DAVE'S SERVICES
Services, Fees & Loyalty Program
To help guests choose among my various services of matching guests to the right itinerary and ship while creating impeccably planned, perfectly executed cruise experiences for my guests, I have created a two-tiered system to allow you to select which level of my dedicated assistance you want for each trip.
Know exactly what you want and simply want to sign up for one of my escorted cruises? No problem! That is still FREE!
Yet, if you need some of my expert advice and ask me to create a customized experience for you, there is a modest up-front fee.
After all, not only do I maximize your travel budget, but I also save my clients hundreds to thousands of dollars on the luxury trips I plan, all while creating some of the most unique travel and cruising opportunities around.
Even better, as a member of the Signature Travel Network my guests receive special perks and extras that easily offset my service fee.
That extra value is gold for my guests and the full program is explained below.
MEMBERS OF MY ROYAL COURT (5+ TRIPS) RECEIVE ROYAL TREATMENT SERVICES AS PART OF THEIR LOYALTY REWARDS PROGRAM
WHICH SERVICE PLAN FITS YOU BEST?
Option 1: The DIY/Do-It-Yourself FREE Package includes a multitude of FREE services with an acknowledgement that some of my guests are very self-sufficient and simply want to register for one of MY ESCORTED CRUISES as well as to arrange for their own travel & airfare.
There is NO Service Fee for a SIMPLE sign-up to one of my escorted groups OR any cruise/vacation package that you know the date and ship, etc.
The DIY FREE sign-up program includes up to 45 minutes of consultation during the life of the booking and ONE FREE air quote from the cruise line: additional air quotes will require a 65€/$75 per cabin fee / payable before additional quotes can be made.
NOTE: While the DIY program is FREE, there are some services below which will require a fee should a guest find themselves needing to cancel or swap a cruise.
Option 2: My Royal Treatment program is for those guests who need extra guidance and special assistance.
The ROYAL TREATMENT plan is for those who want extra insight beyond choosing the right cruise or package vacation.
It is for those with special needs and extra requests. It is for those who want assistance planning a more involved pre- or post-land package and who want to compare private touring to a travel providers' program. It is for those who want me to research and arrange private transfers, and guests who want more detailed suggestions about what to do during their vacation in regards to extra tours, restaurants, etc.
ROYAL TREATMENT guests have full access to ask questions and follow-up all the way through to their departure (within reason) and receive extra services + face to face planning calls leading up to your trip.
The charge for Dave’s Royal Treatment is $250/225€ per cabin and covers all segments of your trip.
FEES FOR ALL
There are two major fees which RiverCruiseKing.com / DNA Tours charges to ALL guests regardless of which service program they choose.
Cancellations require a processing charge of 75€/$90 per cabin that must be paid at the time of the request. This fee is independent of whether or not Dave can save you from a travel providers' cancellation penalties and is to cover the losses associated with time already spent on each booking, as well as initiating and processing the cancellation itself.
This fee covers the time needed to process the cancellation as well as compensation for loss of commission.
Note: The only time this fee can be waived is if the cruise line cancels the cruise.
A Cruise Swap requires a processing charge of 50€/$65 per cabin and must be paid before the swap process can begin. This administration fee is independent of any charges made by the cruise line or any other vendor. This fee covers the time needed to process, re-book, and re-register the guest with all of the relevant vendors affected by a swap.
THE ROYAL COURT LOYALTY PROGRAM
DNA Tours/RiverCruiseKing.com has always valued returning guests and we appreciate your loyalty over the years. In addition to the great new perks my guests now receive thru the Signature Travel Network/Oasis I am happy to also offer a few extras for my royal court of travelers.
THE RCK ROYAL HOUSE
2nd Cruise: Get an extra $100pp* onboard credit or equivalent / *Sometimes built into the group discount. FREE Unlimited Membership Access to the Closed Door Blogs & Articles, which is a new "Members Only" section at RiverCruiseKing.com.
RCK COURTIERS
4th Cruise: Receive Royal House benefits + Unlimited FREE air checks & a special Royal Surprise during their cruise vacation.
THE RCK ROYAL HOUSE
5 Cruises +: Receive Royal House & Courtiers benefits + Complimentary Royal Treatment Package: valued at $250.
NEVER MISS OUT ON GOOD ADVICE
With all the things to consider when planning a river cruise, or any vacation for that matter, there are some key elements that go into turning a simple vacation into a truly memorable experience with lasting impressions. I find that, like all things, a good foundation is key for success.
My FREE download zeroes in on the five key things that I think are essential to a successful vacation which I've observed over my 46 river and 75 sea cruises. Not only will these tips help you while contemplating a river cruise with me, but also any other vacation that you might consider.
These tips aren't the only free content I like to share with my "Royal Court" of happy travellers. My FREE Perfect Cruise Planning Check List, my fun, free quizzes that help you zero in on the best rivers and the best cabins suited to your personal tastes are fun yet insightful tools to help you create that "trip of a lifetime" you always read of or hear others talking about.
Lastly, I also like to keep my Royal Court informed on a variety of travel topics, tips, and wisdom gained from 36+ years in the travel and tourism business and 22+ years of living abroad.
My short weekly missives always include 4 or 5 stories of interest, including updates on my group sailings and breaking travel opportunities from AmaWaterways.
My "you heard it here" first weekly mails about river cruising and cool things about living in Europe touch on topics I think might be of interest for those planning a visit over here (whether on a river cruise or land vacation).
There is no obligation and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.