Travel has returned to our lives with a bang. The pandemic didn’t dampen peoples’ longing to travel to distant shores, it only deepened it. In 2023, both leisure and business travel are already in full swing.
Enter Kendra Healy. Kendra’s passion for travel and experience in event planning have come together to create My Haven Travel by Cruise Planners, a local travel agency located in Allen. She helps both newbies and seasoned travelers curate the big dream vacation they’ve always wanted but didn’t know how to plan.
Kendra truly does it all:
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Want to cruise Alaska, the Caribbean, or the Mediterranean?
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Searching for a luxury villa or private home for family and friends?
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A travel tour of high profile castles in Europe?
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How about a private yacht trip for your spouse’s 50th birthday or another big celebration?
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A trip to the Big Apple, Las Vegas, or Disney?
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An African Safari?
Going the Extra Mile
There are many reasons why having a travel agent can be helpful. “First of all, while I can book travel via the same online portals as everyone else, I have access to additional perks because of my relationships with multiple travel vendors. On top of that, I’m like your own personal assistant or concierge service. I’ll keep my eyes open for better hotel and package rates or special trips/excursions,” Kendra says.
“Lots of people have this misconception that it costs an additional fee to use a travel agent, but it doesn’t,” she explains. “This personalized service means I’m maximizing your vacation, providing quality service and competitive pricing, whether it’s a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or a custom European vacation.”
Kendra's Top 6 Tips for Trip Planning
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Use a Travel Professional – Why spend four weeks planning your one-week vacation? Travel advisors have access to the best deals, value-added amenities and incentive programs to make your vacation even more enjoyable. Best of all, you don’t have to pay travel agents for their services.
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Book Early – Don’t wait for last-minute deals. Cruise lines, hotels, and resorts often reward those who book ahead with discounted rates and add-ons. When cruising, planning in advance means you’ll have more options to choose from when selecting layout and location or looking for connecting rooms. If rates go down after you’ve booked, your travel advisor is often able to adjust your price.
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Book a Bundle – You don’t have to search a million sites to find the best price for everything. Your travel advisor can save you money by booking airfare, accommodations, transportation and tours as a package.
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Travel During the Off Season – Save money by traveling to a destination during the off season or “shoulder” season – right before or after peak season. With fewer travelers visiting a destination during the off season, you’ll have faster access to typically busy tourist attractions, and accommodation rates are usually lower, giving you more bang for your buck.
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Travel Local – Look for travel opportunities in your own backyard. Consider a road trip or “staycation” or sail away on a cruise from a homeport near you.
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Go as a Group – You may not know this, but you may be eligible for a free cabin when traveling in a group of eight or more staterooms. Plus, groups can often get perks such as free meeting rooms, cocktail parties, special amenities and onboard credit.
Who is Kendra?
Kendra Healy is a long-time Allen resident. She and her husband moved to Allen in 2011, but have been in the Plano and Frisco area since 1998. They have two sons who were very involved in Allen ISD. Their oldest, Parker, recently graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor's in marketing, and their youngest, Jaden, is currently on an athletic and academic scholarship at Colorado School of Mines studying business engineering. He's also the outside linebacker for the school's NCAA DII nationally ranked football team.
Kendra always dreamed of having a business of her own. Combining her passion for travel, her work in hospitality, and her vast experience in event planning, opening My Haven Travel by Cruise Planners seemed like the natural next step to take.
When she became an empty nester, she knew the time was right. In June 2022, she launched her business with an eye to help the community plan the vacations of their dreams, customizing and personalizing each adventure. She is an active member of the Allen Chamber of Commerce and several nonprofits. She is most involved in the Big Z Foundation. She serves as chairman of the Big Z Golf Tournament, the silent auction, and the Big Z Bash.
Kendra’s favorite place to travel is in Stanley Cay in the Exuma Islands, which is home to the Bahamas’ world famous swimming pigs. “We stayed in Atlantis on the main island, and rented a charter plane to Exuma. From there, we boarded a private yacht for the day. First, it took us to a beautiful sandbar, right in the middle of the stunning blue ocean. We swam with the pigs and then sand sharks, and even snorkeled in one of the caves where a James Bond scene was filmed. After having lunch at a private yacht club, we flew back. It was unbelievable.”
The Hottest Spots for Travel
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The absolute, undisputed most popular destination for 2023 is Italy. The Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Tuscany, Puglia and Sicily are clients' most requested destinations.
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Alaska. This destination is trending at 32% for 2023 cruising departures compared to 2019.
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Europe. This destination is also seeing a strong interest with 32% for 2023 cruising departures compared to 2019. Other European destinations closely trailing behind Italy are Greece, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
Follow Kendra @myhaventravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Email kendra.healy@cruiseplanners.com or call 945-227-7878 for more information.
“This personalized service means I’m maximizing your vacation, providing quality, service and competitive pricing, whether it’s a cruise, all-inclusive resort, or a custom European vacation.”