Meet the Experts

 
 

Joy Gawf-Crutchfield

From my very first European river cruise, I was hooked.  History, culture, cuisine, adventure; European river cruising has it all.  I am an expert in European travel and have been personally escorting my own private tour groups in Europe since 2008.  

While my travel style in Europe varies from river cruises to fully escorted tours as well as independent travel, my favorite way to travel in Europe is on the rivers.   

 
 

Leigh Ann Lane

Welcome to The Joy of River Cruising!  My name is Leigh Ann Lane and I am the Business Manager and a River Cruise Specialist with The Joy of Travel.  My mission is to provide you with once in a lifetime travel experiences steeped in history, culture, and excitement.  I have had the pleasure of working at The Joy of Travel for nine years and run the agency with Joy, who happens to be my mom.  I love the day-to-day interaction with our clients through the business office and strive to provide professional, in depth, highly experienced planning services.

 
 

Kassey Weaver

Hello! My name is Kassey Weaver and I am a proud member of The Joy of Travel River Cruise Specialist team!  I have had the pleasure of working at The Joy of Travel since 2012 and haven't looked back. I had the honor of being recognized as one of the top travel professionals in the country under 40 and in 2023 joined the top 1% of US travel agents as a million-dollar producer.

 
 
 

Meredith Carrell

My love for River Cruising began as soon as I joined the Joy of Travel team on October 5, 2017. River Cruising training was my second training module to complete on my training journey as a Travel Agent. In 2017 River Cruising was the fastest growing segment of travel, and it hasn’t slowed down much since.

 
 

Erica Shaw

Hi! My name is Erica Shaw and I have been with The Joy of Travel since 2013. 

If you have been following me for any length of time, you know that river cruising is my favorite way to travel. I went on my first river cruise in May of 2017. My husband and I sailed on Avalon from Paris to Normandy. 

 
 

Doreen Kyle

Who reading this thinks that Travel is only a DREAM?  I can assure you it is not, Travel is enticing, at times unpredictable, allowing you the ability to explore, and embrace the culture and history of the World.  Travel is an inspirational, wonderful Journey available for all to embrace. 

I started my journey of Travel way before I was blessed with joining The Joy of Travel in 2017.  I clearly remember my first River Cruise in 2018 on the Seine River from Paris to the Normandy Beaches.

 
 

Lori Curtis

My name is Lori Curtis and I am a Travel Specialist at The Joy of Travel.  I live in Eufaula, Oklahoma with my husband Brian.  Brian and I have been married 25 years and have three beautiful children and one granddaughter.  We recently had a vow renewal in the Bahamas and it was amazing. 

 
 

Shawnda McAlester

I love River Cruising! River Cruising has quickly become one of the most popular ways of experiencing Europe. I hosted the very first river cruise group for The Joy of Travel back in 2016 and it's been crazy from there! I've been on multiple river cruises in Europe and look forward to sharing my experience with you.  European River cruises are my favorite way to see Europe and look forward to many more in the future, perhaps Asia and Africa as well!