Welcome to Cruise Unique
James Pickford
At Cruise Unique, we believe that every voyage should be a seamless blend of excitement, relaxation and indulgence. Whether you’re dreaming of basking in the sun on a pristine Caribbean beach, immersing yourself in the rich history of European cities, or embarking on an epic expedition to remote corners of the globe, we have the perfect itinerary to fulfill your wanderlust.
We partner with the best cruise lines who’s fleet of state-of-the-art ships is designed to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning travelers. From elegant staterooms and gourmet dining options to thrilling onboard activities and world class entertainment, every aspect of your journey is carefully curated to ensure a unforgettable experience.
Welcome to Cruise Unique, your premier cruise travel agency located in the heart of Bend, Oregon. Founded by our CEO, James Pickford, we are dedicated to redefining sea travel with an emphasis on luxury, adventure, and personalized service. With over 15 years of experience in the travel industry, specializing specifically in cruise travel, James brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for innovation to the company.
At Cruise Unique, our vision is to integrate the latest technology to enhance your browsing experience, making it as user-friendly and efficient as possible. We strive to simplify your journey from the first click to the final docking, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable planning process. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil getaway or an adventure-filled expedition, Cruise Unique is here to craft your perfect cruise experience. Join us as we set sail on unforgettable journeys across the globe.
Choosing Cruise Unique for your next sea voyage means embarking on an experience tailored just for you. Here’s why we stand out:
Diverse Cruise Options: Our wide selection ranges from exclusive luxury cruises to more budget-conscious adventures, accommodating all types of travel aspirations.
Tailored Itineraries: Understanding that every traveler is different, we specialize in customizing cruises to suit your specific interests and desires.
Expertise and Accreditation: Accredited by IATA and members of CLIA and ASTA, we uphold the highest industry standards, ensuring your cruise experience is both exceptional and secure.
Passionate Team: Our Voyage Consultants are not just experts in their field, but also avid travelers who bring their personal insights and experiences to your cruise planning.
Meet the Team
Megan Griffey
As Sales Director at Cruise Unique, Megan Griffey combines her expertise in luxury ocean and river cruising with a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences. Specializing in leading cruise lines including Explora Journeys and AmaWaterways, Megan brings extensive destination knowledge and a personalized approach to luxury travel. She plays a key role in guiding the sales team, maintaining exceptional service standards and ensuring every guest receives expert advice. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence help create seamless, unforgettable journeys tailored to each client’s individual preferences.
Sean Harrison
As Chief Operating Officer at Cruise Unique, Sean Harrison oversees the company’s day-to-day operations, ensuring the highest standards of service and operational excellence. With extensive experience in the luxury cruise industry, Sean plays a key role in driving business efficiency, supporting team development and delivering an exceptional guest experience. His hands-on leadership and commitment to continuous improvement ensure that every aspect of the customer journey, from booking to post-cruise support, is managed with professionalism and care. Sean is dedicated to building lasting client relationships while supporting Cruise Unique’s continued growth and success.
Nickolas Kadel
Nickolas is a dedicated luxury cruise specialist with a passion for designing unforgettable travel experiences. He brings together a refined eye for detail and a genuine commitment to service, ensuring every journey is seamlessly tailored to his clients’ unique preferences. From the winding rivers of Europe to far-flung ocean escapes, Nickolas creates bespoke itineraries that blend comfort, culture, and adventure. His thoughtful planning covers every element—flights, transfers, accommodations, excursions, and onboard experiences—so travelers can simply relax and enjoy a flawless voyage from beginning to end.
Helena Pickford
Helena is a highly experienced luxury cruise specialist with over 15 years in the industry, offering expert knowledge across both ocean and river cruising worldwide. Having worked with many of the world’s leading premium and ultra-luxury cruise brands, Helena understands the finer differences between ships, suite categories, destinations, and onboard experiences, allowing for truly tailored recommendations.
Known for a relaxed and personable approach, Helena takes the time to understand how each guest enjoys travelling — whether that’s immersive cultural journeys, culinary-led voyages, or laid-back scenic sailings — and matches clients with the cruise experience that best suits their individual style.
Cade Sandager
Cade is a luxury ocean and river cruise specialist with a passion for creating tailored travel experiences that combine comfort, style, and unforgettable destinations. With strong knowledge of leading cruise lines including Explora Journeys and AmaWaterways, Cade works closely with clients to design journeys that suit their individual travel style and interests.
Whether it’s sailing through Europe’s iconic rivers, exploring the Mediterranean in ultra-luxury, or discovering more exotic destinations around the world, Cade focuses on delivering seamless and personalized vacations from start to finish. Known for a friendly and approachable style, he takes pride in handling every detail — from flights and hotels to transfers and onboard experiences — ensuring each trip is effortless, refined, and memorable.
Johanna Heald
Johanna is a passionate travel specialist who believes that every vacation should be as unique as the person taking it. With a wealth of experience in luxury ocean and river cruising, she takes pride in matching her clients with the perfect itinerary, ship, and destination to suit their individual travel style. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring Europe’s charming rivers, discovering the cultural treasures of Asia, or enjoying a relaxing voyage through the Caribbean, Johanna combines expert knowledge with personalized service to create seamless travel experiences. Her attention to detail, thoughtful planning, and commitment to exceptional customer care ensure that every journey is stress-free, memorable, and tailored entirely around you.
Briony Deege
Briony is a dedicated travel specialist with a passion for fine wines, exceptional destinations, and creating unforgettable luxury travel experiences. With her expertise in wine and appreciation for the world’s most celebrated wine regions, she brings a unique perspective to luxury ocean and river cruising. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux, discovering the picturesque landscapes of the Douro Valley, or experiencing the elegance of a Mediterranean voyage, Briony combines her specialist knowledge with a personalized approach to finding the perfect vacation. Her attention to detail, genuine enthusiasm, and commitment to outstanding service ensure every journey is thoughtfully planned, effortlessly enjoyable, and tailored to each client’s individual interests.
Marissa Soares
Marissa is a dedicated cruise specialist who loves helping guests turn their travel plans into unforgettable experiences. Friendly, approachable, and highly attentive, she takes the time to understand what matters most to each client before recommending the perfect cruise and itinerary. From the first conversation through to departure, Marissa is committed to making the planning process simple and enjoyable, providing expert guidance and personal service every step of the way.
Kait Brooking
Kait is a luxury cruise advisor with a lifelong passion for cruising. Having sailed more than 20 times, from Caribbean escapes to ultra-luxury voyages, she brings first-hand experience to every journey she creates.
Specializing in Explora Journeys, Kait also works with Regent Seven Seas, Oceania and AmaWaterways, designing tailored ocean and river cruise experiences around each guest. Known for her warm, attentive approach, she takes care of every detail, from flights and transfers to excursions, creating a seamless experience from start to finish.
Ella Buckland
Ella is a dedicated cruise specialist who loves helping guests discover the perfect way to explore the world by sea. With experience across luxury ocean and river cruising, she combines destination knowledge with a friendly, personal approach. Ella takes time to understand what matters most to each guest, creating carefully tailored cruise experiences and ensuring every detail is taken care of from start to finish.
