Janice Ciotti, a certified cruise specialist for Cruises Inc., has an office in her Allen Park home.
Photo by John Simon
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ALLEN PARK — What can you give to a couple that has everything — or at least most everything that's typically on a bridal registry list?
How about a cruise?
Cruises Inc. has a program in which family members and friends can donate money in $25 increments that will be applied toward a cruise for the newlyweds.
"It caters to everyone — everyone getting married from their 20s to their 80s," said Janice Ciotti, a Cruises Inc. certified cruise specialist who works out of her Allen Park home.
"(It's) something for them — personal."
It's very good, she said, for when couples don't need a lot of material goods, including when they're combining two households.
It also can take the place of material goods that likely would end up stored in a cabinet or basement, eventually bound for a garage sale labeled as "lightly used" or "good as new."
The honeymoon cruise registry is a simple process. Ciotti and her husband, John (also a certified cruise specialist), have a Web site, www.cruisesinc.com/jciotti, where couples can choose their cruise, pay a deposit and open a cruise registry.
Family and friends can then log on to www.honeymoonvoyages.com and donate money to the couple's cruise reservation account by using a major credit card. Purchasers immediately will receive a confirmation e-mail.
Three weeks before the wedding, the donation process ends, which gives Cruises Inc. — which is based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — time to assemble a photo album containing the names of the donors, what they donated and messages to the newlyweds, who will receive the album in time for the wedding.
Any money over the cruise's cost can be applied to other related items, like shore excursions and room upgrades, among other things, Janice Ciotti said.
The cruises aren't just for newlyweds, she said. Accounts also can be established for other reasons, like when couples celebrate a milestone anniversary.
Ciotti has been a cruise specialist for three years, and retired from the city of Allen Park in May after 30 years. She worked in several departments, finishing her career in human resources. Her husband is a building inspector for the city.
As she was contemplating retirement from the city, her husband asked her what she wanted to do with her free time.
"I love to shop, I love to travel and I love casinos," said Ciotti, who has been able to combine all three into her second career.
"The beauty for me is I'm not a full-service travel agent. I specialize in cruises."
Ciotti has achieved master cruise counselor status through the Cruise Line International Association, based on sales levels and her knowledge of the industry. She's working on her "elite" certification.
She doesn't just set up honeymoon cruises — there are many other reasons, like incentive cruises, group cruises, themed cruises and family reunions.
And, there's simply the desire to take a vacation.
Cruises Inc. deals with several cruise lines and is able to secure blocks of rooms well in advance. Ciotti also searches for discount rates for her clients based on factors like being a senior citizen or "community appreciation" (firefighters, police officers, military personnel, etc).
Her fascination with cruises and travel in general started when she was young. Her grandparents and mother were born in England, and her "granny" refused to fly, so the three of them cruised to their homeland every summer. Ciotti attended Expo 67 in Montreal with them and was able to board the boat.
"It's real close to my heart," Ciotti said. "It brings good memories."
Ciotti traveled extensively before joining Cruises Inc., going to places like Switzerland, Italy and Hawaii. She had two cruises under her belt.
Since joining, she has taken 15 to 20 cruises, but it's not all fun and games. Some have been seminar-based, and Ciotti said she's always trying to learn as much as she can, even when she's not in a classroom.
Her 7-year-old grandson has even taken four or five cruises, and her husband travels with her as much as his work vacation schedule allows.
"You really learn by doing," she said. "You consistently learn all kinds of things. The cruise lines change as far as how they handle their business.
"The value for your dollar you get in cruising can't be beat."
Ciotti said that her experience has allowed her to answer many questions — and there's no such thing as a "stupid" question, she said. Among the most-asked questions, she said, are "What am I actually paying for? and What's not included?" and "What do you recommend?"
Ciotti calls her clients after they return to get their feedback. She has booked at least 500 cruises, and is the only Cruises Inc. agent Downriver. Ciotti said that she's impressed with the level of security aboard ships — especially in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — and with the cleanliness of ships. Hand-washing stations are throughout the ships, especially near food lines.
"They don't joke around," she said."My goal is to do a world cruise," she said.
To contact the Ciottis, call 1-313-381-7889 or 1-866-641-0697, or e-mail jciotti@cruisesinc.com.
