frequently asked questions

All fees are guidelines only and may be adjusted, reduced, or waived based on the scope of the trip and situation.

Non-package services such as airline, car rental, or concierge planning may be billed at $100 per hour, while travel insurance assistance is typically provided at no additional charge.

Planning fees typically begin around $300–$400 for customized/private tours or hotel packages and generally include research and up to three itinerary options. More complex trips or additional itinerary research may involve added fees, often in the $100–$125 range per itinerary.

Group and international travel can involve additional coordination and may include per-room fees, commonly around $100 for domestic trips and $150 for international trips. Non-package services such as airline, car rental, or concierge planning may be billed at about $100 per hour. View the full details in our Planning Services Policy.

For simple, one-night stays or a few nights in a hotel, booking yourself may be fine. (Young Travel & Cruises even has a self-book option for hotels that will include Young Travel & Cruises Virtuoso amenities) But for luxury, multi-stop or once-in-a-lifetime trips, working with a travel agent always leads to an elevated and stress-free experience. Travel agents can provide support and advocacy that booking on your own simply doesn’t, especially when multiple destinations, hotels, or experiences are involved.

Travel agents do far more than book hotels and flights. The role of Young Travel & Cruises is to create a seamless overall experience that fits how our clients actually want to travel – with careful attention to detail.

Not all advisors are the same, so it’s important to work with someone who has experience, strong industry relationships, excellent reviews, and a stellar reputation.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but a travel advisor typically takes a more customized approach, especially in the luxury space.

It depends on what “cheaper” really means. While the base rate may sometimes look similar online, booking through a travel agent delivers more overall value – especially for luxury travel – once you factor in added perks, expert guidance. An agent will save you hours of time and provide a stress-free experience. Self-book luxury hotels here for complimentary Virtuoso amenities.

Virtuoso itself isn’t a travel agency – it’s an invitation-only global network of top-tier travel agents, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, DMCs (Destination Management Companies), and other travel specialists – and the network as a whole has a focus on luxury travel. When clients work with a Virtuoso agent, they’re working with an expert who has access to the benefits, knowledge, and relationships throughout the network.

Virtuoso is best known for luxury travel, but it’s also about quality, experience, service, influence, reliability, and partnership. Trips range from special occasion splurges to thoughtfully planned, well-executed vacations. It works especially well for milestone trips, complex itineraries, and VIP experiences.

Virtuoso travel is relationship driven. Instead of anonymous online bookings, clients benefit from behind-the-scenes connections that enhance every part of a trip and help to create an elevated VIP experience. Virtuoso members and suppliers have a common belief that travel is anything but “one-size fits-all” and strive for every trip to be a well-executed, bucket list adventure.