Independent & family travel
Custom Land & Cruise Trips
Your dates, your group, your route — planned end to end.
In short
Alongside our hosted group journeys, Journey with Erika is a full-service travel agency that plans custom cruises, guided tours, beach vacations and independent trips for families, couples and friends, with one point of contact from the first call to the flight home.
Where to start
What's your travel style?
Choose a style to see how we plan it, or request a quote and tell us everything.
Cruise
Ocean, river, luxury and expedition cruises, matched to how you like to travel.
Explore cruises →
Guided Tours
Expert-led tours that handle the details, so you can simply enjoy the places.
Explore guided tours →
Sun & Sand
All-inclusive resorts and island escapes made for pure relaxation.
Explore beach trips →
Independent Travel
A custom itinerary built around your pace, your interests and your dates.
Explore custom trips →
Why plan with Erika
Travel is about the memories, not the logistics.
We believe travel isn't just about the places you visit. It's about the memories you make and the stories you bring home. From the moment you reach out, we focus on your vision: where you want to go, how you like to travel and what would make the trip unforgettable.
- Expert advice and insider tips from travelers who have been there
- Trusted partners through Signature Travel Network, with added perks when available
- One point of contact before, during and after your trip
Cruise
Cruises of every kind
Cruising lets you unpack once and wake up somewhere new. Journey with Erika books ocean, luxury, river and expedition cruises worldwide, from the Caribbean and the Mediterranean to Alaska and the rivers of Europe, and matches you with the ship and cruise line that fit your style and budget.
Expedition
Our specialty. Small ships built for remote places, from Antarctica and Greenland to the Galápagos.
Ocean Cruising
Contemporary ships with lively entertainment, varied dining and something for every age.
Luxury Ocean
Exceptional service, fine dining and spacious suites on smaller, more inclusive ships.
River Cruising
Europe's waterways and beyond, docking in the heart of historic towns.
Guided tours
Guided tours, expertly led
Guided tours pair a planned itinerary with a local expert, so you see more and worry less. We book guided and escorted tours across Europe, North America's national parks, Africa and beyond, choosing operators we trust for their guides, group size and pace.
Active
Hiking, biking and walking tours for travelers who like to earn the view.
National Parks
Guided trips through the great parks of the American West and Canada.
Europe
Historic cities, countryside and culture, with local guides who bring it to life.
Africa
Safari adventures with expert guides and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Sun & sand
Beach escapes, perfectly planned
For pure relaxation, we plan beach vacations at resorts we know, from all-inclusives in Mexico and the Caribbean to Hawaii, French Polynesia and Turks & Caicos, matching each traveler with the right resort for families, couples or a celebration.
All-Inclusives
Dining, drinks and activities included, so you can fully unwind.
Hawaii
Beaches, rainforests and island culture across the Hawaiian Islands.
French Polynesia
Overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons and romantic island escapes.
Turks & Caicos
Powdery white sand, clear water and world-class snorkeling and diving.
Independent travel
A trip designed around you
Independent travel is a trip built just for you: your dates, your pace and your interests. Erika plans the hotels, transfers, tours and local experiences, so you get the freedom of traveling on your own with the peace of mind that every detail is handled.
Alaska
Glaciers, wildlife and the Inside Passage.
Costa Rica
Rainforests, volcanoes and two coastlines.
Hawaii
Island-hopping, beaches and volcanoes.
Italy
Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast.
Canada
The Rockies, polar bears and lively cities.
French Polynesia
Overwater bungalows in Tahiti and Bora Bora.
Iceland
Waterfalls, hot springs and the Ring Road.
Spain
Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and San Sebastián.
…and anywhere else you've been dreaming of.
Who we plan for
Not every trip needs a group. Some travelers want the same insider knowledge and trusted partners without the hosted itinerary. That's where custom planning comes in.
Family vacations
Trips that work for every age, from little ones to grandparents.
Couples & friends
Getaways for two, or a crew of friends who want the details handled.
Milestone celebrations
Honeymoons, anniversaries, big birthdays and reunions.
Land journeys
Hotels, transfers, tours and experiences, all planned for you.
How a custom trip comes together
1
Tell us what you have in mind
Share your dates, budget, travelers and must-see places, on a call or with the quote form.
2
Erika designs two or three routes
Ships, hotels and journeys that fit how your group actually travels — not a brochure.
3
You choose, we book it all
Flights, hotels, transfers, tours, dining and travel documents in one itinerary.
4
Someone to call while you're away
One point of contact from the first call to the last night, if anything shifts.
Already eyeing a hosted journey?
The same trip, on your dates
If a hosted journey's dates don't work for you, the same cruise or itinerary can be booked on a departure that fits your schedule. You travel independently rather than with the hosted group, and Erika still handles the planning.
What our travelers say
“Journey with Erika is a fantastic company to work with and an even better company to travel with on their hosted journeys! We have taken several trips with Erika & Chris and have several more planned. Their enthusiasm for traveling is one of their key advantages and their hosted tours are simply the best way to travel. They are dedicated to making sure all their clients receive the best possible experience and work tirelessly if an issue arises when a client is traveling.”
Request a quote
Tell us about your dream trip.
Share a few details and Erika will reply within one business day with ideas, options and next steps. No cost, no obligation.
Custom trips, answered
Do you plan trips for families, couples and groups of friends?
Yes. Journey with Erika is a full-service travel agency that plans independent vacations for families, couples and groups of friends — cruises, land journeys and milestone celebrations, with Erika handling all the planning.
What does a travel agency actually handle?
Everything around the trip: flights and airfare checks, hotels, transfers, tours and excursions, dining reservations, cruise bookings, travel documentation and the day-by-day timing. You get one itinerary and one point of contact.
Can you book a hosted journey on different dates?
Yes. If a hosted journey's dates don't work for you, the same cruise or itinerary can be booked on a departure that fits your schedule. You travel independently rather than with the hosted group, and Erika still handles the planning.
How much does a custom trip cost?
Custom trips are priced from the ground up, so the total depends on the destinations, cabin or hotel category, and length. Most itineraries land in the same range as our hosted journeys, from about $2,500 to $10,000+ per person.
How do we get started?
Book a free 30-minute call. Bring dates, a rough budget and the places you won't give up. Erika will tell you what's realistic, suggest two or three routes, and then build the itinerary.
What kinds of trips do you plan?
Journey with Erika plans cruises of every kind (ocean, luxury, river and expedition), guided tours, beach and all-inclusive vacations, and fully custom independent trips anywhere in the world.
Do you book cruises on any cruise line?
Yes. We book ocean, luxury, river and expedition cruises across the major cruise lines and help you choose the ship and itinerary that fit your style and budget. Expedition cruising is our specialty.
Do you book all-inclusive resorts?
Yes. We plan all-inclusive and beach vacations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Turks & Caicos and beyond, matched to families, couples or celebrations.
Do I need to know exactly where I want to go?
Not at all. Many travelers start with a feeling, like 'somewhere warm' or 'a river cruise in Europe.' Erika will suggest options that fit your interests, dates and budget.
Start with a free call
Bring your dates, your group and the places you can't give up. Erika will tell you what's realistic, suggest two or three routes, and build the itinerary from there.
Free · 30 minutes · No obligation