Wayne Magazine May 2015 | Page 35

T R AV E L “You’re always better off with a local agent who you can talk with in person, rather than just a voice on the phone that you’ve never met.” LEO LOURIDAS, Co-owner, Cruise Concepts, Pompton Plains CRUISE CONCEPTS, LLC 581 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, 973-616-9662, www.cruiseconceptstravel.com Cruise Concepts in Pompton Plains is a family-owned, full-service travel agency that has been providing personal service to clients for more than 20 years. Leo Louridas, who co-owns the agency with wife, Eileen, and son, Adam, notes that since they are not a huge internet corporation, they can be reached by customers 24 hours a day. “The myth that the travel agent is no longer viable is wrong,” says Louridas. “You’re always better off with a local agent who you can talk with in person, rather than just a voice on the phone that you’ve never met,” he explains. According to Louridas, when booking travel opportunities, “We charge no more than what the service provider charges.” Cruise Concepts offers group rates on trips, allowing single travelers or small groups to join together for the financial benefits of group travel, yet still remain inde- CRUISING AND MORE Cruise Concepts’ Eileen Louridas, Danielle Cameron, Leo Louridas and Adam Louridas will help you plan an exotic adventure. pendent of the other participants. They organize groups sailing to Bermuda every week in the summer on three different ships. “We’ve booked trips for local church groups, and groups of families and friends,” states Louridas. Whether you’re seeking a desolate beach or an adventure, Cruise Concepts will help you decide how to get there. “We have visited most loca- tions. We can offer ideas,” says Louridas. “If we’re not experts on some portion of a trip, we deal with expert wholesalers who are locationfitted. We’ve booked amazing African safaris and upscale adventures with Adventures by Disney. Palm Beach in Aruba is the place to go now,” he says. In addition, the agency’s wedding planner works with resorts all over the world for destination nuptials. ■ MAY 2015 WAYNE MAGAZINE 33