About
Connie Risse
Owner & Chief Fun Officer, Ships and Trips Travel
As a 25+ year veteran of the travel industry and owner of Ships and Trips Travel, I like to refer to myself as the “Chief Fun Officer.” I have always been an explorer at heart with the good fortune of opportunities to travel the world, and I love to help my clients do the same.
Who Are We?
We are River Cruise Deluxe, the river cruise specialty of Ships and Trips Travel — a team of Travel Advisors who love to see and experience the world's great rivers, and love to help our clients do the same. We combine a passion for river cruising with a dedication to superior customer service to deliver premium travel experiences. We love what we do!
What Do We Do?
We offer personalized river cruise planning combined with old-fashioned customer service. From the first phone call or email you have with us to the warm welcome you receive once you're home from your trip, we work hard to provide our clients a premier travel experience and great value.
What Value Do We Offer?
Your vacation time is precious, and we work to make sure you have the best river cruise experience possible. We do this by connecting you with the right advisor for your travel needs — someone on our team who specializes in the river, region, or cruise line you're considering. Your advisor will take the time to learn about your travel dreams, answer your questions, and work with you to create your extraordinary vacation. And because your advisor has a passion for river cruising, you'll be working with someone who has not only been there but also knows the secrets, the hidden gems, and the best values.
What About Cost?
River cruise lines value the customer service and expertise we provide and pay us a commission to sell their itineraries. The price you pay is the same whether you book with one of our advisors, directly with the cruise line, or through an internet-only booking engine — the difference is the level of service we add. If you want service, you work with a professional human being. If you don't, you work with a computerized reservation system. We're confident you'll be pleasantly surprised to find real, old-fashioned customer service without paying more.
What Can We Add to Your River Cruise?
Rather than trying to know a little bit about the whole world, our advisors immerse themselves in the rivers and cruise lines they sell — sailing the itineraries themselves and working directly with the lines to stay current.
In addition, River Cruise Deluxe is proud to be part of Ships and Trips Travel's membership in Signature Travel Network — an international network of expert travel retailers. This membership lets us offer Signature Exclusives: special pricing, VIP amenities, and onboard credit on river cruise itineraries around the world.
Why Choose Us?
At River Cruise Deluxe, we care about your travel experience. We're here for you before, during, and after your trip to make sure every detail is handled accurately and completely. Should a problem arise, we act quickly to correct it, acting as your advocate with the cruise line, airline, or ground transportation. Our success depends on providing you the best possible service — you have a great experience, you tell your friends, and our business thrives.
Can You Trust Us?
We value your business and do everything possible to earn your confidence and trust. Your personal information is always secure with us via encryption technology. We never share your information with a third party except our preferred cruise line partners, and only with your consent to make a booking. We send a newsletter with the latest river cruise specials, but we never litter your inbox, and we never share our list.