New to the Team!

Sara Hanson
Program Manager
Sara woke up one day in the mid-90's and decided she wanted to work on a ship-and the rest is history! She began working for Cruise West following the Lewis & Clark Trail, after which she decided an Alaska cruise vacation was in order. That one trip changed her life forever. Sara then returned to Alaska and worked as a Tour Director throughout Alaska and the Yukon Territory. After a few years residing in the 'Great North,' she set off to explore more of the world… Working aboard ships, she has explored Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, West Indies, Canada, and New England. Sara has continued to work in the travel industry and truly enjoys sharing her experience with others to make their travel dreams come true! Her most recent adventure took her to Antarctica, Falklands & South Georgia. She now knows there is a place more awe-inspiring than Alaska! For today, her goal is to explore more of the 3 continents she has touched, and begin exploring the other 4, and the precious oceans in between.


Melanie Bonadore
Program Manager
Melanie's passion for travel started the day she hopped on a plane as fresh water fisheries agent for the Peace Corps heading to the Republic of Congo. It was sitting in her thatched roof, dirt floor hut that inspired her life goals, one being to experience every continent. Through her journeys, she spent time in Honduras, Guatemala, Europe, Morocco, St. Lucia, Thailand, and most recently Antarctica, Falklands, and South Georgia. Melanie studied biology and worked as a wildlife naturalist in the northwest and the Museum of Natural History at her university. Recently, she was involved with larger natural food companies, running their operations and logistics. Excited to dive into the travel world and back to surrounding herself with wildlife biology, Melanie looks forward to connecting as many people in the world with the natural beauty and wonder expedition travel has to offer.


Emily Chase
Travel Coordinator
Emily began her travels at age of nine, when she and her family took off to explore the United States on a month-long camping trip. Then at age twelve, her family moved to Jakarta, Indonesia--and there was no turning back from there! Emily succumbed to her appetite for exploration in 2001 when she and a friend embarked on a 7-month around-the-world backpacking trip encompassing 6 continents and 23 countries, concluding in New Zealand. She fell in love with New Zealand's South Island to such a degree that she decided to return and complete a Bachelor's Degree in Outdoor Education and Adventure Recreation. Emily has a true passion for the outdoors and travel, and is both proud and excited to be able to assist others in experiencing many of the same venues and opportunities she has enjoyed.