Our Experts
Your vacation matters. In fact, those precious days are often the best part of your year and at Cruise Holidays of Topeka we understand this. Planning a vacation is so much more than buying travel—it’s about customizing the experience for you and ensuring that you spend your time vacationing, not working on “what’s next.”
From all-inclusive, ultra-luxury ships, to tall-masted sailing yachts, or family-friendly cruise ships laden with the most enticing activities, we can help you find the cruise that is right for you. Our experience in finding unique shore excursions, land tours and group and incentive travel makes Cruise Holidays of Topeka the perfect choice for nearly any type of leisure travel. And although cruises are a specialty, we are more than capable of planning land-based vacations, whether it’s a fun and sun getaway, escorted tour of foreign lands, or a bespoke custom itinerary tailored to you like a fine suit.
Just finished a fabulous Eastern Caribbean cruise with Dick and Judy. These folks know how to do it right!
Five Stars! Thank you for all the help planning our cruise. Looking forward to […]
The process was painless and we had a fantastic adventure. Thank you and nicely done. […]
We had not cruised much before and we were impressed with the professionalism of Cruise Holidays […]
Dick Knoll is our President. With Judy watching the books, he manages the office, the sales and marketing as well as selling to his wonderful client base. Dick’s business experience began after college in the 70’s in the family welding supply company. He also worked in technology sales and design in the ’90’s and began at Cruise Holidays with the able instruction of company founder, Kathy Stacken.
Dick enjoys travel in general and particularly when leading groups on cruises to destinations worldwide.
Travel Specialties:
- Cruises
- River Cruises
- World Cruises
- Small Ship Cruising
- Expedition Cruises
- Culinary Cruises
- Family Vacations
- Group/Club Cruises
- Escorted Tours
- Luxury Cruising & Luxury Tours
Destination Expertise:
- Africa
- Caribbean
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Mexico
- Europe
- United States
- Australia / NZ
- Italy
- France
- Mediterranen
- Canada / New England
Judy Knoll
Director of Finance
Judy Knoll handles the financial matters of Cruise Holidays. She began her career in the family business, Martin Tractor Company, where she worked for 29 years before becoming a founding partner of Simply Solutions, a company that offers business services to small and medium sized organizations. She retired May 31, 2018 from there to devote more time to helping the team at Cruise Holidays.
She is an enthusiastic bicyclist and traveler. Judy has cycled across Kansas numerous times and has ridden from Oregon to Wyoming. Judy & Dick have been married over 30 years.
Travel Specialties:
- Cruises
- River Cruises
- Adventure Travel
- Biking Vacations
- Group/Club Cruises
- Luxury Cruising & Luxury Tours
Destination Expertise:
- Alaska
- Antarctica
- Caribbean
- Eastern Canada
- Europe
- French Polynesia
- River Cruises
- South America
- World Cruises
Tim Hersh
Travel Counselor
Tim Hersh: Tim is a Travel Consultant on the Cruise Holidays team. He is passionate about travel and wants you to feel special in that each journey takes into account your interests. Tim knows it is important to ask the right questions, take time in understanding your needs, and to design the travel experience that is just right for you and your budget.
Look to Tim for expert advice on: Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, all-inclusive resorts, tours, and ocean and river cruises.
Tim retired from USPS after 34 years and is married to wife Denise. They enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren and have been traveling extensively for over 30 years.
Travel Specialties:
- Cruises
- Destination Weddings
- Honeymoons
- Grand Voyages
- Family Cruises
- Luxury Travel
- Family Vacations
- Couples & Romance
- European Culture
- Beach Vacations
Destination Expertise:
- Alaska
- Caribbean
- United States
Emma Warren
Independent Advisor
Emma Warren has many years of travel agency experience, starting her travel career in Atchison. She has been with Cruise Holidays since 2008. Emma has traveled extensively in: Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Ireland, England and Brazil. In her spare time, Emma enjoys horseback riding, snorkeling, historical travel, countryside visits and travel in general.
Travel Specialties:
- Cruises
- River Cruises
- Escorted Tours
- Group/Club Cruises
- Luxury Cruising & Luxury Tours
Destination Expertise:
- Alaska
- Caribbean
- Eastern Canada
- Europe
- Ireland
- River Cruises
- South America
Kathy Stacken
Our Founder
Travel Specialties:
- Charters & Incentives
- Culinary Cruises
- Expedition Cruises
- Family Reunion Cruises
- Grand Voyages
- Group/Club Cruises
- Luxury Cruising & Luxury Tours
- World Cruises
Destination Expertise:
- Alaska
- Antarctica
- Caribbean
- Eastern Canada
- Europe
- French Polynesia
- River Cruises
- South America
- World Cruises