(42 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Ted Blank

Woodbury, MN
Tailor-Made Journeys

You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf. 

Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, atten...
Learn more about me.

Luxury Cruise Guru

Cunard's Luxurious Queen Elizabeth in Europe
Cunard's Luxurious Queen Elizabeth in Europe

The world is calling you to discover it.  From the remotest undiscovered corners, rich with hidden secrets and natural treasures, to a rediscovery of destinations you thought you knew, full of unique twists and rewards, luxury cruises offer discerning travelers like you both authentic discoveries and the simplest of pleasures.  Combining the best for both the adventurous soul and the discerning palate, your luxury cruise guarantees exclusive access, limitless options, and the surprising moments of a lifetime that transform a vacation from the routine to the life changing.


Every luxury cruise is different, and some are better suited to your interests and preferences than others.  While the internet is full of popularity contests, self-appointed experts, and paid puff pieces masquerading as reviews, I bring a different perspective to luxury cruising.  As a veteran of over twenty ocean and river cruises worldwide, on a wide variety of luxury cruise lines, I can help you sift through the clutter and choose the right cruise for you – not for someone else.  I’m also a skilled value interpreter, assisting you with sorting through the overwhelming array of promotions in the marketplace, to ensure that you not only choose the right cruise, but receive good value for your cruise dollar.


Plus, on over 350 sailings each year, I'm delighted to offer you special benefits and memorable amenities, including a private on board welcome reception, dedicated cruise host, and exclusive shore excursion - all complimentary, at no additional cost to you.


Are you interested in enjoying refined, personalized service while you travel?  A plethora of the right inclusions, outstanding cuisine, and the best itineraries – including smaller, off-the-beaten path destinations with authentic experiences around every corner?   Looking to combine an ocean cruise with a river cruise for a true destination immersion, or to plan pre- and post-cruise land arrangements that rival the quality of your cruise? 


Contact me to schedule a planning consultation, and we'll get started planning your luxury cruise escape!

My Travel Albums

Croatian Coastal Cruise
Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo
Alaska Inside Passage and Denali
Totem Pole Museum in Ketchikan
Rhine River Cruise
The Canals of Amsterdam
September Cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean
Beautiful Korcula in Croatia
Venice and Milan, Italy
La Scala Theater in Milan
Royal Clipper Mediterranean Cruise
What a great place for a glass of wine!
Unmatched Style and Discovery on Queen Elizabeth
The Queen's Room with Nightly Dancing
Escape from It All in Greece
A lovely beach on the Greek Island of Symi.
Views of Portugal
Alcobaca Monastery in Portugal
Two Days in St. Petersburg, Russia
One of the many canals in St. Petersburg.
In Queen Victoria’s Footsteps
Queen Victoria's desk at Osborne House
You'll Feel Special on a Cunard Luxury Cruise
Onboard Queen Mary 2
By Barge Along the Nivernais Canal in France
Canal barging is an authentic French experience
An Introduction to French Canal Barge Cruising
Dining room on a French Canal Barge
Crossing the Atlantic in Style - by Ship
Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2
Seeking the Harmony of Terroir
Dining with a view
A Day in Strasbourg, France
Cathedral of Notre Dame de Strasbourg
A Day in Skagway, Alaska
White Pass & Yukon Railroad, Skagway, Alaska
Yachtsman's Caribbean by Small Ship
Beautiful Caribbean Sunset - Windstar Cruises
Amsterdam: A Great Place to Start a River Cruise
Windmills near Amsterdam
A Day in Alsace, France on a Rhine River Cruise
Riquewehr, France near the Rhine River
Five Surprises on an Alaskan Cruise
There's lots of wildlife in Alaska!
In Search of the Holy Grail
The Cathedral in Valencia, Spain
On the Trail of Michelangelo in Rome, Italy
The Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Rome, Italy
Beautiful Seville, Spain
Fountain in the Parque de Maria Luisa, Seville
A Day in Venice
The Grand Canal in Venice
Discover Greece by Luxury Cruise
The Temple of Apollo at Delphi

My Travel Stories

The Perfect Cruises for Music Lovers

Going on a luxury cruise with a theme is a great way to combine your favorite type of vacation with one of your favorite interests. Music is a perfect example. 

On a music-themed cruise, you can take advantage of special excursions, programs and performances. You’ll also find all of the elements...Read more.

See more travel stories

My Reviews

139 of 218 people found this review helpful
Un-Belizeable Vacation!
Ted listened to what we wanted in a vacation and gave us a few options to choose from with different price points to meet our needs.

Our trip and itinerary was laid out perfectly . Everything went smooth and we had a very relaxing get away without any worries. Ted thought of everything. The resorts were fabulous, our excursions were personal - no big crowds and our experience was priceless.

As a seasoned traveler himself, Ted knows the ins and outs of how to get an exceptional vacation that is worth every penny.

I am a believer that you get what you pay for and I will not take another vacation without Ted's assistance.

If you are planning a vacation, contact Ted. You will be glad you did!

By  Jenny V.  from  Forest Lake, MN
Traveled to  Belize ~ Central America
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure to help you plan your trip, and I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time!

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75 of 121 people found this review helpful
An amazing scenic and gastronomic experience
I’d give him more stars if it was possible. Ted has the unusual combination of being detail oriented as well as an easy going unflappable personality. The best travel pro we have worked with in years! On our AmaWatwrways cruise from Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland everything was about as perfect as possible. We had a wonderful cruise manager who ensured everyone had an amazing experience! And the food was like eating in a five star restaurant every night.
By  Tim&Nan  from  Edina, MN
Traveled to  Basel ~ Switzerland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure to work with you, and I'm grateful that you enjoyed the river cruise as well as the Swiss adventure!

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82 of 136 people found this review helpful
So much fun we didn't want to come home!
Ted was always proactive and on top of everything. He willingly and ably met our every travel request finding us great hotels, transfers, rail tickets, guides and air fares.
By  Rebecca  from  Ft Collins, CO
Traveled to  Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a delight to work with you, and I look forward to helping with your next voyage!

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62 of 97 people found this review helpful
Great Adventure Down Under
Ted was very responsive to our requests for a trip to New Zealand and Australia that included 8 flights, a car rental, and numerous hotels. The itinerary packet we received from Ted before we left was comprehensive and invaluable to make our adventure run smoothly. Everything went off without a hitch which is unusual with a complicated trip so far away from home. New Zealand is stunningly beautiful and our Australian visit included adventurous scuba diving and a home visit in the Outback. Ted helped us make it happen.
By  Karen  from  Fergus Falls
Traveled to  New Zealand ~ Australia & New Zealand
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure to help you plan your trip, and I'm glad you had such a great time!

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113 of 199 people found this review helpful
Ted made our trip happen!
We were referred to Ted through friends. Initially, I was nervous to reach out to Ted because I've never worked with a travel agent before. He was easy to reach and very friendly. He made our fears of traveling disappear! He met with us several times to go over details and help us plan our time in each country or city that we would be in! He made our trip that we dreamed about, a reality! Btw we traveled all of Ireland and Northern Ireland, London and Paris!
By  Kayla  from  Lindstrom, MN
Traveled to  Ireland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Ted Blank responded:
It was a pleasure working with you, and I look forward to helping you plan your next overseas trip!

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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Europe
  • Alaska
  • Mediterranean Sea
  • Baltic Sea
  • Greece

Travel Specialist:

  • Luxury Cruises
  • World Cruises
  • River Cruises
  • Small Ship Cruises
  • Bespoke Travel

Top Travel Partners:

  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Silversea
  • Seabourn
  • Crystal
  • Cunard®

Certifications/Awards:

  • ILTM Cannes Hosted Advisor
  • CruiseWorld Hosted Advisor
  • Luxury Travel Advisor's Ultra Summit Hosted
  • Princess Cruises Commodore
  • Sandals Resorts Certified Specialist

Languages I Speak:

  • English
  • French

Industry Affiliations:

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