Hi my name is Karen Malone and I have been a travel consultant since 1996.
My interests are many but one of my first loves in traveling is cruising. I have been on more than 30 cruises all over the world including river cruising and trans-Atlantic crossing. I hold two certificates with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), both the Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) and the Master Cruise Counselor (MCC). I have also completed the Princess Cruise Line and Cunard Cruise Line specialist programs achieving the rank of Commodore in both. Cruise lines I have sailed on include: Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Carnival, Norwegian, Regent, Orient, Viking River, Majestic (American Queen). And on these lines I have enjoyed, the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America, Alaska, Mediterranean, Baltic, Amstel River and the mighty Mississippi to name a few.
My interest in travel doesn’t stop there. I have traveled all over Europe and especially enjoyed rail travel from Paris to Venice. From Iceland to Italy and destinations in between, I can’t say there is a place I wouldn’t recommend!
I have also traveled to all four major islands in Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Of all the beaches I have visited around the world I think Hawaii holds the prettiest. And of course, no passport is required!
Another travel favorite would be Asia. My first trip to Singapore left me wanting more. I have since returned to Beijing and Hong Kong. Most recently I traveled to Bangkok and Chaing Mai. In Chaing Mai I had the opportunity to visit the elephant camp featured on Animal Planet and see the little elephant, Hang. She creates her own unguided art and has won international acclaim as an artist! For history, art, and value for your dollar, you can’t beat the Asian destinations. Read about my trip to China, click here now.
Give me a call or stop in to see me in the Woodbury office, I would love to help you plan the trip or cruise of your dream!
Specialization
Keeping up-to-date on the happenings in the travel industry is as important as travel itself. Continually going to seminars and training while specializing in specific travel destinations and types of travel is an important part of being a professional travel consultant. Karen specializes in the following areas of travel:
Cruising
Asia
Europe
Hawaii
All-Inclusive Resorts
Caribbean
Mexico
CLIA Accredited Cruise Counselor & Master Cruise Counselor
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise association and is dedicated to the promotion and growth of the cruise industry. CLIA is composed of 24 of the major cruise lines serving North America and is an organization that operates pursuant to an agreement filed with the Federal Maritime Commission under the Shipping Act of 1984 and serves as a non-governmental consultative organization to the International Maritime Organization, an agency of the United Nations.
CLIA exists to promote all measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment, educate, train its travel agent members, and promote and explain the value, desirability and affordability of the cruise vacation experience.
Travel Leaders Certified Travel Specialist
The purpose of the certification program is to recognize those travel professionals who have developed extensive travel industry knowledge of destinations, niche markets, and travel suppliers. In addition, this certification acknowledges the superior sales and service skills of the travel professional. This program requires knowledge, expertise, and continuous dedication to learning.
