Small Ship Cruise Talk
Welcome to Small Ship Cruise Talk, your go-to podcast—and the only podcast of its kind—for all things small ship cruising! Whether you're curious about river cruises, yacht cruises, expedition cruises, barge cruises, or ship-within-a-ship experiences on larger vessels, we, Dan and Mikkel, of the esteemed small ship cruise website Sometimes Sailing, have you covered.
Ever wondered what it’s like to sail on a ship with just four passengers...or 150? Want to know how to budget for a small ship cruise and what the actual costs are? Do we give small ship cruise food a thumbs up or thumbs down? Find out all that and more, like what kinds of ports small ships go to and what packing essentials we recommend, along with valuable small ship cruise travel planning tips.
Each episode delivers concise, value-packed insights to help you easily navigate the world of luxury, adventure, and intimate cruising.
Join us as we dive into real cruise experiences, insider tips, and expert interviews to help you plan your perfect small ship vacation.
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Episodes
64 episodes
Future of River Cruises, Expedition & Yacht Cruising from Seatrade Global Leading Cruise Industry Event
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 an...
Cruise Tours Audio: How We Uplevel with One Simple Tool
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 Q...
Is it Dumb to Take a Boat Excursion During Your Cruise? Pros, Cons & Tips
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 y...
Part 2: Tennessee Rivers Cruise Excursions, Day-by-Day
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 Chat...
Part 1: Tennessee River Cruise: What to Expect with ACL
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 (i...
How Cruise Sustainability Affects Your Vacation with Joel Balsam
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 innova...
Cruise Packing Hack & Tips: What to Know About Ship Laundry
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.&n...
5 Biggest River Cruise Mistakes to Avoid
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 st...
Tale of Two Small Cruises: Luxury Barges & Rustic Windjammers with Tamara Gruber
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 Heritag...
Costly Travel Scams & How to Avoid Them as a Tourist
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, an...
Star Seeker Unveiled: Touring Windstar’s 7th Ship
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 See...
Celebrity River Cruises: Early Insights & Expectations
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:...
Windstar in Costa Rica & Panama with Guest Keryn Means
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 adven...
Part 2: Maine Island Hopping on a Windjammer Sailing Cruise
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 lik...
Part 1: Sailing Cruises on Historic Maine Windjammer Ships
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 ...
Cruising into 2026: What to Watch & Our Bucket List Dreams
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 cruis...
How Chioggia Surprised Us (& How to Get There from Venice)
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 auth...
From the Port of Piraeus to Athens: Your Cruise Day Game Plan
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 th...
Oceania Regatta Cruise to Alaska with CruiseTipsTV
CruiseTipsTV’s Sheri Griffiths joins Mikkel for a full recap of Oceania Regatta’s 12-night “Gold Rush Trails” sailing from Los Angeles to Vancouver—with standout Pacific Coast stops, early-season Alaska weather, and a small-ship experience that...
American Cruise Lines Food Review & Dining Guide
Ever wondered what it’s really like to eat and drink your way through an American Cruise Lines sailing? In this episode, we walk you through a full day of food on board: sit-down breakfasts, light bites in the lounge, and made-to-order favorite...
Planning the Perfect Douro River Cruise
Thinking about a Douro River cruise with Viking and wondering if it’s for you? In this episode, we share our honest, on-the-ground review of Viking’s Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary, from the land stay in Lisbon to sailing through the Douro ...
The Retreat on Celebrity Xcel: First Look & Inside Scoop
Step inside The Retreat on Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class, as we take you through the suite-only experience during the ship’s exclusive preview sailing. This episode gives you a clear look at what sets Xcel’...
Viking Mediterranean Cruise: Venice to Athens Deep Dive
Discover what to do during a pre-cruise stay in Venice (and why getting around isn't as easy as you'd think) and how to get to Chioggia to embark on your cruise. We'll share hidden gems you might not know about, like Piran, and experience the b...
Inside Viking Ocean Cruises Food & Beverages Experience
We're taking you through what meals are like aboard a Viking Ocean ship to show you exactly what makes the onboard dining experience so exceptional.You'll discover the impressive variety of dining venues, from the high-quality breakfast ...
Viking Ocean vs. River Cruise: Same or Totally Different?
We're sharing our firsthand experience aboard Viking Ocean to show you how these 930-passenger ships deliver that unique blend of river cruise options with ocean cruise amenities – and whether they live up to the Viking brand you might already ...