Barrhaven Travel & Cruise Centre is your one-stop shop for a perfect vacation experience
The travel menu at Barrhaven Travel & Cruise Center is as varied as the travelers who select from it. From Ocean and River Cruises to land tours throughout the world. All inclusive land packages to the south plus a destination wedding specialist on staff.
The secret to our success is the team we have in place. Their knowledge and experience mean handling all your travel details with ease and on time.
Our store is located at 80 Marketplace Avenue in Barrhaven.
Visit our website at Barrhaven Travel & Cruise Centre
Call us today at 613-823-4700
Below is a brief description of four of our main travel categories. Each member of our staff would be happy to answer your questions and arrange your travel requirements
River Cruises
Why choose a river cruise?
For an unforgettable immediate, immersive and intimate travel experience river cruising is hard to beat. River cruises don’t just take you into a country, they let you get under its skin and feel its pulse and see its scenery and sights close up. As you sail at a pleasingly easy pace you’re cocooned in comfort, with attentive staff at your service and the convivial company of like-minded fellow passengers.
This, too, is what a river cruise delivers: not just a convenient, hassle-free package that includes transportation to and through the country, or countries, on your chosen route; but also, travelling with you every day, a ‘floating hotel’ with lounge, bar and restaurant, outdoor space and leisure facilities, and all of it only a short walk from your en-suite bedroom door.
Think of it as a luxury hotel on the river.
All travel and excursion arrangements are made for you and you can soak up passing scenery from your room, balcony (if you have one), the extensive windows in your ship’s lounge or the sun deck for those 360-degree panoramas. You’ll only unpack once and dress codes are informal (though some like to go a little more glamorous at dinner). Life on board will also include some evening entertainment from the resident musician or, on occasion, local performers; and perhaps also itinerary-linked talks and lectures, such as wine or cheese and cooking demonstrations to enrich your river-cruise experience.
As with ocean cruising accommodation and meals are always included in the fare. Some river companies include drinks served with meals (some also include drinks ordered from the bar), shore excursions and gratuities in the up-front price you pay for your cruise. Others include some but not all of these; there may be optional excursions or special-menu meals served in an alternate dining venue, for which a charge is made.
Ocean Cruises
Several reasons why you should take an ocean Cruise
ENJOY VALUE FOR MONEY
Fares for all cruises include meals, accommodation, entertainment and kids’ clubs and there are always last-minute bargains. But shopping on price alone isn’t the way to get the best-value cruise. Talk to a CLIA agent, particularly during Plan A Cruise Month (October), and let them know what you’re looking for. Balcony cabin? Drinks included? Time of year? Destination? Big or small ship? A good agent will find a cruise that works for your tastes and budget – and that’s good value.
RELAX WITH NO WORRIES
There’s a reason why that phrase “you only unpack once” is such a cliche in the cruise industry – once you’ve boarded your ship, you can relax. You don’t have to worry about where you’re going, how to get there, beating traffic and checking in to a different hotel every night. Someone else is in charge of menu-planning, shopping, cooking, washing-up; and if you’ve had a few drinks with dinner you won’t be busted for being over 0.05.
EAT FABULOUS FOOD
You don’t have to sail on a luxury ship to enjoy fine dining. Mainstream cruise lines serve menus designed by celebrity chefs such as Luke Mangan (P&O), Curtis Stone (Princess) and Jamie Oliver (Royal Caribbean); yes, there is a charge but usually, it’s a fraction of what you’d pay in their land-based restaurants. The more upscale you go, the more extensive the choice – Jacques Pepin (Oceania), Nobu (Crystal) and Thomas Keller (Seabourn), to name just a few.
WHERE THE RESORT TRAVELS WITH YOU
Megaships that carry several thousand people are designed for fun-loving holidaymakers – everything from thrilling activities to shops, cinemas, theatres, gyms, kids’ clubs, restaurants, bars, and spas is part of the package. The biggest ships boast ice-skating rinks, rock-climbing walls, massive waterslides, surf and sky-diving simulators, parks, lawns and even go-kart racetracks. And the view changes every day.
FIND A SHIP TO SUIT YOU
Ocean-going cruise ships range from 50-passenger expedition ships to 6000-passenger megaships, with a whole range of sizes and styles in between, cruising all over the world. Sailing enthusiasts can cruise on traditional tall ships and luxury lovers can take to the sea on palatial boutique vessels. Then there are intimate-sized river ships and hotel barges, cruising the waterways of Europe, China, Egypt, India and south-east Asia.
ENJOY SHOW BUSINESS
Whether your taste runs to lavish Broadway productions or a string quartet playing in a quiet lounge you’ll find an incredible variety of entertainment at sea. Live music – rock, classical, country, jazz, blues – stand-up comedy, Cirque du Soleil-type dinner shows, big-name speakers and crew shows – there are shiploads of talent performing on ships of all sizes and styles. There are also entire cruises dedicated to music, dance, drama, movies, and comedy.
All Inclusive Vacations
AFFORDABILITY
Once you arrive at your resort, all of the food, drinks, and amenities you need are right there on location. Often even the trip from the airport to the resort is a part of your accommodation package. With all of your expenses paid up front, all-inclusive vacations are easy to budget for.
CONVENIENCE
Your beach towels and lounge chairs are provided by the resort. Most establishments offer drink service wherever you’re relaxing by the water. While you’re out, hotel staff will clean up your room and restock your supply of beer, water, coffee, and toiletries.
Whenever you’re hungry there will be food available. From breakfast and snack bars to lunch and late-night buffets and a variety of sit-down restaurants, food and drink are never far away.
Most resorts also offer a variety of free nightly shows and activities for travelers looking for lively entertainment.
For people who really want to unwind and have a relaxing vacation experience, with all amenities and activities contained in one central location, the right all-inclusive resort can be a haven of comfort and convenience.
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
A new and popular trend for weddings is having the ceremony at an all-inclusive resort down south.
KJ is our destination wedding specialists and has noted some important information and tips below:
How long have you been planning destination weddings?
I started 10 years ago, initially with Sandals Weddings and over time I have expanded to different destinations and resorts.
Why did you choose to become a Destination Wedding Specialist?
I find the whole process of destination wedding booking from the initial meeting to their welcome back greetings very meaningful and rewarding.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
It can be stressful and nervous for brides and grooms to handle a destination wedding on their own. They are not sure of what they want, or even where to start. With my expertise, I can help guide them to choose the right options and it is always very energizing.
Which destination is your favorite and why?
I don’t really have a favorite, as I think the choice of destination is a personal one for each couple. Every destination and every Gazebo offers a different feeling for a unique wedding experience.
Do you have a quick tip for us?
Often when a couple plans their destination wedding, they plan for the maximum number of guests while considering the strictest budget of those attending the wedding to the point that they make so many compromises, it is no longer the wedding of their dreams. Couples need to remember that it is their once-in-a-lifetime event and choose what makes them happy; the guests will respect their choices and send their blessings if they aren’t able to attend and celebrate once the newlyweds return home!
TESTIMONIALS
Thank you KJ
“Thank you KJ and Barrhaven Travel for helping us plan our wedding. Thanks to you and the folks at the Sandals Grand Antigua, our day was perfect.” Thanks again.
— Marc & Kyla
Book with KJ
We just returned from our destination wedding and it was fantastic! We booked it through Barrhaven Travel with a destination wedding specialist, KJ. She took care of all our needs and she was an absolute pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend KJ to book your travel needs.
— Tasmin & Reese
Barrhaven Travel & Cruise Centre is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bytown Travel with over 43 years of knowledge and experience. We are also a member of the Ensemble Travel consortium.
This group of more than 800 travel agencies in North America brings substantial discounts along with VIP benefits and amenities that other travel agencies simply can’t match or offer.
Call us today at 613-823-4700 or drop by our store located at 80 Marketplace Avenue in Barrhaven.
You can also visit our website at Barrhaven Travel & Cruise Centre
