Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Burns.
Hi Jim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Jim, and I took my first cruise back in 2003 onboard the Carnival Inspiration and have done 30 cruises since! The moment I stepped on-board the Inspiration in 2003, I fell in love, and my obsession with cruising never seemed to stop! Over the next twelve years, I paid close attention to cruising and followed industry leaders, new-builds, and new destinations!
Fast forward to 2015, when I graduated from Rutgers University with my Bachelor’s in Accounting. After holding several internships during college, unfortunately, I was unable to land a full-time position within the Accounting industry.
Shortly after graduating in 2015, I decided that I wanted to pursue something that was meaningful to me, something that I loved. After much thought and research, I decided that I wanted to start my own online cruise agency. To this day, I remember telling peers about this idea, only to be told “travel agents are a dying breed”. My response to them “do what you love, and it will show in everything that you do”.
In May 2015, I went through weeks of exams, trainings, and certifications. I learned how to build my own website, register my business with the state, establish a host agency, and much more. And then, in June 2015, Caribbean Breeze Travel was born.
Since Caribbean Breeze Travel’s launch, we have grown to over 3,000 clients, grown in numerous ways, and continue to be your #1 FREE Online Cruise Agency for the best deals and service! Additionally, we have taken on extra staff (family-operated) to help with the increased volume and have become Family Owned and Operated!
And most recently, in December 2024, after ten years of working full-time while managing Caribbean Breeze Travel on the side, I made the exciting decision to go full-time with this business! This is my passion, my love, and something I’ve been working toward my entire life.
Every single time a booking is made through Caribbean Breeze Travel, it helps a small family-operated business. A business that began with a love … an obsession … a dream. My clients means the absolute world to me, and I appreciate them for being a part of the Caribbean Breeze Travel family.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been an easy road. For nine years I worked a full-time job while running my travel business on the side, often putting in days from 8am to midnight, weekends included. The hardest stretch was during COVID, when the entire industry came to a standstill. I spent hours on the phone every day making sure my clients were taken care of, even when there was so much uncertainty. Through it all, what kept me going was knowing how much my clients mean to me. Their trust during those challenging times is something I’ll never forget, and it’s why I’m so passionate about what I do today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Caribbean Breeze Travel has been my passion project for the past 10 years, and I’m so proud of what it’s become. Since 2015, we’ve helped nearly 10,000 clients plan cruise vacations that they’ll never forget and the best part is, my services are always complimentary.
What makes us different is our commitment to our clients and our deep knowledge of the cruise industry. I’ve been on more than 30 cruises myself and have spent over a decade working as a travel agent, building strong relationships with each cruise line so I can advocate for my clients and make sure every detail of their trip is handled.
At the end of the day, nothing makes me happier than seeing my clients come back from a cruise with memories that will last a lifetime. That’s what Caribbean Breeze Travel is all about.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
One of the things I’m most proud of with Caribbean Breeze Travel is that it’s truly a family effort. While I’m the travel agent working directly with clients, my family has always been behind the scenes helping with the back-end work that keeps everything running smoothly. Their support is a big reason why Caribbean Breeze Travel has grown the way it has. We’re family-owned and operated, and I think that shows in how we care for our clients!
Pricing:
- Our services are complimentary
- We have better offers than booking directly through the cruise line
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caribbeanbreezetravel.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanBreezeTravel.LLC/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cruisesbyjim
