Small Ship Cruise Talk

🇺🇸 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 Armstrong, Communications Director for Sail4t...

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 platform with stationed local hosts. A hotspot...

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 structured, what a typical day l...

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 excited to see it through fresh eyes.

We co...

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's new in onboard drinks (including gluten-free...

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 commentary directly to your ear and tips yo...

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, alligator adve...

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 & Rocket Center...

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 us about cruising throug...

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 intentional dining that redu...

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 travel items that make washi...

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 Luxury Cruises, why s...

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 who the idea...

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 the following items t...

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 leather-lined hallways to suites with...

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 iconic rivers and seasonal itine...

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 family without a kids club. ...

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 vibe, the communal nature o...

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 Maine’s rugged coastline, an...