Small Ship Cruise Talk

Dan and Mikkel Woodruff
  • 5.0 (12)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 7H AGO

    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 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/4edjQo2Thank you for supporting our podcast! Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    21 min

  2. APR 8

    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 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 adventures, catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing, and more. Lastly, we’ll let you know what to bring along with you if you decide to sign up for one (like motion sickness medicine, just in case, and sun-blocking essentials).  During this episode, we mention:  Motion sickness remedies: https://sometimessailing.com/anti-nausea-medication-cruise-sea-sickness-solutions/Mikkel’s favorite electronic mosquito bite zapper to fight those pesky bugs: https://amzn.to/4sSp4u2Or use the Bug Bite Thing:  https://amzn.to/4tzFG9MOur favorite excursions in Ketchikan: https://sometimessailing.com/ketchikan-top-activities-things-to-do-with-useful-area-info-map/Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    26 min

  3. APR 1

    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 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 and Paducah’s Quilt Museum, which we experienced firsthand. We also cover tips for excursions, what to expect in these quieter destinations, and how to extend your trip before or after your cruise in Chattanooga, Nashville, or Franklin, TN. In Part 1 (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448059/episodes/18904212), we talked about the overall experience of river cruising on the Tennessee River, what the ship is like, and who this type of cruise is best for. Here are helpful links to go along with this episode, which include photos:  American Cruise Lines: Tennessee River Cruise Review from Chattanooga to Nashville: https://sometimessailing.com/american-cruise-lines-tennessee-river-cruise-review-from-chattanooga-to-nashville/ Is the Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour Worth it? https://sometimeshome.com/is-the-grand-ole-opry-backstage-tour-worth-it-in-nashville/26 Date Ideas in Franklin, Tennessee: https://sometimeshome.com/date-ideas-in-franklin-tn-for-couples/The Harpeth Hotel Review: https://sometimeshome.com/the-harpeth-hotel-review-in-downtown-franklin-tennessee/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    33 min

  4. MAR 25

    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 (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 through the American South, including insights into the food.  The evening musical entertainment wowed us and is a reason enough to go on this cruise! We tell you all about it, including the Country Music Hall of Famer who came on board American Serenade.  Next week in Part 2, we’ll walk through the full itinerary day by day so you can hear what each stop along the river was like and what the experience looks like once you’re actually on the cruise. For photos of the experience and more information, read our article: https://sometimessailing.com/american-cruise-lines-tennessee-river-cruise-review-from-chattanooga-to-nashville/  Additionally, tune into our episode that extensively covers American Cruise Lines’ food: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448059/episodes/18327277 Need an overview of American Cruise Lines? Check this out: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448059/episodes/17477271 Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    24 min

  5. MAR 18

    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 innovation is reshaping the industry. We share how this directly impacts your experience—quieter, near-silent sailing through pristine landscapes, more intentional dining that reduces waste, and protecting the wildlife and destinations you came to see. We also get honest about the pros, limits, and future of greener travel. If you want to cruise more consciously without sacrificing the experience, this episode shows why it matters—for your trip now and the future of travel. Follow Joel’s travels and read his fantastic articles on Instagram and his website:  Joel’s website: https://joelbalsam.com/Instagram @joelbalsam: https://www.instagram.com/joelbalsam/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    30 min

  6. MAR 11

    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.  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 washing clothes while on vacation much easier. If you’ve ever wondered how to pack less and the best way to stay fresh while traveling, we’ve got you covered. Here are vital items that we’ve personally used to help us launder our clothes so we’re fresh and clean while traveling: Hegs clothespins (the most amazing clothespins that help you hang more with fewer pins - great for travel): https://amzn.to/4biuA1kLaundry travel kit, including Tide packs: https://amzn.to/4cGPw4IRefillable containers (refill one with laundry detergent, and be sure to properly label it): https://amzn.to/40qc16wLaundry detergent sheets (eliminates the risk of liquid detergent leaking in your luggage): https://amzn.to/3PuY057Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    12 min

  7. MAR 4

    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 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 seasickness fears are usually unfounded, what not to pack, how river levels can impact itineraries, and why these sailings are far more port-focused than ocean cruises. If you want realistic expectations, smarter planning, to avoid cruise mishaps or cruise mistakes, and a smoother first river cruise experience, this one’s for you. Here are some helpful articles and episodes to tune into if you’re planning your river cruise:  Motion Sickness Remedies (for bus rides, if you’re prone to motion sickness) Packing Tips: Our 5 River Cruise Must-Pack EssentialsRiver cruise category on Sometimes SailingTop things to know your first time river cruising (Part 1 of 2)Viking vs. AmaWaterways: Who wins? All About American River Cruises with American Cruise LinesChristmas Markets River Cruise Planning Guide (Part 1 of 2)Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    21 min

  8. FEB 25

    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 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 ideal passenger is for each. We also dive into the food: from gourmet French cheeses and wine on the barge to classic lobster bakes and fresh coastal fare in Maine. If you’re curious about slow travel, immersive itineraries, and unforgettable culinary moments, this conversation will help you decide which small-ship cruise is right for you. Follow Tamara:  Website: https://yourtimetofly.comInstagram: @yourtimetoflyFacebook: https://facebook.com/yourtimetofly Download Tamara’s free guide to Boutique Hotels in Europe! Send us Fan Mail Support the show 👉🏻 Subscribe so you never miss an episode, released every Wednesday.  ✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.  💙 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.

    33 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Dan and Mikkel Woodruff
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Small Ship Cruise Talk
  • Show Website
    Small Ship Cruise Talk

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