River Cruise Expert

View My Main Profile
Carolyn Maindonald, Travel Agent in Henderson, NV

Carolyn Maindonald

Henderson, NV Travel Agent

Carolyn Maindonald

Henderson, NV · 2 Years of Experience

Carolyn Maindonald, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
About
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

France, Germany, Prague, Vienna

Interests:

River Cruises, European Culture, Christmas Markets, Castles & Cathedrals, Bucket List

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Viking

About Me

Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg, Germany

If you value cultural immersion, traveling in style and comfort, and a more intimate experience, river cruising may be the next perfect journey for you! 

River cruising has a special charm that sets it apart from ocean cruises or land tours. On a river cruise you will experience cultural immersion as you step off the ship while docking right in the heart of cities. You’ll see spectacular scenery as your small ship smoothly sails the rivers and locks (no sea sickness). River cruises generally host no more than 200 guests per sailing, offering an intimate and personalized experience. These ships offer excellent cuisine featuring local specialties, including local beer and wine (usually included in your on-board meals). No buffets. Port talks and cultural demonstrations, along with most excursions, are included. Most river cruises offer VIP experiences exclusive to their brand. And many offer a late night or overnight in larger cities.

And the Christmas Markets! Experience first-hand the magic of Christmas traditions in Europe. There is nothing like it. Visit medieval town squares and wander cobblestone streets all fully decorated. Each city has its own unique market filled with handmade crafts, toys, ornaments, and regional delicacies where you can find amazing one-of-a-kind gifts. One of my favorites - Glühwein (mulled local wines)! In addition, you will find warm, fresh gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, sausages cooked in front of you and more to keep your belly full and your body warm as you explore. The markets run from late November to the first week of January. Among the most notable: Nuremberg (Germany) has one of the oldest markets; Vienna has 5 different unique markets; and Strasbourg (France) has been dubbed the “Capital of Christmas.”

With several river cruises under my belt, including Christmas Markets, I am excited to offer my expertise in this area to you.  I am also a certified expert with both AMA Waterways and Viking (River, Ocean and Expedition). Whether one of these 2 river cruise lines fits your interests, or another may be a better fit, I can help you pick the right journey. Contact me to explore the world of river cruises.

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.
Prague, Czech Republic, Europe
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
A modern city with so much culture and history. It won't disappoint.
Vienna, Austria, Europe
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Beautiful all year round but truly magical at Christmas.
British Columbia, Canada
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 6 Times
Ontario, Canada
Been There
Quebec, Canada
Been There
Aruba, Caribbean
Been There 3 Times
Bahamas, Caribbean
Been There 3 Times
Cayman Islands, Caribbean
Been There
Dominican Republic, Caribbean
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
So many all inclusive resorts, it's hard to pick just one!
Grenada, Caribbean
Been There
Jamaica, Caribbean
Been There 2 Times
Princess Cays, Caribbean
Been There
Puerto Rico, Caribbean
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Old San Juan is a jewel.
St. Martin, Caribbean
Been There
Costa Rica, Central America
Been There
Roatan, Honduras, Central America
Been There
Panama Canal, Panama, Central America
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Such a sight to see!
Panama City, Panama, Central America
Been There
Salzburg, Austria, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
The Sound of Music tours are fantastic.
Antwerp, Belgium, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
The diamond capital. It does not disappoint.
Bruges, Belgium, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
Known for lace, canals and architecture. It's a must see city if you're touring Belgium.
Split, Croatia, Europe
Been There
Mont St. Michel, France, Europe
Been There
Paris, France, Europe
Booked It
Must Do:
A European favorite. Dinner int he Eiffel Tower is a must for first time visitors.
Reims, France, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
Lovey city. Cathedral has hosted many coronations.
St. Malo, France, Europe
Booked It 2 Times
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
Beautiful, walled, port city. Easy access ferry for day trips to the Channel Islands.
Versailles, France, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
The gardens and Hall of Mirrors can't be missed at the Palace.
Bamberg, Germany, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
Home of distinct "smoky" beer. Something to try for beer lovers.
Bavaria, Germany, Europe
Been There
Bernkastel, Germany, Europe
Been There
Cochem, Germany, Europe
Been There
Heidelberg, Germany, Europe
Been There
Mainz, Germany, Europe
Been There
Munich, Germany, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
The glockenspiel is a delight.
Nuremberg, Germany, Europe
Been There 2 Times
Regensburg, Germany, Europe
Been There
Trier, Germany, Europe
Been There
Athens, Greece, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
The Parthenon is a can't miss. So rich in history and culture.
Corfu, Greece, Europe
Been There
Crete, Greece, Europe
Been There
Mykonos, Greece, Europe
Been There
Olympia, Greece, Europe
Been There
Rhodes Island, Greece, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
A favorite destination. Not as crowded as some.
Santorini, Greece, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
Spectacular.
Budapest, Hungary, Europe
Been There
Blarney, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Bunratty, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Clare, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Cork, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Dublin, Ireland, Europe
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Amazing city. Too many great options to list.
Kerry County, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Kilkenny, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Killarney, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Ring of Kerry, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Shannon, Ireland, Europe
Been There
Amalfi, Italy, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
In a word, amazing.
Rome, Italy, Europe
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Whether you are Catholic or not, the Vatican is a amazing and rich in history.
Venice, Italy, Europe
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Be sure to have your sea legs ready and good walking shoes. An amazing place to visit with so much to see.
Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Europe
Been There
Amsterdam, Netherlands, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
Amazing all year, but extra special in the Spring.
Madeira, Portugal, Europe
Been There
Balmoral, Scotland, Europe
Been There
Edinburgh, Scotland, Europe
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Everyone should see it during festival season in August. Amazing!
Glasgow, Scotland, Europe
Been There
Inverness, Scotland, Europe
Been There
Isle of Skye, Scotland, Europe
Been There
Loch Lomond, Scotland, Europe
Been There
Saint Andrews, Scotland, Europe
Been There
Barcelona, Spain, Europe
Booked It 2 Times
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
The Picasso museum and Gaudi house are my must see destinations with each visit!
Seville, Spain, Europe
Been There
Must Do:
City tour was great! Gorgeous place to visit (and shop).
Turkey, Europe
Been There
United Kingdom, Europe
Booked It
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
From London to the Channel Islands, and everything in between.
Mexico, Mexico
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 5 Times
Must Do:
So many options. Beaches. Big cities. Art schools. Mayan ruins.
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Been There
Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Magical!
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
Been There
Glacier Bay, Alaska, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Breath-taking scenery. Bring your long-johns, even in summer!
Ketchikan, Alaska, USA
Been There
Seward, Alaska, USA
Been There
Valdez, Alaska, USA
Been There
Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Booked It 4 Times
Been There 6 Times
Must Do:
Majestic. Awe-inspiring.
Beverly Hills, California, USA
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
A must see if you're in the L.A. area.
Coronado, California, USA
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
A can't miss when in San Diego.
Death Valley, California, USA
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
Gorgeous but bring lots of water.
Disneyland, California, USA
Been There
Hollywood, California, USA
Booked It
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
A can't miss if you're in the L.A. area.
Los Angeles, California, USA
Booked It
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
Plan extra time. So much to do!
Monterey, California, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Golfers can't skip Pebble Beach.
San Diego, California, USA
Booked It 2 Times
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
So much to do. My favorite is the wild animal safari park. Amazing.
San Francisco, California, USA
Booked It
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
So much to see and do. Don't forget to visit Alcatraz!
San Jose, California, USA
Been There 3 Times
Santa Barbara, California, USA
Been There
Santa Catalina Island, California, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Lovely. Quiet. Historic.
Santa Cruz, California, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Great day or weekend trip from San Francisco.
Santa Monica, California, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Doesn't disappoint.
Sausalito, California, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Just outside of San Francisco, but a world away.
Valencia, California, USA
Been There
Connecticut, USA
Booked It
Been There 12 Times
Must Do:
Large and small cities alike. Leaf peeping. Mystic. Lighthouse tours and more.
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, USA
Booked It 2 Times
Been There 6 Times
Must Do:
History in the making daily. Amazing and reverent.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 6 Times
Must Do:
Great options for pre and post cruise.
Key West, Florida, USA
Booked It 2 Times
Been There
Must Do:
Fun in the sun! A great destination all year round.
Miami, Florida, USA
Booked It
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
Lincoln Road. Little Havana. So much to see and do.
Naples, Florida, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Gorgeous gulf coast destination.
Orlando, Florida, USA
Booked It
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
So much more to do than just Disney!
Port Canaveral, Florida, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Kennedy Space Center is amazing, especially if you see a launch!
Tampa, Florida, USA
Been There
Universal Orlando, Florida, USA
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
Rides. Rides. Rides. A great playground for all ages.
Vero Beach, Florida, USA
Been There
Walt Disney World, Florida, USA
Booked It 4 Times
Been There 6 Times
Must Do:
So many options for day visitors and even more for visitors who stay on sight. Fun for all ages.
Savannah, Georgia, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Beautiful.
Hilo, Hawaii, Hawaii, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Amazing.
Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Amazing.
Maui Island, Hawaii, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Paradise.
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
So much more than the Miracle Mile.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 5 Times
Must Do:
Rich history and culture. So much more than Mardi Gras.
Bar Harbor, Maine, USA
Booked It
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
Old town fishing village at its' best.
Ogunquit, Maine, USA
Booked It
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
Beaches and more beaches.
Portland, Maine, USA
Booked It
Been There 4 Times
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 12 Times
Must Do:
Boston Tea Party. Freedom Trail. North End. Red Sox. Colleges. And so much more.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 10 Times
Must Do:
Home of Harvard University. Bustling city with so much rich history.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
Beaches. Home of JFK. Summer must!
Danvers, Massachusetts, USA
Been There 12 Times
Must Do:
Part of the North Shore, north of Boston.
Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
Revolutionary War buffs must visit.
Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA
Been There
Must Do:
A quick ferry ride to another world.
Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
The farthest point on Cape Cod. Views. Views. Views.
Salem, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 10 Times
Must Do:
Witch trial. History. Spooky Halloween fun.
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It
Been There 10 Times
Must Do:
If you haven't been to the Big E, you haven't been to a "county" fair.
Sturbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
Snapshot of early American life in New England.
Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It
Been There
Woburn, Massachusetts, USA
Booked It
Been There
Natchez, Mississippi, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Great little city on the river. Hosts a hot air balloon festival each year.
Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
A must for Civil War history buffs.
Missouri, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
St. Louis, Kansas City, Branson. Lots to see and do.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
A sight to behold.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 20 Times
Must Do:
Entertainment capital. The Strip. So much to see and do.
Laughlin, Nevada, USA
Been There 4 Times
Must Do:
A smaller version of Las Vegas on the river with water sports.
Mesquite, Nevada, USA
Been There
Must Do:
"Old time" Las Vegas can be found here.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA
Booked It
Been There 6 Times
Must Do:
New Hampshire's slice of shoreline.
Cape May, New Jersey, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 12 Times
Must Do:
Explore storybook Victorian houses while enjoying endless miles of beaches.
Lake George, New York, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Wonderful summer vacation spot and don't forget to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame!
New York (Kennedy), New York, USA
Booked It 9 Times
Been There 9 Times
Must Do:
Great airport for international travel.
New York City, New York, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 10 Times
Must Do:
Something for everyone!
Niagara Falls, New York, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Awe inspiring.
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Charming southern hositality.
Oregon, USA
Been There
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 10 Times
Must Do:
So much to see and do. I discover something new each visit.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Great university town.
Newport, Rhode Island, USA
Booked It 4 Times
Been There 10 Times
Must Do:
Amazing all year round, but summers are THE best.
Westerly, Rhode Island, USA
Booked It
Been There 12 Times
Must Do:
Terrific beaches.
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Home of Elvis. Need I say more?
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 3 Times
Must Do:
So much country music! Great for destination events.
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, USA
Booked It
Been There
Must Do:
Can't miss the stock yards. Great fun.
Galveston, Texas, USA
Been There
Must Do:
Great cruise port. Near Houston.
Vermont, USA
Booked It
Been There 6 Times
Must Do:
Fall foliage and amazing skiing.
Mount Vernon, Virginia, USA
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
A day trip must when visiting Washington DC
Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Booked It 3 Times
Been There 6 Times
Must Do:
Norfolk and Virginia Beach offer great beaches and are rich with military history.
Richmond, Virginia, USA
Been There 2 Times
Must Do:
Full of history. A must on any Civil War tour.
Roanoke, Virginia, USA
Booked It
Been There
Washington, USA
Booked It
Been There 3 Times

My Photo Albums and Videos

River Cruising
View Album

    Client Testimonials

    Iditarod Adventure
    Best vacation ever!
    Crystal P, PA
    Family Vacation
    Thank you Carolyn, I didn’t have to do any of the work, just enjoy the vacation. Can’t wait for the next one! Truly recommend ?? ?? ?? ??
    Michelle P, CT
    RVing in Pennsylvania
    We were looking to rent a motorhome for a week to take our little children camping. Carolyn found us a great deal on a 30 foot motor home for the week through the July 4th holiday as well as a nice campground near the area we were interested in visiting. We also mentioned that we may be needing to rent a car for a few days while we were there. Carolyn was able to set that up for us last minute on a Sunday afternoon. Saves a lot of time and hassle having someone experienced set up our vacations. Look forward to working with her again in the future.
    Jeff P, Beacon Falls, CT
    BESbswy