Bucket List, Small Ship Cruises & Unique locations

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Jo Ann Simpson, Travel Agent in Covington, KY

Jo Ann Simpson

Covington, KY Travel Agent
Super Agent

Jo Ann Simpson

Covington, KY · 5 Years of Experience

Jogotravel, an independent agent with Cruises & Tours, Unlimited, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
4.9
(23)
100% Recommended
Jo Ann makes vacation planning a breeze, she always keeps us informed on changes and checks in on a regular basis. Highly recommend her for planning... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Africa, Antarctica, East and Southeast Asia

Interests:

Small Ship Cruises, River Cruises, Expedition Cruises, Adult Only, Christmas Markets

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Virgin Voyages, Windstar Cruises, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Hurtigruten

About Me

About Me
About Me

Hi, I’m Jo Ann—globe trotter, and unapologetic passport stamp collector. With over 70 countries (and all 7 continents!) under my belt, I’ve learned that the best travel stories don’t always start with “I found it in a brochure.” Sometimes they begin with “Wait… where is that?”

I am grateful that I prioritized my passion for travel while working before retirement, which spans over 73 countries.  Three and a half years ago, I embarked on a new chapter of my life as an independent travel advisor following a long and fulfilling career. My journey into the world of travel was fueled by a passion for exploration and a desire to connect with like-minded individuals who shared my passion for discovering the world. 

I love off-the-beaten-path adventures.  Whether I’m camping in the Wadi Rum desert in a luxurious bubble tent, cruising the Arctic, or standing among Moai statues on Easter Island, I seek out experiences that are immersive, authentic, and sometimes a little wild.  I help clients go beyond the ordinary—whether that means planning a luxury river cruise, chasing polar bears in Churchill, or finally checking off that dream trip you’ve been putting off for “someday.”  I also specialize in crafting bucket-list travel that doesn't feel like a tour group on autopilot and in Small-Ship cruises that are small in size but big on immersive excursions and personalized service.

Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for the larger ship cruises.  When my inner introvert needs attention, getting lost in the crowd and indulging in a heavy dose of entertainment options helps me recharge and focus on myself.

I bring personal experience and professional know-how, including certifications as a Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) through the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and as a Certified Accredited Cruise Counselor through CLIA, as well as numerous supplier-specific certifications and a healthy dose of humor to every itinerary I design.

If you’re looking for a travel advisor who listens, gets excited about the details, and might even join you on the journey (seriously, don’t tempt me)—then we should talk. Let’s make your next trip the one you’ll be talking about for years.

 

Small Ship Ocean, Riverand Expedition Cruising

 

If you’re ready to swap crowds and casinos for culture and caviar, small ship cruising might be your new favorite way to travel. With fewer than 1,000 passengers (and often fewer than 200), these cruises are all about luxury, intimacy, and access. You get into the heart of the destinations—no endless tender rides, no herding. Just fine wine, personal service, and unforgettable experiences. I’ve cruised with and/or certified with the top providers such as AmaWaterways, Windstar, Viking, Oceania, and more. If you enjoy cultural immersion, wine tasting, golf, or just relaxing in style, there is a ship for you. Let’s find your perfect match on the water

REVIEWS

Rating: 4.9
23 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 23 reviews

Fun with family and friends.
Reviewed By Wanda - Covington, Ky. | Traveled to St. Thomas | Virgin Islands | Caribbean
Jo Ann makes vacation planning a breeze, she always keeps us informed on changes and checks in on a regular basis. Highly recommend her for planning your next vacation!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Great experience !
Reviewed By JanetB - Edgewood | Traveled to Netherlands | Europe
JoAnn was very attentive and thorough in all details of our river cruise with AMA. All questions were answered promptly. She did an amazing job and hope to use her services again in the very near future.
Jo Ann Simpson responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed your AMA river cruise—it was truly a pleasure helping you plan it. I always want my clients to feel informed and taken care of every step of the way, so it means a lot to hear that reflected in your experience."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Always keeps us informed of up and coming trips
Reviewed By Logo travel - N. Y. | Traveled to Bermuda | Caribbean
We have used other agents in the past, since we have been working with Jo Ann we have never looked elsewhere. She is always there when we have questions even when she is out of the country. Once you use her you will see how amazing she is.
Jo Ann Simpson responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words—it truly means the world to me! I’m so grateful for your trust and love being part of your travel experiences. I’ll always try to be accessible whenever you need me, no matter where I am in the world :-)"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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What a wonderful trip!
Reviewed By Nonnie - Jamestown TN | Traveled to Tahiti | French Polynesia | South Pacific
Putting a trip together by yourself is always stressful but, Jo Ann takes all that stress away. She is very knowledgeable about advising you with helpful hints and especially in helping you with on land arrangements before and after a cruise. She always wants to be sure you have the best trip possible at the best price.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Fantastic cruise in French Polynesia
Reviewed By Friend - San Mateo, CA | Traveled to French Polynesia | South Pacific
From the moment we discussed the trip, Jo Ann kept me updated on every aspect of the cruise. I did not need to worry about any details. Jo Annis great at communicating regularly with her clients.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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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.
AmaWaterways Specialist
AmaWaterways Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Seacademy - Gold Certification
Seacademy - Gold Certification
Windstar Star Specialist
Windstar Star Specialist
AMA Academy
AMA Academy
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
NCL University - PHD Degree
NCL University - PHD Degree
CLIA - CCC
ASTA Verified Agent

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.

My Travel Stories

Jogotravel

Don't delay your bucket list for retirement!

I look back fondly on the 70+ countries I've traveled to during my career in public service.  I'm grateful that I managed to complete most of my travels while I was still working and significantly younger.  The majority of my trips took place during the last 15 years of my career.  I made travel a priority, treating it with the same level of imp...
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Client Testimonials

Go, Go with Jogotravel
I’ve been working with Jogotravel for about 2 years now and it has been a great experience. I’ve only worked with Jo Ann, but she has been fantastic! She keeps a lookout for travel experiences that may be of interest to me and sends periodic information. When I’ve booked a trip with her she takes care of everything; no worries for me! She recently cancelled a trip for me and re-booked because she saw that I could reap a significant savings; that’s my kind is travel agent!
Gail S. San Mateo, CA
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