About Us
Holiday Cruises and Tours is part of the largest network of vacation specialists in the country. Our agents are provided with intensive training and have more knowledge about leisure travel and the travel industry than full-service travel agents. What does all of this mean for you? It means Holiday Cruises and Tours knows just how to find the vacation which best fits your individual needs. It also means we can provide you with the best vacation for your vacation dollar. At Holiday Cruises and Tours, we strive to provide excellent vacations for the best quality and value and at the highest level of service available.
Contact us online or call us at (480) 998-1112, for a wonderful vacation experience which starts the moment you call.
“We have an excellent staff. All of our travel backgrounds are varied – we can speak to any locale. Our customers take comfort in that.” Owner Diane Baskind, Holiday Cruises and Tours
Diane Baskind, owner
As the owner of Holiday Cruises and Tours, 
Diane believes that honesty, integrity and fun is the lifeline of the agency.
The goal of the store is to provide excellent service in an environment that is comfortable and professional at all times. In an industry that has so many choices Diane believes knowledge is what sets the agency apart from other agencies and the internet.
It was Diane’s love of people and travel that brought her to Holiday Cruises and Tours. She moved to Arizona in 1981 from Pennsylvania and has been in business in the state since 1981.
Kristen Harman
Kristen is a tried and true travel buff 
and began her career in travel in 1981. Destinations that she has traveled extensively include Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. With two children, Kristen has lots of expertise in all-inclusive family cruise and land vacations. Kristen has also planned many weddings both aboard ships and at resort destinations. “I love to travel and meet people and when I’m not traveling I get to help others plan their vacations – it’s very rewarding!” says Kristen.
Hilarie Brown
Hilarie brings passion to Holiday Cruises and Tours. Her love for travel is only surpassed by her love of animals. Hilarie has traveled all over the world, and brings tremendous knowledge of key destinations, to her clients. It is Hilarie’s goal to have every client love their vacation experience, and also to enjoy the planning process as well.
Brian Forrester
Brian brings an entrepreneurial spirit 
to Holiday Cruises and Tours. In 1990 he was looking for an opportunity to take him through his retirement years and beyond – and to have some fun! He purchased a Cruise Holidays franchise in West Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Yes, he’s Canadian, eh!
A few years later he decided to join his wife in the warmer climes of Arizona, and thus, met up with Holiday Cruises and Tours.
He enjoys his time with the team in Scottsdale and strives to exceed your expectations.
John Baker
John works with Brian Forrester as a military reunion specialist. He first became involved with military reunions in 1993 when he attended the very first reunion of the newly formed U.S.S. Oklahoma City Association and was elected its president. He has been reelected each year since and has been active in every aspect of the Association including developing its bylaws, writing and producing a historical video about ships named Oklahoma City, conducting fund raisers, and arranging each of the Association’s annual reunions. He has been a police officer, a real estate entrepreneur, and recently retired from the Kansas Department of Corrections. John lives in Winfield, Kansas, where he is active as an oboist in local and regional musical groups.
John is respected in the military reunion industry and is known to be an outstanding planner. He brings much experience and knowledge about the military reunion business. His passion to arrange the best reunion ever is a driving factor in his decision to begin arranging military reunions for other groups.
Betsy Scherr
Betsy is a luxury cruise specialist. An ex-collegiate volleyball player, Betsy now enjoys tennis at the Camelback Village Clubs here in Scottsdale. She is passionate about cruises, has traveled the world in her first career as an investment banker, and has sailed on over 50 ships! Betsy is a native Californian, a UCLA & University of Colorado business/finance graduate. She has been in the cruise industry for over 10 years, and would be happy to help families, groups or individuals with their vacation planning needs. She has also put together many golf & wine cruises for various organizations. You can contact Betsy direct at: 480-306-7635.
