Luxury Cruising Podcast: Come Explore the World In Style

Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes pediatrician and avid traveler Rima, who takes listeners inside her family’s Mediterranean sailing aboard MSC World Europa Yacht Club. She shares how the ship-within-a-ship model — including a two-story duplex suite, private lounge and pool deck, dedicated dining, priority access, and butler support — created space and ease that made traveling with her teenage childre...

In this transformative episode, Dr. Krystal welcomes luxury travel concierge and coach Mikayla for a conversation that expands far beyond itineraries and price points. Instead of talking logistics, cruise perks, or comparison shopping, Mikayla offers a deep look into the identity, emotion, and embodiment behind luxury travel — including the story of a client whose journey onboard the MS Symphony,...

Joelle Berlat returns to Luxury Cruising to recount her Antarctic expedition aboard Scenic Eclipse, Scenic’s ultra-luxury, purpose-built discovery yacht. With just 200 guests onboard for Antarctic sailings, Scenic Eclipse is able to land every passenger on the continent—an experience that larger ships simply cannot offer due to strict environmental regulations. The result is a deeply immersive jou...

Michele Wirth, owner of Simply Inspired Travel, joins the show to unpack her first ultra-luxury cruise experience aboard Seabourn Sojourn—a small-ship, high-touch voyage through the St. Lawrence River, Atlantic Canada, and New York City. With just 400 guests onboard, the ship never felt crowded, rushed, or impersonal. Instead, the experience was defined by space, ease, and thoughtful service. Luxu...

Some cruisers chase itineraries. Others chase loyalty perks. But Bradley—now on his 60th sailing—chases experiences . And on this episode of Luxury Cruising, he gives us a rare, detailed, and unfiltered look inside Explorer Journeys’ Explorer 1, MSC’s bold entrance into the world of six-star, yacht-style cruising. From the moment he arrived at the port in Athens, something felt different: a shimme...

Some people fall in love with the ocean early—and never look back. For 18-year-old Hollis, known online as Ship Insider, cruising isn’t just a hobby. It’s part passion, part playground, part early career dream. And on this episode of Luxury Cruising, he takes us inside his stay on one of TikTok’s most-requested spaces aboard Wonder of the Seas: the one-bedroom Grand Suite 1750, complete with its o...

What does modern luxury look like on the open sea? When Megan and her husband decided to trade a one-day wedding for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, they booked an Explora Journeys cruise — and never looked back. In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis chats with Megan about her honeymoon sailing through Greece and Turkey, exploring ports like Athens, Santorini, Crete, Marmaris, and Istan...

Some trips sparkle a little brighter. For Joelle Berlat, that moment came when a group of close friends decided to celebrate a milestone birthday somewhere rugged, beautiful, and worthy of a big “why not?”—a cruise to Ireland and Iceland aboard Celebrity Apex .  In this warm and wonderfully honest conversation, Joelle walks us through what it’s really like to stay in one of Celebrity’s most exclus...

What makes a luxury cruise feel truly luxurious? Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes Pat from Dancing Moon Travel to explore what sets Regent Seven Seas Cruises apart. On her first-ever Regent voyage — an incentive trip for top-performing advisors — Pat sailed from Athens to Istanbul, discovering a brand that redefines elegance through warmth, attentiveness, and effortless sophistication. Pat explains w...

What makes a Christmas market river cruise so magical? This week, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis welcomes Bonnie Scott, founder of River Cruise Specialists , to unwrap the wonder of holiday cruising through Europe. From the Rhine to the Danube, Bonnie explains why these sailings offer the perfect blend of luxury, culture, and festive spirit — complete with carolers, cocoa, and centuries-old traditions. She...

What does true luxury cruising feel like? At just 31 years old, Bradley has already sailed on nearly 60 cruises—from P&O to Explora Journeys—but Crystal Serenity stands apart. In this in-depth conversation, he describes what sets six-star cruising apart: smaller ships, personalized service, and the feeling of stepping into a world where every detail is elevated. He and his mum experienced what he...

What happens when a hesitant traveler splurges on a penthouse suite? Linda joins Dr. Krystal to recount her 7-day Alaska cruise that turned her from cruise skeptic to cruise convert. Traveling with her kids and extended family, she discovered how the right room, attentive service, and thoughtful design make family travel seamless—even on a dated ship. Key Highlights The Ship: The Grand Princess ma...

For anyone balancing different travel interests with a partner, this episode is a masterclass in compromise, adventure, and connection. Kim joins Dr. Krystal to discuss her journey from “golf widow” to “cruise queen” — and how Azamara’s partnership with Perry Golf creates the perfect experience for both golfers and non-golfers alike. Key highlights include: The Cruise: Azamara’s mid-size ships car...

Expedition cruising isn’t only for the hardy — it’s for those who want to blend awe-inspiring adventure with comfort. In this episode, Sue brings us aboard the Silversea Endeavor and paints a vivid picture of sailing to Antarctica: The vessel: With just 220 passengers and 207 crew, the ratio ensures exceptional service. Every cabin is a suite with its own balcony — complete with a butler. The cros...

For many, a world cruise isn’t just a vacation—it’s the pinnacle of travel dreams. But what does it actually look like to live at sea for three to four months? Michele Wirth returns to share her deep expertise in planning and booking world cruises. Together, we explore: What defines a world cruise: 100+ days, multiple continents, and routes as varied as full circumnavigations to region-focused jou...

Fred and his wife have been cruising since 2005, raising their daughters on Disney ships before trading in Mickey-shaped waffles for Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class adventures. With their kids now grown, the couple has embraced cruising as their own luxury escape. On this episode, Fred shares: From Disney magic to Royal perks: Why trading five nights on Disney for nine on Royal was a turning point....

Some itineraries pick you—and Ireland did just that. After years on the big mainstream lines, Mo joined her parents for a 10-day loop of the Emerald Isle on Azamara Quest, embarking and disembarking in Dublin with daily ports and zero sea-day boredom. A last-minute upgrade placed her in a balcony stateroom with generous storage and a surprisingly spacious bath—setting the tone for a week and a hal...

Some suites are nearly impossible to get, and Royal Caribbean’s Star Class Villa Suite is one of them. Booked two years in advance, Lauren and her family of 12 gathered aboard Harmony of the Seas for a once-in-a-lifetime multi-generational celebration in this sprawling four-bedroom suite. In this episode, we discuss: The Villa Suite experience: Four bedrooms, massive balcony, jacuzzi, and space fo...

Brandi Thompson Fisher has built her career as a psychotherapist and travel entrepreneur, but her passion for exploration truly comes alive at sea. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of her two-and-a-half-week journey on the Celebrity Millennium in Aqua Class, weaving together the shipboard perks and unforgettable ports of call. We discuss: Why Aqua Class? From spa passes to exclusive...

Star of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship and one of Royal Caribbean’s most talked-about launches. But what’s it really like to sail on an inaugural preview voyage—and how can you make it feel luxurious without booking top-tier suites? In this episode, host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis recounts her family’s four-day sailing on the newest Icon Class ship, revealing how they maximized space, comfo...

Matt Hochberg is known as one of the OGs in the cruise podcast world, dedicated to all things Royal Caribbean. But what happens when he trades in mega-ships and FlowRiders for a smaller, all-inclusive luxury cruise line like Silversea? In this conversation, Matt pulls back the curtain on his first luxury cruise and gives us the real talk on how it stacked up against his usual adventures at sea.  W...

Viking River Cruises may have a reputation for being slow-paced and tailored to an older crowd, but Julia Wilcox has a different story to tell. At just 25, she hopped aboard the Viking Forseti for a weeklong adventure through Bordeaux—and came back convinced river cruising is the ultimate way to see Europe in your 20s. In this candid conversation, Julia shares everything: How her trip compared to...

There’s something undeniably electric about stepping aboard a brand-new cruise ship, where every corridor still smells like fresh paint and every suite is waiting to make its first memories. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis talks with Kim Urig, a travel writer and experienced travel advisor who has been lucky enough to attend multiple inaugural sailings—from Emerald’s...

Luxury doesn’t just mean marble bathrooms and champagne on arrival. Sometimes, it means not getting nickel-and-dimed. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , Dr. Krystal Sodaitis unpacks what you actually get for your money across three levels of cruising: contemporary, premium, and entry-level luxury. She compares inside cabins, balcony rooms, junior suites, and top-tier accommodations across Carniv...

2025 is a landmark year in luxury cruising, with 11 new ships launching across a mix of ocean liners, boutique yachts, and coastal cruisers. In this episode, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis shares a curated walkthrough of the most exciting new ships across all types of cruise lines—from Virgin’s cheeky “Brilliant Lady” to Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas” and Ritz-Carlton’s ultra-luxury “Luminar.” Learn wh...