
R. P. Hardie Cruise & Travel™
My Story
For many years, I served in a unique capacity within the U.S. Army. My role was dual-hatted: I was both the strategic architect and the tactical operator for my own missions. We did not have the luxury of a separate planning division; we designed our own operations from the ground up because we understood the environment, the stakes, and the need for plans that were not just theoretically sound, but practical and adaptable in the real world.
This experience taught me a set of lessons that are now the bedrock of my business. I learned to build plans with zero room for error, because I was the one who had to see them through. I learned to synthesize complex logistics and on-the-ground intelligence into a clear path forward. And most critically, I learned how to adapt, to make calm, clear-headed, split-second decisions when conditions on the ground inevitably changed. The responsibility was absolute.
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When I transitioned to the private sector, I sought a profession that would honor this deep-seated ethos of planning, execution, and unwavering responsibility. I founded this firm because I believe a great journey deserves the same level of meticulous design and proactive management as a critical mission.
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Today, I apply that same unique discipline to your travel. When I design your voyage, it is not a theoretical exercise. It is a practical, executable plan built by someone conditioned to own a project from conception through completion. It means that should you ever face an unexpected challenge mid-journey—a cancelled flight, a closed port, a sudden change of plans—you can have absolute confidence that your advisor is uniquely conditioned to be a calm, decisive, and effective problem-solver in real time.
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My promise to you is to manage your journey with a level of foresight, adaptability, and personal ownership that is simply unparalleled in the travel industry. It is the only way I know how to work.
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My Professional Credentials & Certifications
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Certified Travel Associate (CTA) - The Travel Institute
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Certified Cruise Counsellor (CCC) - Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
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Certified Accessible Travel Advocate (CATA) - Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea
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Commodore Certified Specialist - Cunard Cruise Line
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Commodore Certified Specialist - Princess Cruises
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Academy Graduate & Luxury Expedition by Ship Specialist - Seabourn Cruises
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Certified Specialist - Oceania Cruises
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Certified Expert in Expedition, Ocean, & River Cruises - Viking Cruises
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Platinum Level Graduate - Holland America Line
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Certified Advisor - AmaWaterways