Bill Rubin
Interests & Specialties
Cruise & Tour Specialist
Expert Bio
Bill grew up in Burlington, New Jersey and received a BS in Economics at U of P Wharton School in 1942. Bill served his country in the US Marine Corps from 1942 to 1943, and married his wife Shirlee in March, 1944. He entered into a partnership in a food distribution business from 1944 to 1989 while Shirlee raised their two daughters, Barabara and Patti. Bill's career turning point came during a six week cross-country motor trip, in 1954, which started his excitement for travel. After disappointments with the extreme lack of knowledge of several travel agents, BillI decided that if he was going to accomplish his goal of seeing the world, he had to learn the travel business himself. So, at the time that independent contractors were rare and not well respected in the trade, Bill became one, part-time, starting in 1969 while in the food business and continuing to this day. Bill has described this moment of his life as being the beginnings of the most exciting life’s journey that one could possibly imagine. With his great life partner, Shirlee, and with the help and inspiration of many people along the way, in addition to his travel sales and personal travel, Bill & Shirlee began to escort group tours and cruises around the world. Their travels have taken them to practically every country in the world, and they have traveled on over 200 cruises including every major cruise line.
Bill & Shirlee joined Camelback Odyssey Travel in 1999. Bill feels that the key to his success is that he never forgets the credo that “the function of a travel consultant is to serve and guide the client”. Bill understands that clients appreciate this, and his growth has been based primarily on client referrals.
Bill is quoted to have said "I have never lost the excitement of travel nor the compulsion to continue it."
Bill & Shirlee at the Terracotta Soldiers in Xi'an, China
Next to the Crystal Serenity