Your River Cruise Expert

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David Johnson, Travel Agent in Castle Pines, CO

David Johnson

Castle Pines, CO Travel Agent
Super Agent

David Johnson

Castle Pines, CO · 6 Years of Experience

Travel Yeti's - Dream Vacations, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(19)
100% Recommended
Making reservations with David was easy. He was very communicative and responded quickly to any questions. He made certain that we were prepared for all... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe, Africa, France, Germany, Hungary

Interests:

River Cruises, Luxury, Culinary & Foodie, Christmas Markets, Castles & Cathedrals

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Celebrity Cruises, Viking, Adventures By Disney

About Me

Having fun with the Best Cruise Manager!
Having fun with the Best Cruise Manager!

There is no smoother, more elegant, or more immersive way to experience the world than by river. Europe’s grand waterways, Asia’s storied channels, Africa’s wildlife-rich stretches, and the Mississippi’s nostalgic bends, each river tells a story, and I’m here to craft yours with ease, expertise, and a touch of Yeti magic.

I’m David, owner of Travel Yeti’s Dream Vacations, and a certified river cruise specialist across multiple leading lines, including AmaWaterways, Viking, Avalon Waterways, Emerald, Scenic, and others. My extensive training, combined with firsthand experience sailing many of Europe’s most iconic rivers, allows me to guide you to the perfect itinerary, ship, and season for your dream journey.

Over the years, I’ve cruised along the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, and more, experiences that give me practical insight into what makes each river unique. I know which itineraries burst with cultural immersion, which offer postcard-perfect villages, which are best for wine lovers, history buffs, or Christmas market magic, and which ships elevate the entire experience through luxury touches, fine dining, and exceptional service.

Why Book Your River Cruise With Me?

Certified by the Top River Cruise Lines
From the intimate elegance of AmaWaterways to the sleek Scandinavian styling of Viking, I understand the nuances of each brand—their ships, inclusions, onboard experiences, cabin layouts, and excursion styles. This insider insight ensures you’re matched with the line that fits your personality, travel style, and expectations.

Firsthand Experience on Multiple Rivers
River cruising isn’t one-size-fits-all. As someone who has sailed these waterways myself, I know what the brochures don’t tell you: the best side of the ship for views, when to expect water-level issues, when to book for vineyard season or tulip time, and which ports delight even the most seasoned traveler.

Seamless, Stress-Free Planning
River cruises include more than just the sailing—you may want pre-cruise hotel nights, post-cruise extensions, culinary tours, short flights, rail connections, or private guides. I manage every detail so your journey feels effortless from start to finish.

A Global Perspective for Global Rivers
While Europe is the heart of river cruising, my clients have explored rivers worldwide—from the Nile to the Mekong to the Mississippi. I understand the differences in climate, culture, ship size, sightseeing style, and comfort levels across continents and can tailor your itinerary accordingly.

Perfect for Luxury Travelers, First-Timers, and Multi-Generational Groups
River cruising appeals to explorers who want the ease of unpacking once, the joy of small-ship intimacy, immersive cultural experiences, and access to destinations unreachable by ocean vessels. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, traveling with family, or embarking on your first river voyage, I’ll curate a journey that exceeds expectations.

What I Offer River Cruise Travelers

  • Expertise in all major river cruise lines
  • Tailored itinerary recommendations based on interests, timing, and travel style
  • Guidance on wine-themed cruises, Christmas markets, culinary sailings, and art/history-focused journeys
  • Help selecting the right cabin, ship, and season
  • Planning of pre- and post-cruise extensions (Paris, Budapest, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Prague, and more)
  • Complete travel coordination including air, hotels, insurance, transfers, and excursions
  • Personal support before, during, and after your journey

Experience the World, One River at a Time

River cruising reveals destinations in the most relaxing and enriching way possible. No crowds. No chaos. Just smooth sailing, breathtaking scenery, incredible food, and daily discoveries.

When you're ready to discover Europe and beyond from the comfort of the world’s most beautiful rivers, with expert guidance, insider knowledge, and a passion for creating unforgettable journeys, your Travel Yeti is here to guide the way.

Let’s design your dream river cruise today.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
19 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 19 reviews

Great family trip to Costa Rica
Reviewed By LSanchez - Pueblo, Colorado | Traveled to Costa Rica | Central America
Making reservations with David was easy. He was very communicative and responded quickly to any questions. He made certain that we were prepared for all stages of our trip. Once we arrived we had a wonderful time at Planet Hollywood in Costa Rica. The resort was clean, had great food, and a beautiful view. There were always activities and people available to help with any questions. When we arrived back home, David checked in with us to discuss our experience and see if we had any questions or concerns. I would give our experience with David 5 stars!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Great trip to Thailand!
Reviewed By Monica - Castle Rock, CO | Traveled to Thailand | East and Southeast Asia
David was very helpful in curating a trip that fit our needs.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Our trip to Europe.
Reviewed By Virginia - Fortuna, California | Traveled to Amsterdam | Netherlands | Europe
David worked with us designing a truly spectacular travel experience. We were connected to people and places that were so special (but not normally obvious to the regular traveler) . When we had unexpected difficulties David was on it ,solving the problem quickly, which made the trip smooth.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Bespoke Travel and Value Are Here
Reviewed By AdorkableK - Salt Lake City, UT | Traveled to Italy | Europe
David planned an exceptional trip for us and made the entire process feel effortless. He was always responsive, highly knowledgeable, and clearly understood the level of experience we were looking for. Every detail felt thoughtfully tailored to our preferences, from the overall pace to the special touches along the way. We never felt like we were booking a standard holiday. It felt completely designed around us.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Bucket List Item Checked
Reviewed By BarbF - Cupertino, CA | Traveled to Galapagos Islands | Ecuador | South America
We love traveling to more remote and adventurous places, and David was fantastic to work with. He understood the balance we wanted between comfort, logistics, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. He was always quick to reply, had strong insight into the destinations and options, and built a trip that felt customized specifically for us. His knowledge and attention to detail made a complicated journey feel seamless.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Leaders Alliance is a network of carefully selected travel advisors who excel in destination wedding and honeymoon travel planning. These elite advisors provide sophisticated, personalized experiences in the most desirable destinations and venues to discerning honeymoon and destination wedding travelers.
AMA Academy
AMA Academy
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Viking Expert
Viking Expert
Celebrity Learning Certification
Celebrity Learning Certification

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

Client Testimonials

Custom Europe Delight
David, our Travel Yeti, has really been amazing for us: he listens carefully to what we are looking for, and keeps at it till we get there, with bookings, tour ideas, places to find good food. We've never felt like we were "last in line", so to speak -- timely responses, and willingness to help us rethink previous ideas till we feel comfortable with our decisions. He is enjoying repeat business from us!
Alex G. - Vermont
Cruise Group Satisfaction
We asked David to prepare a Cruise proposal in time for a meeting with our fellow travelers. It was extremely short notice. He came through with great information! When we booked the cruise his followup was fast and comprehensive! I recommend David for your Cruise/Travel needs!
Jim H. - Denver, CO
Italy and Greece Delight!
Let me start by saying, WOW! We had an amazing time! The hotels, tours, and transfers were all first rate! Great locations, skipping lines, and exclusive access to sites/experiences others were totally jealous of. Italy. Venice, Verona, Florence & Rome. The hotel locations and accommodations were fantastic! All excursions were what I would call must-do. Colosseum underground, Pisa, Vatican, Pompeii, museums, all awesome! Greece. OMG! The hotel in Athens was fantastic with a great rooftop lounge area. We sat up there every night and watched the sunset over the acropolis and then watched the Acropolis lights come on. Mykonos and Santorini were even more magical still! The tour of Delos was a top experience. David, thank you for helping us put this together! Everyone really, really enjoyed this trip. You clearly listened to what we wanted and made it happen. We will definitely be in touch to plan our next trip! Maybe Machu Picchu and Galapagos next year?!
Erik S. - Denver, CO
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