(44 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Karen Malone

Victoria, MN
Cruise and Tour Specialist

My interests are many but one of my first loves in traveling is cruising. I have been on more than 40 cruises all over the world including river cruising and trans-Atlantic crossing. I hold two certificates with Cruise Lines International Associat...
Learn more about me.

Upscale Experiences on board a River Cruise

AmaMagna Passau, Germany  AmaMagna
AmaMagna Passau, Germany AmaMagna

River cruising offers a unique and enjoyable way to explore different destinations, especially in Europe.


These are some reasons you may want to consider a RIVER CRUISE:



  • Unique routes with breathtaking views you might not see on a traditional ocean cruise or land-based tour

  • River cruise ships are smaller and more intimate accommodating a two hundred or less

  • River cruises often dock right in the heart of cities and towns, giving you convenient access to top attractions and cultural sites

  • Cultural immersion unlike any other type of travel

  • All-Inclusive Experience: Almost all river cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages, where your meals, accommodations, and selected excursions are included in the price. This simplifies your travel planning and budgeting, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey without worrying about additional costs.

  • Explore multiple destinations in a single trip, each itinerary is carefully curated to showcase the region

  • Comfortable and well-appointed cabins, many have a with a scenic view from private balconies


The Rivers I have sailed: 



  • The Amstel River is located in the Netherlands is a smaller river known for its historic bridges and picturesque scenery.

  • The Rhine River is a major river in Europe that flows through several countries. While sailing you will see historic castles, vineyards and MORE

  • The Danube River is the second longest river in Europe that flows through several countries offering stunning landscapes and attractions.

  • The Moselle River is famous for its picturesque vineyards, charming villages, and medieval castles.


My River Cruise Line Experience:



  • Viking River Cruises offers luxurious river cruises with comfortable accommodations and guided shore excursions.

  • Avalon Waterways is known for their spacious cabins with innovative designs, including cabins with beds facing a 12-foot glass cabin French balcony.

  • Emerald Waterways provides modern and stylish ships with comfortable amenities and inclusive shore excursions.

  • The AMA Magna pictured below is large enough to include a swimming pool with a swim-up bar.  She is the larges riverboat and can only fit through the locks on the Danube!


River cruising combines the comforts of a floating hotel with the opportunity to explore diverse destinations, making it a popular choice for travelers seeking a unique and immersive vacation experience. 

My Reviews

80 of 137 people found this review helpful
Retired and Traveling!
Karen has been very professional, helpful and eager to share information about all our vacation destinations. She makes sure all bases are covered and all travel documents are in order. She always answers all our questions and we seem to have a lot. I would encourage anyone to stop in and visit with her for any travel questions or ideas. Karen has helped us with Viking Cruises, Globus Bus tours and other trips.
By  WBSB  from  Woodbury MN
Traveled to  Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Karen Malone responded:
Thank you for your kind words Wayne. It is always my pleasure to work with you and your family. I encourage you to continue to ask questions. This helps me make sure your trip is exactly what you anticipated Karen.

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50 of 78 people found this review helpful
A trip we will NEVER forget!
Our trip to SouthEast Asia was a beautiful and memorable experience due to the time and effort that went into the planning by Karen Malone. She was incredibly helpful. Her professionalism and expertise is unsurpassed! Also, she’s just such a wonderful lady as well!
By  CynRae  from  Mendota Heights, MN
Traveled to  Southeast Asia ~ East and Southeast Asia
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Karen Malone responded:
I'm so glad you had such a great time Connie. I will keep my eye out for Moon Palace specials.

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70 of 119 people found this review helpful
First trip to Europe
Karen did a great job helping us through our first time in Europe. We were so amazed how everything went so smoothly. She answered all our questions while booking, made sure all of our wants were met. It allowed us to focus on the experience! Thank you.
By  John + Rose   from  La Quinta California
Traveled to  Germany ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Karen Malone responded:
Thank you for those kind words John. I always try to remember my first experiences in Europe to help the new comers have a smooth trip. I'm so glad this worked out for you.

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77 of 133 people found this review helpful
Alaska
Very helpful, good attitude. She did a great job on our Alaska trip! I would
not hesitate to use Karen again or refer a friend to her. We had a wonderful
time with no worries, she had everything covered.
By  Jeanne  from  IGH, MN
Traveled to  Fairbanks ~ Alaska ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Karen Malone responded:
Thanks for the kind words Jeanne. It was my pleasure to serve you and i'm so happy this was a great experience for you two. Karen

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62 of 107 people found this review helpful
Fabulous trip
We were so lucky to find Karen as our travel agent. She has been a gift to work with from start to finish on our Alaska trip. Karen knows exactly what she is talking about and her follow through is stellar!!! We will be booking many more trips with Karen.
By  Marsha  from  Vadnais Hts MN
Traveled to  Alaska ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Karen Malone responded:
Thank you so much Marsha for those kinds words! It was my pleasure to help you plan the trip to beautiful Alaska, one of my top ten destinations. I look forward to working with you in the future wherever your travels take you. Karen

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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Rhine River
  • Danube
  • Moselle River
  • On the River
  • Europe

Travel Specialist:

  • River Cruises
  • Luxury
  • Luxury Cruises
  • European Culture
  • Christmas Markets

Top Travel Partners:

  • Avalon Waterways
  • AmaWaterways
  • Viking
  • Tauck
  • Globus

Certifications/Awards:

  • Master Cruise Counselor - CLIA
  • SNG Certified Accessible Travel Advocate

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Industry Affiliations:

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