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- Karen Shelton
Karen Shelton
Waxhaw, NC Travel Agent· 11 Years of Experience
My Path Unwinding Travel, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(36)
100% Recommended
We did our own research for our trip to Disney World, and we knew pretty much where we wanted to stay on property. Why would we... Read More >
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Croatia, Riviera Maya, At Sea, Europe, JapanInterests:
All Inclusive, Escorted Tours, Family Vacations, Luxury Cruises, River CruisesSuppliers:
Adventures By Disney , AmaWaterways, Disney Cruise Line, Tauck, Celebrity CruisesAbout Me
Luxury Travel Advisor for Cruises & Guided Travel
I specialize in planning luxury travel experiences—from Tauck and Roam itineraries to Four Seasons stays and custom-designed vacations—that are thoughtfully planned and easy to enjoy once you’re there.
The clients I work with are often at different stages—some have a clear vision, while others are narrowing down the right direction. I take the time to understand how you prefer to travel and help you choose the right approach before designing the details.
I plan a range of luxury travel, including guided journeys, river cruises, and ocean cruises—including suite and concierge-level experiences on lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Disney Cruise Line—as well as luxury hotels and resorts. If a request is better suited to someone on my team, I’ll make sure you’re connected with the right person.
I help clients think through both the planning and how everything will flow once they’re there, so the experience feels seamless from start to finish.
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Croatia, Riviera Maya, At Sea, Europe, JapanInterests:
All Inclusive, Escorted Tours, Family Vacations, Luxury Cruises, River CruisesSuppliers:
Adventures By Disney , AmaWaterways, Disney Cruise Line, Tauck, Celebrity CruisesMy Travel Specialties
Luxury Guided Travel & Cruise Advisor
▶Luxury Guided Travel & Cruise Advisor
I specialize in planning luxury vacations and guided travel experiences — from Tauck and Roam itineraries to Four Seasons stays — that are thoughtfully designed and easy to enjoy once you’re there.
Clients come to me with different ideas in mind - sometimes with a clear plan, and other tim...Read More ▶
Tauck Tours, River Cruises & Tauck Bridges
▶Tauck Tours, River Cruises & Tauck Bridges
Tauck Certified Advisor
After completing a rigorous invitation only training program, I am a Tauck Certified Advisor and Roam Insider, a designation awarded to less than 1% of all of Tauck's network of travel agents. This means that I have exclusive offers for new to Tauck...Read More ▶
Adventures by Disney Specialist
▶Adventures by Disney Specialist
The most luxurious Disney vacation is not in a theme park or on a cruise ship. Adventures by Disney takes guests to destinations around the globe to find the magic in the real world.
You won’t meet Mickey Mouse or Cinderella on your tour (unless you choose the Southern California/Disneyla...Read More ▶
Luxury Cruises for Families
▶Luxury Cruises for Families
Cruising is a hassle free way to explore the world with your family. I have personally sailed over 20 times on cruise lines and can help you select the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary, and accommodations. Once your cruise is booked, we can assist with all the details including transfers, pre...Read More ▶
Luxury Yachts in Croatia
▶Luxury Yachts in Croatia
Imagine yourself on an exclusive yacht sailing the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic Coast. Island hopping in Croatia has never been easier. Whether you are seeking a romantic vacation, a group getaway, a wellness retreat, a company meeting at sea, or a family vacation, we can design a custom e...Read More ▶
Remarkable River Cruise Experiences
▶Remarkable River Cruise Experiences
Envision a vacation sipping your favorite beverage while you gently glide down the waterway to your favorite destination. River Cruising allows you to settle in to comfortable accommodations and immerse yourself in grand capitals and off the beaten path villages. Whether you are sailing through t...Read More ▶
All Inclusive Resort Expert
▶All Inclusive Resort Expert
An all inclusive resort vacation offers the ultimate in relaxation with a variety of dining, beverage and entertainment options included so that the most difficult decision is pool or beach. Finding the perfect resort can be overwhelming. My extensive experience throughout the Mexico and Caribbea...Read More ▶
Guided Travel: How to Choose the Right Fit
▶Guided Travel: How to Choose the Right Fit
Roam by Tauck
Roam by Tauck is a more flexible, small-group approach to guided travel, designed for travelers in their 40s and 50s.
You’re still traveling with a group and experienced guides, but the structure is intentionally lighter- there’s space built into the ...Read More ▶
REVIEWS
Rating: 5.0
36 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 36 reviews
And I thought I didn't need a travel agent...
Reviewed By Bill L. - Hartford, CT | Traveled to
We did our own research for our trip to Disney World, and we knew pretty much where we wanted to stay on property. Why would we need a travel agent?
Karen gave us info about the properties near Epcot that really helped us narrow our decision. We wound up booking concierge level at the Beach Club and loved it, but I am not sure we would have even known about that option or the value it brings if Karen had not presented it to us with some insider tidbits that she had clearly gotten first-hand.
I thought we would play our days in the parks by ear according to what the wait times were, but Karen had fantastic tips for which parks to do on which days in order to minimize the crowds. The Fast Pass thing seems like it changes every time we go, but Karen was up to speed on the latest and we were able to get on all the rides the family wanted. We even scored an extra fast pass two of the days that we didn't think we could get anymore!
It makes sense that now that more information is available to the average consumer, even more information is available to the travel professionals. Karen is that professional, and as Emeril Lagasse likes to say, she really "kicked our vacation up a notch!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
41 of 74 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Planned a dream trip - and then saved it from Winter Storm Jonas!
Reviewed By Ivan K. - Great Barrington, MA | Traveled to
When my wife let me know her dream 40th birthday present was a winter trip to the Caribbean, I knew exactly who to call. Karen listened carefully to all of our "must haves" and preferences, helped us figure out exactly which island to go to (Aruba -- why would anyone go anywhere else?), found us the perfect all-inclusive beach-front resort with the exact room layout we asked for, got us the dates we wanted, and did it all at a price that blew us away. As the Passover saying goes, "That would have been enough!" But when winter storm Jonas caused our outgoing flight to be cancelled and the resort had no vacancies for us to add days, that's when Karen swung into high gear. She walked us through all of our options, at our request she found us another great resort at a great price for the added days, coached us through the travel insurance process to get us our reimbursement for the missed days at the first resort, thought through every possible snafu and made sure they wouldn't happen - and tirelessly worked to turn what could have been total disaster right back into the vacation we dreamed of. It was clear to us a every step that our vacation was as important to Karen as it was to us. That is something you can't find from an average travel agent. Simply said, Karen is the best! I couldn't recommend working with her any more highly -- and we will be calling on her for our next getaway for sure.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
38 of 69 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Very Knowledgeable, Very Passionate
Reviewed By Thdarragh - Lancaster, PA | Traveled to
I have known Karen for about 2 years now and I can say, without hesitation, that she is one of the most knowledgeable travel advisors I know. She is passionate and extremely helpful, and will make sure you get the absolute best deal on your vacation or travel plans. I would trust her to arrange every detail of my vacation and be completely at ease, knowing her skills and dedication would provide me with the best possible outcome. If you need help in booking your next trip or vacation, give Karen a try.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
41 of 77 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Traveling to All Inclusive During Covid
Reviewed By JLussier - Raleigh, NC | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
We used Karen for the first time on a 5 day trip to Mexico. We had many questions about traveling during Covid and how the resorts were handling everything. Karen did a great job explaining everything she knew and heard about from other travelers. She was spot on with every detail. We decided to extend the trip a few extra days as there was no change fees with the airline. She made all of the changes very quickly. We will be using her for all future travels.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
13 of 22 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fantastic Experience!
Reviewed By Anna - Greenville, SC | Traveled to
Karen recently helped us plan our first no-kid vacation to the Riviera Maya, Mexico! We had been to Mexico previously and loved the resort, but were looking for something new to try. I love researching and spend lots of time on review sites, but it was Karen who found the PERFECT resort for us! She found a resort that met all of our criteria - in budget, great food and drink options, better than nice accommodations, a nice beach, etc. We booked and her recommendation was spot on - she made our vacation exactly what we were hoping for! She also arranged our shuttle to/from the resort, which was helpful. The whole process was extremely easy and Karen was fantastic to work with!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
39 of 74 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Certifications & Awards




AMA Academy

AmaWaterways Specialist
AMResorts Master Agent

Celebrity Learning Certification

Avalon Waterways Specialist

Globus family of brands Specialist

Pleasant Premier Ambassador

Princess Commodore Certified

Royal Caribbean University - Bachelor of Adventure

Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure

Seacademy - Gold Certification
UnCruise Certified Adventurist

Viking Expert

Viking Oceans Expert

Viking Rivers Expert
Tauck Certified Advisor/ Roam Insider
Luxury Leaders Alliance
Riviera Maya Specialist
Certified Luxury Specialist
Roam by Tauck Insider
Caribbean Specialist
Royal Caribbean Master of Adventure
ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA)
Tauck Certified Advisor
Karisma Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Diamond
Hyatt All Inclusive Collection
Roam by Tauck Insider/ Tauck Certified Advisor
College of Disney Knowledge
Earmarked by Disney Authorized Travel Agency
ASTA Verified Travel Advisor
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 Photo Albums and Videos
All Inclusive Resort Highlights
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