Looking Forward to Sailing Solo

Sometimes you really need to get away. AAA member Olga Baumgarten recently enlisted the help of AAA travel services to plan a solo cruise for some much-needed me time.

Baumgarten finalized the excursions for her seven-day Norwegian Cruise Line vacation at AAA’s Garden City, New York, branch. Leaving from New York City, the cruise includes stops in New England and Canada. She took this cruise before, but said that this time the escape was a priority more than the destination.

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AAA member Olga Baugartner — Olga Baumgartner

“I’m going to relax,” Baumgarten said. “No husband, no kids, no grandkids. Just me.”

She has used AAA for trip planning in the past, relying on travel advisor Raquel Doscher to provide suggestions and a human touch.

“She answers texts, emails and calls,” Baumgarten said. “I appreciate the personal attention.”

On a previous cruise, Doscher even arranged to have a cake delivered to Baumgarter’s cabin on her birthday.

“I like talking to a person rather than a computer, and I get to ask questions,” added Baumgarten. “I like to look at brochures, so I don’t have to look at a computer. And this is so convenient. You just make an appointment and come in.”

Baumgarten planned a Walt Disney World trip with AAA, too. AAA has travel advisors who specialize in Disney vacations.

“It was excellent,” she said. “They set up hotels, tickets, and everything was great. I would recommend them.”

The Baumgarten family has a long connection to AAA. AAA members since 1983, her husband Jeff, now retired, worked in a New York City branch office for five years, creating AAA TripTiks.

Baumgarten’s family has a long connection to AAA, as members since 1983. And her husband, Jeff, was a AAA employee for five years, creating TripTiks at the New York City branch.

Baumgarten has also been helped by AAA Roadside Assistance. When her car got a flat tire in a local library’s parking lot, she first called her car manufacturer’s road service provider but was told they could not respond for two days.

“I called AAA and they came right away,” she said.

Baumgarten mentioned that AAA membership makes a great gift for a loved one — we agree! Buy a gift membership.