About
Credentials and Affiliations.
Everything we claim, with a way to check it.
Glacial Expeditions is an IAATO Associate Member, an ExplorEarth Approved Partner and a corporate member of the Expedition Cruise Network, affiliated with Oasis Travel Network and Signature Travel Network. Erika Commisso holds the CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor certification and is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. Both advisors are Signature Travel Experts. Each is listed below with a way to verify it.
Business affiliations
| Affiliation | Issuing body | Since | Verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAATO Associate Member | International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators | 2026 | IAATO member directory |
| Corporate Member | Expedition Cruise Network | February 2026 | ECN seller directory |
| Approved Partner | ExplorEarth | August 2024 | ExplorEarth partner page |
| Affiliated agency | Oasis Travel Network | December 2021 | No public member directory |
| Member agency | Signature Travel Network | Through Oasis Travel Network | No public agency directory |
Our Oasis Travel Network affiliation dates to December 2021, under Journey with Erika LLC, the year before Glacial Expeditions was established.
Advisor designations
| Designation | Held by | Issuing body | Earned | Verify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Cruise Counselor | Erika Commisso | Cruise Lines International Association | September 2024 | CLIA agent finderCLIA's agent finder is a search tool rather than a profile page. Search ZIP code 54913 to find Erika's listing. CLIA no longer publishes a public graduate directory. |
| Verified Travel Advisor | Erika Commisso | American Society of Travel Advisors | January 2025 | ASTA verification |
| Signature Travel Expert | Erika Commisso | Signature Travel Network | January 2023 | Signature profile |
| Signature Travel Expert | Chris Commisso | Signature Travel Network | January 2023 | Signature profile |
What these actually mean
IAATO Associate Member. IAATO sets the visitor guidelines that govern Antarctic tourism — landing limits, wildlife distances, biosecurity. Associate membership is the category for travel agencies rather than for the companies that operate the ships.
CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor. The senior certification from the Cruise Lines International Association for advisors who specialize in cruise travel, earned through coursework, ship inspections and sailing experience.
ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. The American Society of Travel Advisors confirms that an advisor has met its professional and ethical standards.
Signature Travel Network and Oasis Travel Network. A consortium and a host agency. Together they give us access to negotiated fares, onboard credits and amenities that are not published to the public.
What we don’t claim
We are not an IAATO operator; Associate membership is the agency category. We are not a tour operator and do not run our own departures. And where a designation cannot be independently verified, we leave it off this page.
Written by your expedition advisor
Erika Commisso · Travel Experience Architect
CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor · ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Signature Travel Expert
Chris and Erika have sailed on ten ships and toured seven more across eight expedition regions — and visited ten places in total, adding French Polynesia aboard the Paul Gauguin and Churchill by land.
Last reviewed .