We work with couples, families and groups to plan and manage travel. Taking the stress and countless hours out of the process, so you can just enjoy your vacation!
From DREAM DESTINATIONS to BUCKET LIST TRIPS!
*Anniversaries
*Babymoons
*Business team building retreats
*Destination Weddings
*Engagements
*Family reunions
*Friends getaways
*Honeymoons
*Milestone Birthdays
*Multi generational family adventures
WE HAVE PLANNED MANY OF THESE AND WOULD LOVE TO HELP YOU!
Call or email Lisamarie today! 614-354-1735
happywanderlust18@gmail.com
- All Inclusive Resort group stays to Dominican Republic & Mexico
- Caribbean cruises for couples, families and groups on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, MSC, Princess
- Private tours of Egypt for families and groups
- Destination weddings at All Inclusive resorts in Mexico
- 27 DAY Ocean cruise/land tour of Australia, Tasmania & New Zealand on Viking for a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary
- Bucket List 48 DAY trip to Asia including 2 cruises and a train trip in India
- Honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean on Celebrity with a stay in Rome
- 12 DAY Holland America Line Alaska cruise/land tour for groups
- Princess Alaska cruises for groups including a train tour and extended stay in Anchorage
- A personalized week in Paris for a sweet couple celebrating life
- A solo trip long weekend in Niagara Falls including breathtaking natural wonders experiences
- Honeymoon trip to Portugal including wine tastings and bookshop tours
- A whirlwind 25 DAY trip to Europe including a Cunard Transatlantic voyage, Viking river cruise, with extended stays in Basel and London and many sightseeing tours included
- A Collette tour of London & Paris for a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary
- An adventure in Belize for a mother & daughter to see ancient ruins and animals
Group travel is our specialty! Let us take the stress out of finding the right location for your wedding & honeymoon! We can even send customized invitation emails to your family, friends and guests! We can build you a wedding website where guests can see all the details of your wedding day & book into your special trip of a lifetime! We are here to support you from the dreaming stage all the way to the aisle!
(March2026) I have never used a travel agent before but I knew my husband and I needed help planning our Egypt trip. That area is much different to navigate than Europe.
LisaMarie was excited to help us with our adventure and arranged a private tour. Everything was planned and ready to go until the week we were going, the U.S. bombed Iran and our plane was going to Doha.
Not happening! LisaMarie fielded my numerous anxious emails and calls even when she was out of town! She contacted the tour company to get our flight changed and she was told “we are working on it”.
Lisamarie kept me updated until the wee hours of the morning the day we were leaving. She kept contacting them and finally our flight was changed and we were able to go later that day. We had a fantastic trip!
If anyone is unsure about using a travel agent, don’t be! Call LisaMarie!
Happy travels,
Ali Blacksmith
(Feb2026) We had an amazing experience working with Lisa Marie to plan our destination wedding in Playa Del Carmen. She made the entire process easy and stress-free, from coordinating travel arrangements to answering questions and helping us choose the perfect resort.
Her communication, organization, and attention to detail were outstanding, and everything went smoothly for both us and our guests. We truly appreciated her guidance throughout the planning process.
We highly recommend her to anyone planning a destination wedding or vacation. Thank you for helping make our wedding week unforgettable!
-Seth & Cassie Winhoven
(August2025) We had an amazing experience working with Happy Wanderlust Travels!
Lisamarie helped us plan our 2 week European honeymoon and made it a dream come true!! We have never worked with a travel agent in the past, but we are so glad we did!
Lisamarie helped us find the perfect 9 night cruise with an itinerary that we were looking for, with stops to Italy, Greece, Spain, Malta and Turkey on the Celebrity Ascent. We were absolutely blown away by the plentiful amenities, delicious food and friendly staff. We had never been on a Celebrity cruise line before, and we will definitely be back!
She also helped us book our hotel in Barcelona, which was absolutely stunning and right in the middle of town on the main strip with plenty of fun activities within walking distance.
We were going to book our cruise excursions through the cruise line like we usually do, but she taught us about this app where you can book excursions and activities through locals, and we were not disappointed by using it! Not only were the excursions way cheaper but you were led by local tour guides, there were way more options for things to do, and the groups were much smaller and personalized.
This vacation was a very special occasion for us, and Lisamarie made sure we were taken care of in every single aspect. After all the stress of planning a wedding for 2 years, planning a trip was the last thing I wanted to do, but she made it easy and fun for us, and we had the time of our lives.
Thank you for helping us plan this amazing trip; we made memories that we will cherish forever. Now we can't wait to book our next trip with your help and expertise :)
Sincerely,
Krisin and Vic Villena
(May 2025) Lisamarie-Thank you again for helping us with our trip.
It was an unforgettable experience. Collette Tours packed a lot into our days and some evenings.
We were also able to tour Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London outside of the tour stops. I got to tour Notre Dame and was so glad I did.
We definitely experienced several modes of transportation. Airplanes, trains, buses, the tube and London/Paris taxis got us where we were going.
Dinner at the Eiffel Tower will be an experience we’ll always remember.
Again, thank you for all your help.
-Chuck and Denise Ashley
(March 2024) "Celebrating our 50th Anniversary- one year later- was an exciting time for John and I.
Lisamarie planned the experience that we asked for... providing very relaxing moments in our very spacious stateroom with veranda and in our favorite spots on "the boat"- with delicious food when WE were ready for meals and snacks
(We asked for) Minimal port destinations to enjoy gorgeous turquoise water & sea life, island scenery, culinary delites and, of course, shopping... and shopping.
Experiencing the culture, graciously allowed us to carry the ambiance of the islands back to the ship... and forever in memory.
Thank you, Lisamarie, for giving us the opportunity to experience and make memories with HollandAmerica Cruises and the South Caribbean in a luxurious and beautiful way."
-Sharon & John Bobo
(April 2024) I would love to share that Lisamarie with Happy Wanderlust Travels was wonderful to work with. Her responses were fast, she answered all questions, her tips were helpful and planning our trip was easy! I did not have to do anything or stress over the outcome of my trip. She even helped me when there was a problem to resolve it and upgrade my resort for the better.
I highly recommend Lisamarie as she is top notch and willing to go the extra mile! Thank you for all you’ve done, Lisamarie, to make my vacation enjoyable!
-Kari Kav
Thank you to Lisamarie for assisting us to plan our Spring Break again! (to Golden Parnassus Resort & Spa in Cancun) (March 2024) We had an amazing time at one of our favorite places.
We appreciate all your hard work in finding us the best deals . You made our trip so much more relaxing and stress free by booking for us. You are so patient with us when ever we had a question you got back to us quickly with an answer. We are blessed to have you as our TA .
Even though I broke my hand four days before our trip we had so much fun and made so many memories.
We can’t wait to go back to Alaska next year for our 2nd Alaska cruise.
-Doreen & Cova Adams
Lisamarie helped plan our family trip to Hawaii. (June 2023) I could not have done it myself.
Personally, planning a big trip like that was so overwhelming. I am so happy that I had Lisamarie to take care of all the details for us! It was a smooth trip, everything was fantastic! If you are planning the trip of a lifetime or just a short travel adventure, I would highly recommend you leave the details to Lisamarie!
-Cindy Black
"We booked our Honeymoon (Aug 2021) through Happy Wanderlust Travels to Key West Florida. Our trip was smooth sailing, we didn't have to do anything but show up! Everything was arranged for us, we were able to relax and enjoy our vacation with no worries! Highly recommend and will be booking with her again!" -Reed & Courtney Gerlt-Ehas
"We booked a Royal Caribbean cruise (July 2021) with Lisamarie at Happy Wanderlust Travels. She was very helpful with recommendations of things to do at different ports. She answered all my questions and concerns. We had an enjoyable and relaxing vacation!
And when we got back we booked another one with her!"
-Kim Gerhardt
(Nov2019) Lisamarie planned our best, craziest vacation ever! I gave her our budget and she figured out 9 amazing days and all under budget! She suggested we opt for an Ocean Suite with Priority boarding and a jacuzzi tub...that was the best advice ever! Our cruise was wonderful and we can't wait to start planning the next time.
I loved working with Lisamarie because she was as excited as we were for our vacation. She made sure everything was just right, also super professional and prompt. I know I will use her again. She saw our vacation exactly how we did and made it come true!!!
-Chelle Montague
(Jul2019) I can't recommend Lisamarie enough! She made booking easy and took care of everything for us! Our family had an amazing vacation (in Mexico) and we will use her again and AGAIN!!!
-Heather Pickett
SPECIALIZING in Ocean cruises, River cruises, All Inclusive resort vacations, Train trips, Escorted tours and Group trips!
TO THESE DESTINATIONS: Alaska, Hawaii, continental US, Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, Peru, The Mediterranean, Ireland, England, Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Poland, Greece, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Croatia, Turkey and more!
Pre-Planning conversations
At Happy Wanderlust Travels we want to get to know you! Your travel needs, desires, "bucket list"...! Asking questions about your goals, travel history and budget will help us to build your perfect trip. We will research a number of travel options that interest you; like cruises, organized tours, train trips, All Inclusive resort vacations, hotels, excursions, airfare, and travel Insurance, etc. Ask as many questions as you need to. We will answer them to the best of our ability!
The booking process
Having many trusted travel industry suppliers that we book our clients with will bring the best value and service to you! We will personally facilitate the booking of any of your travel plans desired. (this can include airfare, tours, train trips, cruises, hotels, ground transportion, rental cars, excursions, all inclusive resorts, travel Insurance) Items can be added as we plan...it really is a fun process!
HAPPY WANDERLUST TRAVELS can manage all of your travel portfolio details: including deposits, payments, invoicing, accommodation details, flight seating assigments, etc. Leaving you to JUST DREAM ABOUT YOUR TRIP!
Pre-Departure & Confirmations
You will receive a detailed itinerary app. personally created for you. That and all required travel documents will be provided no later than 10 days prior to departure, provided booking has been paid in full.
While Traveling
The detailed itinerary app. has a text feature...if you would like to add on excursions or need a restaurant/museum recommendation just hit the message button and Iwe will do the WORK FOR YOU! So you can rest and truly enjoy your trip.
Regularly clients even reach out while away to start planning their next vacation!
After you return...
I will look forward to hearing all about your adventure! Expect a call the week after you get home. And if you would like to have your review posted on my website or Facebook page I would be honored.
And when it's time...
PLANNING YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE MEANS THE WORLD TO ME!
Thank you for trusting me to plan your next travel adventure!
-Lisamarie Gerlt
Happy Wanderlust Travels-Owner/Agent
DID YOU KNOW-THAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR PLANNING SERVICES, EVEN IF YOU BOOK TRAVEL YOURSELF! THIS IS TRUE FOR MOST TRIP COMPONENTS INCLUDING: HOTEL, CRUISE, TRAIN, RENTAL CAR, EXCURSIONS! (THE EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS AIRFARE)
AGENCY FEES: You will receive a SQUARE link to pay some of these fees, while air fees can be added to booking.
- TRIP CONSULTATION PHONE CALLS-COMPLIMENTARY
- RESEARCH & PLANNING FEE-DEPENDS ON TYPE OF TRIP: The Planning Fee is nonrefundable:This will be asked for after the initial pre planning consultation. During the consultation we will talk in depth about your travel needs, desires, travel history, and budget.
- $50 PER ADULT for BASIC TRIPS like: All Inclusive Resorts, most cruise vacations.
- $125 PER Adult for MORE COMPLEX research/planning like: TOURS & TRAIN TRIPS
- (Children 16 AND UNDER are excluded from all fees)
- (GROUPS- we understand it can be hard to know how many people will be traveling... After the trip is established, when others join, they will pay their FEE at time of booking.)
FLIGHT PLANNING/BOOKING FEES- (ONLY for flights not included in a packaged trip ) Why? Because flights generally are non-commissionable.
This fee will be added to the total cost of fare.
NON TRANSFERABLE/NON REFUNDABLE.
$75. in ANY country FOR short flights (2-4 hour duration) PER ADULT
$150. Long haul/multi destination flights (over 4.5 hours in duration) PER ADULT
DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNING/BOOKING/MANAGEMENT FEE
Why? Because of the time and skill involved in organizing a wedding.
- A one time $1000. Fee will be asked of the COUPLE TO BE MARRIED (OR FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTY) at the time that the wedding date/arrangements are being solidified and contracted with the supplier of THE COUPLE'S CHOICE.
This fee is besides the deposit the resort/cruise line (SUPPLIER) asks for and is NON REFUNDABLE.
- CANCELLATION FEE schedule
Why? Because we will NOT receive a commission when trips cancel.
If a booked trip needs to be cancelled the agency fee (shown below), needs to be paid prior to cancellation of trip, that is in addition to any fees that the cruiseline, resort, airline or other travel suppliers may assess. After this fee is paid, HAPPY WANDERLUST TRAVELS will contact supplier(s) to cancel reservations and a cancellation notice will be sent to the client upon completion.
- 1-60 days after the Initial trip deposit payment date: $75. per ADULT
- 61-90 days after the Initial trip deposit payment date: $150. per ADULT
- 91 or more days after the Initial trip deposit payment date: $300. per ADULT
By booking with HAPPY WANDERLUST TRAVELS the client acknowledges they are aware of and accept the terms of these fees. All clients will need to verify their identification by submitting a drivers license OR passport & address form.
As the client, you will be asked to sign a credit card authorization/Notice of Terms & Conditions form when making your deposit.
I am the owner and advisor/agent of Happy Wanderlust Travels, LLC.
I have been a Travel Advisor since March of 2018.
What is on my 'BUCKET LIST' is pretty exotic! I NEED to go to: (There's that WANDERLUST again!) Northern Europe, French Polynesia, Peru, Japan...I am working on my list too!
My experiences traveling, which help me plan your trips!
Include:
35 OCEAN CRUISES since 1992. Including: Carnival (14), Royal Caribbean (7), Princess (5), Norwegian (2), MSC (2), Cunard (1), Celebrity (1), Virgin Voyages (1), Margaritaville at sea (1) and Dolphin (1).
5 RIVER CRUISES since 2023. Including:
Ama Waterways-Ama Verde- "Gems of South Eastern Europe" from Budapest, Hungary to Bucharest, Romania in 3/2023
Riverside Luxury Cruises-Mozart-"Treasures of the Danube" from Budapest, Hungary to Vienna, Austria in 10/2023
Viking River Cruises-Idun-"Rhine Getaway" from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands in 10/2024
Nile Treasure cruise on the Nile river (3 nights onboard, was part of a 7 day tour.) 3/2025
Viking River Cruises-Hervor-"Rhine Getaway" from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands in 6/2025
SHIP INSPECTIONS-Agents tour ships to see all the amenities-to share information with clients.(without staying onboard) Including:
Amadeus-Cara
AmaWaterway-Magna, Viola, Envision, Mora & Serena
American cruise line-American Queen
Avalon Waterways
Carnival-Celebration
Celebrity-Silhouette
Emerald-Dawn
MSC-Seaside
MSC-World America
Princess-Majestic
Riviera-Geoffrey Chaucer
Scenic-Jasper
Tauck- MS Joy
Uniworld
Viking-Modi & Vali
1 Land tour-Egypt in March 2025
38 resort stays since 1990 Including:
Freeport,Bahamas
Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallerta-Mexico
Miches & Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Turks & Caicos
Costa Rica
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Marrakesh, Morocco
MY FAVORITE RESORTS SO FAR:
IBEROSTAR-ANY & ALL OF THEM! Marrakesh was so memoriable! And Puerta Vallerta is breath taking!
HARD ROCK-RIVIERA MAYA
MARGARITTAVILLE ISLAND RESERVE- Cancun
PLANET HOLLYWOOD- Costa Rica
BEACHES-Turks & Caicos;
Chachagua Rainforest Resort- Costa Rica
SECRETS ST. JAMES/ WILD ORCHID- Jamaica
I have had the priviledge to go on 11 All Inclusive Resort FAMILIARIZATION trips for Travel Advisors where we have toured or stayed at 71 ALL Inclusive resorts!
The value of these experiences helps me plan the perfect ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT vacation for you!
7 Educational Events since becoming an Advisor-Including:
2018 CARNIVAL Seminar at Sea ONBOARD PARADISE
2019 CLIA Cruise 360 Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2022 NORWEGIAN Seminar at Sea ONBOARD BREAKAWAY
2023 ASTA River Cruise Expo in Budapest, Hungary WITH A STAY ONBOARD AMADEUS SILVER3 ship
2024 ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam, Holland, The Netherlands WITH A STAY ONBOARD THE VIKING VE ship
2025 CruiseWorld conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
2026 WorldVia WORLD Conference in Cancun, Mexico at AVA RESORT
Part of what brought me to becoming a travel advisor was our thirst for new places and things to experience!
Our WANDERLUST has taken us to Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Mexico, The US Virgin Islands, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Canada,Jamaica, Morocco AND Egypt.
We have cruised to Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, The Mediterranean, Hawaii, Bermuda, Canada, New England, Egypt, England.
Taken train trips through Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, England, Switzerland,The Netherlands and through Canada & the United States!
When our son, Reed was growing up we made sure to take him traveling! Even on a small budget we managed to take him to New York City, New Orleans (and then on a short cruise from there to Mexico), all over California twice (my favorite state), Massachusetts twice, Florida (last road trip with my parents in their RV), and of course lots of camping!
In 2021, I had the honor of planning Reed and his bride Courtney's honeymoon!
In 2024, We traveled as a family on a short Caribbean cruise...It was so fun to see my grand daughter play on the beach! I think she had the most fun of all of us!
We would take summer long RV trips (My father, Karl owned a trailer manufacturing company- Metzendorf Trailers during the 1960's & 1970's...he even built his own RV!) ...to Pennsylvania, NJ, Florida, Texas, Colorado, and the most GRAND ADVENTURE was the summer of 1978 when we went to Alaska to visit family! We stopped at Yellowstone National Park, Devil's Tower, Mount Rushmore, crossed into Canada and travelled the Alcan highway. I was amazed when we boarded an overnight ferry to Alaska. This trip was a pretty cool thing for a kid to get to do! Thank you Mom and Dad.
Did you know WANDERLUST IS A GERMAN WORD? By definition this IS my family history. My Grandfather Emil Gerlt worked for a few years as an assistant steward on The SS Republic in the mid 1920's. The SS Republic was a German Ocean liner seized by the US government during WW1. The United States Line was created to operate the North Atlantic passenger service from NYC to Europe in 1917. (It was also used as a troop carrier during WW2).
This is how Emil was able to immigrate his family, including my father Karl in 1928 frrom *Bremen, Germany!
*Bremen, Germany- a port city known for its role in Maritime trade, since the 13th century!
I take pride in training...I can't know everything, but knowing WHERE and HOW to find the information that I need to design trips is half the battle!
2018- present!
Expedia Cruiseship Centers Vacation Consultant Certification 2018
Silver Navigator Club- Expedia Cruises 2018
AVALON WATERWAYS SPECIALIST 2018
Silver Navigator Club-Expedia Cruises 2019
CARNIVAL PASSPORT TO LEARNING 2019
MSC CRUISE SPECIALIST 2019
PRINCESS - ALASKA SPECIALIST 2019
SCENIC EUROPE RIVER CRUISE ACADEMY 2019
CLIA Certified Cruise Counselor 2020
JAMAICA SPECIALIST 2021
MARRIOTT HOTEL EXCELLENCE PROGRAM 2019, 2020, 2022
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES UNIVERSITY (MASTER'S DEGREE LEVEL) 2022
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER SPECIALIST-TRACKS PROGRAM 2022
VIKING CERTIFIED EXPERT-RIVERS, OCEANS & EXPEDITIONS 2024
CARNIVAL-CELEBRATION KEY SPECIALIST 2025
BritAgentPro Certification 2025
PRINCESS ACADEMY- EXPERT (COMMODORE STATUS 25+hour training) 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
VIRGIN VOYAGES SEACADEMY (SCARLET, SILVER AND GOLD CERTIFICATIONS) 2021, 2025, 2026
ALGVPro Certification-2025, 2026 (Apple leisure group)
Windstar Certified Expert program 2026
PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES PEARLS PROGRAM 2026
MEMBER OF CLIA- Cruise Lines International Association 2019, 2020
MEMBER OF ASTA- American Society of Travel Advisors 2021, 2022, 2023,2024
MEMBER OF-The WESTERVILLE Area Chamber of Commerce 2026
Office Hours Tues-Fri 8am-6pm
Located in Columbus, Ohio 43231
1-614-354-1735
happywanderlust18@gmail.com
Fill out the below form to connect with us!