Luxury Cruising Podcast: Come Explore the World In Style

What if your next cruise could feel a little more luxurious just because of your loyalty status? In this solo episode, host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis explores the world of cruise loyalty programs. She compares standout perks on lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Disney, Holland America, and MSC, while sharing real-world tips on “points hacking,” status matching, and d...

What would your dream world cruise look like? In this solo episode of Luxury Cruising , host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis takes listeners on a tour of some of the most anticipated luxury world cruises departing in late 2026 and 2027. For travelers who have ever imagined sailing around the globe, crossing oceans, exploring remote destinations, and immersing themselves in diverse cultures, this episode offe...

What makes travelers return to the same luxury cruise line after their very first cruise experience? In this episode of Luxury Cruising, host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes back Sherri, a retired attorney and avid traveler, to share her second voyage with Seabourn aboard Seabourn Ovation. After discovering luxury cruising for the first time during a Mediterranean sailing, Sherri and her husband cho...

  What does luxury cruising look like when you're traveling with kids?  In this episode of Luxury Cruising, host Crystal Sodaitis welcomes back Ben and Rebekah Guillow to share their experience aboard the brand-new Norwegian Luna, the latest Prima Plus Class ship from Norwegian Cruise Line. The couple dives into what makes Norwegian's Haven suite complex one of the most compelling luxury cruise pr...

What does luxury really mean in an era where travelers increasingly value experiences over possessions? In this episode of Luxury Cruising, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes Kevin Kennon  for a thought-provoking conversation about the evolving definition of luxury travel. Kevin discusses how modern luxury is shifting away from excess and toward personalized service, authentic experiences, meaningful h...

What makes Azamara stand out in the crowded luxury cruise market, and is the experience truly worth the price? In this episode of Luxury Cruising, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with returning guest Bradley to unpack his latest voyage aboard Azamara Quest. Sailing through France and Spain on a port-intensive itinerary with no sea days, Bradley shares why Azamara’s immersive approach to cruising cr...

What does a $350,000 cruise suite look like, and can Four Seasons Yachts truly redefine luxury at sea? In this episode of Luxury Cruising, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes luxury traveler and content creator Joi, to discuss her firsthand experience aboard the highly anticipated inaugural sailing of Four Seasons Yachts. Joi shares every detail of the ultra-luxury experience, from personalized embarkat...

What will luxury cruising look like in 2026, and which new ships are truly redefining the experience? Dr. Krystal Sodaitis returns with her annual deep dive into the most exciting new cruise ships launching in 2026, focusing not just on flashy attractions, but on how cruise lines are redefining luxury itself. This episode explores the growing divide between mainstream cruising and ultra-luxury exp...

What’s it really like to cross the Atlantic on a luxury cruise as a solo traveler? Dr. Krystal welcomes Meredith, a seasoned solo cruiser from Philadelphia, to share her experience sailing across the Atlantic aboard Explora Journeys. Despite having completed nearly 40 cruises, Meredith explains why this 13-night journey from San Juan to Barcelona completely transformed her understanding of luxury...

What if the ultimate luxury in travel isn’t space, but time? Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with travel advisor and experienced cruiser Cindy Pirtle to explore the appeal of transatlantic cruising. With nearly 100 cruises completed, Cindy shares insights from her recent 40-day journey, including two transatlantic crossings and time exploring Europe. They discuss how these longer voyages often offe...

In this episode of Luxury Cruising, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis, takes a deep dive into Royal Caribbean’s most extravagant accommodations, which is the Ultimate Family Suites, Townhouses, and the newly announced Treehouse concept. She walks listeners through the full evolution of these one-of-a-kind accommodations, starting with the original two-story Ultimate Family Suite on Harmony of the Seas, designe...

Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with Michelle McSorley of Nova Luxury Travels to explore the vibrant world of river cruising through the lens of the 2026 ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam. Michelle was lucky enough to attend the festive christening of AmaWaterways’ newest vessel, the AmaSofia, and shares the celebratory energy, speeches, drone show, and heartfelt quote from the godmother. The con...

What do you actually get when you book a suite on P&O Cruises, and is it worth the upgrade? Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with returning guest Bradley to give listeners a comprehensive P&O Cruises primer; from its rich British heritage as the Peninsula & Oriental Line to how it compares with Princess Cruises. Bradley shares his personal experiences sailing two very different ships and two very di...

What happens when Haven-loving luxury travelers take a chance on Carnival’s Excel Suite on the Mardi Gras with two babies in tow? Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with Rebekah and Ben Guillow of Lux Travel for Families to discuss their bold decision to try Carnival’s brand-new Mardi Gras in an Excel Suite shortly after cruising resumed post-COVID. As longtime Norwegian Haven fans, they share why the...

  Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with Sonal  to explore every detail of a 5-night Caribbean cruise aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima. Sonal and her husband celebrated their anniversary with a last-minute suite upgrade, experiencing the ship’s modern luxury vibe, thoughtful butler service, and personalized touches that made them feel genuinely cared for. They dive into the ship’s in...

In this solo episode of Luxury Cruising, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis spotlights six underrated perks of luxury cruising that don't always make the brochures but deliver outsized joy and practicality. From the game-changing convenience of included laundry, to the simple pleasure of a plush bathrobe after the pool or hot tub, she breaks down why these features matter, especially on longer voyages or in var...

Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with returning guest Sylvia Hanna, owner of Luxe for Less Travel, for a candid debrief of her latest voyage: an 11-night Paul Gauguin cruise around French Polynesia with a group of 33 (more than 10% of the entire ship!). Sylvia breaks down the full experience from business-class flights and pre-cruise overwater bungalows at the InterContinental Tahiti and St. Regis B...

Host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis chats with returning guest Kim about Hosted Cruises, a lesser-known perk offered through travel consortia that enhances sailings on select premium and luxury lines without any added cost. Kim breaks down what a consortia is, why you should always ask your travel advisor about theirs, and how hosted sailings work. A dedicated host provides concierge-like service, from answ...

Host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes Melanie to dive into her recent short cruise on Norwegian Joy, focusing on the Haven’s ship-within-a-ship perks that turned a quick trip into pure relaxation. Melanie recounts her seamless embarkation at bustling Port Canaveral, the joys of a spacious aft suite with ocean-view tub, and the standout Haven restaurant where staff anticipated every need. They discuss...

Host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis chats with guest Megan about her transformative journey on Crystal Symphony to East Africa,  a perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and solo-friendly travel. Megan dives into Crystal's boutique-style ships, comparing Symphony to Serenity, and highlights why this itinerary drew her: reduced solo supplements, Madagascar's biodiversity, and first-time Africa exploration.  The...

Join host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis for a listener-driven Q&A unpacking the essentials of luxury cruising. She dives into what sets luxury lines apart from premium and mainstream (think space, service, and fewer thrills), she breaks down personalized service roles like concierge, butler, and the ultimate Royal Genie, and shares honest takes on value, first-timer picks, suite selection, onboard boredom...

Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes Jason Robinson, and they dive into his recent Princess Cruises Sanctuary experience — a premium ship-within-a-ship offering that blends exclusivity with relaxed elegance. Jason shares how his deal-savvy spouse surprised him with the Sanctuary for a birthday cruise, highlighting the effortless embarkation, quiet poolside mornings with champagne walls, and medallion tec...

Dr. Krystal chats with Jennifer about her family’s leap into luxury cruising aboard Norwegian Viva’s Haven during a Mediterranean itinerary through Greece and Turkey. As a working mom with teenage sons (14 and 16), Jennifer explains how her travel agent guided them to The Haven for its seamless service, private spaces, and stress-free perks. They dive into the two-bedroom suite details, butler and...

In this heartfelt solo episode of Luxury Cruising, host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis dives deep into how neurodiversity affects vacation planning and why cruising (particularly luxury cruising) is uniquely well-suited for individuals with ADHD, autism, and social anxiety. Dr. Krystal explores the unique challenges of vacation planning for those with ADHD, Autism, and Social Anxiety, then explains how to r...

Dr. Krystal sits down with returning guest Bradley to unpack everything travelers need to know about Cunard’s famed Grills experience — one of the longest-running “ship-within-a-ship” concepts at sea. Bradley explains Cunard’s deep history as a British brand, the difference between an ocean liner vs a cruise ship, and why Queen Mary 2 remains the only true ocean liner still sailing today. Together...