Black-Owned Luxury Travel Advisory | Solo Travel | Luxury Hotels & Cruises | Zero-Proof & Allergy-Aware Travel

Luxury should never leave you wondering whether you belong.

I'm Sonya Crew, a Certified Luxury Travel Advisor, hospitality media creator and co-founder of Shake Stir & Mingle™, a Black-owned luxury travel and hospitality media brand.

I specialize in planning thoughtful luxury travel experiences for Black travelers, particularly Black women traveling solo, celebrating milestone birthdays, rediscovering their independence or simply deciding that it's time to see more of the world.

For me, luxury isn't defined by a hotel's star rating, the size of a suite or the price of a vacation.

It's about the entire experience.

How you're welcomed. How your preferences are considered. How comfortable you feel exploring a new destination. And whether the journey allows you to enjoy yourself without constantly having to explain what you need.

I believe luxury is being able to exhale.

And that's the perspective I bring to every journey I help plan.

I've always been drawn to beautiful places, exceptional hospitality and the experiences that stay with us long after we've returned home.

My travels have taken me to destinations including London, Paris, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Lisbon, the Amalfi Coast, Iceland, Greenland and the Caribbean.

I've experienced luxury hotels, explored remarkable destinations, and traveled across the North Atlantic aboard EXPLORA III on an 11-night solo journey from Reykjavík to Québec City.

That voyage was particularly meaningful to me.

I celebrated my birthday at sea, traveled independently through extraordinary surroundings and returned home with a renewed appreciation for what solo travel can offer a woman who is ready to experience the world on her own terms.

I didn't need someone to accompany me to make the journey meaningful.

I needed the opportunity to go.

Those experiences shape how I approach travel advising.

I understand the excitement of arriving somewhere new. I understand the importance of choosing the right hotel and location. And I understand that traveling alone can be both empowering and deeply personal.

As a Black woman, I also recognize that our travel experiences can include considerations that aren't always addressed in traditional luxury travel marketing.

We want extraordinary experiences.

But we also want to feel welcomed, respected and comfortable enjoying them.

That shouldn't be too much to ask.

My perspective extends beyond being a traveler.

As co-founder of Shake Stir & Mingle™, I've had opportunities to cover influential hospitality industry events, interview industry leaders and explore the ideas shaping luxury hotels, beverage culture and modern hospitality.

Our media work has included Tales of the Cocktail and Bar Convent Brooklyn, giving me a perspective on hospitality from both sides: as a guest experiencing it and as a storyteller speaking with the people behind it.

Those experiences influence the questions I ask when researching travel for my clients.

Not simply:

Is this a luxury hotel?

But:

Is this the right luxury hotel for this traveler?

What is the surrounding neighborhood like?

What dining experiences are available?

How convenient is transportation?

What do recent guests say about the service?

Are there non-alcoholic beverage options?

Can dietary preferences and food allergies be communicated before arrival?

Does the experience reflect what my client actually wants?

The answers help inform a more thoughtful approach to luxury travel planning.

I help Black travelers explore luxury hotels, resorts, cruises and destinations with attention to exceptional hospitality, cultural experiences, personal preferences and the practical details that shape a journey.

Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a milestone celebration, a luxury family vacation or a long-awaited international adventure, my goal is to help you choose an experience that reflects your interests.

I believe Black travelers deserve to see themselves represented in luxury travel and to pursue extraordinary experiences without feeling that they need to justify their presence.

This is one of my most personal specialties.

I've experienced the freedom of traveling alone, including international city stays and luxury ocean travel.

I understand the pleasure of creating your own itinerary, enjoying dinner on your own, exploring at your own pace and celebrating yourself without waiting for someone else to be available.

I help Black women consider destinations, accommodations, transfers, activities and travel arrangements that align with their comfort and goals.

Whether it's your first solo journey or your tenth, the experience should reflect the woman you are today.

Your 40th, 50th, 60th birthday or any meaningful life milestone deserves to be celebrated in a way that feels authentic to you.

Perhaps it's a beautiful suite overlooking the Amalfi Coast.

A luxury ocean voyage.

A restorative spa retreat.

A week in Paris.

Or a solo adventure somewhere you've dreamed about for years.

I help you explore the destinations, accommodations and experiences that can make the celebration memorable.

You don't have to wait for a group to agree on the destination.

Sometimes the most meaningful celebration is the one you choose for yourself.

Ocean travel is a particular passion of mine.

After experiencing EXPLORA III firsthand, I developed an even deeper appreciation for the way a luxury ocean journey can combine comfortable accommodations, dining, wellness, discovery and personal freedom.

I help travelers explore luxury cruises and yacht-style voyages, including Explora Journeys and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

My planning considers itineraries, suite categories, onboard experiences, solo occupancy pricing, dining preferences, shore excursions and pre- and post-cruise arrangements.

Whether you're traveling solo, as a couple or with family, I can help you explore which style of ocean journey best fits your expectations.

I choose zero-proof, and I believe alcohol-free travelers deserve thoughtful hospitality experiences.

Luxury travel should offer choices beyond Champagne and traditional cocktails.

I help travelers explore hotels, cruises, restaurants and hospitality experiences with non-alcoholic beverage options.

During my EXPLORA III journey, my suite minibar was thoughtfully adjusted to include non-alcoholic alternatives.

That experience reinforced something I believe strongly:

Luxury isn't about being offered what everyone else wants. It's about having meaningful choices.

Whether you're sober, sober-curious or simply prefer not to drink, your preferences deserve consideration.

Food allergies and dietary requirements can influence how someone experiences a vacation.

I help clients identify questions to ask hospitality providers and communicate relevant preferences before arrival.

This may include discussing food allergies, dietary restrictions, restaurant options and available accommodations with hotels, cruise lines and other travel suppliers.

While no hotel, restaurant or cruise can be guaranteed allergen-free, thoughtful research and clear communication can support more informed travel decisions.

For some travelers, luxury means quiet.

A peaceful suite.

A restorative spa.

A slower itinerary.

An environment where they can rest without feeling overwhelmed.

I help clients consider wellness experiences, quieter accommodations, travel pacing, accessibility information and sensory preferences when planning their journeys.

Because sometimes the greatest luxury isn't doing more.

It's having the freedom to do less.

Working with a Black luxury travel advisor doesn't mean every Black traveler wants the same destination or experience.

We don't.

Some of us love vibrant cities.

Some prefer secluded resorts.

Some want cultural immersion.

Others want beautiful accommodations, exceptional dining and time to relax.

Many want a combination.

My approach begins by listening.

I want to know what you're celebrating, where you've dreamed of traveling, how you like to spend your time and what details would make the journey feel right for you.

I also recognize that Black travelers may have questions about feeling welcomed, navigating unfamiliar destinations or choosing accommodations where they can feel comfortable.

I won't promise that every hotel or destination will deliver a perfect experience.

No travel advisor can guarantee that.

What I can offer is firsthand perspective where I have it, thoughtful research, transparent guidance and personalized planning that considers what matters to you.

1. We Begin With a Conversation

During a complimentary travel consultation, we'll discuss your destination interests, travel dates, budget, preferences and the experience you're hoping to create.

2. We Explore Your Options

Depending on your needs, I'll help you consider suitable luxury hotels, cruises, destinations and travel experiences, along with available booking options and relevant amenities.

3. We Consider the Details

From room categories and location to transportation, dining, zero-proof preferences and special requests, we'll discuss the details that may influence your journey.

4. You Travel on Your Own Terms

My goal is to help you make informed decisions and feel prepared for the experience you've chosen.

For eligible reservations, preferred travel partner programs may offer additional amenities, such as breakfast, hotel credits or upgrades subject to availability and applicable terms.

Any included benefits will be explained before booking.

I believe Black women should feel free to explore the world in all its beauty.

To book the extraordinary hotel.

To celebrate a birthday at sea.

To dine alone without apology.

To discover new cultures.

To experience luxury without waiting for permission or the perfect travel companion.

And to choose travel experiences that reflect who they are, rather than someone else's idea of what their vacation should look like.

That's why I created this approach to luxury travel.

Not simply to help people go somewhere beautiful.

But to help them think more deeply about how they want to experience the world.

You deserve a journey that feels like yours.

Whether you're considering your first solo international trip, a luxury cruise, a milestone birthday celebration or a thoughtfully planned getaway, I'd love to hear what you're dreaming about.

Let's begin with a conversation.

BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY TRAVEL CONSULTATION

Sonya Crew
Certified Luxury Travel Advisor
Founder & Co-Founder, Shake Stir & Mingle™
Black Luxury Travel | Luxury Solo Travel | Luxury Cruises | Zero-Proof Hospitality

Luxury Travel That Sees You.