Questions, Answered Plainly

The Gratitude Giving Program is Steward Travel’s core differentiator. When you book a trip through Steward Travel, the supplier — a cruise line, resort, or tour operator — pays me a commission. That commission exists on every booking, whether you book through Steward Travel or directly. Instead of keeping all of it, I redirect a portion to the church, missionary, or nonprofit you designate. You pay the same price you’d pay anywhere else. Your trip just does more.

The Gratitude Gift is tiered by booking value:

• Under $2,000 → 5% of booking value
• $2,000–$4,999 → $100–$250
• $5,000–$9,999 → $250–$500
• $10,000–$19,999 → $500–$1,000
• $20,000+ → Custom arrangement

These amounts come from the commission the supplier pays me — not from your pocket.

Yes — any legitimate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, church, or missionary organization. It can be your home church, a missionary family your church supports, a Christian nonprofit you believe in, or a cause close to your heart. I just ask that you provide the organization’s name and contact information so I can coordinate the gift properly.

No. You pay the same price you’d pay booking directly with the cruise line, resort, or tour operator. In many cases you pay less, because I have the same access to group rates and promotions that any large agency has. Travel advisor commissions are built into the supplier’s pricing structure — they exist whether you use an advisor or not. The difference is who captures them.

Nothing. Consultations are free, quotes are free, and there’s no obligation to book. I’m compensated through supplier commissions when you travel — here’s exactly how that works. You get expert planning, supplier advocacy, and the Gratitude Giving Program — all at no additional cost to you.

Three differences. First, access — as a CLIA/IATA-accredited advisor working through Outside Agents, I can pull real supplier quotes and see inclusions most travelers can’t find on a booking site, and I’ll tell you plainly if something doesn’t look like a good fit. Second, advocacy — if something goes wrong with a booking, you have a direct line to your advisor and to the supplier, not just a call center. Third, purpose — a portion of the commission that always existed on your booking goes to a cause you care about instead of disappearing into a corporation’s bottom line. (Here’s the full explanation of how commissions work, if you want the mechanics.)

No. Those promotions belong to the cruise line, not to its website — I book the same offer at the same price. Occasionally I can add something on top that isn’t advertised publicly. It’s worth asking before you book.

Yes — especially for international travel. You want a policy that covers trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and emergency medical coverage. Your U.S. health insurance almost certainly won’t cover you abroad, and a single medical evacuation without insurance can cost $50,000–$100,000. I’ll walk you through your options and help you select a policy that fits your trip and your budget.

Yes, and I can help you think through how to use them strategically. Points are often best applied to international airfare, where the redemption value is highest. I can help you decide when to use points, when to pay cash, and how to stack promotions to maximize your total value — including the Gratitude Giving Program on the cash portion of your booking.

Safety is the first question everyone asks, and it’s the right one. Israel has one of the most sophisticated security infrastructures in the world, and the vast majority of Christian pilgrimage sites — Jerusalem, Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem — operate with regular tourist travel. That said, the situation can shift. I monitor U.S. State Department travel advisories closely and will always give you an honest assessment before you book. Your safety matters more than a commission.

I specialize in Holy Land tours and pilgrimages, ocean and river cruises, all-inclusive resort vacations, family travel, and faith-based group travel. If you can dream it, I can plan it — and the Gratitude Giving Program applies to every category.

Most Holy Land group tours run $3,500–$5,500 per person for a 10–12 day trip, typically including hotels, guided tours, ground transportation, and most meals — but not international airfare. For families or groups, I look for group departure rates, early-bird pricing, and travel-stacking strategies that can meaningfully reduce the cost, including using credit card points and travel rewards to cover flights.

Yes — and it’s one of the most spiritually formative things you can do for your congregation. Group tours typically require 10–15 travelers minimum and often include a complimentary or discounted spot for the group leader. I can help you select the right tour operator, build promotional materials for your church, manage group registration, and handle logistics so you’re focused on leading, not administrating.

Cruises are consistently one of the best values in travel for families. They bundle accommodation, meals, entertainment, and transportation into a single per-person rate — often cheaper than a hotel plus meals alone. Family-friendly sailings offer waterparks, kids’ clubs, and programming that keeps children happy while parents decompress. Several cruise lines also offer Holy Land itineraries and faith-based theme cruises for travelers who want a specifically Christian experience at sea.

For couples, Excellence Playa Mujeres and Sandals properties deliver high-end, adults-only experiences. For budget-conscious families, Barceló and Iberostar properties in Mexico offer strong value. I’ll help you match the resort to your family’s style and budget.

Fill out the contact form or reach out directly at info@stewardtravel.com. We’ll spend 20–30 minutes talking about where you want to go, what kind of experience you’re looking for, and what’s within reach for your budget. No pressure, no pitch — just an honest conversation. If I can help, I’ll tell you. If your needs are better served somewhere else, I’ll tell you that too.