ShoreTrips Looks Ahead After Travvy Win

ShoreTrips won the gold Travvy Award for Best Shore Excursions, and owners Barry and Julie Karp are thrilled with their company’s victory and overall success.

“When you have the support of those using your product as well as from those delivering it, it is hard to fail,” they reflected. “We are the preferred shore excursion company for the Ensemble, Signature and Virtuoso travel networks as well as some of the largest travel agencies including Cruise Planners, Avoya and Nexion.”

“Since 2002 we have placed the well-being of our agents, their customers, and our more than 1500 handpicked guides and activity providers above the drive for profits,” they added. “One of the unexpected and exciting results of our business is the relationships built not only with travel agents but with our suppliers. We have a triangle now where the small companies that we meet, support, and help, are now as much a part of ShoreTrips as the travel agents.”

ShoreTrips is the only excursion provider to guarantee commissions when travel professionals’ clients reserve directly with the company. This applies to their current cruise as well as all future vacations.

“Cruise groups are handled with white gloves," the owners shared. "Agents love our marketing tools for groups, including our Wednesday night's Webinars With Wine where we get the agent together with their group members and go through their group trips.”

READ MORE: ShoreTrips' Grand Access to St. Petersburg, Russia

Further setting ShoreTrips apart is the brand’s dedication to global traveling and evaluating guides to determine the best ones for families, individuals, and VIPs with a full spectrum of budgets. The profits earned are then reinvested into the products and organizational tools.

“Our strength online has given voice to those companies who do not have the means to market and their appreciation is shown by the delivery of their services,” explained the Karps. “Our excursions are, by design, smaller and creative.”

READ MORE: ShoreTrips' Helicopter and Dog Sled Tour

They also offer the advice that those traveling with children should plan out every day of their trips, and remind consumers and agents alike that they provide more than just shore excursions for cruisers. Most of the company’s tours can be utilized by hotel and resort vacationers as well.

“Because 2018 is turning out to be a blockbuster year, we added more helicopters in Alaska, more snorkel boats in the Caribbean and more guides in Europe. With our added staff finishing their extensive training, we are confident that we are prepared to deliver the top service in the travel industry.”

It’s clear this is only the beginning for ShoreTrips.