Erin van Staveren, CTA - Travel Advisor

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Erin van Staveren, CTA - Travel Advisor I'm a travel advisor specializing in multigenerational family vacations, cruises, Disney, Universal and destinations worldwide.

I help families plan trips that balance shared memories with everyone's individual interests.

I thought I'd seen beautiful blue water before. Then I went to Turks & Caicos. 💙Seriously, I couldn't get over the color...
10/17/2026

I thought I'd seen beautiful blue water before. Then I went to Turks & Caicos. 💙

Seriously, I couldn't get over the color of that water!

I stayed in the Italian Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos with concierge-level service, and the experience was fantastic. The service was impeccable, and the FOOD! From food trucks and quick-service spots to sit-down restaurants, everything I tried was delicious.

One of the things I love about Beaches is how much is included. Even snorkeling and scuba diving for certified divers!

And speaking of snorkeling... I tried it for the very first time on this trip.

Here's something you should know about me: I'm afraid of sharks. 🦈😂

So getting into the ocean with a snorkel mask was a pretty big deal for me. I was nervous, but I'm SO glad I did it!

That's one of my favorite things about travel. Sometimes the experiences you almost talk yourself out of become the ones you remember most.

Have you ever tried something on vacation that pushed you outside your comfort zone?

I went to both Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year, and I had a few surprises! 🎃...
10/16/2026

I went to both Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year, and I had a few surprises! 🎃

First, I wasn't nearly as scared at Halloween Horror Nights as I expected! 😂 Taking the Behind the Screams tour with the lights on beforehand definitely helped. I learned how to anticipate some of the jump scares, but what really impressed me was the incredible detail inside those haunted houses. There's so much you would never notice in the dark!

I also saw quite a few young children at HHN, including toddlers and babies. Personally, I'd save this event for older kids and adults who enjoy horror.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was a completely different experience. It's truly geared toward families, with characters, trick-or-treating, and Halloween fun.

But here's what surprised me this year: THE RIDE LINES! 🎢

I've attended before, but this time my traveling companions wanted to focus on rides, and the waits were ridiculously short!

Two very different Halloween experiences, and I enjoyed both for different reasons.

Which one would you choose? 🎃👻

I've stayed at EIGHT different Universal Orlando hotels, and here's something I always tell my clients: where you stay c...
10/15/2026

I've stayed at EIGHT different Universal Orlando hotels, and here's something I always tell my clients: where you stay can make a big difference in your vacation! 🌴🎢

Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, Royal Pacific, Aventura, Terra Luna, Stella Nova, Helios Grand, and Portofino Bay. I've stayed at all of them!

And they're definitely not interchangeable.

Some are great for families who want fun pools and a more budget-friendly stay. Others offer a quieter atmosphere, easier access to certain parks, or perks that can make a big difference in how you spend your days.

For example, staying at Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay includes Universal Express Unlimited for participating attractions at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. That's a pretty significant benefit for a family!

But sometimes a room with an incredible view of Volcano Bay, like the one I had at Cabana Bay, is exactly what makes a stay memorable.

The hotel I recommend depends on who's traveling, which parks you're visiting, your budget, and what matters most to your family.

These are five rooms I've personally stayed in. Swipe through to see how different they are!

Have you stayed at a Universal Orlando hotel? Which one is your favorite?

Milestone birthdays, graduations, family reunions, or spending the holidays together. There are so many reasons to get e...
10/14/2026

Milestone birthdays, graduations, family reunions, or spending the holidays together. There are so many reasons to get everyone on a cruise ship! 🚢🎉

But planning a cruise for 20+ people? That's where things get interesting!

I recently worked with a group of more than 20 travelers, and finding the right staterooms for different family sizes, needs, and budgets was a big part of the planning.

Sometimes connecting or nearby rooms make sense. Other times, a larger family stateroom or suite is the better fit.

These are a few staterooms I've toured aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, including Symphony, Harmony, and Allure of the Seas.

Because traveling together doesn't mean everyone needs the same accommodations.

What would bring YOUR family or friends together for a group cruise?

Does it really matter WHERE your cruise stateroom is located? 🚢Absolutely!Two staterooms in the same category can offer ...
10/13/2026

Does it really matter WHERE your cruise stateroom is located? 🚢

Absolutely!

Two staterooms in the same category can offer very different experiences depending on their location.

Light sleeper? I'd look carefully at what's above and below your cabin.

Prone to motion sickness? A lower deck near the middle of the ship may be a better choice.

Traveling with kids or grandparents? Connecting rooms, elevator locations, and walking distances can make a difference.

That's why I don't just look at the price when helping clients choose a cruise stateroom.

The right cabin can make a big difference in how comfortable your vacation feels!

Sometimes the ship IS the destination! 🚢I recently had a client who wanted a different cruise experience, but their trav...
10/12/2026

Sometimes the ship IS the destination! 🚢

I recently had a client who wanted a different cruise experience, but their travel dates weren't flexible.

My recommendation? Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, coming to Galveston in August 2027!

It's the first Icon Class ship to sail from Galveston, and for families who have already visited some of the Caribbean ports, this is an opportunity to experience something completely different without necessarily changing where they're going.

Waterparks, pools, entertainment, dining, and so much to explore onboard.

That's why I don't just look at the itinerary when recommending a cruise. The ship matters just as much, especially when you're traveling as a family.

Sometimes the best way to experience a familiar destination is on a completely different ship.

📸 Pictured aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas.

Sometimes choosing the right cruise has very little to do with where the ship is going. 🚢I've recommended a Disney cruis...
10/12/2026

Sometimes choosing the right cruise has very little to do with where the ship is going. 🚢

I've recommended a Disney cruise based on a family's love of Marvel, suggested a completely different ship when a client's travel dates couldn't change, and worked through cabin arrangements for a group of more than 20 people with different family sizes and budgets.

Sometimes it's connecting rooms. Sometimes it's a family stateroom or a suite. And sometimes the ship itself becomes the vacation.

That's the part of being a travel advisor I really enjoy. Figuring out what makes a trip work for the people actually taking it.

And yes, sometimes that planning happens with an ocean view. ☕️🌊

The kids wanted to ride VelociCoaster. Mike and I went to meet a raptor. 😂🦖Same Universal Orlando vacation. Different id...
10/10/2026

The kids wanted to ride VelociCoaster. Mike and I went to meet a raptor. 😂🦖

Same Universal Orlando vacation. Different ideas of fun!

And that's one of my favorite things about family travel. We don't all have to do the same thing every minute to have a great vacation together.

I think that's especially important when planning multigenerational trips. Different ages, different interests, different energy levels.

The trick is finding that balance between time together and time to do your own thing.

It's something I think about when planning vacations for my clients, because a great family vacation should feel like a vacation for EVERYONE.

I've sailed on every Disney Cruise Line ship, and Disney Destiny has already welcomed me onboard twice! 🚢One of my favor...
10/09/2026

I've sailed on every Disney Cruise Line ship, and Disney Destiny has already welcomed me onboard twice! 🚢

One of my favorite things about the Destiny is its Marvel theme. From Spider-Man on the stern to Black Panther in the Grand Hall, there are some pretty incredible details throughout the ship.

Every Disney ship has its own personality, and choosing the right one for your family can make all the difference.

Next on my list? The Disney Believe, arriving in December 2027!

Are you a Marvel family, or would you choose a different Disney theme?

I take vacation planning seriously. Myself? Not always. 😂I've been planning vacations professionally since 2019, and one...
10/09/2026

I take vacation planning seriously. Myself? Not always. 😂

I've been planning vacations professionally since 2019, and one of the things I love most is helping families find time to slow down and enjoy being together.

Life is busy. Between work, school, activities and everyone's schedules, sometimes it's hard enough to get everyone in the same room!

That's one reason I especially love planning multigenerational family vacations.

Grandparents, parents, kids, teenagers. Different ages, different interests, and usually very different ideas of what makes a great vacation.

And here's something I believe: Everyone doesn't have to spend every minute together!

Some might want adventure, others might want a relaxing afternoon. Then everyone comes back together for dinner, shares their stories and makes another memory.

That's what I love about helping families plan vacations. Finding that balance between time together and giving everyone the freedom to enjoy what they love.

And yes, I fully support being a little ridiculous on vacation. Clearly. 😂

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Houston, TX

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+19857747119

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