I was born in Dallas and have lived all over the country since then. Growing up, I spent about ten years in Westchester County, just outside of New York City. I also spent a couple of years going to school in Pennsylvania. My high school years were spent in Lufkin, Texas and that’s where I got his first job in radio.
The broadcasting industry would ultimately take me to Boston, Las Vegas, back to Lufkin and finally to Houston. Over a 25-year career, I played every type of music and met (and worked with) some amazing people. Throughout that time, I was an amateur travel agent, constantly helping my friends and family book vacations and plan travel excursions.
I am the founder and owner of Premier Custom Travel, a travel agency based in Iowa Colony, Texas and specializing in cruises, theme park vacations, the Sandals & Beaches Resorts, and destinations worldwide.
I live in Iowa Colony, Texas with my girlfriend Melissa and our cats Otto (who serves as my company's mascot and official office kitty) and Sammy. In my spare time, I enjoy going to see live theatre, traveling, sports (especially baseball, hockey and football), spending time with my friends, and going to restaurants and wine tastings.
In 2022, I was honored to be inducted into the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Hall of Fame as the Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC) of the Year. I am a CLIA Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC), a CLIA Luxury Cruise Specialist (LCS), a CLIA-certified Travel Agency Executive (TAE), a Travel Institute Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), an IATA Accredited Agent, a Verified Travel Advisor with ASTA - the American Society of Travel Advisors (VTA), a Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS), and a SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate. In July of 2013, I was selected from among thousands of travel agents to be Carnival Cruise Line's Fun Planner of the Month. In 2020, I was chosen to participate in the CruiseWorld Star Program. I also hold a seat on the CLIA StarBoard, the travel agent advisory committee for Cruise Lines International Association.
I am one of three co-authors of the #1 best-selling book The Travel Advisor's Handbook.
© 2024 Christopher J. Grum. All rights reserved.