SCA & DeSalvio news

At Sarasota Cruise Agency, we believe that good travel planning begins with understanding a destination, the experience a journey offers, and the practical differences between the many ways to explore the world. That knowledge matters particularly when choosing a cruise, whether it involves navigating a river through historic cities, discovering wildlife in the Galápagos, or travelling to the remote polar regions. As part of our ongoing commitment to informed, thoughtful trav

DeSalvio Travel is pleased to announce that Marisa has completed the training required to become a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Specialist, adding another layer of specialist knowledge to our work with travellers interested in expedition cruising. National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions brings together expedition travel, exploration and the National Geographic tradition of discovery. For travellers considering an expedition cruise, understanding the company behin

As wave season approaches, we have been spending more time looking closely at the cruise side of our business and, more importantly, at the experience our clients receive when they cruise with us. One thing became clear. Through our Virtuoso relationship, our hotel clients are accustomed to receiving thoughtful amenities that add something extra to their stay. With cruises, the structure of those benefits can be different. We wanted to find a way to bring that same feeling of

DeSalvio Travel is pleased to announce two new developments in our cruise portfolio: Robert Poortinga has successfully completed the specialist training required to become an official PONANT EXPLORATIONS EXPERT, and DeSalvio Travel is now an accredited partner of Paul Gauguin Cruises. For us, these are more than additional names in a preferred-supplier portfolio. Both brands represent a style of travel that fits closely with the way we approach our clients: smaller-scale, int

River cruising has become one of the most appealing ways to explore Europe, combining comfort, cultural access, and logistics into a single journey. For many travellers, the appeal is clear: unpack once, move effortlessly through iconic regions, and enjoy a well-curated itinerary without the stress of planning. And in many ways, river cruises deliver beautifully on that promise. But as with any structured travel experience, there is often a difference between what is included

Meetings That Go Beyond Sales Conversations Before I recommend any cruise line, hotel, or travel partner to my clients, I spend time getting to know the people behind the brand. Whenever possible, I inspect ships and hotels myself, study (brand) itineraries, meet company leadership, and build relationships with the Business Development Directors who represent these companies. A recommendation is never based on a brochure or a special offer alone. I want to know who is behind

Concerts & Cruises began with a simple idea, that the most memorable journeys begin long before departure, a core believe at Sarasota Cruise Agency and DeSalvio Travel. Where Luxury Travel and Live Music Meet Created by DeSalvio Travel, Sarasota Cruise Agency, and pianist Robert Poortinga, Concerts & Cruises was designed as more than a travel event, and more than a concert. It became a way of experiencing travel through music, story, and atmosphere, bringing together Europe’s

We recently hosted another Concert & Cruises evening in Sarasota at St. Armands Keys Lutheran Church, created together by DeSalvio Travel and Robert Poortinga. Combining Luxury Travel with a live concert Presentation The concept is simple: we combine a travel presentation with a live piano concert focused on European river and ocean cruising. The goal is not to separate music and travel, but to show how closely they are connected in terms of culture, geography, and experienc

A Journey Through the north of Italy, the special region of Piedmont, Where Music, Culture, and Travel Become One. There are journeys that take you from one place to another, and there are journeys that are carefully composed, where every moment feels intentional, connected, and quietly meaningful This Piedmont experience, created through the collaboration of Sarasota Cruise Agency, DeSalvio Travel, and our trusted partners, belongs entirely to the second category It is not a