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Cliff Bainum / Holland America World Cruises
Cliff Bainum

Cliff Bainum

Seattle, WA Cruise Specialist
Years of Experience: 25+
28 Reviews | 100% Recommended

Holland America World Cruises

Some of our group at Macchu Picchu
Some of our group at Macchu Picchu

There are few trips in the world as magical as Holland America Line's Grand World Voyage. I've been helping folks plan this exact trip for years, and I can tell you, it's a special kind of adventure.

The ship is classic, the itineraries are fantastic, but we’ve always believed a trip this big should come with an extra layer of care and camaraderie. That's where we come in.

We don't just want to book your cruise; we want to make it the friendliest and most seamless journey you've ever had.It all starts the day before you even get on the ship. Forget that morning rush to the port! We welcome all our world cruise clients with a hotel stay the night before, on us. That evening, we host our private Bon Voyage Gala. It’s a wonderful, relaxed party where you'll meet the other Cruise Specialists guests you’ll be sailing with. By the time you board the next day, you’ll already recognize friendly faces and feel like part of a group.

That feeling continues onboard, thanks to my favorite part of our program: our dedicated Voyage Hosts. They're a delightful, experienced couple who sail with you for the entire journey. Think of them as your onboard concierge and social directors, rolled into one. They aren't part of the ship's crew—they work exclusively for our group. Need to sort something out? Looking for a familiar face at dinner? They are your go-to people, your advocates, and truly become your friends from start to finish.

Then there are the adventures ashore. We love creating "wow" moments, so we design our own private shore excursions in some of the most exciting ports. Imagine skipping the large bus tours and instead joining a smaller, more intimate tour crafted just for our group. It’s a much more personal way to see the world, sharing these unique discoveries with the friends you've made along the way.

A world cruise is a huge decision. When you're ready to explore, I’d love to chat and tell you more about the little touches that make our voyages so special.

My Areas of Expertise

Destinations

  • World Cruise

Interests

  • World Cruises

Supplier

  • Holland America Line

My Reviews

Rating: 5 28 Reviews | 100% Recommended
  • Very helpful cruise consultant

    Reviewed By Todd - Atlanta, GA | Traveled to Mediterranean
    Cliff was on top of things from dealing with cruise line to reminding us is of trip requirements and deadlines. While we made many arrangements, tours, etc online, Cliff was a good sounding board.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    398 of 529 people found this review helpful
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  • Review of cruise

    Reviewed By Patrice - Fall City | Traveled to Canada
    Cliff answered all of our questions quickly and presented us with many options. He was helpful getting us through the process of shore excursions and cabin perks. Working with Cliff was easy.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    407 of 570 people found this review helpful
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  • Best Agent Ever!

    Reviewed By Kathy - Palm City | Traveled to Japan
    Cliff is very thorough and efficient. He finds the best deals out there! He follows up and answers emails and calls ASAP. WE will definitely use him in the future.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    363 of 519 people found this review helpful
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  • Crystal Symphony Alaska

    Reviewed By Julie - Miami Beach | Traveled to Alaska
    Cliff was very helpful and patient with all my questions and was able to get us a good deal.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    354 of 511 people found this review helpful
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  • Angel

    Reviewed By Oswald - Saint Cloud | Traveled to Trans-Atlantic
    Cliff and Annie were top notch. Everything from start to finish perfect! I would highly recommend "Cruise Specialist". They and the people representing this company are a "class act".!!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    343 of 549 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff

    Reviewed By Murray - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Caribbean
    Cliff and cruise specialists was great throughout booking the cruise.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    497 of 865 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff is great

    Reviewed By Nolan - Pompano Beach | Traveled to Scandinavia
    Cliff is great to work with. He's thorough and responsive.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    221 of 365 people found this review helpful
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  • He is professional

    Reviewed By Damilia - Austin | Traveled to Hawaii
    He always is ready to listen and to do what it will take to make your travel experience the best that it can be. We normally work with a low travel budget, but that has never stop him from doing his very best.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    199 of 324 people found this review helpful
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  • Working wifh Cliff

    Reviewed By Katharine - Birmingham, AL | Traveled to Europe
    Cliff was very professional and helpful.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    260 of 476 people found this review helpful
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  • Agent Review

    Reviewed By Alger - Los Angeles, CA | Traveled to South Pacific
    I have never met Cliff in person. We live in different parts of USA. He was recommended by a friend. We emailed or talked by phone. Cliff was very pleasant and professional. We have booked with him since.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    149 of 285 people found this review helpful
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  • Regent cruise

    Reviewed By Rhonda - Las Vegas | Traveled to Alaska
    Excellent in all regards.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    147 of 282 people found this review helpful
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  • Norwaycruise

    Reviewed By Cindy - Chattanooga, TN | Traveled to Europe
    Cliff picked up this reservation from a prior agent who left the company. It was thence handled without problems and he was solicitous of our satisfaction. We had no issues with the assistance he provided.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    138 of 265 people found this review helpful
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  • Cruise Specialists and Cliff

    Reviewed By Nanette - Scottsdale | Traveled to South America
    Very fast response to questions. Willing to investigate pricing on cruises and insurance. Appreciate the service.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    164 of 322 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff guided us in the right direction

    Reviewed By Oldcee - Ridgefield, Wa | Traveled to Juneau | Alaska | USA
    Cliff helped us find the right cruise line for our preferences. We are into no dress codes and eating when the mood strikes us and Cliff suggested Norwegian. He helped with planning and answered all our questions cheerfully. We will go to him again for our next trip.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    27 of 49 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff found us a good deal on the trip we wanted.

    Reviewed By Sandy - Newport, OR | Traveled to Hawaii | USA
    Always like working with Cliff. He helped us on our last HAL World Voyage too.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    57 of 109 people found this review helpful
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  • Best there is

    Reviewed By Douglas - Breckenridge | Traveled to Panama Canal
    Always great travel agent
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    139 of 274 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff Bainum - Excellent Advisor

    Reviewed By Monika - Nokomis | Traveled to Danube
    Cliff responded to my emails and my calls quickly, answering my questions and connecting me to others when he did not have the answer. All my arrangements were made flawlessly. In that I live on a different coast, our times would not always match, but his responses were always within a couple of hours. He even got my Global Entry numbers tagged to Viking and all appropriate airlines without any problems. He was knowledgeable, making excellent suggestions,and easily available with a pleasant demeanor.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    151 of 301 people found this review helpful
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  • First cruise using a travel agent

    Reviewed By Mike and Cindy - San Antonio, Texas | Traveled to Caribbean Sea | At Sea | At Sea
    Using CC was very easy and convenient. I liked the whole process from booking to payment to cruise execution.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    46 of 93 people found this review helpful
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  • Alaska Cruise

    Reviewed By Jan - Auburn, WA | Traveled to Alaska | USA
    Cliff was very helpful and gave us good advice and answered our many questions! He’s very .knowledgeable. He was very pleasant to work with. He has a great sense of humor.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    12 of 27 people found this review helpful
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  • Antarctica cruise

    Reviewed By Melissa - Cocoa Beach, FL | Traveled to Antartica
    Excellent. He is very knowledgeable and helpful.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    154 of 311 people found this review helpful
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  • Great service

    Reviewed By kenwine51 - Ocala, FL | Traveled to Alaska | USA
    Cliff provided great service the entire way through the process. He has been so helpful in securing assistance for my wife's mobility issues that we are using Cliff again for future vacations.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    12 of 29 people found this review helpful
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  • Wonderful Holland/Belgium river cruise

    Reviewed By David A. - Easton, PA | Traveled to Holland | Netherlands | Europe
    Cliff helped us book our Holland/Belgium river cruise through Adventures by Disney. He was always quick to respond to questions we had. AND he made sure we didn't miss any payments! He's always willing to provide information and suggestions. Thanks for all your help Cliff!!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    15 of 37 people found this review helpful
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  • Professional, thorough and extremely nice

    Reviewed By Jean - Las Vegas | Traveled to Europe
    Cliff is the consummate travel agent. He asked the right questions and made sure we would be met and housed appropriately. We've used Cliff in the past, and he has always provided me with the best of care and does those thousand and one things I would never remember to do.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    138 of 283 people found this review helpful
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  • OUR FIRST ALASKA CRUISE!

    Reviewed By Pam and Michael G. - West Palm Beach, FL | Traveled to Alaska | USA
    Cliff was very professional and personable. He helped us from start to finish planning this amazing cruise. He was always there to answer any question that came up!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    18 of 45 people found this review helpful
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  • Cliff Bainum

    Reviewed By Dirk - Layfayette | Traveled to Australia
    Cliff has always been very thorough with my cruising reservations and provides excellent suggestions on the best cruise line to recommend for the specific destination I want to see. When the reservations need to be revised for whatever reasons, he handles it with great care and expediency. Cruise Specialists provides some excellent credits to save money on the cruise and offers additional "gifts" to enhance the cruise experience. I would recommend Cliff to anyone who is planning a cruise and wants to work with a very experienced cruise specialist.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    137 of 283 people found this review helpful
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  • Travel Consultant

    Reviewed By Ursula - Stillwater | Traveled to Caribbean
    Cliff does a great job of handling all our cruising needs.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    131 of 272 people found this review helpful
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  • Fabulous!!!

    Reviewed By Lyse - Liberty | Traveled to Canada
    Cliff was responsive and knowledgeable about all of his cruises. Great to work with!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    140 of 300 people found this review helpful
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  • Seabourn Cruise

    Reviewed By Jody - Santa Ana | Traveled to Mediterranean
    Cliff is excellent to work with. Takes care of our every concern.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    173 of 614 people found this review helpful
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My Travel Experience

Places I’ve personally traveled to or destinations I’ve booked for my clients.

TRUSTED BY:
Conde Nast Traveler
Travel + Leisure
Wall Street Journal
CLIA - Official Travel Agency for the Cruise Industry
Forbes