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Jo Ann Buening
Jo Ann Buening
La Crosse, WI Travel Agent
Jo Ann Buening
La Crosse, WI Travel Agent
A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
20 reviews
100% Recommended
25+ Years of Experience
Alaska, Luxury, River & Ocean Cruise Expert
For Alaska, Cruising (River or Ocean) or Luxury Travel, you have found the source for your best vacation. Knowledge is power and since entering the industry in 1985, I have earned many travel certifications. What defines a GREAT travel agent is a commitment to learn and the passion to exceed clients' expectations. Please check out my bios, stories, photos and - most importantly - testimonials from just a few of the thousands of happy, repeat clients I have helped to realize their dream.
My Travel Specialties
Certificates & Awards
Travel Stories & Media
Client Reviews
My Places
Client Testimonials
Areas of expertise
Destinations
World Cruise
Alaska
Basel
Mediterranean
Avignon
Denali National Park
See All Destinations >
Interests
Cruises
Luxury
River Cruises
World Cruises
Culinary & Foodie
Groups
See All Interests >
Supplier Partners
Princess Cruises®
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Viking
Abercrombie & Kent
Avalon Waterways
Holland America Line
See All Supplier Partners >
My Travel Specialties
Alaska Destination Specialist and Travel Expert
Alaska became a state of the union on January 3, 1959, the same day I was born. I must have been destined to make this my specialty and over the years, I have developed a passion for Alaska! My first visit to ‘The Great Land’ was in the mid ‘80s. Fast-forwarding to the summer of 2021 finds me hav...
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River Cruising Specialist
Let me help you experience the relaxation of cruising down the river! Certainly, river cruising is one of the fast growing segments in travel … and I can see why. While I feel there is a place for ‘ocean’ cruising as well as ‘river’ cruising, I can say first-hand that after recently completing ov...
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Worldwide Cruise Expert
More than twenty-five cruises taken, well over 1,500 happy cruise passengers booked (and returned!), referrals from across the country, plus the highest cruise specialist and ‘counsellor’ designation earned give me more knowledge and personal experience in cruising than many travel agents in Nort...
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Luxury Travel Professional
A private watch-making experience in Switzerland with a well-known watchmaker, a private experience to a beautiful waterfall in Iceland and dinner at a remote lodge, a connection to ‘get it done’ for ‘over-the-top’ requests in Las Vegas … I could go on and on. These are just a small sampling of c...
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Certificates & 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.](/images/asta.webp)
![The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients. This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.](/images/cts_bwc.webp)
![Certified Leisure Travel Specialist: During this certification program Travel Agents study several key components including: Sales and Service, Cruise Sales, Destination and Lifestyle Knowledge, Programs and Preferred Supplier Knowledge. This is a two year study program.](/images/cts_leis.webp)
![Certified Luxury Travel Specialist: During this certification program Travel Agents study several components including: Understanding the Luxury/Experiential Customer, Destination Knowledge, Luxury Travel Experiences, Luxury Programs, Luxury/Experiential Preferred Suppliers, Case Studies and a Marketing Plan. This is a two-year study program.](/images/cts_lux.webp)
Alaska Destination Specialist
Viking River Cruises Master Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Elite Cruise Counsellor/Luxury Cruise Specialist
Princess Cruises Commodore
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Specialist
Travel Leaders Certified Travel Specialist
My Travel Stories
My Photo Albums and Videos
Experience Alaska with Princess
VIEW ALBUM
River Cruising in Europe
VIEW ALBUM
Luxurious Travel Experiences
VIEW ALBUM
Alaska Adventures ... 14 & Counting
VIEW ALBUM
Alaska Railroad
CLIENT REVIEWS
Rating: 5
20 reviews
100.00% Recommended
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.
Client Testimonials
Jo Ann is Absolutely the Best!
During the last 7 years, Jo Ann has helped us plan and carry out many “trips of a lifetime”; we are deeply grateful for her wonderful help. She is much more than a travel agent. She is a trusted friend who goes above and beyond to make our dreams come true! Jo Ann is helping us plan our second Disney family cruise in June 2017. In hope we could get a reservation on one of the few “double dipping” (twice at Castaway Cay) cruises before they sold out, she came into the office several hours early to begin calling to secure our booking. She was successful after being on hold for nearly two hours, arranging cabins near each other for the thirteen of us. Jo Ann makes all of this planning look effortless on her part, but the truth is, she is an expert - a pro, and her work is the result of years of training and doing and listening to her clients. She is just the best, and we are so thankful for all of her help in planning the next in our long list of upcoming adventures!
Michael & Joanne W. - Ferryville, WI
Your Efforts Are What Made This Trip Fantastic
Dear Jo Ann; There are not enough words, nor enough ways that we can express our gratitude for the work you did to provide us with a nearly perfect trip. (You could not make some of the other guests adopt preventative measures to stop the spread of germs!)
Everything, and I mean everything could not have been better. Avalon is a tremendous company and provided a first-class experience.
We feel, however, that your efforts on our behalf were what made this trip so fantastic. From the moment we first started the process, until our pre-departure session, we never had a concern because we knew you had worked on our behalf and had taken care of every little detail. You equipped us with all the information we needed to go off and not be anxious, because there were no unknowns. Other passengers were so impressed with you, but we knew that indeed you are truly 'the best.'
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! We are so grateful!
Bob and Gretchen - La Crosse, WI
Wonderful Planning and Service
We just wanted to thank you for the wonderful planning and service you gave us on this trip again. We had a great time and know it was because you had taken care of all the details for us. What a wonderful job you are doing for us! This is trip #3 and we couldn't be happier. Thank you again…
Dr. Ken & Joan M., West Union, IA
Everything Was Wonderful!
JoAnn, Again, thank you for planning our wonderful cruise on Viking. Perfect, fantastic and beautiful; all these words apply. Soooo relaxing AND entertaining! And EVERYTHING was taken care of in such great detail. Patty and I shall remember and cherish forever. Great memories for all. Fabulous!!
Jim & Pat B. Prairie du Chien, WI
Terrific Anniversary Trip!
Dear Jo Ann; Wow! Thank you so much for making our anniversary trip so terrific! We had a fabulous time. Going first class all the way was truly wonderful. Both my husband and I felt SO pampered.
Madalene B., La Crosse, WI
A Fabulous Grand European River Cruise!
Dear Jo Ann; Where do we begin? We have just returned from our fabulous Grand European River Cruise with Viking. Every single thing was absolutely wonderful! Your pre-trip preparations for us anticipated every and all situations, and we marveled at how much your information to us, prior to leaving, surpassed that of our fellow travelers. Your thoroughness, once again, is so appreciated.
Viking is an absolutely wonderful company for traveling. They smoothly and seemingly effortlessly guided us every step of the way of our 15-day cruise. Their schedule was on time - to the minute. Extras were included as wonderful discoveries ... like special lectures, cooking demonstrations, musical programs and bringing a glass blower on board for a demo. We would recommend this trip to anyone and we hope to travel with Viking again in another part of the world.
Again, Jo Ann, thank you so much for your wonderful professionalism in guiding and preparing us for this adventure!
Michael and Joanne W., Ferryville, WI
The Work You Do Matters!
What a FABULOUS cruise! It could not have been better. The service, the food, the opportunities, the cabin --everything was superb and completely delighted us. It was just the medicine we needed ... and we came home with lifelong memories. So, again - thank you. The work you do matters and you do it so well! You touched our lives in a most positive and healing way.
Katherine K., Viroqua, WI