Alaska Cruise Tours & Denali Specialist
View Main Profile
Melissa Odom
Mobile, AL Travel Agent· 3 Years of Experience
Trouvaille Discoveries, an independent agent with Cruises & Tours, Unlimited, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(20)
100% Recommended
Melissa was absolutely wonderful in helping plan my Alaska cruise. Her attention to detail is exceptional, and she truly goes above and beyond to make sure... Read More >
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Alaska, Glacier Bay, Denali National Park, Skagway, Icy StraitInterests:
Family Vacations, Luxury Cruises, Groups, Women's Travel, CruisesSuppliers:
Holland America Line, Princess Cruises®, Virgin Voyages, Seabourn, National Geographic - Lindblad ExpeditionsAbout Me
Exploring Alaska on a scenic sailing.
Planning an Alaska cruise tour is different from booking a standard round-trip sailing. I help travelers choose between an Inside Passage cruise, a one-way Gulf of Alaska itinerary, and an Alaska cruise tour that adds time on land in places such as Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, or the Kenai Peninsula.
I am Melissa Odom, founder of Trouvaille Discoveries and an Alaska cruise travel advisor based in Mobile, Alabama. I work with travelers nationwide who want a more complete Alaska experience but need help deciding whether the added cost, travel time, and logistics of a land extension are the right fit for their vacation style, budget, and energy level.
My planning support includes comparing cruise routes, choosing the right ship and stateroom, selecting Princess Cruises or Holland America Line Alaska cruise-tour options, coordinating rail and land components, arranging pre- and post-cruise stays, reviewing flight timing, and helping clients prioritize the excursions and experiences that matter most.
For travelers considering a one-way sailing, I explain the practical differences between beginning in Seattle or Vancouver, sailing northbound or southbound, and adding a cruise-tour before or after the cruise. We look at factors such as scenic cruising, Glacier Bay opportunities, port time, wildlife viewing, mobility needs, luggage handling, hotel nights, train travel, and the pace of each land itinerary.
I hold Travel Alaska Certified Expert (ACE), Anchorage Wild Expert, and Princess Alaska Expert training, along with Holland America Line Academy Specialist certification. My goal is to make the planning process clear and personal, so you can choose an Alaska cruise or cruise tour that feels exciting—not complicated.
If you are deciding between an Alaska cruise and an Alaska cruise tour with Denali, I would be happy to help you compare the options and create a trip that fits your people, priorities, and travel style.
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Alaska, Glacier Bay, Denali National Park, Skagway, Icy StraitInterests:
Family Vacations, Luxury Cruises, Groups, Women's Travel, CruisesSuppliers:
Holland America Line, Princess Cruises®, Virgin Voyages, Seabourn, National Geographic - Lindblad ExpeditionsREVIEWS
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
Exceptional Service From Start to Finish!
Reviewed By AHolifield - Montague, NJ | Traveled to Alaska | USA
Melissa was absolutely wonderful in helping plan my Alaska cruise. Her attention to detail is exceptional, and she truly goes above and beyond to make sure you’re not simply booking a vacation—you’re booking the right vacation for you.
One thing I especially appreciated was how knowledgeable and proactive she was. Melissa made sure I understood the little details about the cruise line, what to expect onboard, and things I may not have even thought to ask about. She wanted to make sure the cruise line and experience were actually a good fit for me rather than simply making a booking.
She also kept me informed about special offers, incentives, and added benefits I didn’t even realize I was receiving, which was such a nice surprise! Those extra touches made me feel like she was genuinely looking out for me and getting the most value from my trip.
Melissa is responsive, thorough, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. Planning my Alaska cruise felt easy because I knew she was paying attention to the details behind the scenes. I would absolutely recommend Melissa to anyone planning a cruise or vacation, and I will definitely use her for future trips!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
First of many cruises to come with Mellissa
Reviewed By Isaac Santiago - Mobile, Alabama | Traveled to Jamaica | Caribbean
Just got back from our first Virgin Voyages cruise and I had to share this
Mellissa truly made this experience unforgettable. From start to finish, she made sure everything was organized, safe, and seamless—while still allowing us to fully let loose and enjoy ourselves. You can tell she genuinely cares about the people she’s bringing together.
What stood out the most was the sense of community. As a gay man traveling with my husband, we felt completely welcomed, seen, and celebrated the entire time. That kind of energy is rare, and it made the trip even more special.
We laughed, relaxed, connected, and created memories we’ll never forget. If you’re thinking about booking a trip—do it with Mellissa. You won’t regret it.
Highly, highly recommend ?
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great, organized trip!
Reviewed By Linda Bailey - Forney, TX | Traveled to Ocho Rios | Jamaica | Caribbean
The Virgin Cruise that I was a part of that Melissa lead was well organized and very well planned. Melissa was the best leader and host for our vacation. I give her a 10/10!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fantastic Introduction
Reviewed By Ganflo - Mobile, AL | Traveled to Caribbean Sea | At Sea | At Sea
It was my first cruise and she was fantastic in teaching me what to expect and how to get the most out of the trip. Walking on the boat I felt prepared and comfortable. I am definitely booking with her again!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Amazing trip!
Reviewed By Ned30 - AL | Traveled to Orlando | Florida | USA
Excellent from beginning to end! She helped me set up a suprise bday trip for my GF and it didn’t disappoint! She went above and beyond, listened and was very thoughtful with going back and forth with ideas! Amazing help!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Certifications & Awards
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Princess Commodore Certified
Seacademy - Gold Certification
Seacademy - Scarlet Certification
Seacademy - Silver Certification
Seacademy - Violet Certification
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 Travel Stories
Alaska Cruisetours and Denali Trip Planning
The first real question in planning an Alaska cruisetour has nothing to do with the cruise itself. It's whether the land portion comes before the ship or after.
That one decision shapes almost everything else. It determines which wilderness lodge a client will stay at, since the lodge assigned depends on the itinerary sequence. It affects...
Read more
Read more
Client Testimonials
Booking the Right Vacation, Not Just Any Vacation
Melissa was absolutely wonderful in helping plan my Alaska cruise. Her attention to detail is exceptional, and she truly goes above and beyond to make sure you're not simply booking a vacation, you're booking the right vacation for you.
Melissa made sure I understood the little details about the cruise line, what to expect onboard, and things I may not have even thought to ask about. She wanted to make sure the experience was actually a good fit for me. She also kept me informed about special offers and added benefits I didn't even realize I was receiving, which was such a nice surprise. Those extra touches made me feel like she was genuinely looking out for me.
Melissa is responsive, thorough, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. Planning my Alaska cruise felt easy knowing she was paying attention to the details behind the scenes. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone planning a cruise, and I will definitely use her for future trips!
Andrea H., Montague, NJ
First Time Cruising
As a solo male traveler embarking on my first-ever cruise, I couldn't have asked for a better experience than the one I had with Virgin Voyages. From the moment I started planning my trip Melissa was exceptionally helpful.
Melissa explained everything from embarkation procedures to onboard activities and dining options. Thanks to her thorough preparation, I felt confident and at ease as I stepped onto the ship. There was no first-time cruiser anxiety; instead, I felt prepared and excited for the adventure ahead.
The cruise itself was fantastic, living up to all the expectations set during the booking process. The ship's amenities, the friendly crew, and the overall atmosphere made for an unforgettable trip. I'm already looking forward to my next voyage, and there's no question - I'll be booking with Melissa again. Her expertise made all the difference in ensuring my first cruise was a resounding success. I recommend Virgin Voyages and Melissa as your travel agent.
J. Hubbell, Mobile, AL
Perfect from Beginning to End!
I have planned many vacations over the years on my own, but after having the experience of planning a vacation with Melissa Odom as our travel agent, I will never again take a trip without her assistance. Our cruise and entire vacation was perfect from beginning to end thanks to Melissa. She was great with the entire process from planning to updates during the trip. We had 6 people and everything was perfectly executed. We never had to worry about anything. Melissa made sure that every single detail of our vacation was taken care of and we knew that if anything unexpected were to arise during our trip she would be available to assist. Traveling can be overwhelming, especially when traveling out of the country, but knowing we had someone who had our back, to answer any questions we had, or give assistance if needed, was invaluable and allowed us to just relax and enjoy. Thank you Melissa! Cannot wait for our next adventure with your help!
Margie B., Fort Lauderdale, FL