Small Ship Cruise Talk: River Cruises, Yacht, Barge and Expedition Cruising Tips & Travel Planning Advice

Join us for a lively recap of the 🇺🇸 July 4th celebrations in New York City, as seen from Governors Island and at home, focusing on the historic maritime events, the Parade of Sail, and the significance of waterway traditions.  Discover how media coverage, Native American acknowledgment, and sustainability narratives intertwined in this special episode. Related listening:  Sail4th 250 in NYC - Onc...

⚓️ Dreaming of a cruise but not sure how to make it happen financially? 💭 That dream cruise doesn't have to stay a dream.  We sit down with Danielle Desir Corbett of The Thought Card to break down a realistic, stress-free system for saving for your dream cruise in a year or less — from building your travel fund to finding money you didn't know you had, and how to stay the course when l...

We're taking you aboard American Cruise Lines' Southeast Sea Islands itinerary — a nine-day, eight-night coastal cruise through the Intracoastal Waterway on a brand-new coastal catamaran, the American Liberty. If you've only thought of ACL as a river cruise line, this one might surprise you. We cover the ship (what makes a coastal catamaran different and how it compares to ACL'...

🇺🇸 America turns 250 this July 4th, and New York Harbor is throwing the biggest nautical celebration in a generation. We're breaking down everything you need to know about Sail4th 250 — the historic Parade of Sails for the USA's semiquincentennial, happening on July Fourth in the Hudson River next to Manhattan, including events from July 3rd to 6th, 2026. We sat down with William Armstro...

Celebrity River Cruises is making waves before launching, and we're breaking down the four excursion categories that make up their new Destination Discovery program to see if it lives up to the hype. We cover the: Storyteller Series - locally-led experiences with cultural insiders Skillmaster Series - hands-on time with local makers and artisans Keys to the City - a self-guided digital platfo...

Curious about Road Scholar travel programs, but not sure if it's right for you? This episode gives you everything you need to know about the cruise trips (called “Afloat” programs) with Road Scholar, a prestigious non-profit travel company. We hear directly from Zoe Fox-Mailer, Director of Programming at Road Scholar, on exactly how the Adventure Afloat program works — how trips are structure...

Ever had that pull to go back to a cruise you loved?  We're breaking down exactly what to consider before you rebook, from choosing the same cruise line vs. switching it up, to how time of year, ports, and even a different version of yourself can make the same river feel brand new.  Plus, we share our own experience returning to AmaWaterways' Colors of Provence and what's making us...

The future of cruising is looking bright, and we have the inside scoop straight from Seatrade Miami, the cruise industry's leading global event. In this episode, we share our six biggest takeaways, from the explosive growth of river cruising and the rising appeal of expedition and yacht cruises, to why small ships are winning over first-time travelers in a big way. We also get into what'...

Ever struggle to hear your tour guide on a shore excursion, or find that uncomfortable single-use earpiece driving you crazy?  We're breaking down everything you need to know about the #1 listening device for cruise tours, called a Quietvox—the small audio device you'll find in your stateroom on most small ship cruises. We’re explaining how it works to deliver your guide's commentar...

Is it dumb to take a boating excursion during a vacation when you’re already on a cruise? Today, we answer this question with the pros, cons, and things you may not have thought of! Ultimately, we’re going to help you decide if your answer is yes or no.  We’re also sharing what kinds of boating excursions are out there, from sunset sails to dolphin spotting, whale watching, SCUBA and snorkeling, a...

We’re back with Part 2 of our Tennessee Rivers cruise with American Cruise Lines (ACL)—diving into the ports, excursions, and what surprised us most along the way as we sailed on the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio Rivers.  From Chattanooga to Nashville, we share the excursion options along the way, including scenic sailing, small-town gems, Civil War history, and unique stops like the U.S. Space...

You’re going to love this two-part series about our Tennessee River cruise with American Cruise Lines from Chattanooga to Nashville! We’re talking about the big picture of the experience in Part 1: What a Tennessee River cruise is like (including sailing on the Ohio River and Cumberland River), who this cruise is best for, what the American river cruise ship experience is like, and what surprised...

We sit down with travel journalist Joel Balsam to explore what sustainability really looks like in cruising today. From Norway’s electric-first mindset to Havila’s hybrid ships powered by biogas and massive battery systems, we unpack how innovation is reshaping the industry. We share how this directly impacts your experience—quieter, near-silent sailing through pristine landscapes, more intentiona...

What do you do when you need clean clothes on a cruise? In this episode, we break down the three ways to handle laundry while sailing: self-serve washers and dryers, onboard send-away laundry service, and simple DIY options, like handwashing.  We also share cruise line differences you should check before packing, why some ships don’t offer laundry at all while others unexpectedly do, and a few tra...

River cruising sounds simple—but first-timers are often surprised once they step onboard. We’re sharing five common mistakes we see again and again , from choosing the wrong cruise line to packing the wrong items, plus a few myths that stop travelers from booking in the first place. You’ll learn how to compare top lines like Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Uniworld, Emerald Cruises, and Riverside Lu...

Come along to delve further into a “tale of two cruises” as we chat with travel expert and small-ship cruise enthusiast Tamara Gruber about her barge cruises through France’s small waterways and a Maine Windjammer cruise aboard schooner Heritage, sailing along the coast of Maine. We compare how these intimate experiences are similar and how they’re completely different, from daily life onboard to...

Travel should feel freeing, not stressful. With that in mind, to best prepare you for your travels and smooth sailing, we are sharing four common travel scams that can happen on cruise itineraries on land or purely during your land vacation, and the simple habits that stop them.  You’ll learn why these scams work and what to do instead so you have peace of mind.  During this episode, we reference...

We’re sharing an exclusive first look at Windstar’s Star Seeker after attending her christening and touring the ship in Miami. We'll give you a "guided tour" so you can decide if this new-build ship is right for your next cruise. Star Seeker carries just 224 guests, blending small-ship intimacy with elevated design. We talk through first impressions—from the welcoming lobby and leat...

means for river cruising. Find out the biggest announcements so far, including early demand, booking timelines, and Celebrity’s long-term commitment to building a sizable river fleet. Our companion article (with photos) can be found here: https://sometimessailing.com/celebrity-river-cruises   We walk through what’s confirmed for 2027 and 2028, which region these ships will sail in, and which iconi...

Join us with travel creator Keryn Means of Twist Travel Mag and Twist Cocktail Recipes as we talk about cruising on Windstar’s yacht, Star Pride, in Costa Rica and Panama over Christmas, with her husband and two teenage boys along for the adventure. We dig into the Costa Rica and Panama itinerary, including a full Panama Canal transit, plus what it’s really like to travel on a small ship as a fami...

We continue our Maine Windjammer sailing cruise series by diving into what life is really like on board, from morning to night. We share how daily itineraries work when they’re guided by wind and weather, what shore landings by rowboat feel like, and how time is split between island exploring and slow, intentional moments on deck. (Listen to Part 1 , too.) You’ll get a clear sense of the onboard v...

Join us to learn about the wonderful and unique world of Maine Windjammer cruising and why it’s nothing like traditional cruises. This is part one of a two-part series designed to help you understand what these overnight schooner vacations are really like. For photos, visit our Maine Windjammer trip report . We explain what a windjammer cruise is, where these historic sailing ships travel along Ma...

In this episode, we’re looking ahead to 2026 and sharing what has us excited in the world of small ship cruising—from milestone celebrations and industry developments to the trips we personally can’t stop thinking about. If you love river cruising, expedition-style adventures, or classic sailing, listen to this episode to discover what’s on the horizon. Instead of an industry deep dive forecast, t...

We’re heading to Chioggia, often called “Little Venice,” to share why this small city is a great alternative to the crowds of Venice. We talk about what makes Chioggia special, from peaceful canals and local food to easy walking and a more authentic, everyday Italian feel. We also outline the logistics of getting from Venice to Chioggia, including the public bus options, costs, luggage considerati...

When your cruise itinerary says “Athens,” it really means Piraeus. And that distinction can shape your entire port day! We are sharing practical tips to help you plan a smooth, stress-free stop, whether you head into Athens or stay closer to the port. Find out the most efficient way to get from Piraeus into the city, including taxis, Uber, metro, buses, and cruise line shuttles, along with realist...