Frequently Asked Questions
Hosted journeys
What is a hosted group journey?
A hosted group journey is a small-group trip that Erika Commisso plans and then personally travels on alongside the guests. Unlike a large bus tour, the groups stay small, and unlike booking independently, every logistical detail is arranged in advance. Journey with Erika hosts these trips for travelers who want the ease of a planned itinerary with the company of a like-minded group.
How much does a hosted journey cost?
Journeys generally range from about $2,500 to $10,000 or more per person, depending on the destination, the length of the trip and the style of travel. Every journey page lists a starting price per person. A free call is the fastest way to find the journey that fits your budget.
How big are the groups?
Groups are intentionally kept small so the experience stays personal and the group can actually get to know one another. Exact size varies by journey and by the ship or property involved.
What kind of travel does Journey with Erika specialize in?
The focus is hosted small-group journeys, with particular depth in hosted cruises, small ship ocean cruising, river cruising and expedition voyages, as well as land-based journeys. Erika experiences a ship or destination personally before offering it as a hosted journey.
Does Erika travel on every trip?
Yes. Erika Commisso personally hosts every cruise and journey listed on this page, from the first day to the last.
Booking & bucket list
What happens on a free call?
It's a relaxed conversation, usually about 30 minutes, about where you'd like to go, how you like to travel and what's on your bucket list. There's no cost, no obligation and no pressure to book anything. If there's a good fit with an upcoming journey we'll talk about it, and if not, we'll add you to the waitlist for what's coming.
What if the journey I want isn't open for booking yet?
Join the waitlist. New journeys open a few times a year, and waitlist members are notified first — often before a trip is announced publicly. Popular journeys with limited space frequently fill from the waitlist.
Can I book a hosted trip on different dates?
Yes. If a hosted journey's dates don't work for you, Journey with Erika can book the same cruise or itinerary on a departure that fits your schedule. You'll travel independently rather than with the hosted group, with Erika handling all the planning.
Do you plan independent and family trips?
Yes. Journey with Erika is a full-service travel agency that also plans independent vacations for families, couples and friends, including cruises, land journeys and milestone celebrations.
What's the difference between Now Booking and Bucket List trips?
Now Booking trips can be reserved today. Bucket List trips are planned for 2028–2032. Adding one to your bucket list is free, with no obligation, and gives you first access when the trip opens for booking.
What if my dream destination isn't listed?
Book a free call and tell Erika where you'd like to go. New journeys are added regularly, and custom or private trips are also available.
Solo & first-time travelers
Can I join a journey if I'm traveling alone?
Yes, and solo travelers are a large part of nearly every group. You do not need a travel companion to join. Many guests book solo, sit down to dinner with the group on the first night, and finish the trip with friends they stay in touch with for years.
Can I join a hosted cruise if I'm traveling solo?
Yes. Solo travelers join nearly every group, and many guests book solo and finish the trip with new friends.
I've never traveled internationally before. Is this right for me?
It's one of the best ways to start. First-time international travelers get guidance on passports, flights, connections and what to expect on the ground, plus a pre-trip guide that walks through the whole journey before departure. Erika is with the group the entire time, so there's always someone to ask.
Contact
Where is Journey with Erika based, and do you work with travelers outside Wisconsin?
Journey with Erika is based in Appleton, Wisconsin, and has been hosting travelers since 2018. Guests join from all over the United States, and everything can be handled by phone, video call and email.
Is the call really free?
Yes. The call is free, takes about 30 minutes and comes with no obligation to book.
Do I need to know where I want to go?
Not at all. Many travelers start with a feeling, like 'somewhere warm' or 'a river cruise in Europe', and Erika helps narrow it down.
Can you help if I live outside Wisconsin?
Yes. Journey with Erika works with travelers across the United States by phone, video call and email.
What if I'd rather email?
Email Erika@JourneywithErika.com anytime. We reply within one business day.
Free · 30 minutes · No obligation