Founded by Lori's Grandmother and Grandfather, Skyscraper Tours has helped cruise passengers find the cruise vacation to fit their needs and wants. We spend all of our time researching cruises only, to give the traveler all the facts and figures in advance for a worry free vacation.

Why the name Skyscraper Tours?

Long ago in a small town outside Little Rock, Arkansas; Fred Rains (Lori's grandfather) owned and operated several businesses one being Skyscraper Tours and the other a TV and appliance store (remember those?). At the time his building was the city's only "skyscraper"... all of two stories tall.

His advertising became his slogan on television for years "..come see us in Sherwood's only skyscraper -TWO stories tall!"  Lori took over running the business in 1994 and dedicated the company to the then new 'Internet'.  Now, her clientele is worldwide ranging from the America's, Europe to Asia and Australia, all looking for that which has largely disappeared in today's mass market approach-


Lori provides honesty, integrity and personal service to all her customers AND finds the best discounts on cruises! Great service that can be counted on time and time again.

Lori boarding the 'Mardi Gras' with her grandmother...

Hooked on cruising at a young age!


Meeting a real Captain!


 And now our children are hooked!

The Cruise Crazy Family!


Old newspaper clipping of Lori at her Grandmother's
Skyscraper Tours retail location
(guess the news was slow that day)


 Our first invitation to the 'Captains Table'

Here are just a few of the wonderful comments from our
          customers and from the cruise industry.
          Thanks to all who make it possible!

  • In 2001, Skyscraper Tours, Inc. became a "Key Account" of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines exceeding the multi-million sales mark and ranks in the top 250 agencies among North American travel agencies. Preferred lower pricing is given to these agencies on certain sailing dates out of over 35,000 agencies!
     

  • In 2003 we became a 'Royal Celebrity' with Royal Caribbean International honoring us for being one of the top producing 100 agencies in North America.
     

  • 2004- again honored as being in the Elite 'Royal Celebrities' in North America.
     

  • 2005- again honored as being in the Elite 'Royal Celebrities' in North America.
     

  • In 2002-2003-2004-2005 Princess thanks Skyscraper Tours for being one of the top producing agencies in North America and one of it's 'iXcel' partners. 'iXcel' Partners receive lower pricing on sailings than most other agencies.

Click here for a copy of the acknowledgment letter from Princess Cruise Line

Forum for clients comments
 To add your comments simply email Barry@skyscrapertours.com and we'll be happy to add them to the forum!

"Skyscraper Tours provides fantastic and personal service to their clients. They are one of the top producing agencies in my region, which includes northwest Arkansas. Their level of commitment to the client and knowledge of the cruise industry have made Skyscraper Tours very successful. Lori and Barry Cunningham are true professionals."

-Wendy Swerman, District Sales Manager,
Norwegian Cruise Line

 2.27.2005
"Hi Lori, Just a quick thank you for the perfect cruise, we and I mean we all 21 of us had a blast, for my first cruise it couldn't of been better, everyone was so wonderful to us and I want to thank you for the wine and wonderful dinner , everyone enjoyed themselves. Next cruise is with you and the next one, and the next one, thanks again Lori, S.G."

"We have booked our last three cruises with Lori from Skyscraper Tours. She always gets us a good price for our cruise. We tend to book early for good pricing and good cabin selections .But best of all we continue to book with Skyscraper Tours because Lori monitors the price of the cruise until the very end and gives us a refund when the price drops. On our recent Jan. 21, 2001 cruise on the Grand Princess we received a $400 credit to our Visa credit card less than about a month prior to sailing. She is always available via phone or e-mail to answer our questions (many). We continue to use her as we are now planning our next cruise."

-Irene and Paul (last names withheld by request)

"After 4 travel agents in 5 cruises, I was ready to try anything to find someone who does something more than take your money. In 2001, we booked the Ocean Princess, inside cabin on the Baja Deck, through Lori. The starting price was $1159 per person. Within 6 months, through Lori's conscientious monitoring of rates, our price had dropped to $799 per person. At this time Lori had saved us so much money that we could have upgraded to an outside cabin and still saved money. We opted to remain inside. About 3 months before the cruise, Lori came through again. The new price was $499 per person. Wow!!!!!! I couldn't be happier with Lori's service. In fact, I am now in the process of booking a group cruise with her for 2002. You can't go wrong by selecting Lori as your travel agent. She does more than take your money and run."

-Dennis L.

"I have booked 7 cruises with Lori and on 6 of them the final price was lower than the price I originally booked. In each case Lori lowered the price I paid, or I was upgraded with no additional charge. On my Royal Princess Norwegian Fjords cruise in 1999 the price was lowered twice. My Zenith Panama Canal cruise in 2000 was $400.00 lower than the price first booked. On my Hawaii cruise on Vision of the Seas in May, 2000, Lori saved me $400.00 when she found that RCI had reduced the air fare. On my Millennium cruise in January/February, 2001 I was able to upgrade to a balcony cabin because Lori found a price reduction. I am now booked on the Infinity in May, 2001 and the price of that cruise has come down at least twice since I booked it, and I have been able to upgrade to a balcony cabin. I am also booked on the Royal Princess Transatlantic cruise in August, 2001. The price has dropped once, and I'm hoping it will come down even more. I don't really know how TA commissions work. I hope Lori hasn't lost money by finding the lower prices. She has certainly done a good job for me. I was able to book a last minute Alaska cruise in September, 2000 with the money I'd saved on the previous cruises."

-Karen P.

"My wife and I recently sailed on our 19th cruise, from Hawaii to Mexico. The last ten of these cruises (give or take) were booked for us by Lori Cunningham of Skyscraper Tours in Arkansas. As most people may be aware, Arkansas is a long way from where we live in California. Lori and I have never even met. We hardly ever talk on the telephone. We communicate mostly by email. Nevertheless, we would never consider booking a cruise with any other travel agent. A number of reasons for this:

1) Lori always gets us a competitive price. I know this, because I once did some price comparisons with online discount sellers and she was right in there if not a little cheaper.

2) Many times we get an unsolicited upgrade.

3) Lori provides excellent service, particularly after the booking is already made.

4) Most importantly, she monitors all the cruise lines for last minute price reductions or promotions and never fails to pass these savings on to us.

I would be happy to recommend Lori to anyone considering a cruise. Please feel free to contact me if any amplification of this recommendation is required."

-Paul J.

"Dear Lori, I just got back from our wonderful cruise and everything went like clockwork, our dining room seating was as we planned it , I dare say this was the best planned cruise we have ever taken. Thank you Lori for making it a special cruise for my family and friends. I bragged on you to any one that would listen, please send me some of your cards so that more people will enjoy your excellent service that you give. Our next cruise will be with you for sure !!!"

Thanks again your loyal customer,
-Alma F.

"Lori has been a great help to me! I had major problems with a cruise I booked through another agent and Lori took the time to help me get it straightened out, even though there was no benefit to her. I booked my upcoming Infinity cruise with her and she notified me that the price had gone down and saved us $260! She always answers my emails promptly and is also available by phone. She really knows the business! I have recommended her to others and wouldn't book with anyone else!"

-Dell N.

"Hi everybody. I just had to share my good news. I just got an e-mail from Lori, letting us know that the price on our Victory cruise in January has just dropped $150.00 per person. This is for our family cruise so that's $150.00 times five people. And it was a good price to begin with!"

-Gayle Valenchek

"That you so much for booking out Sept 23rd cruise on The Grand. It was perfect in every way as was your service. We will sure book our next cruise with you and be glad to recomend you to others."

Best Regards,

Carole V.

"We have booked two cruises through Skyscraper Tours, upon the glowing recommendations of many members of Cruise@ddicts website, and have been extremely pleased with the results. Lori really does monitor the rates offered by the cruiselines, and was able to get us a $660 refund on our upcoming Celebrity Zenith cruise (for 2 cabins) and a very nice upgrade.
The previous cruise was a run-of-the-ship booking for our stateroom, and she would cheerfully answer our questions, and allay our fears, as the sailing date grew closer, and we hadn't received an assignment yet. (Everything went perfectly, of course). The extra services that Lori provides, a video if available of the ship you're sailing on, a detailed background report on the ports for the cruise, detailing shore excursions, etc., go far beyond the other travel agents that we've used. Thanks for all your hard work, Lori - you're the best!!!"

Jane & Breeze

"Dear Lori,
We are back from our Celebrity, Mercury cruise to Hawaii and it was fantastic. Our suite was beautiful and the veranda, amazing. Thanks for the $25.00 onboard credit. Now it's back to reality and planning for our next cruise. We thought Celebrity was great with the best service we have ever received on a cruise. Thanks for your help in making it a truly memorable vacation."

Barb