Curious about Road Scholar travel programs, but not sure if it's right for you? This episode gives you everything you need to know about the cruise trips (called “Afloat” programs) with Road Scholar, a prestigious non-profit travel company.

We hear directly from Zoe Fox-Mailer, Director of Programming at Road Scholar, on exactly how the Adventure Afloat program works — how trips are structured, what a typical day looks like, how the floating campus model creates a real learning experience without feeling like a classroom, and how solo travelers are set up to actually connect with people. 

If you've ever wondered what separates a Road Scholar cruise from just booking any small ship sailing, this conversation answers that.

Then Wendy Baldwin — a Road Scholar veteran with 22+ programs completed — shares what it's actually like to be on these trips as a solo traveler. She's cruised to Holland, Greenland, Scotland, Antarctica, and Norway with Road Scholar, and she's headed to Patagonia next! 

More importantly, she was skeptical of group travel before her first program. If you are too, you'll want to hear what changed her mind.

By the end of this episode, you'll know whether Road Scholar is the right fit for the way you want to travel.

Check out the Road Scholar Facebook groups:

https://www.roadscholar.org/community/facebook-discussion-groups/

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

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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 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

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🚨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. 

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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. 

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.

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🚨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. 

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💻 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, & Pinterest.

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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. 

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. 

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/4sSp4u2
• Or use the Bug Bite Thing:  https://amzn.to/4tzFG9M
• Our favorite excursions in Ketchikan: https://sometimessailing.com/ketchikan-top-activities-things-to-do-with-useful-area-info-map/

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. 

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

🚨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. 

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

🚨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.

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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. 

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

🚨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. 

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/4biuA1k
• Laundry travel kit, including Tide packs: https://amzn.to/4cGPw4I
• Refillable containers (refill one with laundry detergent, and be sure to properly label it): https://amzn.to/40qc16w
• Laundry detergent sheets (eliminates the risk of liquid detergent leaking in your luggage): https://amzn.to/3PuY057

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. 

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 Essentials
• River cruise category on Sometimes Sailing
• Top 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 Lines
• Christmas Markets River Cruise Planning Guide (Part 1 of 2)

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.