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Karen McKinstry / River Cruise Expert
Karen McKinstry

Karen McKinstry

Seattle, WA Cruise Specialist
Years of Experience: 19
15 Reviews | 100% Recommended

River Cruise Expert

AmaWaterways ship on the Seine
AmaWaterways ship on the Seine

River cruising has become one of the most beloved ways to explore the world, and for good reason. Unlike ocean voyages that span great distances, river cruises allow you to travel through the heart of a region, immersing you in its culture, history, and daily life. This is an area of cruising that I am especially passionate about, and one I love guiding my clients toward.

Sailing along legendary rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, Seine, or Mekong offers a front-row seat to Europe’s storybook villages, Asia’s bustling riverfronts, and beyond. Each day brings a new city or town, often with the ship docking right in the center, so guests can walk directly into the heart of the destination. It’s an effortless and enriching way to experience multiple countries in one journey.

No two travelers are alike, which is why my role is to pair you with the river cruise line and itinerary that fits your style. Some clients value cultural immersion and guided shore excursions, while others prioritize culinary experiences or more independent exploration. With lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, and Riviera River Cruises, each has its own strengths—and I help you navigate the options to find the one that best suits you.

River ships offer an intimate and welcoming environment, often carrying fewer than 200 guests. Spacious staterooms with panoramic windows, regional cuisine, and attentive service create a boutique-hotel-on-the-water atmosphere. With everything included—from excursions to fine wines with dinner—it’s a travel experience that blends comfort with discovery.

Planning a river cruise involves more than just picking a ship. Timing, itinerary, stateroom category, and even add-on land tours all make a difference in the overall experience. At Cruise Specialists, I provide expert advice and exclusive amenities to ensure your journey is exactly what you’re looking for. From Europe’s great rivers to the hidden waterways of Asia, I help you craft the perfect itinerary, so you can relax and enjoy the journey.

If you’ve ever dreamed of watching castles drift past your balcony or waking up to the sights and sounds of a bustling riverside market, a river cruise may be your perfect fit. I’d be honored to help make that dream a reality.

My Areas of Expertise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • France
  • Netherlands
  • Germany

Interests

  • River Cruises
  • Cruises

Supplier

  • AmaWaterways
  • Viking
  • Tauck
  • Avalon Waterways
  • Celebrity Cruises

My Reviews

Rating: 5 15 Reviews | 100% Recommended
  • Antarctica cruise

    Reviewed By Pat - Dallas, TX | Traveled to Antarctica
    Karen guided us through every step of planning the 22 day cruise (including 4 days cruise the Antarctica Peninsula)
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    21 of 39 people found this review helpful
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  • Great advisor

    Reviewed By Ruth and Rob - Dover, DE | Traveled to Scandinavia | Europe
    Karen kept us informed every step of the booking
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    22 of 42 people found this review helpful
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  • Great

    Reviewed By Winnie - Bethpage, TN | Traveled to Caribbean
    Handled this cruise and 2 in the future
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    18 of 35 people found this review helpful
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  • Travel agent

    Reviewed By Deb - Larkspur, CA | Traveled to Mexico
    Karen was exquisite to work with! Knowledgeable about the ship, details, and getting things done her input and direction made our event wonderful. Her easy going personality and ‘can-do’ attitude were exceptional. I highly recommend her as an agent. Thank you Karen! Well done!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    18 of 36 people found this review helpful
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  • Karen McKinstry

    Reviewed By Bonnie - Ft Myers, FL | Traveled to Mediterranean | At Sea | At Sea
    Karen is very professional & personable & a total delight to work with. She went above & beyond to help us plan our cruise. She made herself available as much as possible to answer cruise questions from start to finish. I would recommend Karen highly to any person or group working to plan a memorable cruise. Karen is deserving a of a 5 star rating for her competency, customer service and attitude in delivering a quality, exceptional cruise experience. I would be very happy to recommend Karen to anyone who wishes to plan a cruise & will personally ask for her on future cruises.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    19 of 38 people found this review helpful
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  • Wow!

    Reviewed By Bob - Aurora, CO | Traveled to Panama Canal | Panama | Central America
    This is our first time working with Karen. She anticipates every need and request. It was a pleasure to work with her. And she made some arrangements that were a pleasant surprise, e.g. a wheel chair upon arriving at Denver International Airport. Thanks so much Karen!!!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    26 of 53 people found this review helpful
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  • Superior agent

    Reviewed By Jack and Gloria - Denver, CO | Traveled to Caribbean
    Answered our questions quickly, accurately, professionally and our Welcome package was all inclusive. She can manage our next cruise any day.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    20 of 41 people found this review helpful
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  • On the ball!

    Reviewed By Therese - Venice, FL | Traveled to Japan | East and Southeast Asia
    Karen is a great Cruise Advisor! She knows both sides of the business and is able to quickly analyze each situation and make sound recommendations! She maintains a calm, professional and personable manner. During a medical incident involving one of my colleagues, Karen took charge and ensured she got the proper medical attention, as well as helped in initiating a medical return home. After a rough night, it was a relief to know she was on it and the f/up call she provided me was reassuring. She truly cares about each of her travelers and goes the extra mile to ensure they enjoy their cruise experience!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    18 of 38 people found this review helpful
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  • Awesome advisor!

    Reviewed By Carol - Costa Mesa, CA | Traveled to Tahiti | French Polynesia | South Pacific
    Karen helped us every step of the way. I cant believe there are no fees for booking with her and Cruise Specialists
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    17 of 36 people found this review helpful
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  • Ama wine cruise on Danube

    Reviewed By JD - Durham, NC | Traveled to Danube | On the River | At Sea
    Karen was great to work with. Very responsive to any questions we had a proactive in checking on fare changes and any updates from the cruise line. She was very helpful in helping us choose both a cruise line and itinerary for our first European wine river cruise. I would highly recommend Karen and will work with her again on a future cruise.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    17 of 38 people found this review helpful
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  • Great service!

    Reviewed By Blue - Carmel, CA | Traveled to Greece | Europe
    Karen was easy to work with and responsive to our needs. We'll be booking our next cruise with her. and the one after that, and the one after that...
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    17 of 38 people found this review helpful
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  • Way to go Karen!

    Reviewed By Madeline - Austin, TX | Traveled to Australia & New Zealand
    Karen was very helpful before and during the cruise. She was kind, patient and always there when a problem needed to be solved. She certainly put our minds to rest once she became our Cruise Specialists contact.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    21 of 47 people found this review helpful
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  • Karen is Fantastic!

    Reviewed By Lisa - Atlanta, GA | Traveled to World Cruise | Other
    Personable, professional and fun, Karen was of great assistance to us in all phases of planning our cruise. All questions via email were answered quite promptly. Would highly recommend Karen as a cruise advisor to anyone planning a trip aboard Holland America Line.
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    17 of 39 people found this review helpful
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  • Karen is super!

    Reviewed By Cooper - Birmingham, AL | Traveled to Rhine River | On the River | At Sea
    Karen was exceptional in assisting us with planning this vacation. She was attentive to detail and able to answer all of the questions we had and point us in exactly the right directions we wanted. I would highly recommend her to anybody!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    19 of 44 people found this review helpful
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  • Alaska cruise

    Reviewed By Ian and Karen - Vancouver, BC | Traveled to Alaska | USA
    Great! She was super responsive as we were planning, and helped us know what to expect, down to the littlest detail. Very few of our big group had ever been on a cruise before, so we needed her!
    I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
    17 of 41 people found this review helpful
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My Travel Experience

Places I’ve personally traveled to or destinations I’ve booked for my clients.

TRUSTED BY:
Conde Nast Traveler
Travel + Leisure
Wall Street Journal
CLIA - Official Travel Agency for the Cruise Industry
Forbes