Cruise Specialists is known worldwide for its hosted World and Grand Voyages.
The secret to our success: fabulous hosts.
Since these seasoned travelers sail a good part of the year, they have an ever-expanding portfolio of experience and knowledge about the itineraries – which they delight in sharing with our clients.
Plus, with any hosted group voyage, you’ll enjoy the unique Cruise Specialists touches you’ve come to appreciate, such as assistance with pre-arranged dining reservations and stateroom special requests.
Buddy and Lynn Lewis
Host of Crystal Cruises’ 2015 and 2016 World Cruises
If you lost a dental crown on a Holland America Line ship between 1993 and 2007, there’s a
good chance Dr. Buddy re-cemented it. During those years, Buddy and Lynn cruised several
times a year while Buddy served as the ship’s dentist.
While working on the 2001 World Cruise, Buddy and Lynn observed that many of the nicest, well-traveled guests were our clients. That did it! The couple chose Cruise Specialists as their travel agency and, in 2008, hosted their first voyage with us. Since 2011, Lynn and Buddy have hosted four Crystal World Cruises – and look forward to their fifth and sixth in 2015 and 2016.
As they note, “A world cruise is the trip of a lifetime. And, if you do it once, you’ll want to do it again…and again.”
Tom Mullen
Host of Holland America Line’s 2015 and 2016 World Cruises and 2015 Tales of the South Pacific
Tom, a native of Birmingham, England, fits the true picture of an English gentleman. As a
young man, he trained to become a hairstylist. Because of his love for travel, Tom jumped at
the chance to work in a cruise ship salon and eventually became a spa manager.
After crossing paths with Cruise Specialists Founder Janet Lanterman, Tom was recruited as a voyage host. Thanks to his natural people skills, Tom attracts repeat world cruisers eager to sail with him again.
The inveterate host never tires of hosting world cruises. “Every year, it’s a brand new opportunity and the enthusiasm is always there. I love making our first-time guests feel welcome.”
Henk and Lucia Barnhoorn
Host of Holland America Line’s 2015 World Cruise and 2015 Voyage of the Vikings
Originally from The Netherlands, Henk and Lucia share a passion for cruising and meeting new people from around the globe.
Henk enjoyed a successful career in the hotel industry and managed several exclusive country clubs. A former Realtor in and around Palm Desert, California, Lucia says her most important job was as a mother to the couple’s two children. Today, Henk and Lucia (now the grandparents of six) enjoy their encore careers as voyage hosts, taking the time to get to know each guest while fostering a sense of community and a friendly family atmosphere.
Their advice to those who’ve yet to indulge in a world cruise: “Don’t wait. Do what you need to do to make it happen.”
Kevin LaGraff and Susan Atkins
Host of Silversea’s 2015 and 2016 World Cruises
Kevin and Susan met in Tokyo in 1969 and have been on the go ever since. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Kevin lived in Japan for two years and served in Vietnam. Susan was an international flight attendant with Braniff Airlines and a Certified Travel Counselor.
Jointly they owned and operated a wholesale travel business and retail travel agency for 10 years. The couple has sailed on 100+ voyages, circling the globe 13 times on world cruises. Having hosted for the past 16 years, Kevin and Susan are familiar with most of the ports throughout the world and love offering suggestions on what to do ashore.
Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Host of Holland America Line’s 2015 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage and 2015 Grand Mediterranean Voyage
Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer are ballroom dancing hobbyists who parlayed their interest in dance and travel into an exciting role as voyage hosts for Cruise Specialists.
Dancing together since the late 90s, they started teaching dance aboard cruise ships. Their first turn as voyage hosts for Cruise Specialists was on a dance-themed sailing in 2012. Since then, Steve and Wendy have hosted a number of Grand Voyages on Holland America Line.
As Steve notes, “World cruising can be a very leisurely, relaxed environment. If you have the time, and you enjoy the ocean, go!”
Deirdre Irlam
Host of Cunard Line’s 2015 World Cruise on Queen Elizabeth and 2015 Boomerang Voyage
Born in England, Deirdre lived in Cyprus, Malta, the Fiji Islands, Spain and Australia before settling in America 25 years ago.
Deirdre enjoys sharing her many travel experiences with others, including her favorite Captain on board a Cunard liner or Seabourn yacht, the best concierge in London, a spectacular cave cottage on Santorini or the most knowledgeable guide around Turkey’s Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys.
Two years ago, Deirdre met Australian Kim Brumpton on Queen Mary 2. Now her partner, he accompanies and assists her on world cruises and most other cruise assignments.
John and Jean Peterson
Host of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises® 2015 Indelible South America Voyage
The sea has been an inherent part of John’s life from growing up on the coast of Maine to a
career in the navy. Originally from Minnesota, Jean became a flight attendant to fulfill her travel dreams. Together they planned many excursions throughout Asia, the South Pacific, and Europe.
While in the navy, both official and social entertaining were important elements of their life. They also spent ten years in the hospitality industry becoming well aware of the effort and teamwork required to give guests very special and memorable experiences. John and Jean’s enthusiasm for exploration and meeting new people remains strong.
