expensive to use a travel agent?

Not usually. Many clients pay the same or less than booking direct, plus receive expert guidance, problem-solving support, time savings, and access to Cruise Planners exclusive amenities not available through direct booking.

What destinations do you specialize in?

Kirk and Jennifer Kanter specialize in Alaska cruises and cruise-tours, European river cruises (Rhine, Danube, Douro, Seine), luxury ocean cruises, Caribbean itineraries, all-inclusive resorts, and custom land tours - serving Racine, Milwaukee, Southeastern Wisconsin, and travelers nationwide.

How far in advance should I book an Alaska or European river cruise?

For peak-season Alaska (May through September) and European river cruises, book 9 to 18 months in advance. Early booking provides the best cabin selection and pricing. Group and hosted voyages often sell out earlier.

Do you help first-time cruisers?

Yes. We guide first-time cruisers through cruise line selection, cabin categories, dining, shore excursions, and pre-trip planning so you feel confident before boarding. Many Racine and Milwaukee clients took their first cruise with our help.

Can you plan group trips where each person pays separately?

Yes. We coordinate the group booking so each traveler pays individually while remaining part of the reservation. We manage group space, deposits, payment schedules, and perks - ideal for family reunions, friend groups, and corporate travel.

Do you help with flights, hotels, and transfers too?

Yes. We can build a complete itinerary including air, hotels, private transfers, tours, pre- and post-cruise stays, and travel protection so everything works together as one coordinated journey.

Can you help if something goes wrong during the trip?

Yes. If delays, cancellations, or vendor changes happen, we help you navigate options quickly. You have a dedicated advisor - not a call center - available before, during, and after travel.

Are you affiliated with a major travel network?

Yes. Sand & Seas Travel is an independently owned Cruise Planners franchise and American Express Travel Representative, giving clients access to exclusive pricing, group amenities, and preferred partnerships with leading cruise lines and resorts worldwide.

Travel Partner Directory | Sand & Seas Travel - Luxury Cruise & Vacation Planning

Sand & Seas Travel — Kirk & Jennifer Kanter, Cruise Planners — partners with more than 130 of the world's leading cruise lines, tour operators, destinations, and travel experiences. As your dedicated travel advisors serving Racine, Milwaukee, and Southeastern Wisconsin, we provide exclusive amenities, shipboard credits, and insider access that you simply cannot get booking direct.

Cruise Lines We Recommend

Our cruise portfolio spans every style of ocean and river travel. For luxury ocean cruising, we specialize in Regent Seven Seas Cruises (the most all-inclusive luxury experience at sea), Silversea, Seabourn, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and Oceania Cruises. For premium ocean cruising, we work with Viking, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises. For contemporary and family cruising, our partners include Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line.

River Cruise Specialists

River cruising is one of our deepest areas of expertise. We are proud partners of Viking River Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Crystal River Cruises. Whether you are exploring the rivers of Europe, the Mekong, the Nile, or the Mississippi, we match you with the right ship, itinerary, and cabin category — and we secure amenities unavailable when booking direct.

Expedition & Small Ship Cruising

For travelers drawn to remote destinations and expedition-style voyages, we work with Lindblad Expeditions — National Geographic, Quark Expeditions (Antarctica and the Arctic), HX — Hurtigruten Expeditions, Hurtigruten, Ponant, and UnCruise Adventures. These voyages reach places like Antarctica, the Galápagos, Iceland, the Norwegian coast, Alaska's Inside Passage, and the remote islands of French Polynesia.

Tour Operators & Guided Vacations

Beyond cruising, Sand & Seas Travel plans land-based tours and guided vacations worldwide. Our preferred tour partners include Abercrombie & Kent, Tauck, Trafalgar, Collette, Globus, Insight Vacations, Rocky Mountaineer, Micato Safaris, and African Travel, Inc. We specialize in fully escorted tours, independent packages, safari planning, and private jet expeditions through partners like TCS World Travel.

Top Destinations We Plan

Our advisors have firsthand knowledge of the world's most sought-after destinations. We plan vacations to Alaska, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Hawaii, Tahiti, South Africa, Dubai, Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, and Ireland, among more than 80 destinations worldwide. We also specialize in Alaska cruise and land tour packages — including our hosted group sailing aboard Norwegian Bliss in August 2026.

Specialty & Themed Travel

Sand & Seas Travel plans every style of travel experience. Our specialty areas include luxury travel, family travel, romance and honeymoon travel, culinary travel, river cruising, solo travel, group travel, wellness travel, and hotels and resorts through our Virtuoso preferred partner network. As a Cruise Planners franchise, we offer exclusive amenities at over 1,100 of the world's finest hotels — benefits that are simply not available when booking direct.

Why Book With Sand & Seas Travel

Kirk and Jennifer Kanter are award-winning travel advisors based in Racine, Wisconsin, holding top-tier status with Norwegian Cruise Line (President's Club), Celebrity Cruises (Partner of the Year), Viking (Platinum Circle), Royal Caribbean (Partner of the Year), Oceania Cruises (Cruise Connoisseur Club), and Sandals Resorts. We serve clients locally in Racine, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Waukesha, and the Chicago North Shore — as well as travelers nationwide. Every booking includes personal support before, during, and after your trip. Request a free consultation to start planning today.