When most people think about a travel advisor, they probably think about someone sitting behind a computer booking cruises, resorts, flights, and hotels.
That's part of what I do.
But that's not all I bring to the table.
I'm a protector.
And if you've ever traveled with me, you probably already know what I mean.
I recently looked at who follows and engages with my travel content, and a large portion of my audience is women between the ages of 35 and 54.
That got me thinking about something.
The travel industry has plenty of amazing female travel advisors. But as a male travel advisor with a military background, logistical experience, and experience actually traveling with my groups, I bring something a little different to the table.
I naturally look out for the people around me.
When I Say Protector, I Mean It
There's a reason I have a picture of myself on vacation wearing a shirt that simply says:
PROTECTOR.
That's not just something printed on a T-shirt.
It's part of my personality.
I've spent years thinking about where people are, where they're going, what could go wrong, and whether everyone is accounted for.
That mentality follows me when I travel.
If we leave with five ladies, I'm paying attention to whether we still have five ladies.
It sounds simple.
Until you're traveling somewhere unfamiliar and realize how valuable it can be to have somebody paying attention.
I've Actually Been There
I've experienced situations while traveling that reinforced this for me.
I was in Jamaica with a group when one of the ladies had too much to drink.
She ended up on the floor.
Guess who was there helping her get back up?
Me.
There was no judgment. There wasn't a lecture.
Someone needed help, so I helped.
On another trip aboard MSC, I came across a woman who had also had too much to drink and ended up on the floor.
I didn't even know her.
But I wasn't going to simply walk past her.
I helped her up, got her into a chair, contacted security and essentially said:
"I don't know this lady, but I'm making sure she's okay."
At that point, security could take over and make sure she received the appropriate assistance.
That's what I mean when I talk about being a protector.
Does That Mean Nothing Can Happen?
Absolutely not.
I can't guarantee anyone's safety.
Neither can another travel advisor, a cruise line, a resort, or anybody else.
Everyone still needs to remain aware of their surroundings, make responsible decisions, stay connected with their group, and follow the safety guidance of the cruise line or destination.
But there's a difference between traveling without support and traveling with someone you trust who is naturally paying attention.
Sometimes having that extra set of eyes matters.
There's Value in Having Someone You Trust
Think about a girls' trip.
You're supposed to be having fun.
Maybe somebody has a few drinks.
Maybe everybody separates for different activities.
Maybe half the group wants to go shopping while somebody else wants to stay at the beach.
That's normal.
But when we're moving as a group, I'm thinking differently.
Who came with us?
Where are we meeting?
What time do we need to be back?
Is everybody accounted for?
That's the military and logistics side of me.
I'm not trying to control your vacation.
I'm trying to help you enjoy it without somebody having to spend the entire trip being the group's unofficial coordinator.
My Military and Logistics Background Comes With Me
Long before becoming a travel advisor, I had experience dealing with logistics—moving people, moving equipment, planning, timing, accountability, and making sure things got where they needed to go.
Now I'm in travel, and you'd be surprised how much of that experience carries over.
A group vacation has moving parts.
Flights.
Transportation.
Cabins.
Excursions.
Reservations.
Documents.
Meeting locations.
Port times.
And, most importantly, people.
I'm constantly looking at the bigger picture.
I'm Your Travel Advisor Before the Trip, Too
The protector mentality doesn't begin when we board the ship.
It starts during planning.
I'm looking at your itinerary.
I'm helping with your documentation.
I'm answering your questions.
I'm sending information.
I'm helping you understand the ship or resort.
I'm thinking about transportation and timing.
I'm trying to catch potential problems before they become vacation problems.
That's another form of looking out for my clients.
Trust and Communication Are Everything to Me
I've built my business around two things:
Trust and communication.
If I tell you I'm going to look into something, I'm going to look into it.
If something changes, I want you to know.
If I see something you need to be aware of, I'm going to tell you.
And if we're traveling together and somebody needs help, I'm not the type of person who's going to turn around and pretend I didn't see it.
That's who I am whether I'm working or on vacation.
Ladies, Your Girls’ Trip Should Still Be YOUR Girls’ Trip
Now, don't misunderstand me.
I'm not coming on your girls' trip to follow everybody around. 😂
You don't need Eric standing behind you while you're trying to have fun.
Go enjoy yourselves!
Have your drinks.
Go dancing.
Take your excursions.
Go to the spa.
Enjoy your vacation.
My presence isn't supposed to take away your independence.
It's simply another layer of support.
You do your thing. I'm here if you need me.
And Yes, I Actually Travel With My Groups
This is another difference people sometimes don't realize.
Depending on the trip, I may actually travel with the group I'm helping organize.
That means I'm not necessarily handing you documents and saying:
"Have fun. See you when you get back."
Sometimes I'm on that ship too.
I'm experiencing the destination.
I'm helping coordinate the group.
And I'm available when something comes up.
For a girls' trip, family reunion, birthday cruise, celebration, or other group vacation, having your travel advisor actually traveling with you can add another level of comfort.
I'm More Than the Person Who Booked Your Cabin
You can book a cruise online.
I've said that before.
But a website doesn't know you.
A website isn't going to notice that somebody from the group is missing.
A website isn't helping someone off the floor.
A website isn't answering your questions months before departure.
A website isn't saying:
"We left with five. Let's make sure we're coming back with five."
That's the human side of having a travel advisor.
And that's the part of this business I take seriously.
Final Thoughts
If you're planning a girls' trip, I'm not promising that nothing will ever happen.
What I can promise is that I care.
I pay attention.
I communicate.
I plan.
And when somebody needs help, my natural instinct is to step up.
I'm a travel advisor.
I'm a planner.
I'm a logistician.
And yes...
I'm a protector.
So ladies, plan the girls' trip.
Take the cruise.
Visit the destination you've been talking about for years.
Enjoy yourselves.
And if you want someone you trust helping you put it all together—and potentially traveling right alongside you—
That's what I'm here for.
Turning travel wishes into reality—with trust, communication, and somebody in your corner.
— Eric Miles
Poet's Year-Round Travel
