• The Team

    Melissa Eck

    Co-Founder · Luxury Travel Advisor

    Based in Tampa, FL

    • A Note From Melissa

    Let's plan something worth remembering.

    Melissa Eck, Co-Founder and Travel Advisor, serves families, couples, and groups seeking elevated, intentional travel experiences. Her passions include destination-focused luxury cruising, Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and extraordinary bucket list journeys across the globe. She is especially drawn to destinations rich in culture, natural beauty, immersive experiences, and unforgettable cuisine. Europe holds a special place in her heart, where each city tells a completely different story, but her expertise also extends far beyond Europe to once in a lifetime adventures such as African safaris, Antarctica expeditions, and iconic journeys to places like Machu Picchu.

    Melissa also loves crafting seamless land and sea journeys, pairing luxury cruises with meaningful pre or post stays that allow travelers to experience more deeply. Whether that means combining Greece with an island voyage, Alaska with a rail and wilderness lodge experience, or Argentina with an Antarctica expedition, she believes the best itineraries create layers of unforgettable moments.

    Melissa's planning style is shaped by meaningful personal travel. Exploring Hawaii and Alaska with her children taught her how to thoughtfully balance adventure and ease for families, while traveling Greece with her husband reaffirmed the power of connection through shared experiences. Sailing with Regent Seven Seas Cruises through Scotland cemented her love for seamless luxury cruising, where exceptional service, cuisine, and carefully curated ports make all the difference.

    Grounded in faith and fueled by coffee and great food, Melissa brings care, intention, and excellence to every detail. She believes clients should feel confident, supported, and fully present while traveling.

    As a member of a premier Tampa BNI chapter, Melissa collaborates with the city's top professionals to ensure clients have access to a trusted network of experts, both at home and abroad.

    — Melissa

    Melissa and Sarah, Opulence advisors at Travel Squad Vacations
    Melissa · Sarah

    By Invitation

    An appointment held by few.

    Melissa is a member of Opulence, the luxury division of our host agency.

    Opulence is a quiet circle of advisors entrusted with the industry's most discerning travelers, vetted by referral and bound by a standard of taste rather than volume. Through this affiliation, Melissa secures privileged access to ultra-luxury villas, hosted private yacht charters, suite-level cruise upgrades, and the kinds of doors that quietly close to the rest of the market.

    Private Access

    Suites, residences, and experiences released only to Opulence advisors.

    Quiet Perks

    Resort credits, complimentary upgrades, and early embarkation as standard.

    Vetted Standard

    A roster maintained by referral and reputation, never application.

    • Professional Associations

    Credentialed, networked, accountable.

    Melissa is an active member of the industry and local-business organizations below — verifiable, vetted affiliations that hold every booking to a higher standard.

    • Premier Tampa BNI Chapter

      Active member · Tampa Bay business network

    • CLIA — Cruise Lines International Association

      Credentialed luxury cruise advisor

    • ASTA — American Society of Travel Advisors

      Verified industry member

    • What I Plan

    Where I'm most in my element.

    Luxury Cruising
    Regent Seven Seas
    Europe
    Hawaii
    Alaska
    Family Travel
    • The Portfolio

    Trips I've loved.

    A small sample of the journeys I've designed — and the moments that still make me smile.

    Hawaii · Pacific Shores

    Hawaii · Pacific Shores

    A family favorite — turquoise water, volcanic ridges, and the kind of slow mornings that remind you why you travel.

    Scotland · Regent Seven Seas

    Scotland · Regent Seven Seas

    Sailing the Scottish coast aboard Regent Seven Seas — seamless luxury, exceptional cuisine, and ports curated to the last detail.

    Alaska · With the Family

    Alaska · With the Family

    Glaciers, wildlife, and wide-open wilderness — Alaska with the kids, balanced for adventure and ease.

    Greece · Aegean Connection

    Greece · Aegean Connection

    Whitewashed villages and Aegean blues — a journey with my husband that reaffirmed travel is about connection.

    Paris · City of Light

    Paris · City of Light

    Golden-hour rooftops and the Eiffel at sunset — Paris is the story I never tire of telling.

    Amsterdam · AmaWaterways

    Amsterdam · AmaWaterways

    Tulip season aboard AmaWaterways — endless fields of color drifting past the deck, windmills on the horizon.

    • Verified Google Reviews

    What Melissa's clients actually say.

    ★★★★★ · 5.0 from 11+ reviews for Melissa

    ★★★★★
    "She made the process extremely easy and was available anytime I had a question — even during our trip."
    ★★★★★
    "My wife loved every second of the trip. We will recommend you wherever we go."
    ★★★★★
    "Multiple unforgettable family trips and several company retreats — every single one flawless."
    ★★★★★
    "Melissa made the process so easy and convenient."
    ★★★★★
    "Melissa is absolutely incredible. The result was beyond what we expected."
    ★★★★★
    "An amazing detail-oriented TRUE travel agent. She makes you feel like a VIP."
    • Next Step

    Let's plan together.

    Tell me a little about the trip you're dreaming of, and I'll be in touch within two business days.

    Prefer email? Reach Melissa directly at melissa@travelsquadvacations.com

    Ready when you are — no pressure, no commitment.

    Start Planning

    Ready to travel better?

    Tell us where you're dreaming of, and one of our advisors will be in touch within two business days.

    813.467.6679

    Mon – Fri 9 AM – 6 PM · Sat 9 AM – 5 PM

    Question 1 of 6

    What kind of trip are you planning?