Expert Cruise Travel Agent — Buffalo, NY
From gentle European river cruises to expedition voyages in Antarctica — we've matched thousands of travelers to their perfect cruise. Let us do the same for you.
Why use a cruise travel agent?
Booking a cruise directly through a cruise line's website means you get a call center. Booking with UEB Travel means you get Kathleen or Claudia — experienced cruise specialists who have sailed these ships, know the best cabin categories, and will be there when something goes wrong.
We work with 40+ cruise lines and have no incentive to push one over another. We match you to the right ship, itinerary, and cabin for your travel style.
Cruise fares are set by the lines, so you'll never pay more booking through us. But thanks to our direct relationships with cruise line contacts, we can sometimes beat the price you'd get booking direct — on top of layering in onboard credits, cabin upgrades, and group amenities you simply can't access on your own.
Itinerary changes, missed ports, pre-cruise logistics — you have a dedicated advisor to call. Not a chatbot. Not a hold queue. Us.
We handle the cruise, pre and post hotel nights, flights, transfers, shore excursions, and travel insurance — all in one place.
We don't just plan trips — we craft the stories you'll cherish and share for years.
— Kathleen Klein, UEB Travel
40+ cruise lines — one trusted advisor
Whether you're after a gentle river journey through European villages, a luxury mega-ship packed with entertainment, an adults-only escape, or an expedition to the ends of the earth — we work with 40+ cruise lines and have sailed many of them ourselves. Not sure which is right for you? That's exactly what the consultation is for.
🏰 River Cruises
The gold standard in river cruising. Destination-focused itineraries through Europe's greatest cities — no children under 18, no casinos. Pure travel.
Consistently top-rated river cruises with exceptional culinary programs, included excursions, and itineraries across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Ultra-luxury boutique river cruising. Each ship is uniquely designed — think floating boutique hotels sailing the Danube, Rhine, Seine, and Mekong.
Panoramic suites with open-air beds, active excursion options, and great value. Avalon offers a modern take on European river cruising.
All-inclusive luxury river cruising with Space-Ships — innovative vessels with butler service and Sun Lounges that open to the water.
Premium river cruising at an accessible price. Emerald's Star-Ships feature a rooftop pool, indoor cinema, and exceptional included excursions.
Guided river journeys combined with Trafalgar's signature Be My Guest local experiences and expert Travel Directors. A great blend of cruising and guided touring.
British-style river cruising combining guided tours ashore with relaxed cruising. Excellent value with a warm, welcoming atmosphere onboard.
A legendary name in guided travel. Tauck's river cruises combine expert guides, exclusive access, and exceptional included experiences across Europe.
🌊 Ocean Cruises
The world's largest ships packed with entertainment, dining, and adventure. Perfect for families and first-timers who want to be genuinely wowed.
Premium cruising with a sleek modern aesthetic. The Edge class ships are some of the most beautifully designed vessels at sea, with exceptional dining to match.
Classic ocean cruising with warm, genuine service. Alaska, the Mediterranean, and beyond — with the beloved MedallionClass technology throughout.
Classic cruising with a sophisticated feel. Holland America excels at destination-rich itineraries — Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and world cruises.
Freestyle cruising with flexible dining, entertainment-packed ships, and a casual approach that appeals to guests who like to do things their own way.
The ultimate family cruise — immersive entertainment, impeccable service, and thoughtful adult-only spaces that keep every age group happy at sea.
The most iconic name in ocean cruising. The Queen Mary 2 is in a class of its own — transatlantic crossings, world voyages, and timeless British elegance.
Small ships, longer port stays, more immersive destinations. Azamara goes where big ships can't — and stays longer so you can actually explore.
Adults-only, all-inclusive dining (no buffet!), stunning ship design, and a vibrant social atmosphere. Virgin completely reimagined what cruising could be.
Viking's ocean ships bring the same destination-first philosophy to open-water itineraries — from the Caribbean to Japan, with the same no-children, no-casino elegance.
Small sailing ships and motor yachts visiting ports the big ships can't reach. Windstar's 180° from ordinary approach means these voyages feel genuinely different.
Greece and the Greek Islands specialists. Intimate ships, authentic local experiences, and itineraries focused entirely on the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
✨ Luxury & Ultra-Luxury
Truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury — every excursion, every specialty restaurant, every drink, and business-class flights included. No surprises, pure indulgence.
Intimate ultra-luxury ships sailing to 900+ destinations worldwide. Door-to-door service, butler suites, and an all-inclusive approach that sets the standard.
Six-star luxury on intimate ships. Seabourn is synonymous with white-glove service, destination-immersive itineraries, and extraordinary culinary experiences.
The finest cuisine at sea, mid-size ships, and destination-rich itineraries. Oceania's Marina and Riviera are beloved by discerning food and travel lovers.
The reborn Crystal brand delivers refined luxury ocean and river cruising with spacious suites, exceptional service, and all-inclusive amenities throughout.
MSC's luxury line reimagining ocean travel. Boutique-hotel aesthetics, eclectic dining, and a relaxed open-ship philosophy for travelers who want something different.
The legendary hotel brand at sea. Intimate yachts with butler service, extraordinary dining, and curated itineraries through the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and beyond.
The ultimate in floating luxury — Four Seasons' private yacht brings the brand's iconic personalized service to an ultra-intimate sailing experience.
Two intimate mega-yachts carrying just 112 guests each. No crowds, no formal dress, no set schedules — just pure yachting bliss in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Emerald's intimate yacht fleet brings premium ocean cruising to stunning destinations — small ships, flexible itineraries, and a relaxed yet refined atmosphere at sea.
🐧 Expedition & Adventure
The polar pioneer. Quark ships go deeper into Antarctica and the Arctic than anyone else — with expert naturalists, Zodiacs, and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.
The original Norwegian coastal voyage, now offering expedition cruises worldwide. Authentic, adventurous, and deeply connected to the natural world.
Hurtigruten's dedicated expedition brand, with modern hybrid-powered ships purpose-built for remote destinations — from the Arctic to the Galápagos.
National Geographic photographers and naturalists lead every voyage. The gold standard for wildlife and cultural expedition travel around the world.
Abercrombie & Kent's expedition vessels combine luxury accommodations with serious expedition credentials — for travelers who won't compromise on either.
French luxury meets expedition spirit. PONANT's Le Commandant Charcot is the world's only luxury icebreaker — capable of reaching the North Pole.
Expedition cruising rooted in cultural discovery. Swan Hellenic's vessels explore remote destinations with onboard lecturers and thoughtful cultural programming.
Small-ship adventure cruising through Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Active excursions, intimate ships, and no pretense whatsoever.
Luxury expedition cruising to the world's most remote destinations — Antarctica, the Arctic, and beyond — with all-inclusive amenities and expert naturalist guides.
⛵ Specialty, Sailing & Private
Authentic tall ship sailing on three of the world's largest square-rigged ships. Casual, adventurous, and utterly unique — the Caribbean and Mediterranean under real sails.
The legendary Sea Cloud is the world's most beautiful tall ship — a 1931 four-masted sailing yacht carrying just 64 guests through the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
One ship, one destination — French Polynesia. The m/s Paul Gauguin is purpose-built for Tahiti, Bora Bora, and the Society Islands, and nothing else comes close.
Crewed and bareboat yacht charters in the world's most beautiful sailing destinations — the BVI, Greece, Croatia, the South Pacific, and beyond.
The ultimate in personalized cruising — a private yacht chartered exclusively for you and your group. We arrange crewed charters worldwide for every budget and group size.
Not sure which line is right for you?
That's the whole point of talking to us first. Tell us what you're dreaming of and we'll find exactly the right ship, line, and itinerary to deliver it.
Book a consultationUnique Excursions with Bear Travel is a Buffalo, NY-based travel agency with over 20 years of experience planning cruises for clients throughout Western New York and across the country. Founded by Steve "Bear" Kuznik in 2005 and now led by Kathleen Klein, UEB Travel has become a trusted name in cruise planning for first-timers and seasoned travelers alike.
Unlike booking through a cruise line's website or a generic booking platform, working with a dedicated cruise travel agent means you have a real human advocate — someone who knows the difference between a Verandah and a Penthouse suite, which Viking itinerary actually does the Christmas Markets best, and when to buy trip insurance (always).
We're certified with all major cruise lines and have first-hand experience on many of the ships we recommend. Our advice is honest, unbiased, and tailored to your specific travel style, budget, and goals.
Don't see your destination? We work with cruise lines that sail virtually every ocean and river in the world. Get in touch and we'll find the right itinerary for you.
Common questions
Not only do you not pay more — sometimes you pay less. Cruise fares are generally set by the cruise lines, so you'll never pay more booking through us than you would direct. But because of our direct relationships with cruise line contacts, we can occasionally beat the price you'd find on the cruise line's own website. On top of that, we regularly layer in onboard credits, cabin upgrades, priority boarding, and group amenities that you simply can't access booking on your own. There is truly no financial reason not to use a travel agent for cruises.
For popular itineraries — European river cruises, holiday sailings, or Alaska in peak summer — we recommend booking 12 to 18 months in advance, especially if cabin selection matters to you. Caribbean and year-round routes have more flexibility, but earlier is almost always better for pricing and availability. We can also help you find last-minute deals when they arise.
River cruises use smaller ships (typically 100–200 passengers) that navigate inland waterways through the heart of cities and countryside. You dock in the center of town, step off the ship, and explore on foot. Ocean cruises use much larger ships and sail open water, visiting port cities rather than passing through them. River cruises tend to be more destination-focused and cultural; ocean cruises offer more onboard amenities and entertainment. Both are wonderful — the right choice depends on your travel style.
Yes — we strongly recommend it for every cruise. Medical care onboard and medical evacuation from a ship can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Travel insurance also covers trip cancellation, interruption, and delay — protecting your investment if something unexpected comes up before or during your trip. We can help you find the right policy for your specific cruise and coverage needs.
Absolutely — group cruise planning is one of our specialties. We regularly organize group sailings for reunions, milestone birthdays, corporate incentive trips, and affinity groups. Groups typically qualify for additional perks and amenities, and we handle all the coordination so your group just shows up and enjoys. Check out our current group cruise departures.
Absolutely — and this is one of the most exciting and underrated ways to cruise. Many lines offer sailings built around a specific passion or interest, turning a great trip into a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Some of the most popular themes we help clients book include golf (sailing between world-class courses with tee times pre-arranged), culinary (hands-on cooking classes, chef demonstrations, and market tours at every port), wine and beer (guided tastings, vineyard visits, and brewery excursions throughout), and wellness (yoga, meditation, spa programming, and healthy dining throughout). Beyond those, you'll find themed sailings built around jazz, art, history, astronomy, photography, pickleball, and much more. The right theme can transform a cruise into something that feels made specifically for you. Tell us what you love, and we'll find a sailing built around it.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go — or let us surprise you. Either way, we'll find the perfect sailing and handle every detail from here.