Travel advisor Pat Probert celebrates 100th cruise

Pat Probert, founder of the Bob Family Travel Team, has just completed a milestone—his 100th cruise, aboard the Uniworld S.S. São Gabriel on Portugal’s scenic Douro River.

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, young Probert never imagined he would see much of the world. Geography class never held his attention, as he assumed he would always stay close to home.

But a visit to Ontario at age 12 changed everything. “I saw the promised land,” Probert recalled, and he never returned to Nova Scotia.

His love of cruising began in 1982 with his first Carnival cruise on the original Mardi Gras, sailing with friends from Ottawa.

Those early cruises were modest affairs—four friends would share an inside cabin, and bringing your own alcohol on board was the norm.

“Back then, they’d even shoot shotguns off the back of the ship and drive golf balls into the ocean,” Probert said. “Something I would not have done if I knew what I know today!”

Throughout the 1980s, Probert continued sailing with friends. In the late 1990s, he returned to cruising with Carnival, eventually leading his own groups starting in 2000.

These November cruises averaged 150–200 passengers per trip, he said.

In 2014, Probert’s adventures took him to Australia aboard Celebrity Cruises, marking the first time he ventured so far from home.

That experience ignited a goal to visit every continent—a milestone he achieved in 2022 with a three-week Seabourn cruise to Antarctica. Onboard, he captured a memorable photo pulling the icebreaker ship through the Antarctic ice.

To date, Probert has visited over 100 countries by cruise ship, spending more than two years at sea and meeting countless fascinating people along the way.

He became a full-fledged travel advisor in 2009 when he joined TravelOnly, but his journey in group travel started decades earlier.

In 1977, he founded The Bob Family, initially as an identity for the travel groups he was leading.

In 2027, it will mark 50 years since Probert took his first group skiing in Quebec.

Today, the Bob Family Travel Team at TravelOnly is the largest agency within the host agency, all originating from Pat’s desire to share adventures with friends.

Among his most cherished memories, Probert highlights the Galapagos Islands, “where you walk among, the wildlife or you swim in the clear blue waters with marine life.”

Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, he led a group of 71 on a safari in Africa, experiencing everything from small wildlife encounters to face-to-face moments with the Big Five.

Another favourite adventure was escorting 178 travellers to Tahiti and Bora Bora in 2022 with Regent. “These places should be on everyone’s bucket list,” Probert said.

For him, travel is more than sightseeing—it’s about creating lifelong memories and friendships.

Whether journeying with clients, friends, or fellow travel advisors, he cherishes the opportunity to share his knowledge and passion for exploration with everyone he meets.

After 100 cruises, Probert intends to continue inspiring others to explore the world.

“I want to keep sharing my knowledge of travel with everyone,” he said.

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