Small Ship Cruise Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

Our unforgettable experience cruising around Iceland with Windstar on the yacht named Star Pride is one for the books! Tune in to learn the unique advantages of small ship cruising in this outstandingly gorgeous Nordic country, including direct access to ports, personalized service, and immersive experiences. 

Learn exactly what ports we visited and why they were special, about the breathtaking landscapes, wildlife encounters, and onboard education that enriched the journey. We'll also share our practical travel tips for visiting Iceland, including what documents you need and the costs of the cruise compared to other cruise lines, making this episode a comprehensive guide for potential travelers.

Here are additional awesome resources for you to accompany this episode: 

• View photos from our Windstar Around Iceland cruise.
• Learn more about the ins and outs of Windstar's "All-In" package, with WiFi and alcohol included.
• If we're going to a destination with great wildlife spotting, like Iceland, we never leave home without our favorite binoculars. 
• Find out about the Celebrity Cruises The Retreat class if you're considering a cruise with them. 
• We never travel abroad without our Solis hotspot. Here's why we love it.
• Find out more about Three Flavors of Small Ship Cruises in a previous podcast episode, including river, yacht, and barge cruises.

Please note: The restaurant Basil + Bamboo will replace Cuadro 44 acro

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Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

We are exploring the world of luxury cruising with expert Dana Freeman! She shares her journey, inspired by her grandmother's love of cruising, so you can understand what makes different cruise lines unique in the niche.

Learn about Galapagos with Ecoventura, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Seabourn and Emerald cruises, plus the intimate nature of small ship cruising for varied adventures. Dana shares luxurious experiences highlighting special culinary offerings, unique amenities, and adventurous excursions - from cooking with a Duchess in Sicily to a helicopter ride from a luxury yacht ship that pushed her comfort zone.

Follow Dana & read some of her articles here: 

• IG: @danahfreeman 
• Threads: @danahfreeman
•  Visit Dana's website for more of her amazing small ship cruise adventures
• Crystal Symphony Ship Review on Fodor’s
• Ponant Bougainville Ship Review on Fodor’s  
• Windstar Star Breeze Ship Review on Fodor’s 
• Seabourn Ovation Ship Review on Fodor’s
• Small Ship Big Thrills, including sections about Emerald Azzurra, Seabourn Ovation, & Ponant Bougainville
• Bon Voyage, Provence on a small ship during lavender time

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

Vacations cost money and we want to help you plan for your dream small ship cruises! Join us to explore the world of small ship cruising from a cost and budgeting lens. Find out what to save for an investment in a river or barge cruise, expedition, luxury yacht, or sailing trip. And guess what? They're not the prices you would think!

We provide insights into travel costs and inclusions, along with tips for planning your next adventure. We also discuss budgeting strategies and the benefits of working with travel agents.

Learn the answers to these questions & more:

River: What’s the starting price of a river cruise? What is considered peak season? What do you need to factor in that’s additional for your budgeting? What cruise lines are good to avoid a solo supplement (and what is that, anyway?!), and what’s a benefit of cruising during off-peak season? 

Barge: You won’t believe the small capacity of barge cruising! What’s the cost of a barge cruise? And can you pay to get the whole ship to yourself? 

Expedition Cruises:  Why do they so drastically range in price? And what’s included for a high-ticket expedition cruise? What gear do you need to budget for on your own (hint, hint: we recommend binoculars - listen for why that is - and buying or renting a telephoto lens).

Yachts: What are the big names in yacht cruising, and did you know you can use Marriott Bonvoy hotel points to get you on a luxury yacht cruise? Get a free welcome o when you sign up for Amex using our referral link.

Sailing Ships: Who are the popular players in this special arena? Find out and discover which cruise lines have motorized sails as opposed to cruise lines that passengers can help hoist up manual sails. 

We also share additional budget

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

In Part 2 of this two-parter on river cruising, we expand your knowledge about what it's like to river cruise. 

Whether it's your first, fifth, or tenth river cruise, you'll enjoy listening to our conversation as we reminisce about river cruise trips and planning - from why it's essential to get travel insurance (like that time we missed our first evening in Lyon) to why it's important to arrive in your port of embarkation city a day early. You'll relate to and learn from our experiences. 

Find out what river cruise lines are kid-friendly, about the 90-year-old woman who cruised with her 16-year-old grandson, what the big idea is about navigating river locks, and what happens when you need a visa for your river cruise destination. 

Dive deeper into these helpful resources, which we mentioned in the episode: 

• Read the Things to Know Your First Time on a River Cruise, which complements this episode.  
• Use an Airfly device for Quiet Voxes, which allows you to connect your wireless earbuds (like AirPods) to your excursion listening device. You'll find a link in our Cruise Essentials Packing List in our Amazon Shop. 
• Read more about Adventures by Disney river cruises, which accommodates children nicely. 
• We recommend shopping for travel insurance on Travel Insurance Masters. After you input your vacation information, they give you several plans to compare and choose from. 
• European visa EITAS info you'll need for 2026 & beyond. 

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

Maybe it's your first time on a river cruise, second or sixth. Whether you're new to this form of small ship cruising and want to learn more about what it's like to cruise on this type of vessel, or a seasoned pro who wants to reminisce and laugh along with us, Dan and Mikkel, as we recall recent river cruise trip, we invite you to join us as we discuss the Top Things to Know about River Cruising. 

Find out what a typical river cruise ship layout is like and how many decks there are, if there's a workout room on these ships, or what to expect in terms of a spa. 

Is your cabin location important? What are the dining options, or what can you expect in terms of entertainment onboard? 

We answer all this and more in this two-part episode. 

You may find these articles helpful, which we mention in the episode: 

• Read the Things to Know Your First Time on a River Cruise, which complements this episode.  
• Did you know that cruises that start in one city but end in another have a name? Check out the Complete Guide to Closed-Loop Cruises (and Open Jaw Itineraries)
• If you're wondering how to remember the port or starboard side of the ship, listen to the episode because we have a tip for you! But if you want more info, read this: Port vs. Starboard: Cruises Ship Left and Right Sides
• It's more likely to experience motion sickness during a winding bus ride during a river cruise vacation than it is on the ship! We always travel with Anti-Nausea Medication and Other Sea Sickness Solutions just in case, no matter the situation. "Better to have and not need," as Dan says.

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

Explore the world of small ship cruising, focusing on three main types: river cruises, yacht cruises, and barge cruises. 

We discuss the unique features, experiences, and benefits of each type, including easy embarkation, cultural immersion, luxury service, and personalized experiences. 

We'll help you understand the differences between these three small ship cruise types and guide you in choosing the right experience for your travel preferences.

During this episode, we mention our experiences on the Douro River, cruising on the Danube River (including sailing through the Wachau Valley), and seeing castles on the Rhine River in Germany.

Dan's love of the Tarascon Turtle is mentioned, which we saw on a cruise through Provence. (Mythical turtle photo is included in the link!)

We touch on their yacht cruise experiences aboard Emerald Azzurra and Windstar Star Pride.

And finally, we discuss our incredible experience on a barge cruise in France, including the Wi-Fi travel hotspot we always vacation with, so staying connected on the ship is not a problem.

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

Join us as we explore the differences between ocean & river cruising. 

Discussing our personal experiences on both types of cruises, we highlight the stark contrasts in amenities, entertainment, dining options, and atmosphere. Curious about the typical layout of a river cruise ship? Listen to find out what it is! 

Our conversation delves into the unique features of each type, from the spa options to dining, how river cruises are priced, the a la carte pricing nature of mega-ship ocean cruises, demographic differences, & ease of excursions on river versus ocean cruises.

You'll gain insights into what to expect from both cruise options, helping you decide which experience is best for your next vacation.

During the episode, we mention the following resources: 

• Ocean vs. River Cruises article on our site, Sometimes Sailing.
• Our experience in MSC Yacht Club.
• Our Douro River Cruise experience with Viking.
• The food at Enchanté and Palo on Disney Cruise Line ships. 
• Dining at Luminae, part of Celebrity Cruises The Retreat ship-within-a-ship suites category.
• You might not buy an Omega aboard a river cruise ship, but you can buy a luxury watch on a mega-ship, which has lots of onboard shopping. 
• Motion sickness is unlikely on a river cruise, but pack sea sickness remedies for other cruises! 
• River cruise

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

Come along as we explore a unique travel world within cruising! During this episode, you'll learn some of the basics of small ship cruising, like:

• What qualifies as a small ship, and how many passengers can you expect
• An overview of the advantages of smaller vessels
• The unique experiences small ship cruises offer

We delve into the community aspect of small ship cruising, the cost considerations, and how these cruises compare to larger ships. 

Our discussion of some popular small ship cruise lines will excite your future vacation planning - some of which you may have heard of, and others you likely have not, but are certainly worth knowing about! 

For more information about small ship experiences, we encourage you to visit our website, Sometimes Sailing. 

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

Small Ship Cruise Talk can help you plan more fulfilling vacations just by listening to the helpful information in each episode. Join us as we share insider information for a look into the world of river cruising, expedition, yacht, and barge cruises.

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.

If you've heard anything about river cruise lines, the names "Viking" and "AmaWaterways" likely sound familiar. We break down the key differences between and similarities between these two leading river cruise lines. Join us as we discuss ship design, dining experiences, excursion options, pricing, and the target audience for each option. 

With firsthand experiences, we provide insights to help you choose the right river cruise for your needs. Spoiler alert: the best cruise option of the two for you may not be what you initially thought! 

Here are some helpful resources for you that go along with this episode: 

VIKING: 

• Bordeaux River Cruise Review on Viking Forseti
• Our Experience on a Viking Douro River Cruise (In-Depth Review)
• My Viking Journey: What to Expect After Booking a Cruise (Before You Sail)
• Viking Christmas River Cruise with Dazzling Markets Along the Danube

AMAWATERWAYS:

• AmaWaterways Mekong River Cruise Review: 30 Unexpected Surprises
• Rhone River Cruise Review: AmaWaterways Colors of Provence
• AmaWaterways Colors of Provence Excursions during a Rhone River Cruise
• AmaWaterways Food Review (with Drinks) on AmaKristina
• AmaKristin

Send us a text

Thank you to our sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises. Find out more about our experience with this outstanding river cruise line, providing guests with the luxury of choice.

Support the show

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

✈️ Use our preferred travel advisors to book your cruise.

⭐️ Love the show? Please give us a 5-star rating (we'll read it on the air)!

💙 Join our Small Ship Cruise Talk community on Facebook.

💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

📩 Sign up for our newsletter.

👍🏻 If you find value in our premium cruise insights, support Small Ship Cruise Talk to help us continue to deliver expert guidance for your extraordinary voyages.

🌏 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 have been hosted. All opinions are our own.