SUSAN SCHAEFER, ECC CTA
Owner, Escape Artist Extraordinaire

Susan has always been passionate about travel and the amazing life-changing potential that it has to offer.  After a career in customer service that spanned over 20 years, she had the opportunity to combine her customer service skills with her passion for travel.  In 2005 Ships ‘N’ Trips Travel was born, and is currently affiliated with the Leisure Travel Alliance consortium.

Over the years, Susan has earned several industry certifications, including the Cruise Line International Association’s (CLIA, www.cruising.org) Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC) designation and The Travel Institute’s Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designation.  These programs require completion of comprehensive programs of sales, training, and product instruction.  CLIA certified cruise counselors are widely recognized as the foremost cruise vacation experts among American travel professionals.

Susan is also recognized within the industry and has been featured in Agent@Home and VacationAgent magazines, as well as Travel Weekly.  She is also a regular contributor to Travel Research Online.

RECOGNITION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• CTA, Certified Travel Associate (The Travel Institute)
• ECC, Elite Cruise Counselor (Cruise Line International Association)
• Certified Accessible Travel Advocate                                 (Special Needs Group)
• AMResorts Master Agent (AMResorts)
• Disney Specialist (College of Disney Knowledge)
• Princess Cruise Line Commodore
• Regent Seven Seas Specialist
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Master of Adventure
• Destination Certifications:
  • Certified Kiwi (New Zealand) Silver Specialist      (New Zealand Tourism)
  • Alaska Certified Expert                                                    (Travel Alaska)
  • Caribbean Destination Specialist                                    (The Travel Institute)
  • Hawaii Destination Expert                                            (Hawaii Tourism Authority)