Meet the Team - Cruise Options

Cruise Options is a business consisting of a dedicated, passionate group of people, where our clients come first and are treated as individuals, with their unique qualities and dreams. Our mission is to provide you with personalised service at the highest possible level, taking into account your unique requirements and creating a special experience, specifically for you.

First point of contact is Jann and Kauthar, both vastly experienced in the world of cruising, both in an excellent position to advise and help you make the best decision, to help you make your dreams come true.

Sharé follows with the operational side of your booking and is on hand to assist with documentation, destination advice and information as well as payments. Having spent 7 years working on cruise ships, she has immense knowledge and experience.

Cruise Options is known in the industry for its unrivalled experience in cruising, coupled with intimate knowledge of ships and itineraries. Our strength is our knowledge, our commitment and our passion in finding the best cruise for you.

”A Passion for Cruising” in our minds expresses exactly how all of you at Cruise Options feel about cruising and your passion rubs off on Ian and I. Nothing is ever too much trouble, your warm friendliness is catching and much appreciated, your attention to detail perfection and your enthusiasm exceptional. You are all so in tune with your clients and their personal needs and wishes, no easy task.

We salute Jann and your team, it is because of you all that we are now passionate cruisers and will continue to use this incredible cruise company again and again God willing, and more importantly recommend you to all our friends who show an interest in cruising. Congratulations to Cruise Options for your “passion”.
Ian and Annzie Hancock

Jann Porter

I’m the owner of Cruise Options and passionate about travelling. In my 20’s, I back-packed around the world for 3 years exploring many interesting places as well as sailing on a 34 foot yacht from Cape Town to Brazil, with a week on St Helena.

Out of this was born my love of travel, my passion for the sea and ultimately, the thrill of cruising. I worked for a few travel companies but being entrepreneurial by nature and wishing to deal directly with clients, I ventured out on my own and in January 1999, Cruise Options was born; the first cruise specialist in the country.

Notwithstanding my thousands of hours on ships and at sea, I’m still so excited when boarding a ship and over 25 years later, I’m never ready to disembark at the end of a voyage. Through cruising I have experienced the magic of polar bears on ice, the sound of silence in Antarctica, the fascinating North West Passage, the splendour of the Baltic, the majesty of London Tower Bridge, the spectacular Norwegian Fjords and the elegance of Japan. So much already seen and so much more to come.

Cruising is my passion – I have a love of the sea – the gentle motion, the sound, the expectation of what lies ahead.

Come and join me, experience your dream, share the passion.

KAUTHAR KAMALIE

I’m very adventurous and I love exploring new places. When I experienced cruising, it changed my whole perspective on travel as there’s something really magical about being out on the open sea.

The convenience of only unpacking once, coupled with the luxury and excellent service experienced onboard, makes cruising a wonderful holiday. Nothing beats waking up in a new place every morning and it’s great to see so many cities (and sometimes countries) on just one cruise.

If you don’t feel like going ashore, there are so many choices of things to do onboard or you can just relax. I love meeting people from all over the world and hearing about their travels. There is a wonderful choice of restaurants with delicious food and wonderful views. I love walking around the jogging track and playing a few games of shuffleboard or bocce ball. I also love the shows, the entertainment onboard is phenomenal. There is always a wonderful library with an extensive selection of books; it’s so relaxing to find a good book to read after having afternoon tea.

I’ve heard countless times that there is no better way to experience the view of Table Mountain than by cruising into Cape Town, the most beautiful city in the world and I wholeheartedly agree. I can’t wait to tick off the next destination from my bucket list, cruising the beautiful Adriatic Sea.

SHARÉ TIDBURY

Henry David Thoreau wrote “live the life you have imagined”. I used to joke I am still imagining hard, but travel made me realise dreams and goals I didn’t even know I had. I learnt that we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.

In my experience, there are many things in life that will give you a short burst of fulfilment, but travel memories will last a lifetime. The beauty of architecture, history, nature and the many diverse cultures out there have the power to change you. At 23, I joined the cruise ship industry and spent 7 years travelling the world at sea.

I could explain how it feels walking on a glacier of thousand year old ice, or trekking up the Great Wall of China in it’s unfathomable reach, or marvelling at the Hermitage in St Petersburg. I could tell you how warm the ocean is in French Polynesia or how beautiful the penguins were in the Falklands; I could tell you, but you’ll never really know until you decide to go and live the life you have imagined.

“Over the past several years, it has been a pleasure dealing with the excellent and knowledgeable staff at Cruise Options. We, unhesitatingly, recommend their agency to anyone wishing to enjoy the luxury of cruising on superb ships. We appreciate that they operate in the higher class of cruise ships on the market, a distinction we identify with totally. We wish them continued success for the future.”
Sam and Pat Abrahams

“We are always delighted to plan our travels with the Cruise Options team. Their professional and very personalised services make us feel like VIPs before we even leave home, and we are welcomed back like friends on return. Our thanks to you all.”
Ken and Stephanie Logan

“If you REALLY want help, advice and top personal service when it comes to cruising (especially expedition cruising), as well as the merits and demerits of the various cruise lines, you probably won’t do better than tapping into the professional knowledge and experience of Jann and her team at Cruise Options.”
Denzil and Lydia Busse

“We love travel, and especially to places not frequented by the masses. We have used Cruise Options for over 10 years to help us organize 10+ trips to the Mediterranean, Middle East, Arctic, Antarctic, to name a few. They were all very professionally organized and included helpful tips and recommendations that you can only get when people of the agency have been there themselves. We enjoyed them all and the cruise over Christmas and New Year to the Antarctic especially was simply outstanding and unforgettable. We’d like to thank them for their friendly and professional assistance over the years, including birthday greetings. We look forward to our next two cruises booked to the Arctic and Greenland, and the Danube River.”
Ulrich and Vivienne Schmauke

“We’ve used Cruise Options regularly over the years for “expedition” cruises on small ships with zodiacs to facilitate multiple shore excursions. Jann, the owner, has vast knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the reputable cruise lines, backed up by multiple personal evaluation cruises with those companies. On most of our cruises Jann has accompanied her guests and what a difference it makes! Being on the spot, she attends to little niggles that might arise and ensures, where practical, that all her guests receive “most favoured nation” status. Her back-up team in the office are on the ball and a pleasure to deal with. All in all, we cannot think of any reason to go anywhere else when planning a cruise to any destination.”
Ian and Karin MacLarty

“We’ve been on a number of adventures organized by Cruise Options and we have nothing but praise for their friendly efficient service and expertise.”
Graham and Jill Cox

“I have engaged with the CRUISE OPTIONS team since 2013, when I wanted to take our extended family to Antarctica. Many trips have followed since then to unexpected destinations - all of them being superb and unforgettable. Jann is company-agnostic, so she finds suitable options for YOU, the traveller. I appreciate this intuition and knowledge. Her team are flawless in their preparation and angelic in their patience with jangling traveller nerves. They truly are the perfect package.”
Andrea Rademeyer (Gevers)

”A Passion for Cruising” in our minds expresses exactly how all of you at Cruise Options feel about cruising and your passion rubs off on Ian and I. Nothing is ever too much trouble, your warm friendliness is catching and much appreciated, your attention to detail perfection and your enthusiasm exceptional. You are all so in tune with your clients and their personal needs and wishes, no easy task. We salute Jann and your team, it is because of you all that we are now passionate cruisers and will continue to use this incredible cruise company again and again God willing, and more importantly recommend you to all our friends who show an interest in cruising. Congratulations to Cruise Options for your “passion”.
Ian and Annzie Hancock

“Love Cruise Options and would never dream of doing a trip without Jann and her team organizing it all, the girls are wonderful. So helpful, knowledgeable and their attention to detail is fabulous.”
Helen Boonzaier

“We have always had only the best service from Jann and her team - from suggestions on which trip to do, to easy booking, information being sent regularly and support given . The trips with Jann have been very special as she takes extra care in looking after her group and organises special treats for everyone. She is a lovely person to be with. Warm, thoughtful and professional. All trips booked through her have been top quality and wonderful holidays.”
Martin and Maren Stallmann

“Cruise Options have been part of our travel lives for many years. We first got to know Jann and her crew at a presentation on Antarctica and subsequently had the most amazing trip to the Continent. Memories of that trip from the early stages of booking, inquiries, itinerary and travel documents were always handled with professionalism and a passion to please. We have booked and undertaken many cruises since and all handled by Cruise Options. Nothing is too much trouble and the staff at Cruise Options have always been excellent; extremely helpful and courteous. And the cherry on the top is the floral arrangement received on our return to South Africa to just say “thank you for booking with Cruise Options. We trust you enjoyed your cruise.” When deciding to cruise, it is always Cruise Options we think of first. Is there any other?!”
Barbara Wood and Hugh Brown

“ Twenty years ago Jann Porter introduced us to the wonderful world of cruising. After 30 cruises I still enjoy everyone and thanks to Cruise Options everyone is special. My 2020 world cruise ended abruptly due to the corona virus. At very short notice – one day – we had to disembark in Perth and leave instantly or go into quarantine. Jann and her dedicated and helpful staff instantly arranged and paid for a flight for me. I was able to leave that same day and arrive safely in Cape Town where they had transport laid on for me to my home. They always travel that extra ‘sea’ mile with every passenger. I am always in good hands!”
Anne Marais

“Cruise Options have repeatedly provided us with a friendly, professional and exemplary service resulting in many first class experiences. We have travelled together with Jann as well as independently and her team have always had the knowledge and expertise to create many memorable holidays. Their attention to detail and hands on approach to each individual makes them the leaders in luxury cruise travel. We highly recommend Cruise Options and thank them for their past and ongoing service.”
Jim and Liz Volkwyn

Jann Porter

+27(0)21 434 9394

KAUTHAR KAMALIE

+27(0)21 434 9394

SHARÉ TIDBURY

+27(0)21 434 9394

JANN

KAUTHAR

SHARÉ