Trips & Ships Luxury Travel

What Trips & Ships Luxury Travel does

Trips & Ships Luxury Travel is a privately held, founder-led boutique travel agency and host agency founded in 1995 and headquartered in Winter Garden, Florida. The company designs and books custom luxury vacations — primarily river cruises, ocean and expedition cruises, and bespoke African safaris — for affluent individual travelers, families, and groups. It also operates specialized verticals including corporate incentive travel, alumni association programs, women's travel (the Women Who Wander community), family and multigenerational trips, destination weddings, and Christmas market cruises. The business serves clients across more than 37 countries spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, Antarctica, and the Arctic, sourcing bookings through a network of more than 140 independent travel advisors operating under the Trips & Ships host agency umbrella.

The company generates revenue primarily through commissions paid by cruise lines, luxury hotel partners, and safari operators for bookings made on behalf of clients, supplemented by professional travel planning and advisory fees. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with bookings ranging widely by destination, supplier, duration, and service level. Distribution is consultative and relationship-driven: the company maintains preferred-partner relationships with cruise lines (Viking, AmaWaterways, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Uniworld, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Explora Journeys, Scenic, Emerald, Lindblad, Ponant, HX, Azamara, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney), hotel collections (Internova SELECT, Four Seasons, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, Belmond, Aman, Leading Hotels of the World), and safari operators (Micato, Wilderness Safaris, Singita), and holds memberships in Internova/Travel Leaders Network, CLIA, ASTA, and PATH. Marketing is content-led via the company website, blog, email, and social channels, with founder/CEO Angela Hughes also operating Luxury Travel University as an advisor training and industry thought-leadership platform. The company has no disclosed funding rounds, no acquisitions, no parent entity, and no AI/ML capabilities in evidence.

Name

Trips & Ships Luxury Travel

Legal name

Trips & Ships Luxury Travel

Website

https://tripsandships.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Trips & Ships Luxury Travel is a private boutique travel agency and host agency that designs customized luxury cruises, safaris, expeditions, corporate incentive trips, and alumni group travel for affluent individuals, families, and institutional clients worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Travel Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAEABAC

Luxury River Cruise Lines

Travel & Hospitality/Cruises & Maritime Leisure Travel/Luxury & Expedition Cruise Lines

SECONDARYTHAEADAC

Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (Under ~500 Guests)

Travel & Hospitality/Cruises & Maritime Leisure Travel/Small Ship & Yacht Cruises (Boutique)

SECONDARYTHAEABAF

Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises

Travel & Hospitality/Cruises & Maritime Leisure Travel/Luxury & Expedition Cruise Lines

SECONDARYTHAEADAH

Cabin Charters & Shared Yacht Trips

Travel & Hospitality/Cruises & Maritime Leisure Travel/Small Ship & Yacht Cruises (Boutique)

Keywords

• Luxury travel services
• Custom cruise booking
• Bespoke safari tours
• Boutique travel agency
• Group travel planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Winter Garden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Travel Agency Commissions: The company earns commissions from cruise lines, hotels, safari operators, and other travel suppliers for bookings made on behalf of clients. Commission rates vary by supplier and booking volume.
2. Travel Planning and Advisory Services: Custom travel planning services including itinerary design, consultation, and coordination of complex multi-destination journeys for discerning travelers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Trips & Ships Luxury Travel is a boutique luxury travel agency that designs and books custom luxury vacations, including cruises, safaris, and curated land experiences, for individuals, families, couples, corporate groups, and alumni associations. Founded in 1995 and based in Winter Garden, Florida, the firm operates through a network of 140+ independent travel advisors that deliver personalized, consultation-based service to affluent leisure and group clients.

Product overview

Trips & Ships Luxury Travel is a premier boutique travel agency offering a comprehensive portfolio of luxury travel services. The core offering centers on cruise planning across multiple categories: luxury river cruises (Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine, Mekong), ocean cruises, small ship/expedition voyages, and custom safaris in Africa. These are complemented by specialty travel services including Women Who Wander (women's travel community), Family & Multigenerational Travel, Alumni Travel Programs, Corporate Meetings & Incentive Travel, VIP Hotels booking, Travel Insurance, Christmas Market Cruises, and Destination Weddings & Honeymoons. The company serves as a host agency for over 140 independent travel advisors and maintains preferred partnerships with cruise lines (Viking, AmaWaterways, Riverside, Uniworld, Explora Journeys, Scenic, Emerald), luxury hotel collections (Four Seasons, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental, Aman), and safari operators (Micato, Wilderness, Singita).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Luxury Cruises End-to-end booking and customization of luxury cruise vacations for individuals, couples, families, multigenerational groups, and alumni or corporate groups, leveraging long-standing cruise line supplier relationships.
• Custom Safaris and Wildlife Adventures Bespoke safari and wildlife adventure itineraries designed and booked for affluent individual travelers, couples, families, and women-focused groups seeking high-end nature and wildlife experiences.
• Meetings and Incentive Travel Customized corporate incentive, meeting, and executive group travel programs designed for businesses seeking premium, high-touch group experiences for employees, sales incentive winners, or executive leadership.
• Alumni Association Travel Group travel programs organized for educational institutions and alumni associations, including alumni cruises, faculty-led trips, and institutional journeys tied to reunions, events, or fundraising activities.
• Women Who Wander Group Travel Curated, women-only or women-led group travel experiences such as safaris, cruises, and destination journeys, designed for women seeking community-oriented luxury travel.
• Multigenerational Family Travel Custom luxury family and multigenerational vacation planning that combines cruises, safaris, or destination land experiences into a single coordinated itinerary for multiple generations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Exclusive VIP hotel benefits including daily breakfast, room upgrades, $100 property credits, early check-in/late checkout, and personalized welcome amenities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Internova / Travel Leaders NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted member and strategic partner of Internova and Travel Leaders Network, providing access to preferred supplier relationships, industry resources, and exclusive travel planning tools. Enables the company to offer Distinctive Voyages perks including hosted onboard receptions, exclusive shore excursions, and dedicated hosts.
• CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud member of CLIA, the cruise industry's leading trade association, demonstrating commitment to cruise expertise and industry standards.
• ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of ASTA, the premier professional organization for travel advisors in the United States, supporting industry advocacy and professional development.
• PATHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of PATH, a travel industry professional network supporting travel advisor businesses and client services.
• Viking River CruisesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium cruise line partner offering hosted departures and preferred booking access. Specializes in Scandinavian-designed river cruises on iconic waterways including Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Nile, and Mekong rivers.
• AmaWaterwaysflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium cruise line partner known for award-winning dining, active bicycle excursions, and personalized service on European and worldwide waterways.
• Riverside Luxury CruisesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUltra-luxury suite-only river cruise partner featuring outstanding butler service, double-width vessels, and Michelin-starred caliber dining on Danube and Rhine rivers.
• Explora JourneysflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium cruise partner offering luxury ocean voyages with distinctive experiences and high-touch service.
• Regent Seven Seas CruisesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll-suite, all-inclusive luxury cruise partner offering comprehensive voyages with included airfare, shore excursions, and fine dining.
• Silversea CruisesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUltra-luxury expedition cruise partner specializing in remote destinations including Antarctica, Arctic, Galápagos, and global expedition voyages.
• Uniworld Boutique River CruisesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoutique ultra-luxury river cruise partner with individually designed ships featuring fine art, antiques, and all-inclusive experiences on premier rivers worldwide.
• Scenic Luxury CruisesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUltra-luxury cruise partner operating Discovery Yachts (Scenic Eclipse I & II) designed for expedition travel to polar regions and remote destinations with all-inclusive experiences.
• Emerald CruisesflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury yacht cruise partner (Emerald Azzurra & Emerald Sakara) offering boutique 100-guest yacht experiences in Mediterranean, Caribbean, and warm-weather destinations.
• Windstar CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmall ship sailing cruise partner offering intimate yacht-style experiences with local immersion in global destinations.
• Azamara CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoutique upper-premium cruise partner specializing in destination-intensive itineraries with longer port stays and overnight destinations.
• Celebrity CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorModern luxury cruise partner with innovative Edge-Class ships offering contemporary design and elevated dining experiences.
• Princess CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium cruise partner with strong Alaska expertise, MedallionClass comfort, and extensive land-and-sea cruisetour programs.
• Holland America LinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMid-size ship cruise partner known for cultural focus, Alaska expertise, and culinary programming.
• Norwegian Cruise LinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlexible sailing cruise partner with suite-level options and diverse onboard experiences for families and adventure seekers.
• Royal CaribbeancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLarge-scale cruise partner offering bold cruising experiences with extensive entertainment and family amenities.
• Disney Cruise LinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-focused cruise partner offering Disney-themed experiences, Broadway-style entertainment, and multigenerational travel options.
• Micato SafarisflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremier Africa safari operator partner specializing in luxury African safari experiences across Kenya, Tanzania, and beyond.
• Wilderness SafarisflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury safari operator partner offering authentic African wildlife experiences in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and other premier safari destinations.
• SingitaflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUltra-luxury safari lodge partner offering exclusive wildlife experiences in private concessions across Africa.
• Lindblad ExpeditionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpedition cruise partner specializing in Galápagos Islands voyages with certified naturalists and small-ship luxury experiences.
• PonantcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoutique French expedition cruise partner offering luxury voyages to polar regions, Mediterranean, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
• HX Hurtigruten ExpeditionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpedition cruise partner specializing in Norway coastal voyages, Svalbard, and Arctic exploration experiences.
• Internova SELECT Hotels and ResortsflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVIP hotel access program providing exclusive perks at over 1600 luxury properties worldwide including daily breakfast, room upgrades, $100 property credits, and VIP status.
• Four Seasons Hotels and ResortscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury hotel partner available through VIP hotel booking program with exclusive perks and preferred access.
• Rosewood HotelscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury hotel partner offering exclusive amenities through VIP hotel booking program.
• BelmondcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury hotel and travel partner offering classic grand hotel experiences with VIP booking benefits.
• Mandarin OrientalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury hotel partner with exclusive access through VIP hotel booking program.
• The Ritz-Carlton and St. RegiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarriott luxury hotel brands available through VIP hotel booking program with exclusive perks.
• Aman Hotels & ResortscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUltra-luxury hotel partner available through VIP hotel booking program for exclusive experiences.
• Leading Hotels of the WorldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury hotel consortium partner offering curated collection of independent luxury hotels with VIP booking benefits.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Internova Travel Group: Internova is the parent organization of the Travel Leaders Network and a major travel management conglomerate. Trips & Ships is a member of Internova/Travel Leaders Network, and Internova broadly encompasses the consortium ecosystem Trips & Ships operates within.

Others

• ADTRAV Travel Management: ADTRAV is a corporate travel management company providing travel services to government and corporate clients. Partially comparable to Trips & Ships' corporate meetings and incentive travel vertical, but more focused on managed corporate travel than luxury leisure.

Direct peers

• Fora Travel: Fora is a modern luxury travel advisor network and host agency combining curated planning with technology. Comparable to Trips & Ships as a host agency that recruits, supports, and equips independent luxury travel advisors with supplier access.
• Brownell Travel: Brownell Travel is a luxury travel agency specializing in custom itineraries and high-touch client service. Comparable to Trips & Ships in its bespoke luxury cruise and experiential travel planning for affluent clients.
• Altour: Altour is a luxury and corporate travel management company serving both high-end leisure and enterprise clients. Comparable to Trips & Ships in combining luxury leisure expertise with corporate incentive travel capabilities.
• Travel Edge: Travel Edge is a host agency network supporting independent travel advisors with back-office, marketing, and supplier relationships. Closely comparable to Trips & Ships' host agency structure serving 140+ advisors.
• Traveller Made: Traveller Made is a luxury travel consortium connecting boutique travel designers with premium suppliers. Comparable to Trips & Ships in serving luxury travel advisors arranging high-end cruise and experiential bookings.
• Virtuoso: Virtuoso is a leading luxury travel network of travel advisors and travel agencies. Trips & Ships operates in the same luxury travel advisor/agency ecosystem, competing for the same affluent travelers with similar cruise and experiential offerings.
• Signature Travel Network: Signature Travel Network is a host agency cooperative for luxury travel advisors, offering preferred supplier relationships and consortium benefits. Directly comparable to Trips & Ships' host agency model serving 140+ independent advisors.

Emerging players

• KHM Travel Group: KHM Travel Group is a host agency for independent travel advisors focused on training and supplier access. Comparable to Trips & Ships' host agency approach, though more mass-market oriented and less luxury-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trips & Ships Luxury Travel