Cheryl Russo, Travel Agent in Gig Harbor, WA

Cheryl Russo

Gig Harbor, WA Travel Agent
Super Agent

Cheryl Russo

Gig Harbor, WA · 5 Years of Experience

Impulsive Escape Travel, an independent agent with Cruises & Tours, Unlimited, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(20)
100% Recommended
I ALWAYS book on my own but I booked a trip with Cheryl based off being referred from a friend. I didn’t have time to do... Read More >
About
My Travel Specialties
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Alaska, Asia, Europe, Germany, Norway

Interests:

Bespoke Travel, Christmas Markets, Cruises, Groups, All Inclusive

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Hurtigruten, Kensington, Norwegian Cruise Line, Delta Vacations

About Me

Cruises, Groups & Custom Travel Worldwide

Travel isn't just my job - it's my lifestyle. I offer modern travel planning that is convenient and, for most standard vacations I plan and book, without fees for my clients. I tailor experiences to different budgets and travel styles, using my expertise to help you get the most value from your trip. When the term "travel agent" crosses your mind, it might paint a picture of the pre-internet era. You may think it will cost more to work with a professional than to spend hours researching everything yourself online. Yet you likely landed here because you know the limitations of online platforms or have become overwhelmed by the research process. I set out to redefine that experience. Want your itinerary in a convenient app? I provide that. Prefer a printed itinerary? No problem. Whether your Escape is Impulsive or meticulously planned well in advance, I'll help guide you through a modern travel experience. (Read More Below)

My Travel Specialties

Group Travel Specialist | Worldwide Journeys

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Group Travel Specialist | Worldwide Journeys
Group Travel Without Everyone Having to Become the Planner Group trips can be incredible, but coordinating everyone can quickly become the hardest part. Different budgets, room types, arrival dates, deposits, deadlines and individual questions can turn one vacation ...Read More ▶

Cruise Specialist | Ocean, River & Expedition

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Cruise Specialist | Ocean, River & Expedition
Choosing the right cruise is about a lot more than picking a ship.  Cruise lines can look similar online, but the experience can be completely different depending on the ship, itinerary, cabin, dining, entertainment, pace and type of traveler onboard.  I help my cli...Read More ▶

Custom Vacations & Tailored Travel Specialist

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Custom Vacations & Tailored Travel Specialist
Travel Planning Built Around You There are more travel options online than ever, but having more choices does not always make planning easier. I help narrow everything down based on how you actually want to travel, what matters most to you, your budget, your pace an...Read More ▶

Alaska & Nordic Specialist | Northern Lights

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Alaska & Nordic Specialist | Northern Lights
Alaska, the Nordics & Northern Lights  Alaska is especially personal to me. I spent a summer living and working in the Alaska bush in the Wrangell-St. Elias mountains in my early 20s, and I’ve returned many times since by both land and sea. That firsthand experience...Read More ▶

European Christmas Market Specialist

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European Christmas Market Specialist
European Christmas Markets Are One of My Favorite Ways to Experience Europe  I love Europe any time of year, but there is something completely different about being there during Christmas market season.  I’ve spent weeks traveling through Europe visiting Christmas m...Read More ▶

Meet Your Travel Advisor

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Meet Your Travel Advisor
Hi, I’m Cheryl! I’m the owner and travel advisor behind Impulsive Escape Travel. I’m based in Gig Harbor, Washington, but I work with travelers all over the United States.  Travel has always been a big part of my life. Long before I started a travel business, I was ...Read More ▶

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
20 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
Search reviews:

Showing 20 reviews

Unmatched customer service - Above and beyond!
Reviewed By Thankful RN - Gig Harbor, WA | Traveled to Amsterdam ~ Netherlands ~ Europe
I ALWAYS book on my own but I booked a trip with Cheryl based off being referred from a friend. I didn’t have time to do the research needed for a place I’ve never been.

If you’re not using Cheryl, you’re wasting time and money. Not only was she able to get me a MUCH better price than anything I’d seen but her communication is unmatched! I am an emergency room RN and was working overnight. While on my break, I sent her an email asking a question. It wasn’t a time sensitive question and our trip was four months away. She answered my email in minutes! In the middle of the night! I was floored. She told me she always tracks her clients’ flights that are traveling internationally so she was awake waits to make sure they made their connection. I can tell you, none of these sites have ever done that for me! Not to mention they’re a pain to get in touch with. And, she doesn’t charge any fees?!? She’s a wizard who really cares about her clients. USE HER!
Cheryl Russo responded
"Thank you so much for the kind words. Your reply to my immediate email response was so funny! I'm a natural night owl so it's usual for me to be up late. We're the perfect match. Making sure my clients have a seamless vacation is always my top priority. Thank you again for your support! "
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Cheryl will work hard to plan a great trip!
Reviewed By Deannita - Spanaway, WA | Traveled to Phoenix ~ Arizona ~ USA
Cheryl is a great communicator, follows through, and thorough
Cheryl Russo responded
"Thank you so much for the kind words and your trust in me. I appreciate the support and always here if you need me!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great trip.
Reviewed By Ivy - Gig Harbor | Traveled to Las Vegas ~ Nevada ~ USA
Cheryl helped book my Vegas trip and did a great job. I will definitely work with her again!
Cheryl Russo responded
"Thank you so much, Ivy! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. Can't wait for your next trip!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best trip
Reviewed By Deb Bolding - Springfield Mo | Traveled to Ireland ~ Europe
Cheryl found us a wonderful trip at a great price. She was always available to answer questions. I will definitely use her again!!!
Cheryl Russo responded
"Deb, you are amazing and I can't thank you enough for all of your support. I appreciate it so much, always my pleasure to help!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By Gary - University Place WA | Traveled to Chichen Itza ~ Yucatan ~ Mexico
Cheryl was steps ahead of everything, and it really changed our experience. In addition, all the tips kept us ahead of long lines, able to attend places before they filled up, and overall made for more fun at every turn. We constantly were reminded while those around us seemed lost (yes we helped them with those same tips), and were smiling the whole time through a very challenging travel line up. From Seattle, to Miami, Virginia cruise line, Mexico, Chichen Itza excursion private tour, Bimini Bahamas, it was all seamless! We can't thank her enough!
Cheryl Russo responded
"Thank you so much for trusting me with your trip!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
Globus family of brands Specialist
Globus family of brands Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
MSC Masters
MSC Masters
NCL University - Master's Degree
NCL University - Master's Degree
NCL University - PHD Degree
NCL University - PHD Degree
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
PEARLS Travel Advisor Specialist
PEARLS Travel Advisor Specialist
Pleasant Premier Ambassador
Pleasant Premier Ambassador
Princess Commodore Certified
Princess Commodore Certified
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Royal Caribbean University - Bachelor of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Bachelor of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Seabourn Academy Graduate
Seabourn Academy Graduate
Seacademy - Gold Certification
Seacademy - Gold Certification
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
TRACKS (Rocky Mountaineer Specialist)
UnCruise Certified Adventurist
UnCruise Certified Adventurist
Viking Expeditions Expert
Viking Expeditions Expert
Viking Expert
Viking Expert
Viking Oceans Expert
Viking Oceans Expert
Viking Rivers Expert
Viking Rivers Expert
Windstar Star Specialist
Windstar Star Specialist
World Azamara Academy
World Azamara Academy
AMA Academy
AMA Academy
AmaWaterways Specialist
AmaWaterways Specialist
AMResorts Master Agent
AMResorts Master Agent
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Celebrity Learning Certification
Celebrity Learning Certification
Cosmos Certified Specialist
Cosmos Certified Specialist
Certified Cruise Lines Specialist
Destination Specialist
Alaska Specialist
Nordics Specialist
Northern Lights Specialist
European Christmas Market Specialist
Theme Park Specialist

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Most Booked Destinations

  • USA: 80 bookings
  • Alaska: 38 bookings
  • Europe: 26 bookings
  • Mexico: 24 bookings
  • Quintana Roo: 12 bookings

Destinations I've Visited

  • USA: 110 trips
  • Alaska: 66 trips
  • Mexico: 24 trips
  • Europe: 14 trips
  • Quintana Roo: 12 trips

My Photo Albums and Videos

My Photo Look Book
View Album

    My Travel Stories

    Christmas Market in Basel, Switzerland - 2023

    European Christmas Markets 2023

    If you've yet to experience the spellbinding allure of European Christmas Markets, the time to prioritize it is NOW! As a self-proclaimed European History buff, and fervent explorer, I recently devoted three unforgettable weeks to immersing myself in the festive season in these cities. My trip was primarily by train but you can also do a luxurio...
    Read more

    Client Testimonials

    We never felt like just a client
    There aren’t enough words to express how grateful we are to Cheryl for helping us plan our first trip to Europe! From the very beginning, she poured so much care, knowledge, and attention into every detail of our European vacation and cruise. What could have felt overwhelming became an exciting and stress-free experience because of her. Beyond being incredibly organized and knowledgeable, Cheryl was always kind, patient, and quick to answer every question we had. We never felt like just a client- we felt like she was just as excited about our trip as we were. Over the course of planning and traveling together, we now truly consider her a friend! Because of Cheryl, we were able to experience places we’d dreamed of seeing without having to worry about the logistics. We came home with incredible memories and so much appreciation for everything she did behind the scenes to make our vacation absolutely seamless. Thank you Cheryl, for making our dream European adventure a reality.
    Sheri Lewis - Gig Harbor, WA
    We can’t say enough good things about Cheryl Russo
    We can’t say enough good things about Cheryl Russo with Impulsive Escapes. This was our first time ever using a travel agent, and Cheryl absolutely knocked it out of the park. She helped us put together a last-minute cruise at an amazing price and turned it into the perfect surprise Christmas gift for our kids. The whole process was easy, stress-free, and honestly way better than trying to figure it all out ourselves. She was responsive, knowledgeable, and clearly had our family’s best interests in mind the entire time. Seeing our kids’ faces when they found out about the trip made it 100% worth it — and we couldn’t have pulled it off without her. We’ll definitely be using Cheryl again and would recommend her to any family looking to travel without the headache. — The Rauch Family
    Rauch Family, WA, Google Reviews
    Vacation of a lifetime
    I recently embarked on the vacation of a lifetime, and it wouldn't have been possible without the exceptional services of Impulsive Escape Travel. From the moment I reached out to her to plan my dream getaway, she exceeded all expectations and turned my travel dreams into a reality. The level of professionalism and expertise demonstrated by Cheryl was truly outstanding. She took the time to understand my preferences and desires, crafting a personalized itinerary that perfectly suited my interests. Her attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was meticulously arranged.
    Bryan from Google, Puyallup, WA
    Family Cruising!
    Cheryl went above and beyond booking our family to go on a cruise. She answered all of our crazy questions day or night. If she did not know the answers, she would quickly find them and let us know. She answered my urgent messages as we were boarding the cruise and had not gotten COVID test results back and calmed us all down. I will never book another trip with out consulting her first. She is simply AMAZING! Thank you for all you you do!
    Melissa from Google, Bremerton, WA
    Group Birthday trip in Mexico!
    Cheryl went above and beyond to help me join my friends on a trip to Mexico! I was a late add on to the trip and she made everything so easy! THEN...I messed up my passport information and didn't catch it until the night before our flight (I am a monster) and she was able to work her magic get me to Mexico! I rarely travel and Cheryl made everything so easy! I can't recommend her enough!!!!
    Kristi Lynn, Washington
    BESbswy