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Small Ship Cruise Talk

Small Ship Cruise Talk

Written by: Dan and Mikkel Woodruff
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About this listen

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.

Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest: @sometimessailing

© 2026 Small Ship Cruise Talk
Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Repeating the Same Cruise Itinerary: How to Do It Right
    May 6 2026

    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 cover:

    • Cruising on the same line vs. a new one
    • When ports aren't the same twice
    • Seasonal timing
    • Themed departures
    • Managing expectations of yourself, family and friends
    • Visa and logistics traps to avoid
    • And practical tips to consider before you book

    Download our free worksheet to decide if repeating a cruise itinerary is right for you: https://sometimes-sailing.myflodesk.com/i0ol4p9hg9

    Send us Fan Mail

    🚨Programming announcement: We are publishing bi-weekly podcast episodes, so we can bring you more video content on our YouTube channel, @sometimes-sailing!

    Support the show

    👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.

    ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

    ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing

    💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

    💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

    📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

    🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.

    📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us.

    ©2025 Small Ship Cruise Talk. All rights reserved. May contain affiliate links. Some trips and experiences have been hosted. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Future of River Cruises, Expedition & Yacht Cruising from Seatrade Global Leading Cruise Industry Event
    Apr 22 2026

    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 beer, sake, and rosé spritzes) and cocktails, featuring standout spirits and beverage innovations from Seatrade Miami's F&B at Sea event that we think you'll start seeing on cruise ships very soon. (Just when you think juices can't get more interesting, we share what we learned about innovation in a glass, as we saw with Jucify!)

    Learn more about cruise lines like Century Cruises, AmaWaterways, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Atlas Ocean Voyages, and HX Expeditions.

    Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or still on the fence, this episode will open your eyes to how much the industry is evolving, and why now is a great time to get on board.

    Send us Fan Mail

    🚨Programming announcement: We are publishing bi-weekly podcast episodes, so we can bring you more video content on our YouTube channel, @sometimes-sailing!

    Support the show

    👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.

    ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

    ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing

    💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

    💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

    📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

    🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.

    📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us.

    ©2025 Small Ship Cruise Talk. All rights reserved. May contain affiliate links. Some trips and experiences have been hosted. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Cruise Tours Audio: How We Uplevel with One Simple Tool
    Apr 15 2026

    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 you’ll want to remember about them for your cruise.

    We also share the simple hack we use to ditch that awkward earpiece entirely (the AirFly by Twelve South, linked below) so you can use your own wireless headphones or AirPods instead.

    We cover the differences between the AirFly SE and AirFly Pro, the cost, tips for hearing aid users, and why setting it up before you leave home is a must.

    Whether you're a Quietvox veteran or have never heard of one, this episode will help you hear more, stress less, and look a little less like a tourist as you explore your next port.

    Please consider using our affiliate links to purchase an AirFly:

    • AirFly Pro 2 —connects two pairs of headphones to one device: https://amzn.to/3OamYGS
    • AirFly SE: https://amzn.to/4e2phWY
    • AirFly case: https://amzn.to/4edjQo2

    Thank you for supporting our podcast!


    Send us Fan Mail

    🚨Programming announcement: We are publishing bi-weekly podcast episodes, so we can bring you more video content on our YouTube channel, @sometimes-sailing!

    Support the show

    👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.

    ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

    ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing

    💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

    💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

    📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

    🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.

    📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us.

    ©2025 Small Ship Cruise Talk. All rights reserved. May contain affiliate links. Some trips and experiences have been hosted. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own.

    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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