River Cruises Ocean Cruises Custom Europe Hosted Groups Alaska Cruises

I’m Jess Peterman, a travel advisor based in Veradale, WA in Eastern Washington near Spokane. I work with clients across the country on European river cruises, custom itineraries, Alaska cruises, ocean cruises and hosted group trips. My work is not a brochure handoff. I compare options, ask better questions and build the trip around how you want to travel. I charge a planning fee because custom planning takes real time and focused attention. I hold Viking Expert and AmaWaterways Specialist certifications and use that training, along with firsthand travel experience, to make clear recommendations.

Travel Advisor · Spokane, WA

Spokane-Based Travel Advisor for Custom Itineraries Nationwide

I get it. You’ve got a destination in mind, a rough idea of what you want and about 40 browser tabs open. The problem is, a lot of what you’re reading was written to sell you something, not to match you to the right trip.

That’s where I come in. I’m Jess Peterman, a travel advisor based in Veradale, WA near Spokane. I work with clients across the United States, including Eastern Washington and beyond. My focus is the trips people really want to get right: European river cruises, custom Europe itineraries, hosted group trips and Alaska cruises.

From my home base in Eastern Washington, I plan trips for travelers across the country who want the research done before they book. I’ve sailed AmaWaterways personally, the AmaCello in France. I hold Viking Expert certification. I book these trips every week and I know the differences that matter before you hand over a deposit.

Yes, I charge a planning fee. Here’s why that’s a good thing.

Building a custom itinerary takes real time and real expertise. The fee reflects that work. It also means my recommendation is based entirely on what fits you, not on what’s easiest to book or what pays the highest commission. You’re getting an advisor who is fully in your corner.

Best Fit

For Travelers Who Want the Details Handled Before They Book

This is a good fit if you want someone to narrow the options, compare the tradeoffs and build a trip that makes sense for how you travel. Most clients come to me with a destination in mind, a few tabs open and a sense that one wrong choice could make the whole thing harder than it needs to be. My job is to turn that into a clear plan.

What I Plan

Custom Europe, River Cruise and Alaska Itineraries for Travelers Nationwide

Not templates. Not packages. Trips built from scratch based on your travel style, your timeline and what you want to experience. I work with travelers across the country, with a home base in Veradale, WA near Spokane.

Signature Planning Area

European River Cruises

Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld, Riverside Luxury. I hold Viking Expert and AmaWaterways Specialist certifications and sailed AmaWaterways personally. If you’re comparing lines and not sure which fits, that comparison is exactly what I do. The differences between these lines matter more than the brochures let on.

Custom-Built Planning

Custom Europe Itineraries

Two weeks in Italy. Ten days through the Rhineland. A week split between Paris and Bruges. I build each itinerary around what you want to see: historical sites, local restaurants, cultural experiences. No filler days, no template routing. If you want to spend four days in one city because it’s worth it, we do that.

Hosted by Jess

Hosted Group Trips

I host small group trips, typically 8 to 10 people, on European river cruises and to European destinations. I handle the logistics, the coordination, the group dynamics. The group just shows up. If you’re thinking about a girlfriend getaway, a milestone anniversary trip or a reunion, let’s talk.

Port Strategy Matters Here

Alaska Cruises

Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Viking and more. I know which excursions fill up weeks in advance, which ports are worth your time and which shore options are skippable. Pro tip: excursion timing in certain Alaska ports matters more than most people realize. I’ll walk you through it before you book anything.

Thoughtful Ship Matching

Ocean Cruises

Ocean cruises with Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Celebrity, Virgin Voyages and Princess.

From the Field

Personal Travel Photos from Europe, Alaska and Hawaii

They’re from trips I’ve taken, including the AmaWaterways AmaCello sailing in France, whale watching in Juneau and a castle visit on a custom Europe itinerary. That firsthand experience goes into every recommendation I make.

Back of a French castle visited by Jess Peterman on a custom Europe itinerary, Spokane travel advisor

Custom Europe · French Castle

Jess Peterman aboard the AmaWaterways AmaCello river cruise ship in France

AmaWaterways · AmaCello · France

Baby whale tail spotted on an Alaska cruise excursion in Juneau booked by Jess Peterman Spokane travel advisor

Alaska Cruise · Juneau Whale Watching

Jess Peterman wine tasting in France during an AmaWaterways European river cruise

European River Cruise · Wine Tasting in France

North Shore Hawaii destination travel planned by Jess Peterman travel advisor in Spokane WA

Hawaii · North Shore

Why It Matters

What You Get When You Work With a Custom Travel Advisor

The honest version, not the marketing version.

A trip built for you, not for the masses.

I start from scratch every time. Your travel style, your budget, your timeline, all of it goes into how I structure the recommendation. You don’t get a package with your name on it. You get an itinerary that fits.

Research that holds up.

Comparing Viking vs. AmaWaterways, knowing which cabin category is worth the upgrade, knowing which ports have excursions that fill up weeks out, that’s the work I do before I give you a recommendation. Not a quick Google. The real answer.

I’ll tell you what I don’t know.

If something is uncertain, I say so. I’m not going to guess and present it as fact. That’s kind of the whole point of being the over-researched traveler. When I give you an answer, it’s backed up.

Someone in your corner when things go sideways.

Flight changes, missed connections, booking errors. You have someone working the problem instead of sitting on hold with a booking engine’s customer service line. That’s not a small thing when you’re standing in an airport in Amsterdam.

Credentials

Travel Advisor Certifications & Specialist Training

Each certification involved coursework, testing and in most cases firsthand product experience. These are the lines I know.

Viking Cruises Expert

AmaWaterways Specialist

Virgin Voyages Seacademy, Gold

Celebrity Cruises Specialist

Holland America Line, Platinum

Princess Cruise Line Specialist

Affiliated with Key to the World Travel, a host agency with preferred supplier relationships across major cruise lines, resort groups and tour operators.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Working With a Travel Advisor

The questions I get every week, answered straight.

Are you a travel agent in Spokane, WA or a travel advisor?

People use both terms. I use travel advisor because my work goes beyond booking a trip. I am based near Spokane in Veradale, WA and work with clients nationwide on custom itineraries, river cruises, ocean cruises, Alaska cruises and hosted group trips.

Is Jess Peterman a Spokane-area travel advisor if I do not live in Washington?

Yes. I’m based in Veradale, WA near Spokane, but you do not need to live in Washington to work with me. I work with clients across the United States, including Eastern Washington, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene and clients well beyond the local area. You can reach me at 303-378-7351 or jess@jesspeterman.com.

Does Jess Peterman charge a planning fee?

Yes, and I’m a strong advocate for it. Building a custom itinerary takes real time and real expertise. The planning fee reflects that work and it means my recommendation is based entirely on what fits you, not on what’s easiest to book or what pays the highest commission. You’re getting an advisor who is fully in your corner.

What does Jess Peterman specialize in as a travel advisor?

Jess Peterman specializes in European river cruises with Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon and Uniworld, custom Europe itineraries, hosted group trips, Alaska cruises and ocean cruises with lines such as Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Celebrity, Virgin Voyages and Princess. Every trip includes a custom-built itinerary designed specifically for the client.

What is a custom travel itinerary and why does it matter?

A custom travel itinerary is built from scratch for one client, not a template and not a standard package. Every destination, hotel, excursion and connection is chosen because it fits that specific person’s travel style, interests, budget and timeline. It’s the difference between a trip that’s close to what you wanted and one that’s exactly what you wanted.

What river cruise lines does Jess Peterman work with?

Jess Peterman holds Viking Cruises Expert certification and AmaWaterways Specialist certification. She personally sailed AmaWaterways on the AmaCello in France. She works with Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and Riverside Luxury Cruises for river cruises. If you’re comparing lines, that comparison is exactly what she does.

Can Jess Peterman work with me on a Viking River Cruise?

Yes. Jess Peterman holds Viking Cruises Expert certification and actively books Viking river and ocean cruises. She also hosts group Viking Rhine River sailings. Schedule a consultation through Calendly or call 303-378-7351.

Does Jess Peterman plan group trips?

Yes, hosted group travel is a primary focus. Jess hosts small group trips, typically 8 to 10 people, on European river cruises and to European destinations. She coordinates logistics and group details. She also plans private group bookings for friend groups, families and milestone celebrations.

What areas does Jess Peterman serve as a travel advisor?

Jess Peterman is based in Veradale, WA and serves clients in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Coeur d’Alene, Kennewick, Richland and throughout Eastern Washington. She also works with clients nationwide across the United States. Location doesn’t limit what she can plan for you.

What is the difference between booking a trip online and using a travel advisor?

Online booking tools give you options. A travel advisor gives you the right one. Jess Peterman researches and compares across cruise lines, hotels and itineraries, identifies what fits your specific travel style and budget, builds a custom itinerary from scratch and handles logistics and problem-solving throughout. For complex trips, river cruises, multi-country Europe itineraries and group travel, the difference is significant.

When is a travel advisor NOT the right choice?

If you’re booking a simple trip you’ve done before and you already know the hotel, flights and timing, you may not need a travel advisor. A quick weekend stay or a repeat route can be easy to handle on your own. It makes more sense to work with an advisor when the trip has moving parts, like a river cruise, a custom Europe itinerary, an Alaska cruise, a group trip or several cities that need to fit together cleanly.

How do I get started with Jess Peterman?

Schedule a travel planning consultation through Calendly, call 303-378-7351 or email jess@jesspeterman.com. The first conversation covers where you want to go, your travel style and your budget. From there, Jess builds a custom itinerary designed specifically for you.

Get in Touch

Talk With a Spokane-Based Travel Advisor Who Works Nationwide

Start with a travel planning consultation and we’ll figure out what your trip should look like. No pressure, no commitment, just a real conversation about where you want to go.

Phone 303-378-7351
Email jess@jesspeterman.com
Location Veradale, WA · Spokane area · Eastern Washington · Serving clients nationwide
Website jesspeterman.com