Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Elliott.
Hi Melissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path to travel advising started the way most great things do — with a deep personal love for travel itself. I’ve always been someone who believes the how of a trip matters as much as the where, and over time that passion turned into a profession.
I built my business, Elevated Travel, as a Fora advisor, which has given me the perfect foundation to combine genuine expertise with the kind of personalized service that big-box agencies simply can’t offer. I specialize in luxury travel — river cruising, ocean cruises, European itineraries, South America and the Caribbean — and I’ve made it a priority to experience the places I recommend firsthand, so every suggestion I make comes from a place of real, personal knowledge.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, no — and I think anyone who tells you their entrepreneurial journey has been perfectly smooth probably isn’t telling the whole story.
Building a client base from scratch takes time, and the early days of establishing Elevated Travel meant a lot of investing before I saw the return. You’re simultaneously learning the business side, deepening your product knowledge, and trying to build trust with clients who have a hundred other options. That’s a lot of plates to keep spinning.
The travel industry also threw some curveballs that were completely outside my control. The post-pandemic comeback was exciting, but it also meant navigating a landscape where pricing, availability, and client expectations were all shifting at once. Learning to manage that uncertainty — and help my clients feel confident through it — was its own education.
And then there’s the personal side of running your own business: the moments of self-doubt, the late nights researching so you can show up as an expert, the times you pour everything into a client relationship and it doesn’t convert. That’s real, and it’s part of it.
But honestly, the hard parts are also what shaped me into the advisor I am today. Every challenge pushed me to get sharper, more resourceful, and more committed to the level of service that makes clients come back — and refer their friends.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a luxury travel advisor and the founder of Elevated Travel. At the core of what I do is help people experience the world in a way that feels effortless, intentional, and genuinely special — not just a vacation, but the kind of trip that stays with you.
My specialties are luxury cruising and bespoke itinerary planning. On the cruise side, I work across the full spectrum — river cruising, ocean sailing and expedition voyages. I love helping clients find the right fit, because the ship and the line matter just as much as the destination.
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built. I’m not a transactional advisor — I take the time to really understand what a client wants, what they’ve loved in the past, and what would make a trip feel truly memorable for them. When a client comes back to me for their next trip, or sends a friend my way, that means everything.
What sets me apart is a combination of things. I travel extensively myself, so I’m recommending from experience, not brochures. I bring a high level of attention to detail — from the logistics to the little touches that elevate a trip. And I think my clients would say I make the planning process feel as enjoyable as the trip itself. There’s no stress, no guesswork — just someone they trust completely handling it all.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think people who know me see the polished side — the luxury itineraries, the cruise expertise, the carefully curated recommendations — and assume I’m all buttoned-up professionalism all the time.
But honestly? I’m deeply driven by feeling. The reason I’m so particular about getting a trip right isn’t just about logistics — it’s because I genuinely believe travel has the power to change you. A meal at the right table, a view that takes your breath away, a moment with your person in a city you’ve never been to before — those things matter deeply to me, personally.
I’m also someone who loves a good time. Food, wine, music, a beautifully set table — I bring that same sensibility to how I live my life, and it absolutely informs how I design experiences for my clients. The best trips have a soul to them, and I think that comes through in my work even if people don’t always know where it’s coming from.
And maybe the most surprising thing: for someone who spends her days crafting seamless travel experiences for others, I have a genuine appetite for the unexpected. Some of my favorite travel moments have been the unplanned ones — the detour, the restaurant with no English menu, the conversation with a stranger. I plan obsessively so my clients can have those moments without anything going wrong around them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.elevateyourtrip.com
- Instagram: @elevateyourtrip
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18pqZwXDdQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
