River Cruise Specialist & European Travel Advisor

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Missy Skoog, Travel Agent in Maple Grove, MN

Missy Skoog

Maple Grove, MN Travel Agent
Super Agent

Missy Skoog

Maple Grove, MN · 25+ Years of Experience

A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
5.0
(240)
100% Recommended
Missy is one of the most passionate agents I know. She really truly cares<br/>about her clients. I know this because I am one of her Whole... Read More >
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Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe, Danube, Italy, Rhine River, Mediterranean

Interests:

River Cruises, Luxury Cruises, European Culture, Escorted Tours, Coach Tours

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Viking, Tauck, Celebrity Cruises

About Me

Excursion from AMA Cruise-Keukenhof Flower Fields
Excursion from AMA Cruise-Keukenhof Flower Fields

If you have not yet been on a River Cruise it’s a must. Once you start you can’t stop. I have officially sailed on all of the rivers in Europe (just checked the last on the list, the Duoro in Portugal on Avalon cruises)!

I cruised both the legendary Danube and enjoyed the amazing city of Budapest and ending with the music of Vienna on Avalon.  Also on the Seine River with Avalon Waterways and was wowed by the beaches of Normandy and Van Goughs home. The Rhine enjoying the quaint castles the dot the cliff tops with AMA Waterways and Viking cruises.

So many reasons to go Dutch!  I traveled with AMA river cruises thru the Tulips in the spring where the adventure is in the bloom and visit the garden of Europe also known as Keukenhof,  The majestic and timeless windmills of the  UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk and explore historic cities like Brugges, Belgium where  the immense smell of chocolate and waffles, calories don't count!  Or take a canal cruise and maybe see a swan or two.

I sailed the Rhone with Uniworld and enjoyed the quaint French villages. Each river cruise line provides their own unique experience … why not try them all to see what best suits YOU!   

This spring I will be sailing on Tauck and Emerald cruises and exploring so many others the river cruise expo!

As one of my favorite lines quote "Oceans take you to countries, rivers take you through them"

There are plenty of reasons I enjoy river cruising, but here some on the top of my list:

  • Unpack Once – You board the ship unpack in your cabin and experience multiple destinations on your journey
  • Small Quaint Villages – The stops you make aren’t necessarily top tourist destinations and they provide a unique view of the destination
  • Food and Wine – Need I say more. There is plenty of it and it’s exquisite. They offer menu selections from the destinations you are visiting.  As one of my favorite lines says “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well"
  • Intimate Atmosphere – The ships are much smaller than an ocean cruise ship so they are much easier to navigate.
  • Blended Experience – These ships provide luxury accommodations and comfort, along with great indoor and outdoor space to lounge.
  • Locally Guided Tours – At each port there are locally guided excursions that you can partake in. My personal favorite was seeing the water lilies in France. 

If you are interested in experience multiple destinations aboard a luxury ship it’s time to give me a call. 

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
240 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 240 reviews

Missy is a joy to work with
Reviewed By Cindy - Minnetonka MN | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Missy is one of the most passionate agents I know. She really truly cares
about her clients. I know this because I am one of her Whole Sale Business Development Managers. I have worked with Missy for many years. She puts her heart and soul into every booking to make sure she is giving the best advise for the best price to each and every client. When things go right she is so excited about the trips she has planned and takes delight in hearing her clients stories. The very few times things go wrong she is right there trying to get things fixed to the satisfaction of her clients. If my family or friends were looking for an agent Missy would be one that I would recommend. She is knowledgeable, she listens to what your needs and wants are, she makes suggestions based on her experiences and she does this all with a smile.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
130 of 222 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Wonderful trip
Reviewed By Chris and Lina - Blaine, MN | Traveled to Scotland ~ Europe
Missy took time to make sure we had everything we needed while planning our trip to Scotland, GB. Everything went well and her guidance and advice were helpful. She's an experienced traveler and knows her business well.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
89 of 150 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Yosemite
Reviewed By Ted - Andover, mn | Traveled to California ~ USA
Always surpasses our expectations - keeps our desires, budget, and always comes through with great places to visit
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
89 of 153 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Making dreams come true
Reviewed By Joe - Andover,Mn | Traveled to Caribbean Sea ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
We have been working with and planning trips with Missy for many years. We have traveled around the world and she has been a big part of our experiences. She is thorough and punctual in the preparation and planning of our vacations. Missy is very professional and always has our best interest in mind when making decisions concerning us. .
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
113 of 201 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Magical Experience
Reviewed By Happy Campers - St. Paul, MN | Traveled to Europe
Missy provided outstanding service in assisting us with our vacation planning. She was methodical and patient, working on general ideas first, then focusing on hotels, travel modes (trains, flights, etc.), and finally, specific activities which required advance reservations. She was able to offer alternative ideas through her vast experience of travel that were amazing additions to our trip. And by the time our planning was complete, she packaged everything in a neat, concise travel packet with everything documented in a day by day itinerary. And although we never needed to use them, we were given emergency contacts and numbers in the event of problems on our trip. Thank you Missy!!!
Missy Skoog responded
"I am so glad everything went well. England, France, Austria and Switzerland made for such a incredible first time trip to Europe. I am so glad you were able to spend quality time together as a family and enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of Europe! I look forward to helping with the next adventure."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
64 of 106 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

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

Luxury Travel
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Seine River

My Travel Stories

Which River Cruise Line is Right for You?

River cruising offers an intimate, immersive way to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. But with so many cruise lines out there—each with its own personality and perks—how do you choose the one that fits your travel style? As a travel advisor who's experienced the magic of river cruising firsthand, I often get aske...
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Why AmaWaterways River Cruising

When it comes to luxury river cruising, AmaWaterways has always been a standout choice for me. They offer an unparalleled experience that combines comfort, adventure, and culinary delights. From the moment you step aboard, you'll find yourself immersed in a world of all-inclusive excellence. Every detail is carefully curated to ensure your river...
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Explore the Amazon River

Touring the jungles and rainforest surrounding the Amazon River is an adventure that few people are fortunate enough to experience.  Alexander & Roberts tour company has been planning adventure trips like this for 75 years, and their expert guides and naturalists are eager to share their knowledge of this region with people like you.  The group ...
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10 Reasons to River Cruise

On a River Cruise you get to enjoy the changing scenery from your stateroom balcony as you sail through multiple countries and visit charming European towns along the way.  Here are a few reasons why you MUST take a River Cruise:  Unpack OnceYou unpack your suitcase just once in your be...
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Avalon River Cruise on the Danube

Expert in River Cruising!

I am undeniably a hotel snob.  Any of my colleagues know that if you want the best of the best it more than likely has to pass my test.  These go hand in hand having stayed at some of the most prestigious hotels in the world. It's hard not to then become a foodie. Ok, so the best of both worlds collided on the river!   River cruising has ...
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Client Testimonials

Aussie and New Zealand Specialist
Missy is an Aussie and New Zealand Specialist. She is an expert in traveling to Australia. She has been to Australia twice in the past 3 years. The first trip was in 2013 and focused on Queensland and Sydney; the second trip was in August 2015 and focused on Sydney, Ayer’s Rock, Darwin, Melbourne and ended in Auckland, NZ. Missy’s expertise and knowledge will ensure you have an amazing trip Down Under!
Ward Reid, Travel2
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