Cruise Crisis to Asian Adventure in Under 24 Hours

Clients: Ron and Philly M., Solana Beach, USA

Destination: Southeast Asia and India 

Ron and Philly had initially booked a Silversea cruise from Singapore to Mumbai, alongside a post-cruise journey through India arranged with The Spence Connection’s India expert, Amit from Encounter Asia. However, while I was traveling in Australia, they called in a panic—the cruise had been canceled at the last minute, and they were desperate to find a way to salvage their trip before they scrubbed their flights to Singapore. I asked for 24 hours to come up with a plan. 

Straight away, I contacted Eric from ATJ Travel, a Southeast Asia expert, explaining the situation and the urgent timeline. Eric assured me he’d work on it. I also contacted Amit in India, requesting he hold off canceling any arrangements, as we were aiming to get the guests to Mumbai on the original dates.

Challenges

While Ron and Philly patiently waited for us to check accommodation and guide availability, I emphasized that we’d only proceed if we could ensure the trip’s quality. A bandaid on a disrupted itinerary is never enough–I was determined to ensure the new trip easily rivaled their original one. I put all my trust in my experts, Eric and Amit. As co-owners of their respective businesses, they’re committed to delivering top-notch experiences or being honest about what they can't pull off.  

Wow – Takeaway

Eric came through with an incredible itinerary covering Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. We only had to adjust the India segment by 24 hours, which Amit seamlessly accommodated. Despite being from separate companies, both experts worked hand in hand to ensure a smooth transition. This was a perfect example of The Spence Connection’s ability to resolve unexpected challenges and provide extraordinary, cohesive travel experiences. Ron and Philly enjoyed a remarkable month-long journey through five countries and have since booked their first trip to Africa for Fall 2025, once again trusting The Spence Connection’s expertise.