According to Tom Drake, founder of Best At Sea Tours, the company is a natural extension of the roles he and his wife once fulfilled aboard cruise ships. For over 30 years, Tom Drake has performed as a stand-up comedian on many of the world’s cruise lines. His wife, Dottie Kulasa, spent decades working in the cruise industry and recently stepped away from her onboard role after a long and active career at sea.
For nearly three decades, they worked side by side at sea, Tom as the comedian while Dottie played a key role onboard. As Drake puts it, “I made the guests laugh, and Dottie made sure everything else actually worked.”
Dottie Kulasa adds that throughout her years working at sea, her focus remained on creating meaningful experiences for travelers. “That part hasn’t changed,” she says. “We’re still creating those moments, just in a way that feels more personal.”
Tom Drake adds, “We’ve stepped away from the scale of large cruise operations and focused on something more personal. Our trips are shorter by design, and that changes the entire experience.”
“When we started the company, I joked that my wife should probably be in charge of keeping everyone in line, because that’s been her unofficial role for years,” Drake says. “She chose a more respectable title, which is probably for the best. I kept it simple, I’m the ‘Chief Fun Guy,’ and that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing all along.”
Dottie Kulasa’s role within the company reflects her many years working at sea and the experience she brings from that time. Drake also references her background on his daily podcast, Tom Drake’s Daily Cruise & Travelers Podcast, where her perspective often comes up in conversation. Published six days a week and available across multiple platforms, the show covers cruise and travel news alongside his commentary.
Tom explains that his wife plays a central role in shaping the experience Best At Sea Tours aims to provide. “My wife has spent years working with people and bringing them together,” he says. “She’s a natural at it. I’m more the guy you’ll find hanging out nearby, but somehow the combination works.”
During their final 17 years with the luxury cruise line, Dottie Kulasa and Tom Drake spent many evenings in the Grand Dining Room hosting their guests. Over time, those guests became more than guests; they became friends, and many now choose to travel with Dottie and Tom again on their hosted cruises.
“We built relationships over many years,” says Tom Drake. “And when people started asking Dottie what she was going to do when she retired, I went out and found her something to do, something we both still love: cruising with great people.”
Dottie explains that solo guests are often overlooked in the industry, but they are, and will remain, a key focus for Best At Sea Tours. “We already have several who travel with us, and I expect many more,” she says. “When you travel with us, it is like a family. If you’re traveling solo, you’ll be welcomed and quickly become part of that family.”
When asked what exactly a hosted cruise is, Tom Drake explains, “The first thing is it’s not more expensive. It doesn’t cost any extra to join us on one of our hosted cruises, and you do receive added perks.”
He adds, “We host cocktail parties, organize group dinners, and treat you to an evening in the Vintage Room for a spectacular wine-pairing dinner. You’ll also receive special gifts, and most importantly, a stress-free vacation of a lifetime.”
Looking ahead, Drake explains the company’s direction in simple terms. “The goal is to enjoy what we are doing and keep building on it,” he says. “If people continue to travel with us and have a good experience, that’s what matters.”
Best At Sea Tours reflects a natural evolution of a life spent at sea. Tom Drake says, “We’ve spent a lifetime creating memorable moments for guests on ships, and there was no reason to stop now.”
He adds, “When you cruise with Best At Sea Tours, it’s more than just a cruise, it’s an invitation to join the Best At Sea Tours family, where luxury travel meets lasting friendships.”
