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Karen McKinstry
Karen McKinstry

Karen McKinstry

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

Cruise Expert - Ocean, River & World Cruises

I am passionate about travel and the enrichment it brings to life, especially cruises! Whether you’re looking for solo exploration, an expedition adventure, a luxury romantic escape, or a multi-generational family getaway, I know how to craft a carefully curated journey that creates lasting memories. With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry—and almost two decades in hospitality before that—I bring a unique perspective to trip planning. My background has taught me how to anticipate needs, focus on the details, and deliver a truly comprehensive travel experience. What I love most is guiding clients through the planning process, then hearing about the incredible experiences and memories they’ve made upon their return. My goal is to exceed expectations at every step, creating seamless and enriching adventures tailored to each traveler’s vision.

My Travel Specialties

Cruise Specialist - Ocean, River, Expedition

Holland America ship at sunset
I am passionate about travel and the enrichment it brings to life, especially cruises! Whether you’re looking for solo exploration, an expedition adventure, a luxury romantic escape, or a multi-generational family getaway, I know how to craft a carefully curated journey that… Read more from my Cruise Specialist - Ocean, River, Expedition bio.

Family Cruising Expert

When it comes to family cruising, I know just how important it is to choose the right experience for every member of your family. A cruise is more than a vacation—it’s time spent together, free from the distractions of daily life,… Read more from my Family Cruising Expert bio.

River Cruise Expert

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… Read more from my River Cruise Expert bio.

Exploring the World Through Expedition Cruises

HX Expeditions Zodiac Tour
As a Cruise Consultant, I have the privilege of helping clients choose travel experiences that not only delight them but also expand their horizons. Over the years, my passion has led me to specialize in expedition cruising—a truly transformative way to… Read more from my Exploring the World Through Expedition Cruises bio.

My Areas of Expertise

Destinations

  • Bahamas
  • Galapagos Islands
  • Caribbean
  • Europe
  • France
  • Iceland
  • Alaska
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Glacier National Park
  • Germany

Interests

  • Cruises
  • Expedition Cruises
  • River Cruises
  • Luxury Cruises
  • Small Ship Cruises
  • Solo Travel

Suppliers

  • AmaWaterways
  • National Geographic Expeditions
  • Princess Cruises®
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Silversea
  • Viking
  • Holland America Line
  • Seabourn
  • Tauck
  • Avalon Waterways
  • MSC Cruises
  • Celebrity Cruises
  • HX

My Travel Stories

Karen's Favorite Princess Ship Pics

Choosing the Right Big-Ship Cruise for You

Hi, I’m Karen McKinstry with Cruise Specialists. One of the questions I hear most often is, “How do I know which big-ship cruise line is right for me?” The good news is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it really comes down to what kind of vacation you want. If you’re traveling with kids or... Read more from my Choosing the Right Big-Ship Cruise for You story.

My Reviews

Rating: 5 15 Reviews | 100% Recommended
  • 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
    12 of 21 people found this review helpful
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  • 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
    13 of 24 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
    13 of 24 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
    10 of 19 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
    10 of 19 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
    10 of 20 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
    10 of 20 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
    9 of 18 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
    11 of 23 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
    9 of 19 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
    11 of 23 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
    9 of 20 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
    10 of 23 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
    10 of 23 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
    11 of 26 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.

Customer Testimonials

Greenland and Iceland Cruise

Karen, as always is extremely helpful and responsive to any and all concerns regarding travel. The cruise itself was amazing. Greenland and Iceland were incredible. The food and service onboard was outstanding once again!

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