Brent and Patty at Wishing On A Star Travel: A South Carolina Travel Agency Built on Personal Service
Who Brent and Patty are and what they do
Brent and Patty run Wishing On A Star Travel, a travel agency based in South Carolina that handles vacation planning, cruise bookings, and destination travel for individuals and groups. They work directly with clients to understand what a trip should feel like—whether that's a relaxing beach getaway, an adventure-focused expedition, or a multi-generational family reunion—and then build the itinerary and handle the logistics that make it happen.
Unlike online booking platforms where you enter your own dates and destinations, Brent and Patty consult with you about what matters: your budget, your travel style, how much planning you want to do yourself, and what you've loved or disliked about past trips. They then propose options, negotiate rates with hotels and cruise lines, and manage the details from deposit to departure.
Key Takeaways
- Brent and Patty offer personalized travel planning rather than self-service booking, meaning they learn your preferences and propose destinations and itineraries tailored to what you actually want.
- They specialize in cruise bookings and can explain cabin options, onboard costs, and port excursions in detail before you commit.
- As a local South Carolina travel agency, they understand regional travel patterns and can recommend trips that work for people living in or near the state.
- They handle group travel coordination, which is useful if you're organizing a family trip, church outing, or reunion and need one person managing all the moving parts.
- You reach them directly by phone or in person rather than through an automated system, so questions get answered by someone who knows your trip.
What they specialize in
Brent and Patty focus heavily on cruise vacations. They know the differences between cruise lines—the atmosphere on a Royal Caribbean ship versus a Disney cruise, what to expect on a Carnival itinerary, which lines cater to families and which to adults—and can match you with the right one. They explain what's included in your fare, what costs extra onboard, and which cabin locations make sense for your group size and preferences.
They also book traditional vacations: beach trips, mountain getaways, city visits, and resort stays. If you want to visit Charleston, Hilton Head, the mountains near Asheville, or destinations further out—Florida, the Caribbean, Europe—they can arrange hotels, rental cars, and activities. For group travel, they coordinate multiple bookings, handle payments from different people, and manage the logistics of keeping everyone on the same schedule.
How to contact them and what to expect
Brent and Patty operate as a personal service, so the best way to reach them is by phone or by visiting in person if you're in their service area. When you call, you're talking to them directly, not to a call center or chatbot. They'll ask you questions about what kind of trip appeals to you, when you want to travel, and what your budget looks like.
The initial conversation is exploratory—they're not pushing you toward a sale but trying to understand what would make a good trip for you. If you're unsure about destinations or timing, they can suggest options based on what they've seen work well for other clients. Once you've decided on a direction, they research specific cruises, hotels, or packages, present you with choices, and handle the booking once you decide.
Why using a travel agent can save time and money
Travel agents like Brent and Patty often have access to rates and packages that aren't posted on public booking sites. Cruise lines, in particular, offer agent-exclusive deals and onboard credits that can reduce your total cost. Because Brent and Patty book volume with these companies, they can sometimes negotiate better cabin upgrades or pricing than you'd get booking directly.
Beyond price, they save you time. Planning a multi-destination trip, coordinating a group cruise, or figuring out which cruise line actually fits your family takes research and phone calls. Brent and Patty do that work. If something goes wrong—a flight is cancelled, a hotel overbooks, a port is missed due to weather—they handle the problem-solving rather than leaving you on hold with an automated system.
For cruises specifically, they can explain the fine print: what happens if you need to cancel, how onboard spending works, which excursions are worth the cost, and what to pack for your specific itinerary. That guidance often prevents costly mistakes.
Group travel and special occasions
If you're organizing a family reunion, a church trip, a milestone celebration, or any group getaway, Brent and Patty handle the coordination. They collect preferences and budgets from multiple people, find a cruise or destination that works for the group, manage separate payments, and keep everyone informed about what to expect. This is especially valuable for cruises, where group bookings can may have access to for perks like onboard spending credits or cabin upgrades.
They also work with groups that have specific needs—multigenerational families who want activities for both children and grandparents, church groups looking for meaningful destinations, or friends celebrating a milestone together. Because they know the destinations and the cruise lines, they can suggest what actually works for your group's mix of ages and interests.
What to bring or have ready when you contact them
Before you call Brent and Patty, think about a few basics: roughly when you want to travel (season or month), how long you want to be away, what kind of experience appeals to you (beach, adventure, cultural, relaxation), and what you're willing to spend. You don't need exact dates or a detailed wish list—that's what the conversation is for—but having a general direction helps them make suggestions.
If you're booking a cruise, have your passport information handy (expiration date, at minimum) because cruise lines need it for international travel. If you're part of a group, you may need to coordinate with the organizer about timing and budget before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay Brent and Patty a fee to use their services?
Most travel agents, including those who book cruises and vacations, earn their income from commissions paid by cruise lines and hotels, not from fees charged to you. You typically pay the same price whether you book directly or through Brent and Patty, but you get their expertise and service included. Some agents charge fees for specialized services like complex international itineraries, but that would be discussed upfront.
What if I want to book a cruise but I'm not sure which line or destination?
That's exactly what Brent and Patty do. Call them with your general preferences—budget, time of year, how many days—and they'll describe a few options and explain the differences. They can tell you what each cruise line is known for, what the onboard experience is like, and which itineraries work best for different types of travelers.
Can they help if I'm traveling solo or as a couple, not a group?
Yes. While they handle group travel, they also book individual and couples' vacations. Solo travelers and couples often benefit from their knowledge of which destinations and cruise lines work well for smaller groups, and they can find cabin options and pricing that make sense for your party size.
What happens if my travel plans change after I book?
Brent and Patty can explain your cancellation and change options before you book, so you know what flexibility you have. If you need to modify your trip after booking, they handle the communication with the cruise line or hotel and work through what's possible given the terms of your reservation.
How far in advance do I need to book a cruise or vacation?
Cruise lines typically open bookings 12 to 18 months in advance, and prices are often lower when you book early. However, last-minute deals do happen, especially for cruises departing within a few weeks. Brent and Patty can advise you on timing based on your destination and the season you're interested in.