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

Dan and Mikkel Woodruff | River Cruises, Expedition, Yacht and Barge Cruising
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

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

  1. Sep 24

    BREAKING NEWS: Explora Journeys Announces River Cruises

    🚨 Explora Journeys, the luxury ocean cruise line from MSC Group, announced it has signed a letter of intent, signaling without a doubt that it is entering the world of luxury river cruises, with bookings and more details on the horizon in 2027.  Today, we share the monumental announcement and how we found out the breaking news. Be sure to subscribe to the show for notifications of more breaking news about Explora Journeys and the world of small ship cruising.  Follow up on YouTube, @sometimes-sailing, and be sure to turn on the bell icon for notifications from our channelWe're on Instagram as well, @SometimesSailingListen to our episode about MSC Cruises' Yacht Club here:  https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODAwMDA1MwAsk a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    BREAKING NEWS: Explora Journeys Announces River Cruises

  2. Sep 23

    Norway Coastal Cruise with Havila Voyages: Southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen

    Thinking about a cruise along  Norway’s coast with Havila Voyages? We spent six days sailing southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen aboard Havila Pollux, and we're sharing everything we wish we'd known before we sailed. It's a practical guide to help you plan with confidence. We cover how to get to remote Kirkenes (there's no Uber, no taxis waiting there to take you to town, and the airport bus may not line up with your flight). We also get into what's in the staterooms and what's missing, how dining works with assigned seatings and repeating menus, and whether the Hildring fine dining and the beverage packages are worth the money. Plus, why you'll want to download movies before you go, how rough the Norwegian Sea got, and the seasickness gear that kept Dan from needing those Havila-branded seasick bags. Then we head into the ports. You'll hear why "over 30 stops" isn't what it sounds like, how to make the most of Tromsø at midnight, and the two excursions we'd recommend. One of them is the Trollfjord Sea Eagle Safari, where we spotted 17 eagles and watched our ship glide silently into the breathtaking fjord on battery power. We also cover the new Coastal Stopover program in Lofoten and the behind-the-scenes Insider Tour you can't miss. Finally, we share our thoughts on who this trip is really for, and we answer the much-debated question about whether Havila is a cruise, a ferry, or a cargo ship. Find the Tromsø Midnight Concert, our favorite binoculars, the travel adapter we swear by, seasickness remedies, and more below: Book the THON hotel in Kirkenes — we stayed there, and it was great. The shuttle to the ship terminal leaves directly from there: https://sometimessailing.com/iouz Book the Midnight Concert in Tromsø: https://sometimessailing.com/96gv Here are some additional 5-star tours to do on your own in Kirkenes and Bergen before or after the cruise: https://sometimessailing.com/norway-viator We stayed connected in ports and pre- and post-cruise thanks to our favorite travel Wi-Fi hotspot. Buy here: https://sometimessailing.com/solis-pod & read more about it here: https://sometimeshome.com/pocket-wifi-skyroam-hotspot/ We know the best seasickness remedies (stock these items before you sail): https://sometimessailing.com/anti-nausea-medication-cruise-sea-sickness-solutions/Our favorite travel binoculars help you get up-close to the distant scenery cruise: https://sometimessailing.com/w7w7 Shop our packing list for the Sorels Mikkel wore the entire trip, along with other waterproof gear in our Shop My store: https://sometimessailing.com/shopmy Buy the best travel adapter for Europe (including on the ship). We love the TESSAN Universal option: https://sometimessailing.com/univ-adapter Listen to this episode to learn more about our travel adapter recommendations: https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xOTU3ODY2MgTo learn more about the sustainability of Havila ships, listen to our episode about how Havila’s eco-friendly ships will affect your vacation: https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODg3MTI4Ng Ask a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    Norway Coastal Cruise with Havila Voyages: Southbound from Kirkenes to Bergen

  3. Sep 16

    BONUS: Bird Watching in Colombia with AmaWaterways: Kingfishers, Limpkins, Tanagers, Herons, & More!

    We're on Colombia’s Magdalena River, aboard AmaMagdalena with AmaWaterways, sharing everything you need to know before this bucket-list birding excursion, from spotting Kingfishers and the endemic Northern Screamer to exactly how to prepare and pack so you're comfortable for the full two hours on the water, with no regrets. The reward for your early birding wake-up call is a special breakfast waiting back on the ship that we tell you all about, plus a few surprises along the way that had nothing to do with birds at all. Grab our full breakdown of the gear that made this excursion even better below: Bringing our favorite binoculars is a must. (Direct link to buy: https://amzn.to/4cEzrvv ) Here’s why we love them: https://sometimessailing.com/best-binoculars-for-alaska-antarctica-cruise-leupold-bx-2-alpine-hd-review/ Buy an AirFly to make your Quietvox Bluetooth-enabled so you don’t get tangled in headphone wires during the excursion: https://amzn.to/3V45izD Listen to this episode to hear more about our Colombia River Cruise experience with AmaWaterways: https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xOTU4NTQ1OQ Or watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/j34hYWtJBMg Be sure to follow our show on your podcast app, or follow and hit the 🔔 icon to be notified of new content on YouTube: @sometimes-sailing   Ask a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    BONUS: Bird Watching in Colombia with AmaWaterways: Kingfishers, Limpkins, Tanagers, Herons, & More!

  4. Sep 9

    Memorable Colombia River Cruise with AmaWaterways on the Magdalena River

    🇨🇴 We just got back from Colombia, where we sailed the Magdalena River with AmaWaterways, the only cruise line currently sailing this river. If you've been curious about small ship cruising somewhere off the usual radar (but maybe you’ve already done the Mekong River or you’re simply looking to fly to a location near North America), we're walking you through exactly what to expect: the ship, the itinerary, the area’s offerings, and whether Colombia is actually safe. We cover the differences between the two river ships — AmaMagdalena & AmaMelodia — which itinerary direction we'd pick again, and logistics like flights and currency. We also cover onboard life, from the wellness program and emerald shopping to the delicious food and drinks, our favorite excursions, and a few things to weigh if mobility or noise is a concern for you. If you're considering this cruise or just want a real, honest take on visiting Colombia, tune in!  🦜 Watch our episode about the not-to-miss bird watching excursion during this cruise (with birding video footage!): https://youtu.be/bXVEn03cses Grab our packing recommendations and links to everything we mention below: Book the fantastic food tour we did in Cartagena on our own, after our cruise: https://sometimessailing.com/cartagena-food-tourSee everything we ate during the onboard Bolivar tasting menu dinner: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbtRDcDRyK1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Learn about why we love our AirFly devices that pair with Quietvoxes: https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xOTAwMTI0MgBuy an AirFly: https://amzn.to/3V45izDWe love our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, which has no international fees and gives us amazing travel perks (airport lounges included!): https://sometimessailing.com/chase-sapphire-refDon’t forget to pack the following items for your Colombia River Cruise: Cooling towel: https://amzn.to/46PosvKHandheld rechargable fan: https://amzn.to/4gIaAcHBeurer BiteX Bite Relief (it’s our favorite!): https://amzn.to/4gIaAcHBug Bite Thing: https://amzn.to/4cDdUmZAsk a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    Memorable Colombia River Cruise with AmaWaterways on the Magdalena River

  5. Aug 26

    The Only Travel Adapters You'll Ever Need for Cruise & Land

    Forgetting a travel adapter can turn "Let's go see Buckingham Palace" into "Where's the nearest electronics store?" ‼️ We know, because it happened to us. ‼️ Let’s talk about the travel adapter brand we've trusted for a long time (since we embarked on our fourteen-month "gap year" of travel years ago), called TESSAN. We're walking through the exact lineup of products we have at home so we’re fully equipped to pack for any trip correctly, no matter what country we’re visiting around the world. (The YouTube version of this episode shows us holding the products: https://youtu.be/cKn9RHTBi_0 Or view photos in the article on our website: https://sometimessailing.com/best-travel-adapters-for-europe-japan-and-worldwide/ ) This episode is sponsored by TESSAN. Watch us on YouTube to see each product up close, or listen along; either way, everything we mention is linked in the show notes. We break down what we use, including our go-to 7-in-1 adapter for mainland Europe (Rhine River cruises, Danube cruises, tulip season in the Netherlands, and more), a sleek pop-out-pin adapter that covers Europe in a compact design with lightning speed, what you need for UK outlets, and the swap-tip universal adapter that works in 200+ countries, which is ideal if you're doing a world cruise.  We also get into our Japan-specific pick (a lifesaver in older buildings with limited outlets), the fast-charging power bank that bailed us out mid-trip in upstate New York, and the surge protector we now keep at home. Plus, we tell the story of landing in London straight off a Rhine River cruise with the wrong adapter in hand — and exactly how to avoid that mistake before your next trip.  🧳 Find all the products below on TESSAN: https://tessan.com/CRUISE   ➡︎ US to Europe Adapter: Our favorite Europe go-to that we’ve had for years!  Buy it directly from TESSAN (our preference): https://sometimessailing.com/q3geBuy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4x9eYHj➡︎ Ultra Thin Universal Adapter  Buy it directly from TESSAN: https://sometimessailing.com/oxt2Buy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4zzenjZ➡︎ 6-in-1 Universal Adapter Kit  Buy it directly from TESSAN: https://sometimessailing.com/rx1a➡︎ US to Japan Adapter Buy it directly from TESSAN: https://sometimessailing.com/5y1nBuy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ztAjwL➡︎ 10000mAh Portable Charger with Built-In Cables Buy it directly from TESSAN: https://sometimessailing.com/hls1Buy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g6S11s➡︎ Surge Protector Outlet Splitter Buy it directly from TESSAN: https://sometimessailing.com/wmotBuy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hEWtpr Ask a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    The Only Travel Adapters You'll Ever Need for Cruise & Land

  6. Aug 12

    How to Surprise Someone with a Cruise: 17 Creative Ideas to Elevate the Gift of Travel

    Surprising someone with a cruise takes more than just booking the trip; the reveal is where the magic happens. We're walking you through 17 creative ways to announce a cruise, from low-effort tricks you can pull off in an afternoon to elaborate reveals that turn into an adventure of their own. We cover memory books, jewelry ideas, scavenger hunts, custom puzzles, countdown calendars, and even a special call from Disney that is perfect for children and kids at heart.  Some ideas stand on their own while others build on each other. We also share a family story of our own, including how a last-minute "whisked away" trip turned into a proposal. Whether you want something you can pull together tonight or a surprise that takes days or weeks of planning, there's an idea for you. Grab our free downloadable PDF with all 17 ideas, plus links to everything we mention below: Get a personalized fish tank sign: https://sometimessailing.com/dm6nBuy a message in a bottle: https://sometimessailing.com/avd2 See our SHOP MY page for our OMEGA Sailing Bracelet & Wildwood Oyster Company Seaweed Bracelet: https://shopmy.us/collections/6212017Our favorite high-quality memory books: https://sometimessailing.com/867d (read why we love them here: https://sometimeshome.com/high-quality-photo-books-travel/ ) Our Amazon List has great ideas to include in a cruise-themed gift basket: https://amzn.to/4xFmv0A✨ Get the FREE DOWNLOADABLE PDF with all 17 ideas on this page: https://sometimessailing.com/surprise-cruise-reveal-ideas/ ✨ Ask a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    How to Surprise Someone with a Cruise: 17 Creative Ideas to Elevate the Gift of Travel

  7. Jul 29

    Our One-Week Coastal Maine Road Trip in Depth

    The coastal drive we planned before and after our Maine Windjammer Cruise was worth the trip! We're breaking down our full pre- and post-cruise road trip, from flying into Portland (including the vital tip about booking travel that could make or break your flights) to the small towns, slow drives, great food, and memorable museums along the coast. We're covering the full pre- and post-cruise itinerary, including the convenient and delightful hotels where we stayed along the coast and what slow travel in Maine actually looks like, from what to pack to where to eat along the way.  This one's built for planning: we'll walk through how much drive time to budget between towns, rental car tips, and the easy-to-miss logistics like return-time cutoffs and why a buffer day on each end of your cruise makes the whole trip less stressful. Join us as we take you through:  Flying into Portland, Maine and renting a car (and the one VERY important thing to keep in mind when booking flights and a tip for your car rental)Staying in Lincolnville and visiting Camden and Belfast, MaineExploring Rockland before and after our Maine Windjammer CruiseEnjoying time at Higgins Beach in ScarboroughRead the article on our site *with photos* of everywhere we went and stayed: https://sometimessailing.com/7-day-road-trip-along-maines-coast/ Hotels we stayed in:  Inn at Ocean’s Edge: https://www.innatoceansedge.com/ 250 Main: https://www.250mainhotel.com/ Higgins Beach Inn: https://www.higginsbeachinn.com/ More helpful info from this episode:  The mosquitoes are out in Maine during summer! Prepare by buying a Bug Bite Thing https://amzn.to/4tzFG9M or Mikkel’s favorite electronic mosquito bite zapper to fight those pesky bugs https://amzn.to/4sSp4u2Helpful things to know about Maine during summer: https://sometimeshome.com/planning-trip-to-maine-in-summer-things-to-know/Maine Windjammer Packing List: https://sometimessailing.com/printable-maine-windjammer-packing-list/ (includes a video)Foods to eat in Maine: https://sometimeshome.com/food-maine-is-known-for/Travel watercolors set: https://link.amazon/B0imP44HtSea Bags: https://sometimessailing.com/sea-bags-sustainable-bags-from-sails/Acadia Guide Along: https://sometimessailing.com/pnoq Find out more about our Maine Windjammer Cruise experience on Grace Bailey: https://pod.link/1802110861/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xOTQ2NjI5NA Ask a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    Our One-Week Coastal Maine Road Trip in Depth

  8. Jul 15

    Our Maine Windjammer Vacation on Historic Sailboat, Grace Bailey

    We spent three nights aboard Grace Bailey, a historic schooner in the Maine Windjammer fleet, and we're breaking down everything you need to know for consideration before booking your trip.  From the small cabin to the beach lobster bake (s'mores included), we share what daily life actually looks like on a 19th-century sailing ship with no Wi-Fi, no fixed itinerary, and the ship's cat, named Fiji, who steals the show. Join us to learn about the accommodations, food, and the realities of sleeping below deck crew traffic — plus what to pack, how the honor-system doors work, and why carabiners became our best friend on board. We also get into the cost, from the per-person price to the Maine resident discount, and explain why Grace Bailey's "Captain's Choice" itinerary means no two cruises look the same. If you've never considered a Maine Windjammer cruise, or didn't know they existed, this episode will help you decide if slow, unplugged sailing is for you. Helpful resources from this episode: Maine Windjammer Packing List: https://sometimessailing.com/printable-maine-windjammer-packing-list/Bug Bite Thing (doesn’t require batteries): https://amzn.to/4byBC2ZInsect Bite Healer (this little gadget is amazing - we use this one the most to deal with bug bites): https://amzn.to/4gvhkuHAll About Stonington Maine (a port town on many Maine Windjammer cruises): https://sometimessailing.com/things-to-do-in-stonington-maine/Foods Maine is Known For (blueberries, lobster, hot dogs, & more): https://sometimeshome.com/food-maine-is-known-for/Listen to our additional Maine Windjammer Cruise episodes:  Part 1: Sailing Cruises on Historic Maine Windjammer Ships: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448059/episodes/18500617Part 2: Maine Island Hopping on a Windjammer Sailing Cruise: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448059/episodes/18537898Ask a question or send fan mail. Support the show 👉🏻 Press that FOLLOW button so you never miss an episode, released every other Wednesday.  Need help planning your trip? Check out our RESOURCES, whether you're looking to understand which cruise to book, which travel insurance is best, or how to organize your luggage with our packing lists: https://sometimessailing.com/resources/ ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @sometimes-sailing 📩 Sign up for our newsletter. 🌏 SometimesSailing.com has even more planning tips, firsthand experiences, & advice.   📱 Have questions or topic suggestions? Contact us. ©2026 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.

    Our Maine Windjammer Vacation on Historic Sailboat, Grace Bailey
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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

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