Luxury Cruising Podcast: Come Explore the World In Style

When we think of cruising, we imagine ocean views, endless buffets, and maybe a massage if we’re feeling fancy. But today’s luxury cruise spas are changing the game—turning wellness into a full-body, full-ship experience. In this immersive episode, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis takes you on a tour of the most iconic cruise ship spas across major lines—from Seabourn’s earth-grounding massages and Regent’s a...

You know how sometimes you look back and realize a single trip changed everything? That’s what my first cruise did for me. It was 2001, just after 9/11, and my mom and I decided to take advantage of a last-minute deal. I had no idea that cruise would plant a seed—a love for vacationing on the open sea, rest, and yes, a little bit of luxury—that would grow into a whole new chapter of my life. In th...

Luxury river cruising doesn’t stop at Viking. In fact, some of the most refined, immersive, and delightful experiences can be found aboard ships on river cruise lines you may not have heard of—yet. In this solo episode, Dr. Krystal Sodaitis takes listeners on a guided tour of six distinctive river cruise lines: Uniworld, Tauck, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, and American...

River cruising often conjures images of quiet mornings, clinking wine glasses, and retired couples taking in castle views. But for Heidi Rosenstrouch and her family, Tauck’s Rhine River itinerary from Basel to Amsterdam proved that luxury and family-friendly can go hand in hand. In this heartwarming episode, host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis chats with longtime friend Heidi about why Tauck’s all-inclusive...

Randy is an executive chef from Florida whose job finally gave him the flexibility to explore the world—and his first stop was France. In this candid conversation, he shares the highs (heated bathroom floors, wine straight from the market) and heartfelt moments (a lost-luggage saga that Viking turned into a story of genuine care) from his Viking River Cruise through Bordeaux. Aboard the Viking For...

What happens when you combine gourmet food, curated excursions, and deep professional reflection—all on a river in France? For Dr. Shikha Jain, it was transformative. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , Dr. Jain shares how her Emerald river cruise became a full-ship healthcare leadership retreat—uniting physicians, allies, and changemakers for a week of rest, reconnection, and real growth. From s...

For Jeff, travel wasn’t just a passion—it was the plan. After years of organizing group trips with friends, he stepped into retirement and straight onto an AmaWaterways ship. What followed? Dozens of unforgettable river cruises, birthday celebrations in wine country, and a love affair with small ships and big experiences. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , Jeff and host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis dive...

What started as a casual conversation over dinner became an unforgettable Danube River journey for Michele Wirth, founder of Simply Inspired Travel. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis reconnects with her first-ever guest to explore the refined, relaxed magic of a Viking River Cruise. Michele shares every detail—from minimalist Scandinavian interiors and glass-wrapped di...

Not all cruises are created equal—and Dr. Nadeen White knows that better than most. After a lifetime of ocean cruising, Dr. White stepped aboard an AmaWaterways ship for a Rhône River sailing that changed everything. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis explores how river cruising blends intimacy, cultural immersion, and personalized luxury into one unforgettable experien...

When Matt set sail on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 with his mother—who once worked aboard Cunard as a nurse in the 1980s—he wasn’t just chasing luxury.  He was chasing legacy. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , host Krystal Sodaitis dives into the Queen’s Grill experience, from white-glove butler service and off-menu dinners to full afternoon tea and balcony suites with walk-in wardrobes. Matt shares w...

After swearing off cruising for good, Sherri decided to give it one more chance—this time with Seabourn. What followed was a complete redefinition of luxury at sea. In this episode, Sherri joins host Krystal Sodaitis to recount her seven-night journey through Greece and Turkey aboard a Seabourn small ship. From Black Friday upgrades to rose petals on the bed for her 20th anniversary, Sherri takes...

Think you've gone off the grid? Try 90 degrees north. In this episode of Luxury Cruising , host Krystal Sodaitis chats with Dr. Gretchen Green, a retired radiologist and global traveler who recently fulfilled a breathtaking bucket list dream: cruising to the North Pole on Ponant’s icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot . Over the course of two weeks (entirely at sea!), Gretchen, her daughter, and her m...

There’s cruising… and then there’s cruising in the Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean’s newest megaship, Utopia of the Seas . Samantha Bailey—travel advisor and founder of Endeavor Travel Group—joins Krystal to talk about her family’s unforgettable stay in this two-story, jaw-dropping suite. From matching pajamas waiting on their beds to custom coffee deliveries and full-sized tubs for toddl...

With 37 cruises under her belt and an eye for smart luxury, Sylvia Hannah wasn’t sure what to expect from MSC’s Yacht Club. What she found? A hidden gem of European elegance at sea. 💎 In this episode, Sylvia takes us deck-by-deck through her experience on the MSC Seashore , where Italian design meets elevated service. Think: private lounges, gourmet dining, priority boarding, and one of the most...

What if your next cruise didn’t feel like a trip—but like slipping into a different version of yourself, one that lives in silk robes and never waits in line? In this episode of Luxury Cruising , host Dr. Krystal Sodaitis is joined by the ultimate cruise duo: Lisa McWhorter, a frequent Virgin voyager who’s turned her love for cruising into an art form, and Sylvia Hannah, the travel whisperer behin...

Small luxury cruise lines redefine high-end travel with intimate ships, world-class dining, and unique itineraries. Unlike mega-cruises, these boutique experiences focus on personalized service, immersive destinations, and all-inclusive indulgence. These cruise lines typically have small ships able to get into unique off the beaten path ports that allow for truly unique itineraries.  Whether it’s...

This episode is sponsored by: Bev Aron at the Deep Dive Coaching Institute Experience exclusive, personalized coaching with Bev Aron. Whether you are growing a business, strengthening relationships, or embracing self-acceptance, Bev provides deep, transformative support. Discover the most luxurious way to up-level your life at https://bevaron.com/ ________ Luxury cruises aren’t just vacations—they...

This episode is sponsored by: Bev Aron at the Deep Dive Coaching Institute Experience exclusive, personalized coaching with Bev Aron. Whether you are growing a business, strengthening relationships, or embracing self-acceptance, Bev provides deep, transformative support. Discover the most luxurious way to up-level your life at https://bevaron.com/ ________ A premium cruise suite isn’t just a place...

This episode is sponsored by: Deep Dive Coaching Institute Experience exclusive, personalized coaching with Bev Aron. Whether you are growing a business, strengthening relationships, or embracing self-acceptance, Bev provides deep, transformative support. Discover the most luxurious way to up-level your life at https://bevaron.com/ ___________________ Dr. Krystal Sodaitis kicks off a new series ex...

This episode is sponsored by: Deep Dive Coaching Institute Experience exclusive, personalized coaching with Bev Aron. Whether you are growing a business, strengthening relationships, or embracing self-acceptance, Bev provides deep, transformative support. Discover the most luxurious way to up-level your life at https://bevaron.com/ _______ What if luxury wasn’t about extravagance, but about ease ?...

This episode is sponsored by: Simply Inspired Travel You’ve spent years caring for others—now it’s time to indulge in a seamless, luxury cruise experience. Simply Inspired Travel crafts curated itineraries with VIP perks and stress-free planning. Book a consultation and receive a complimentary VIP cruise planning guide. Start your journey at travelsimplyinspired.com/luxury-cruising ________ What i...

This episode is sponsored by: Simply Inspired Travel You’ve spent years caring for others—now it’s time to indulge in a seamless, luxury cruise experience. Simply Inspired Travel crafts curated itineraries with VIP perks and stress-free planning. Book a consultation and receive a complimentary VIP cruise planning guide. Start your journey at travelsimplyinspired.com/luxury-cruising ---- In this ep...

This episode is sponsored by: Simply Inspired Travel You’ve spent years caring for others—now it’s time to indulge in a seamless, luxury cruise experience. Simply Inspired Travel crafts curated itineraries with VIP perks and stress-free planning. Book a consultation and receive a complimentary VIP cruise planning guide. Start your journey at travelsimplyinspired.com/luxury-cruising _________ In th...

This episode is sponsored by: Simply Inspired Travel You’ve spent years caring for others—now it’s time to indulge in a seamless, luxury cruise experience. Simply Inspired Travel crafts curated itineraries with VIP perks and stress-free planning. Book a consultation and receive a complimentary VIP cruise planning guide. Start your journey at travelsimplyinspired.com/luxury-cruising ______ Dr. Krys...

This episode is sponsored by: Simply Inspired Travel You’ve spent years caring for others—now it’s time to indulge in a seamless, luxury cruise experience. Simply Inspired Travel crafts curated itineraries with VIP perks and stress-free planning. Book a consultation and receive a complimentary VIP cruise planning guide.  Start your journey at travelsimplyinspired.com/luxury-cruising ________ Welco...