Questions, Answered Plainly

The Gratitude Giving Program is Steward Travel’s core differentiator. When you book a trip through us, the travel supplier — a cruise line, resort, or tour operator — pays us a commission. That commission exists on every booking, whether you book through us or directly. Instead of keeping it all as revenue, we redirect a portion of it to the church, missionary, or nonprofit you designate. You pay the same price you’d pay anywhere else. Your trip just does more.

The Gratitude Gift is tiered by booking value:

• Under $2,000 → 5% of booking value
• $2,000–$4,999 → $100–$250
• $5,000–$9,999 → $250–$500
• $10,000–$19,999 → $500–$1,000
• $20,000+ → Custom arrangement

These amounts come from the commission the supplier pays us — not from your pocket.

Yes — any legitimate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, church, or missionary organization. It can be your home church, a missionary family your church supports, a Christian nonprofit you believe in, or a cause close to your heart. We just ask that you provide the organization’s name and contact information so we can coordinate the gift properly.

No. You pay the same price you’d pay booking directly with the cruise line, resort, or tour operator. In many cases you pay less, because we have access to group rates, promotions, and exclusive offers that aren’t available to the general public. Travel advisor commissions are built into the supplier’s pricing structure — they exist whether you use an advisor or not. The difference is who captures them.

Nothing. Consultations are free, quotes are free, and there’s no obligation to book. We’re compensated through supplier commissions when you travel. You get expert planning, supplier advocacy, and the Gratitude Giving Program — all at no additional cost to you.

Three differences. First, expertise — we know which ships, resorts, and itineraries actually deliver on their promises, and we save you hours of research. Second, advocacy — when something goes wrong (and occasionally it does), you have a human being who knows how to call the right people and get it resolved. Third, purpose — a portion of the commission that always existed on your booking goes to a cause you care about instead of disappearing into a corporation’s bottom line.

Yes — especially for international travel. You want a policy that covers trip cancellation, medical evacuation, and emergency medical coverage. Your U.S. health insurance almost certainly won’t cover you abroad, and a single medical evacuation without insurance can cost $50,000–$100,000. We’ll walk you through your options and help you select a policy that fits your trip and your budget.

Yes, and we can help you think through how to use them strategically. Points are often best applied to international airfare, where the redemption value is highest. We can help you decide when to use points, when to pay cash, and how to stack promotions to maximize your total value — including the Gratitude Giving Program on the cash portion of your booking.

Safety is the first question everyone asks, and it’s the right one. Israel has one of the most sophisticated security infrastructures in the world, and the vast majority of Christian pilgrimage sites — Jerusalem, Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem — operate with regular tourist travel. That said, the situation can shift. We monitor U.S. State Department travel advisories closely and will always give you an honest assessment before you book. Your safety matters more than a commission.

For couples, Excellence Playa Mujeres and Sandals properties deliver high-end, adults-only experiences. For budget-conscious families, Barceló and Iberostar properties in Mexico offer strong value. We’ll help you match the resort to your family’s style and budget.

Fill out the contact form or reach out directly at info@stewardtravel.com. We’ll spend 20–30 minutes talking about where you want to go, what kind of experience you’re looking for, and what’s within reach for your budget. No pressure, no pitch — just an honest conversation. If we can help, we’ll tell you. If your needs are better served somewhere else, we’ll tell you that too.