Welcome back to our behind-the-scenes series! In this episode of The Ship Less Travelled, we dive deeper into what really goes on when working as a travel agent.Why do we ask so many questions? Why do budget expectations matter so much? And what happens if the trip you’ve imagined isn’t available—or doesn’t quite fit your budget?We’ll walk through real scenarios that travellers face all the time, like:What if the cabin you wanted is already sold out?What if your dream trip runs too long for your schedule?How do we balance honesty, realism, and excitement when planning?We’re also tackling three big questions every travel agent should be able to answer:✅ What do we love to book?✅ What are we willing to book?✅ What are we not looking to book?At the end of the day, travel planning is all about matching styles, expectations, and personalities—making sure the journey feels right for you. Our goal? To help you book with knowledge, confidence, and joy.

✨ Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life of a Travel Agent ✨Ever wondered what a travel agent does or how travel agents work? In this episode of The Ship Less Travelled, we’re pulling back the curtain to show you exactly what goes into a day in the life of a travel advisor. From serving clients, answering their travel questions, and planning dream vacations—to finding new clients through referrals (and sometimes even while out walking the dog 🐾)—we reveal it all.We’re more than just trip bookers. Think of us as your partners in travel planning, strategy, and inspiration. Whether you’re just starting to explore travel for the first time or looking ahead to bucket-list adventures, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.You’ll learn:✔️ What a travel agent does for clients✔️ The questions you should ask your travel advisor✔️ The questions we like to ask clients ✔️ What information your travel planner needs from you✔️ How referrals, networking, and community connections (yes—even dog walking!) help clients find usIf you’ve ever wondered about the benefits of using a travel agent or wanted an inside look at how travel advisors help people, this is the episode for you. Let’s talk travel, plan smarter, and maybe even spark your next great adventure. 🌍✨This podcast is part 1 of 2, so stay tuned for even more on the topic as we spill the tea most travel agents won't talk about.

This episode might ruffle a few feathers—but it’s a conversation worth having. 🚢✈️Travel agents seem to be popping up on every street corner (or, more accurately, every Facebook feed). Many of them are hobbyists or part-timers dipping their toes into the industry. And while there’s nothing wrong with new people joining the travel world, here’s the question every traveller should ask:👉 Who do you want handling your trip?Someone dabbling on the side, or someone who has invested in training, product certifications, and real-world travel experience? Someone who might vanish when things go wrong, or someone for whom this is a full-time career and passion?We dive into the red flags you should watch out for, the right questions to ask when choosing an agent, and why working with a professional can make all the difference—especially when your money, time, and peace of mind are on the line.Because yes, you can book online. You can cut your own hair, sell your own house, or do your own legal work. But would you really want to? When the stakes are high, you trust the pros.✨ If you’re the kind of traveller who values candid communication, direct advice, and knowledgeable support—you’ve come to the right place.🇨🇦 For Canadian consumers, contact Dave Wentworth at www.destinationwhatever.com. 🇬🇧 For UK consumers, contact Lorraine McCowatt at https://bespokecruiseholidays.com/🔔 Subscribe to The Ship Less Travelled for more honest conversations about travel, cruises, and how to explore smarter.👍 Like this episode if you value working with true professionals.💬 Comment below: What do YOU think about the rise of hobby travel agents?#TravelAgent #CruiseTips #TravelPlanning #TravelAdvisor #TheShipLessTravelled #DestinationWhatever #BookWithAPro #TravelTips #SmallGroupTravel #ExpeditionCruise

In this episode, we're heading Down Under… way down — to the wild, rugged, jaw-droppingly beautiful Kimberley region of Western Australia! 🇦🇺Think ancient Aboriginal rock art (yep, we’re talking 40,000 years of culture), dramatic red cliffs, wandering wallabies, and waterfalls that just won’t quit. It's like the Outback turned the drama dial all the way up!Dave fondly remembers Aussie penpals from his school days, Lorraine’s recalls Aussie soap operas, as Commonwealth nations we've all been exposed to Australia one way or the other. Together we’re diving into what makes Australia such a magnetic destination — even for those who’ve already been.🎒 Never been to Australia? You need to go. But you know that already. 🌄 Already been? You'll want to go again — and do it differently.These small ship expedition cruises take you into the real Australia — wild, remote, and wonderfully weird. Plus, they pair perfectly with iconic rail journeys like The Ghan or city stays in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, or Queensland.Whether you’re dreaming of Crocodile Dundee adventures or a more glam Priscilla, Queen of the Desert realness, The Kimberley is calling — and it's anything but ordinary.🦘 No worries, no dingoes eating babies. Just unforgettable experiences, curated with care.📩 Trip inquiries:🌎 Canada & USA– Contact Dave Wentworth at DestinationWhatever.com🇬🇧 UK – Contact Lorraine McCowatt at bespokecruiseholidays.com

❄️Who wins the worst winter award—snowbound Canadians or rain-soaked Brits? Honestly, does it matter: a winter escape for all is the only right answer. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into emerging small ship cruise trends for Winter 2026. Whether you're dreaming of palm trees or plotting your next great migration from grey skies, now’s the time to start planning—these itineraries are hot, and availability won’t last.🚢 What’s on deck this episode?➡️ Longstay Cruises (30+ days): cross oceans, see continents, and trade that static apartment view for ever-changing horizons.➡️ Exotic River Cruises: including a brand new river sailing in South America you’ve probably never heard of.➡️ A river journey that comes with a potential White Lotus-inspired twist (just, you know, with fewer scandals).➡️ Lorraine’s latest inspiration—born from a local meal that led to a big travel dream. Can you guess where?✨ Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or simply dreaming of ditching your parka, this episode’s full of ideas to make your winter 2026 way more exciting.🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more cruise inspiration and unexpected travel gems.#SmallShipCruising #Winter2026 #TheShipLessTravelled #LongstayCruises #RiverCruises #TravelTrends #CruiseLife #SlowTravel

🎄✨ Christmas in July? Absolutely. ✨🎄This week on The Ship Less Travelled, we're unwrapping a topic that's merrier than Aunt Mary after a few hot toddies – Christmas Market Cruises.Whether you've been naughty or nice, there’s something for everyone:🛍️ Why settle for one market when you can visit several?Cruising Europe’s rivers lets you hop from village to village, soaking up centuries of tradition. It sure beats fighting for parking at the mall.🍽️ What do we personally love about the holidays?Festive lights, mulled wine, gingerbread hearts, roast chestnuts… and yes, all the food we can handle. Because calories don’t count at Christmas, right?🌊 Where do these cruises go?Think the Danube, the Rhine, the Main, and beyond – each with their own market magic, from Vienna’s elegant stalls to Strasbourg’s storybook charm.📅 When to go?Markets typically run late November to Christmas Eve – book now for the best cabins and flight options.🧳 What about solo travellers?These cruises are perfect if you’re going solo, with festive onboard camaraderie and shore excursions that let you explore at your own pace (and sample ALL the treats).🏠 Want to be away for the holidays?Many cruises run over Christmas itself – for those looking to swap peeling potatoes at home for sipping glühwein under twinkling lights in Europe.Because no matter what brings you to a Christmas Market Cruise, they’re warm, cozy, and comforting – just what we all crave at the holidays.And let’s face it… these markets sure beat sitting around eating disappointing Quality Street chocolates that just aren’t what they used to be. 😏🎁✨🛳️ What are you waiting for – Christmas?

🇫🇷✨ Vive la France! ✨🇫🇷This week on The Ship Less Travelled, we’re raising a glass (of Bordeaux, naturally) to celebrate Bastille Day with a love letter to France. 💙🤍❤️Sunflower fields, lavender fields… what’s not to adore? France is a feast for the senses – from the scent of fresh baguettes wafting out of a boulangerie, to the zing of pungent of roquefort on your tastebuds, to the feeling of Provençal sun warming your skin. And oh la la, the beauty your eyes will drink in.But did you know you can experience France in a whole new way – by river? Lorraine spills some tea – or should we say wine 🍷 – about her Rhône river cruise, and we dive into other waterways you can sail to unlock that famous joie de vivre. From the Seine to the Saône, France’s rivers are calling.🇫🇷 Where should you go beyond the river?🇫🇷 When to go?🇫🇷 And how has the City of Light changed for travellers today?This is the class on France your French teacher never told you about. Tune in and celebrate one of the most glorious nations on earth.🎧 Listen now and fall in love with France all over again. Vive la France, vive la République! 🇫🇷🥐🍷

🇫🇷 Bonjour, Comment Allez-Vous? 🇫🇷

We’re celebrating our 10th episode in style! 🥳⚓Join us as Lorraine shares her incredible experience recently sailing with Star Clippers aboard the Royal Clipper, departing from Cannes and circling the stunning island of Corsica, with a stop in Portofino for a splash of prosecco 🏖️⛵🥂✨

Pardon our French, but it was incroyable! ✨

Discover what it feels like to sail away on this majestic tall ship – imagine the emotional swell of music as the sails rise and your journey begins… it’s pure goosebumps. 💙🎶

Want to know:

What’s a sail away like with Star Clippers?

What are the cabins really like?

What immersive sailing experiences await on board?

Lorraine tells all about life aboard the Royal Clipper as she explored this Millionaire’s Playground and lived out a dreamy small ship adventure.

👉 Listen now and celebrate our tenth episode with us. Because life is better under sail, n'est pas?

#TheShipLessTravelled #SmallShipCruising #StarClippers #RoyalClipper #Corsica #Cannes #TravelPodcast #SailingDreams #Episode10 #Incroyable #SailAway #TravelGoals

Are last-minute bookings on small ship cruises all they’re cracked up to be? 🤔

This week on The Ship Less Travelled, we dive into the reality behind those tempting last-minute deals. 🛳️💸✅ Why smaller ships (including river cruises) often don’t have true last-minute bargains✅ Why being flexible is your biggest asset✅ Why an unsold cabin might not be the hidden gem you think✅ The sweet spot timing for booking: 90 days, 60 days… or much sooner?✅ How solo travellers fit into the last-minute puzzleSometimes you can snag an amazing opportunity, but other times… well, let’s just say it’s good to know what you’re signing up for. 😉As Lorraine says, “We’re here for you, the whole way through.”🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode now and get the inside scoop

🛳️ Ready to take your cruising experience to the next level? In this week’s episode of The Ship Less Travelled, we’re diving into the world of intensive cruising — a lesser-known but totally game-changing way to explore a destination.What is an intensive cruise, you ask? It's a style of cruising that focuses on in-depth exploration of a single country or region, often with more port stops, longer stays, and even overnight calls in iconic cities. This isn’t your typical “touch and go” cruise. It’s about immersing yourself in a place — its culture, cuisine, landscapes, and local life.🌸 In this episode:👉 Lorraine shares her firsthand experience on an intensive cruise through Croatia, hopping along the stunning Dalmatian Coast with overnight stays that allowed for relaxed dinners, sunsets, and deeper local connection.👉 Dave reflects on his trip to Japan and how it might have looked different as an intensive cruise, especially when the voyage is perfectly timed for cherry blossom season.👉 Dave spills the green tea with tips on pre- and post-cruise travel in Japan — don't miss iconic places like Kyoto, Tokyo or Mount Fuji. 👉 Hear where Lorraine is heading next on her upcoming intensive cruise !🌍 Why consider an intensive cruise?-More immersive travel experiences-Deeper connection with a country’s culture and people-Less time at sea, more time exploring-Ideal for travellers who want to go beyond the brochureWhether you're dreaming of Ireland’s rugged coastlines, Italy’s art-filled cities, Greece’s sun-soaked islands, or New Zealand’s natural wonders — there’s likely an intensive cruise that’ll get you closer to the heart of the destination.These are just a few of the destinations on offer. 💡 If you're new to cruising or looking to shake up your travel style, this episode is for you. We break down what makes intensive cruising so special, who it’s for, and how to plan one that fits your travel goals.🎥 WATCH NOW to see if an intensive cruise should be your next great adventure.