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 really like.

For photos, visit our Maine Windjammer trip report.

We explain what a windjammer cruise is, where these historic sailing ships travel along Maine’s rugged coastline, and how the Maine Windjammer Fleet operates. We touch on its nine different ships, including American Eagle, Angelique, Grace Bailey, Ladona, and more to discuss who this style of cruising is best suited for.

We also set expectations around the cabins, Maine’s summer weather, cruise lengths, and getting to Camden or Rockland for embarkation. Island hopping, historic ships, cold ocean air, and lobster dinners: if you’re curious about unplugging, hands-on sailing, and experiencing Maine from the water, this is an idyllic escape. Part two covers life onboard, food, packing, pricing, and extending your trip in Maine.

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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 cruising, expedition-style adventures, or classic sailing, listen to this episode to discover what’s on the horizon.

Instead of an industry deep dive forecast, this is our personal take as expert small-ship cruisers who love watching cruising evolve and dreaming up trips.

We talk about why this is a meaningful year for U.S. cruising with America’s 250th anniversary, and also touch on what’s ahead globally, from growing river cruise momentum to expanding yacht itineraries.

We wrap up by sharing what’s on our own 2026 cruise radar, from returning to Maine on a windjammer sailboat to dreaming about rivers in France and Colombia, Japan, Norway, and bucket list destinations like Antarctica and Egypt. If you’re planning ahead or just love travel inspiration, join us to look forward and dream big for your future vacations.

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©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.

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 authentic, everyday Italian feel.

We also outline the logistics of getting from Venice to Chioggia, including the public bus options, costs, luggage considerations, and where to get off if you’re heading to the port. If you’re embarking on a cruise or planning a short land visit, this episode will help you decide if Chioggia belongs in your itinerary and how to get there with confidence.

• For more details on how to get from downtown Venice to Chioggia by bus, or alternative options such as booking a private car, read this article on our website.
• View our inspiring photos and info about Chioggia, which will help you decide what to do there. 

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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 the port.

Find out the most efficient way to get from Piraeus into the city, including taxis, Uber, metro, buses, and cruise line shuttles, along with realistic timing to help you avoid surprises. We also highlight the top sights to prioritize if time is limited.

Discover food and drinks, including coffee culture there and if you can easily dine in Piraeus, and the best restaurant view in Athens. If you choose to stay in Piraeus, we share things doing near the port, including museums, churches, beaches, cafes, and easy shopping.

Helpful links from this episode: 

• PHOTOS: See the Port of Piraeus Things to Do & what to expect, visually 
• Don’t forget to pack your AirFly

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©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.

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 surprised Sheri and her family in the best ways.

We are breaking down the itinerary (San Francisco, Astoria, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan), and discussing Sheri’s most memorable excursions—including a Sitka WaveRunner tour that turned into a truly special experience. You’ll also hear what Concierge Level Veranda really gets you, how Oceania’s dining compares to mass-market cruising, what entertainment to expect on the 670-passenger ship, and why the onboard library is a must-visit.

Follow Sheri’s adventures:

• Read more about Sheri's Oceania Regatta experience
• CruiseTipsTV on YouTube (check out her Oceania Regatta Video) 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisetipstv
• Instagram: @cruisetipstv

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©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.

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 favorites at the Back Porch Cafe. We share what lunches and dinners actually look like—menus, portions, shared tables, dress code, and how “American comfort food” the experience really feels.

We also talk cocktail hour spreads, cookie time (yes, even on excursions), evening sundaes and popcorn, plus the anytime snack stations that keep you fueled throughout the day. You’ll hear what to expect from the included beer, wine, and spirits, what’s realistic for mocktails and dietary needs, and how the included pre-cruise hotel meals compare. If you’re ACL-curious and want to know whether their relaxed, unfancy style fits you, this episode will help you picture yourself on board. 

Eat with your eyes? See the photos in this article on our website, Sometimes Sailing. 

For more American Cruise Lines listening, check out our episode aboard American Serenade on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

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©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.

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 Valley and that surprise day trip into Spain.

We chat through what makes Douro ships different from other European river ships, what the onboard vibe and food are really like (including how “Portuguese” the menus are), and why this itinerary is more bus-heavy and low-key than many people expect. 

We also talk about how wine-focused it truly is, what surprised us about the scenery in November, and why we’d add extra nights in Porto next time but we’re glad we stayed extra nights beforehand in Lisbon this time.

You’ll come away knowing who this cruise is best for (and who might be happier elsewhere), what to expect with excursions, buses, ports, and ship size, and how to set realistic expectations so your Douro cruise feels magical, not mismatched. 

We also mention our Douro River Cruise article with lots of photos and our episode, “Packing Tips: Our 5 River Cruise Must-Pack Essentials,” if you’re in planning mode. We stayed at The Ivens hotel in the heart of historic Lisbon and signed up for a Sintra and Cascais day tour with The Tour Guy and a fabulous food tour with Devour pre-cruise. 

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©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.

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’s version of The Retreat apart, from refreshed spaces to thoughtful service touches.

You’ll hear impressions of The Retreat Lounge, the subtle layout changes from earlier Edge-class ships, and why it becomes the perfect small-ship-within-a-big-ship home base. Listen to our interview with Celebrity Cruises’ Vice President of Product Development, Jeanette Coto Dou, who shares how the Celebrity Way culture shapes guest experiences and why new venues like The Bazaar feel so immersive and destination-inspired.

Our conversation continues in Luminae, The Retreat’s private restaurant, where we highlight the updated layout, how many menus rotate, and standout dishes influenced by Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. We finish inside our Sky Suite, discussing thoughtful design details, functionality, and how it compares to other suites we toured.

If you're deciding between suite classes or exploring the Edge-class experience, this episode offers a concise, firsthand look at what The Retreat on Xcel delivers. 

During this episode, we mention our in-depth guide comparing The Retreat, AquaClass, and Concierge for anyone weighing the differences. You can also learn more about this premium ship-within-a-ship offering in our related episode, Inside Celebrity Cruises’ The Retreat Suites-Only Experience.

Read our thoughts about how the 7 new spaces and experiences on Celebrity Xcel elevate the Edge class. 

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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 breathtaking views and cultural treasures of iconic ports like Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Santorini (you’ll never guess what happened that day), Olympia, and Athens.

We'll walk you through our favorite excursions at each stop, including third-party tour options we experienced firsthand. We share the unique aspects that made each destination special, and give you honest insights about the challenges and surprises we encountered. 

Whether you're planning your own Empires of the Mediterranean cruise with Viking, deciding which excursions to prioritize, or dreaming about this historic itinerary, you'll get our perspective on what makes this vacation spectacular and how to make the most of every magical moment.

The links below will help supplement this episode and take you to the tour companies we used to book excursions when we didn’t go through Viking: 

• We love Walks and Devour tours - search the Venice options to see what piques your interest. We highly recommend the “Venice in a Day” tour and “Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour”
• The Tour Guy made it possible for us to visit Murano & Burano from Venice in a half-day.
• Shore Excursions Group has a "back to ship guarantee". We did excursions with them in Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Corfu.
• Pack an AirFly for your cruise so you can go wireless on excursions. 
• Book your excursions via Viking before your cruise in My Viking Journey. 
• Here's exactly how to get from Venice to Chioggia with the public bus (with private transfer suggestions too).
• Docking in "Athens"? You'll really be in Piraeus.

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©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.

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 buffet and traditional Norwegian dishes at Mamsen's to the special Chef's Table experience and hands-on cooking classes that elevate your culinary journey. 

We'll share our honest impressions of each restaurant, including Manfredi's and the World Cafe, walk you through the convenient 24/7 room service, and reveal why afternoon tea with its pastries became one of our favorite snack options. You'll also learn the insider tips that matter – like bringing your own wine on board, whether the drink package is worth it, and how Viking Ocean's food quality stacks up against their river cruises. 

Whether you're a foodie planning your Viking Ocean voyage, comparing dining options across cruise lines, or curious about what "all-inclusive" really means on Viking, you'll understand precisely what culinary experiences await you and how to make the most of every delicious moment.

During this episode, we mention reservations. You’ll use My Viking Journey ahead of your trip for that.

Be sure to listen to our other episodes on Viking: 

• Viking Ocean vs. River Cruise: Same or Totally Different?
• Top River Cruise Line Showdown: Viking vs. AmaWaterways

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🌏 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.