INDEPENDENT LUXURY RIVER CRUISE TRAVEL ADVISOR
AmaWaterways Certified Specialist. CLIA Certified Cruise Counselor. ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. 25 or more river cruise ship inspections and personal sailings across Europe.
[HERO PHOTO — Melissa Yetter on board a river cruise ship or at a European port]
ABOUT MELISSA
I am Melissa Yetter, co-founder of Cruisin Couple Travel Agency and an independent luxury river cruise travel advisor based in Chandler, Arizona. River cruising is not one of many things I do. It is the specialty I have built my career around.
I hold certifications as an AmaWaterways Certified Specialist, Viking River Cruises Certified Specialist, Riverside Luxury Cruises Certified Specialist, and Scenic Certified Specialist, among others. I am a CLIA Certified Cruise Counselor, a Certified Travel Industry Executive, and an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Arizona ASTA Chapter.
I have personally sailed and inspected more than 25 river cruise ships across Europe, including ships by AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, Scenic, Avalon Waterways, Riverside Luxury Cruises, and Tauck. I have attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo and have sailed European rivers including the Danube and the Rhine through ASTA's own river cruise events.
I do not recommend a river cruise based on a brochure. I recommend it because I have been there.
MY METHODOLOGY
I do not recommend a river cruise based solely on the cruise line's brochure. My firsthand ship inspections and sailing experiences allow me to look at the details that can make one ship a better fit for one traveler than another.
I inspect the ship.
I personally tour cabins, public spaces, dining areas, amenities, and the overall onboard experience whenever possible.
I evaluate cabins and public spaces.
I look beyond the floor plan to understand how the ship actually feels and which cabin locations may work best for different travelers.
I compare the ship against competing lines.
A beautiful ship is not automatically the right ship. I look at how it compares with other river cruise brands and ships.
I consider the traveler's priorities.
Couples, families, multi-generational travelers, first-time cruisers, and luxury travelers can have very different needs and the right ship reflects that.
I look at the itinerary, not just the ship.
The right ship on the wrong itinerary is not necessarily the right vacation.
I explain the trade-offs.
Every cruise line and ship has strengths and compromises. I want travelers to understand both before they book.
I recommend the option I believe fits the traveler.
My goal is not to sell the most expensive cruise. It is to match the right ship, itinerary, cabin, and cruise line to the right traveler.
FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE
25+
River Cruise Ship Inspections and Sailings
4
Ships Personally Sailed on the Danube and Rhine
6+
European River Cruise Lines Certified In
I have personally sailed the AmaMagna and AmaViola on the Danube, and inspected ships across AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises, Scenic, Avalon Waterways, Riverside Luxury Cruises, and Tauck. I attend the ASTA River Cruise Expo regularly and have sailed European rivers through ASTA's own river cruise inspection events. When I recommend a ship, it is because I have stood in the cabin, eaten in the dining room, walked the deck, and asked the questions that matter.
SHIP REVIEWS
Every review in my library is written from personal experience. These are the ships I have sailed and inspected, the details I noticed, and my honest assessment of who each ship is right for and who it is not.
The widest river cruise ship in Europe. Double the beam of a standard vessel, with a pool, pickleball courts, morning yoga, and a coffee bar that becomes the social heart of every sailing. She lives on the Danube year round.
Read My ReviewA smaller, more intimate Danube experience with bold design, the beloved Chef's Table, twin balconies, and Oktoberfest celebrations in Passau.
Read My ReviewCREDENTIALS
CLIA Certified Cruise Counselor (CCC)
Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE)
ASTA Verified Travel Advisor
Board of Directors, Arizona ASTA Chapter
AmaWaterways Certified Specialist
Viking River Cruises Certified Specialist
Riverside Luxury Cruises Certified Specialist
Scenic Certified Specialist
Avalon Waterways Certified Specialist
Princess Commodore
Azamara World Academy
BBB Accredited Business
ALSO SPECIALIZING IN
River cruising is my primary specialty, but Cruisin Couple Travel Agency serves clients across a wide range of travel categories. If your next journey takes you somewhere other than a European river, we can help with that too.
Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Azamara, and Princess Cruises.
One of the most dramatic and bucket-list destinations in the world.
Cruisin to the Parks — our dedicated Disney and Universal travel brand.
Custom group sailings and faith-based journeys for organizations of all sizes.
The right river cruise starts with the right conversation. Tell me where you want to go, how you like to travel, and what matters most to you. I will handle everything else.
Melissa Yetter
Cruisin Couple Travel Agency
www.cruisincouple.com
