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SAILING THE
HIGH SEAS: Years in the Cruise
Industry: 15
Past Sailings:
41 cruises aboard
Carnival Cruise Line,
Royal Caribbean,
Norwegian Cruise Line,
Celebrity Cruises, MSC
Cruises, and Princess
Cruises.
Bucket List:
Top on my list is the
7-night Dreams of
Tahiti sailing aboard
Windstar Cruises, and
a Romantic Danube
river excursion with
Viking Cruises.
Favorite Onboard
Activity:
Sitting on my private
balcony with a glass of
pinot noir and watching
the waves go by.
Top Excursion:
A Sky Walk tour in
Puntarenas, Costa
Rica, where we walked
on very high bridges
throughout the jungle.
Best Meal at Sea:
Sushi lollipops at
Qsine, a specialty
restaurant aboard the
Celebrity Reflection,
where typical small
plates are served with
a whimsical spin.
A Q A
WITH INTERVAL TRAVEL
C O O R D I N A T O R
CARLOS O’BARRIO
Chocolate parades. Broadway-style
entertainment. One-of-a-kind shore excursions.
These are just some of the reasons to take a cruise.
Here, we explore why members should book a cruise
with Interval. Carlos O’Barrio, an Interval Travel®
coordinator who’s been sending travelers on dream
vacations for nearly 12 years, fields our questions.
Welcome aboard!
Let’s start with the big picture. Why should anyone go on
a cruise?
It’s one of the best ways to see the world. Think about it: You only
unpack once and you get to see multiple destinations. It’s an excep-
tional value when you factor in the food and entertainment that’s
included. Oh, and you have the freedom to do as much as the cruise
offers, or to just kick back by the pool with a book.
What do you like most about the onboard experience?
I consider myself a foodie.The culinary experience aboard cruise lines
is quite impressive and can feature a wide range of fare, from savory
burgers and deli sandwiches to five-star meals including escargot
and lobster. And the majority of cruise lines now offer open dining,
so you’re free to eat and sit when and where you want. You can also
expect a great wine experience: Most cruise lines have sommeliers
who know which wines to pair with your burger. Or your escargot.
Why should members book their cruise through Interval?
First off, the price is offer great rates, at many times unavail-
able to the general public, and you won’t pay a booking fee.All cruises
are backed by our Best Price Guarantee, and if you’re an Interval Gold
or Interval Platinummember, we offer up to $100 cash back on select
cruises. We also provide exciting perks, such as free onboard credit
on select sailings. Second, and just as important, you’re booking with
experts. All of our associates are certified with major cruise lines. On
top of that, the average tenure of our cruise specialists is 12.7 years,
so we can tell you which ships have the best spas, and which excur-
sions are worth your shore time.
OK, let’s get specific. A first-time cruiser calls you.
Itineraries, please.
A short three- to five-day sailing to the Caribbean, Bahamas, or
Mexico. These short cruise experiences are readily available on Royal
Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line out of multiple ports in Florida,
and on Carnival out of California.
Next scenario: multigenerational travelers. How do you
keep everyone happy?
Here’s the thing: Grandparents often prefer a more high-end cruise
vacation, while adult children and grandkids are often interested in a
more mainstream experience. So I point members toward cruise lines
that have created a ship-within-a-ship feel. For example, The Haven
on Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Yacht Club on MSC Cruises offer
the luxury and exclusivity of a private club, while providing access
to all of the onboard activities and entertainment. In addition, most
cruise lines offer programs for children, from toddlers to teens.
Switching gears, what do you say to members who’ve
sailed all over the Caribbean, climbed all of the rock
walls, and surfed all of the simulators. What’s next?
It’s time for a river cruise, which offers an intimate experience on a
smaller vessel and daily interaction with locals, as well as access
to off-the-beaten-path destinations inaccessible by ocean liners.
Expect complimentary wine with meals, and courtesy excursions
alongside resident guides. I recommend AmaWaterways and
Viking River Cruises sailings on the Danube or Rhine.
Ocean or river, how do members book through Interval?
Call us at 800-622-1540 or 305-668-3496. Or you can also sign in to
and click Cruises under the Travel tab.
Anything else that members should know about cruising
through Interval?
Upgraded members have even more choices in how they can book.
Interval Gold or Interval Platinum members can buy a cruise, and
they can trade their week or points toward a cruise.
How can I trade toward a cruise?
Easy. Sign in to and click Cruise Exchange under
the Exchange tab, or call 888-335-9366. Book online and save!
Thanks, Carlos.
Bon voyage.
Hours of Operation:
Open 363 days a year,
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.;
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and
Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern time (English only).
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Online services are available 24/7.
Awards and Accolades:
Viking Cruises’ Platinum Circle Plus Status (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Carnival Cruise Line’s Excellence Award (2014)
Princess Cruises’ Strategic Agency (2004 – 2017)
Norwegian Cruise Line’s President’s Club (2012 – 2017)
Languages Spoken:
English, Spanish,
Portuguese, French,
and Italian
Interval Travel by the Numbers
800-622-1540 or 305-668-3496
One-on-One
With Carlos
Edward Gallardo
80 INTERVAL WORLD n Issue 2, 2018
Carlos O’Barrio
poses on deck 16
of the Norwegian
Escape on
March 3, 2018.