About Us & Our Experts

ShermansTravel Media is a leading publisher of top travel deals and vacation destination advice.

Founded by James Sherman in 2002, ShermansTravel Media has built a loyal audience of travelers who share a passion for the best travel deals on flights, hotels, vacation packages, and cruises.

Our experts screen hundreds of travel deals each week and publish the best ones in our flagship travel deals e-newsletter, ShermansTravel Top Deals, which reaches millions of subscribers every Wednesday. Meanwhile, our team of editors and writers are constantly crisscrossing the globe to bring you the latest travel advice.

Sign up for free to receive all of our top deals and expert advice.

Jim Sherman

Founder & Executive Chairman

Jim founded ShermansTravel Media in 2002, in partnership with the New York Times. As a travel enthusiast himself, he wanted to create a way to save consumers time and money. He’s also an active angel investor in New York technology companies, sits on the Board of Harvard Business School Angels of New York, and is a published author, with his book “Smart Startups: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know; Advice from 18 Harvard Business School Founders.” Jim graduated from Stanford (BA, MA) and Harvard Business School. He’s worked at Bain & Co, Time Warner, Pearson, and launched the internet division for Martha Stewart Living. He loves the piano, foreign affairs, theater, and greyhound cocktails!

Mark Bloom

President

Mark joined ShermansTravel in 2010 as the Head of Marketing and Business Development prior to being appointed President in 2017. Prior to joining ShermansTravel, he started his early career as a marketer at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where he tapped into his French-speaking skills and culinary interests. An avid traveler, Mark has visited 48 countries and 46 U.S. states (and counting...). When he’s not taming rhinos in Kenya, the New Jersey native is expanding his bucket list and adding to his mental database of airport codes. The fitness enthusiast also continues to grow his arsenal of kitchen tools and hones his culinary passions as an active home cook.

Sophie-Claire Hoeller

Editorial Director

Sophie-Claire Hoeller is a trilingual journalist who grew up in Germany: When she isn't writing about food and travel, she's eating or traveling. Sophie has over 12 years of editorial experience in the travel space, having worked at outlets such as Insider, Thrillist, and USA Today, and has slept in everything from a stylish potato in Idaho and a hotel made of ice in Canada to a 20-foot RV and the world's largest cruise ship.

Lauren Dana Ellman

Contributing Editor

A Long Island, New York native, Lauren is a writer and editor with over five years of experience in the travel space. From snorkeling in Hawaii to whale-watching in Alaska, to wandering the centuries-old streets of Rome and Florence, Lauren's travelers have taken her to some pretty cool places. When she's not writing, editing, or planning her next trip, she can be found hanging with her dog or online shopping. Follow her adventures on Instagram at @laurenvellman.

Donna Heiderstadt

Cruise Expert

Donna Heiderstadt is a New York-based freelance travel writer and Shermans Travel’s cruise expert. For the past 15 years, she has written extensively about cruises, covering new ship launches, enjoying itineraries from the Baltic to the South Pacific, and discovering the smaller-scale joys of river cruising. Since her first Caribbean sailing in 1995, Donna has taken 60+ cruises and spent more than 430 nights aboard cruise ships.

Michael Bucci

Brand Partnerships Coordinator

Michael joined ShermansTravel in 2024 as a Brand Partnerships Coordinator focusing his efforts on building long-lasting partnerships with Tour Operators and Hotels. With a strong background in sales and marketing in the travel and leisure space, Michael brings a strategic approach to helping his partners achieve success through ShermansTravel. Michael is an avid traveler, having explored 17 countries and counting. His favorite destinations to date have been: Brazil, Japan, and Peru. When he's not jet-setting, catch him salsa dancing, working on his novel, trying new restaurants, and attending electronic music concerts."

Nile Daniels

Senior Email & CRM Manager

Nile joined ShermansTravel in 2022 as the Senior Email & CRM Marketing Manager. Before joining ShermansTravel, he was able to showcase his versatile skill set working in several different industries including e-commerce, fin tech, and non-profits to go along with his experience in travel and hospitality. Outside of email, Nile is currently tapping into a few of his newfound passions, which include DIY home renovation projects, continuing his fitness journey, and testing his critical thinking by participating in Escape Rooms around the world.

James Guiney

Director of Marketing

James joined ShermansTravel in December 2023 as Integrated Marketing Manager to enhance the company’s brand positioning and storytelling capabilities from a B2B perspective. Before joining ShermansTravel, he refined his marketing skill set in digital marketing and account management roles at various agencies. Originally from Westchester County, New York, James studied abroad in London and has traveled to dreamy destinations including Ireland, Germany, Italy, Malta, Aruba, Barbados, Dubai, and Maldives. In his spare time, he enjoys songwriting and watching his favorite sports teams.

Christine Dayao

Senior Director of Client Services

Christine Dayao is ShermansTravel's resident Disney expert, who recently achieved her dream of becoming a Disney Vacation Club member. When she's not planning a trip to Walt Disney World or writing about the Most Magical Place on Earth, find her exploring the Big Apple or spending downtime with family and friends.

Rachel Friedman

Senior Client Services Manager

Rachel is a Long Island native who joined ShermansTravel in 2020. She caught the travel bug at an early age and has since traveled to over a dozen countries. When she isn’t thinking of her next adventure or when the Mets will win their next game, you can find her baking for her family and friends.

Bianca Zugaro

Client Services Manager

Bianca has been with the ShermansTravel Deals Team since 2022. Her passion for travel has led her to more than a dozen U.S. cities and many international destinations, including her favorite, Italy. She is a proud dog mom of Zeppelin, a silver lab.

Edward Celata

Director of Luxury Cruise Partnerships

Recently relocated from NYC to sunny Palm Beach, Edward heads up ShermansTravel's Florida and Cruise programs. Edward’s experience includes serving as VP at BOAT International Media, VP at rewardStyle, and Luxury Director at The New York Times. Edward is an alumnus of New York University with a degree in Journalism. He is an avid cruise and travel enthusiast, has visited 24 of the 26 Caribbean Islands, and expects to see all the wonders of the world.

Aleksandr Froymchuk

Staff Accountant

Aleksandr joined ShermansTravel Media as a staff accountant. He comes to us from Louise Blouin Media, an art magazine and book publishing company. In his free time, he likes to explore different destinations with his husband and son. He said that the most unreal experience for him was to see an alligator in the St. Lucie River at the ClubMed resort just this past year.

Aaron Saunders
After a career editing animated television shows, Aaron Saunders pursued his love of ships and the sea. He writes regularly about the cruise industry for the Vancouver Province newspaper, Canadian Traveller, Avid Cruiser, River Cruise Advisor, and USA Today. He is the author of two books on maritime history: Giants of the Seas (Seaforth Publishing, 2013) and Stranded (Dundurn Press, 2015). When not at sea, he makes his home in the land-locked city of Calgary, Canada.
Amanda Kreuser
Amanda Pressner Kreuser has worked at Shape, Self, and Men’s Fitness magazines, and contributed to Travel + Leisure, Departures, and Food & Wine. She is the author of “The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World.”
Ann Abel
Ann Abel is a Brooklyn-based travel writer who specializes in luxury, adventure, and wellness travel. Her work has appeared in ForbesLife, Afar, Departures, Robb Report, National Geographic Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, Islands, Brides, Outside Online, Yahoo Travel, Well+Good, and others.
Anne Roderique-Jones
Anne Roderique-Jones has been writing and editing for ShermansTravel for over a decade. Her writing has appeared in print and/or online versions of Architectural Digest, SELF, Conde Nast Traveler, Vogue, AFAR, Shape, Town & Country, Saveur, Elle Decor, Southern Living, Marie Claire, Men's Health, and The Knot among other outlets.
Bianca Zugaro
Bianca has been with the ShermansTravel Deals Team for over a year. Her passion for travel has led her to more than a dozen U.S. cities and many international destinations, including her favorite, Italy. She is a proud dog mom of Zeppelin, a silver lab.
Christina Garofalo
Christina is a Brooklyn-based writer, covering travel, food, and culture. Follow her travels on Instagram at @C_Gar8.
Christine Dayao
Christine Dayao is ShermansTravel's resident Disney expert, who recently achieved her dream of becoming a Disney Vacation Club member.
Christine Ongsueng
Christine Ongsueng is the former social media editor of ShermansCruise and a New York City-based contributor to the site.
Clark Norton
Clark Norton, a longtime contributor to Porthole cruise magazine, has also written numerous cruising features for The Washington Post Magazine, EnCompass, Bridal Guide, the Toronto Globe and Mail, and other publications.
David Molyneaux
David G. Molyneaux is a Cleveland-based cruise writer who, for more than 24 years, was Travel Editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio.
Donna Heiderstadt
Cruise Expert
Elizabeth Hey
Elizabeth Hey is a Missouri-based travel journalist who also writes for AAA Living, AAA Home & Away, Group Travel Leader, Select Traveler, Going on Faith, and Small Market Meetings, among others.
Gary Buchanan
Scottish-born Gary Buchanan has been a travel writer for over 30 years. He has been a specialist cruise writer for 22 years contributing to leading British publications. He is the author of five books about cruising and spends over seven months every year at sea sailing the world’s oceans.
Gayle Keck
Travel and food writer Gayle Keck has contributed to Afar, National Geographic Traveler, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and USA Today. She lives in San Francisco and has sipped fermented mare’s milk in Kyrgyzstan, dug truffles in Italy, picked grapes in Champagne, and munched her way through every continent except Antarctica.
Heidi Sarna
Heidi Sarna is a Singapore-based contributor to ShermansCruise who has also written for Condé Nast Traveler, USA Today, and Brides.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based writer who also contributes to Travel Pulse, Travel Channel, and Porthole magazine.
Jaymie DeGaetano
For over a decade, Jaymie has reviewed hundreds of travel offers and traveled the world on assignment for ShermansTravel — from Grenada, to Singapore, Peru, Nevada, and more.
Jenna Mahoney
Jenna Mahoney is a Brooklyn-based travel editor, lifestyle writer, and the author of Small Apartment Hacks. She has been on staff at Bridal Guide and Fitness and her work has appeared in Shape, Self, Allure, Redbook, and New York.
Joe Yogerst
California-based Joe Yogerst is a former contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler and Islands magazine. He has also written for National Geographic, CNN Travel, the International Herald Tribune, Travel + Leisure, Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post.
John Roberts
John Roberts is a New Jersey-based contributor to ShermansCruise who has worked at The Virginian-Pilot and Coloradoan.
Judi Cuervo
Judi Cuervo is a New York City-based contributor to ShermansCruise whose work has also appeared in Porthole, Bridal Guide, and Gotham. She met her husband aboard Holland America’s Statendam and was married aboard Celebrity Galaxy.
Kelly Wilkinson
Kelly works on the deals production team at ShermansTravel. Her favorite trips so far have been to Seoul, South Korea, and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway.
Kelsy Chauvin
Kelsy Chauvin is a writer and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She specializes in travel, arts and culture, food and wine, nightlife, and LGBTQ interests. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @kelsycc.
Kim MacKinnon
Kim Foley MacKinnon is a Boston-based writer whose work has appeared in The Boston Globe, AAA Horizons, Travel + Leisure, and USA Today.
Kristen O'Neal
Kristen O’Neal is a freelance writer and editorial intern at ShermansCruise. She loves writing about media, culture, religion, and, of course, travel. Her work has appeared in publications such as American Way, City Guide, and Relevant.
Lana Gates
Lana Gates lives in sunny — but landlocked — Phoenix, where she prowls for dangling modifiers and split infinitives as a copy editor for ShermansCruise.
Laura Manske
Laura Manske is a New York-based writer who has contributed to Redbook, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Parenting, and Family Circle. Her book, “Family Travel: The Farther You Go, the Closer You Get,” is an anthology of stories about how travel can inspire and impact loved ones of all ages.
Laura Motta
Laura Motta has been with ShermansTravel since 2011 and has served as its Director of Publishing since 2014. Follow her travels on Instagram at @lauramariamotta.
Lauren Dana Ellman
Lauren Dana Ellman is a freelance travel, beauty, and lifestyle writer and editor based in New York. Her work has been featured in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, SmarterTravel, Oyster, AFAR, Well + Good, ALLURE, SELF, The Knot, Brides, Bustle, and more.
Mat Probasco
Originally from Oregon, Mat is a journalism grad from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. He wrote for small newspapers and the Associated Press in the Virgin Islands for many years before moving to New York. He has also lived and worked in Hong Kong.
Matt Villano
Matt Villano is a California-based contributor who also writes for The Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, Sunset, Entrepreneur, Afar, and San Francisco Chronicle.
Matthew Wexler
Matthew Wexler is a New York City-based travel and lifestyle writer. Read more of his work at wexlerwrites.com and follow him on social media at @wexlerwrites.
Michelle Baran
Michelle Baran is a San Francisco-based contributor to ShermansCruise.com.
Nancy Dunn
Nancy Dunn is a Vancouver-based travel writer who — along with co-author and husband, Bob — also writes for Canadian newspaper chain Postmedia.
Peter Knego
California-based Peter Knego writes for Travel Weekly, Cruise Travel, Ocean & Cruise News, USA Today, and Porthole. Knego also runs midshipcentury.com, which offers midcentury cruise ship furniture and artwork rescued from the shipbreaking yards.
Sarah Rose
Sarah Rose writes the Dynasties column for The Wall Street Journal and is author of “For All the Tea in China: How England Stole the World’s Favorite Drink and Changed History” (Viking/Penguin). She also writes for The Wall Street Journal, Robb Report, and Departures and won a 2014 Lowell Thomas Award for her work in Outside. Rose is currently working on her second book and intends to spend a lot of time researching aboard cruise ships.
Sherry Laskin
Sherry Laskin is a Florida-based contributor to ShermansCruise.com who has also written for Porthole, USA Today, and Travel Weekly.
Shevin Tantula
Shevin discovered his love for travel at a young age, regularly visiting his family's homeland of Sri Lanka, and often stopping in Europe en-route. A voracious traveler, Shevin has visited 35 countries across six continents.
Sophie-Claire Hoeller
Stacey Zable
Stacey Zable is a New York City-based travel writer who has also written for Travel + Leisure, Spa, Food & Wine, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, and Islands.
Susan Moynihan
Florida-based Susan Moynihan previously served as the travel editor at Condé Nast’s Elegant Bride and editor in chief of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons. She has also written for Parenting, Woman’s Day, and Spa.
Suzanne Kelleher
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher has contributed to Travel + Leisure, FoxNews.com, Good Housekeeping, Parents, DisneyFamily.com, Cigar Aficionado, The Boston Globe, and Parenting. She lives in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Theodore Scull
Theodore W. Scull is a New York City-based travel writer who has written several books on transatlantic crossings, including “Ocean Liner Odyssey” and “Ocean Liner Twilight.” He has been cruising since he was a teenager.
Theresa Masek
Theresa Norton Masek is a Chicago-based writer who also serves as the executive editor at travAlliancemedia.
Yolanda Crous
Yolanda Crous is a Texas-based contributor to ShermansCruise.com. The former Features and Travel Director at Brides magazine, she’s also written for Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler.