Frequently asked questions

No. Gather Together Vacations does not charge planning fees. We are paid commission by the resorts, cruise lines, and tour companies we book with, so in most cases you pay the same price as booking direct and get personal, expert help along the way.

You get a real person who knows the destinations, compares options for your family, catches details you might miss, and is there to help if plans change. Often that comes with added perks or promotions, and you won’t pay extra for planning.

It starts with a quick trip request form. Jayne reaches out to learn about your family and your wish list, then puts together personalized recommendations and a quote. Once you’re happy, we book everything, track payments and deadlines, and send you a final itinerary before you go.

Gather Together Vacations is a family travel agency owned by Jayne, specializing in family and multigenerational trips, Orlando vacations, cruises, and Europe. Gather Together Vacations is an independently owned business and an Independent Affiliate of Atlas Coast Travel Group (Atlas Coast Ventures LLC dba Atlas Coast Travel Group, Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST46588; California CST #2172267-70).

Not at all. We plan trips for families across the United States and Canada by phone, email, and video call.

For holidays, summer, and school breaks, 9–12 months out gives you the best selection. Cruises and Europe often book even earlier for the best cabins and hotels. Shorter-notice trips are absolutely possible too, so just ask.

We recommend arriving at least one day before a cruise departs, and two days early for overseas cruises and tours. That cushion protects you from flight delays and gives everyone time to recover from jet lag. Many cruise lines also let you fly in or home a couple of days early or late when you book air and cruise together, so those extra days become extra time to explore.

If you fly more than two or three times a year, TSA PreCheck is well worth it: it lasts five years and kids 17 and under on your reservation can usually join you. If you travel internationally, Global Entry includes PreCheck. CLEAR costs more each year, so it’s best for very frequent flyers. Active duty military get PreCheck free with their DoD ID, and some veterans, Gold Star families, and military spouses qualify for free or discounted enrollment.

Most trips require a deposit to book, with the balance due closer to departure. Payments are made electronically and go directly to the travel supplier (the resort, cruise line, or tour operator), not to us. Exact amounts and dates depend on the supplier. We track every deadline for you, and for group trips each household can usually pay separately.

We strongly recommend it, especially for family trips, cruises, and international travel where plans can change. Jayne learned this firsthand when her family lost $2,000 on a canceled Europe trip. We’ll explain your options in plain English so you can decide what’s right for your family.

Trips range widely by destination, season, and travel style. Share your budget range in the trip request and we’ll recommend options that make the most of it, and we’ll be honest about what’s realistic.

Yes, and they’re our specialty. We coordinate rooms or cabins near each other, flights from different cities, separate payments per household, and a shared itinerary so everyone knows the plan.

Absolutely. We plan accessible rooms, mobility scooter or wheelchair rentals, easier transportation, and a pace that keeps every generation comfortable and included.

Yes. We think about nap times, stroller-friendly destinations, cribs, travel days, and resorts with great pools and kids’ amenities, so traveling with little ones feels doable.

Yes. Central Florida is home turf. We help with resorts, tickets, dining, ride strategy, and choosing between (or combining) Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

We book most major ocean and river cruise lines, including family-favorite lines and more relaxed options for adults. We’ll help you compare ships, cabins, itineraries, and excursions.

Yes. We plan family-paced trips to Italy, the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Greece, and beyond, with realistic routing, family-friendly hotels, and guides who make history fun.

Yes. Beyond our specialties, we plan all-inclusive beach resorts, national parks, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and more. If your family dreams it, ask us.