Cruising

I love all types of cruising. From small boats to large ships, I am happiest on the water. I have cruised with a number of companies throughout the world. Here I share the links to all the stories and photos from my cruising experiences all across the globe.

Cruise companies I’ve experienced:

  • European Waterways – France and Italy
  • Heritage Expeditions – Japan
  • Hurtigruten – Norway
  • Iceland ProCruises – Iceland
  • Pandaw – Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, India
  • Princess Cruises – Antarctica, British Isles, California coast, Caribbean, Japan, Norway, Panama Canal, Trans Pacific
  • Riverside Luxury Cruises – Netherlands and Germany
  • Running On Waves – Greece

 

European Waterways

European Waterways excels in luxury hotel barge cruises on the small canals throughout Europe. I loved the intimate environment, the bespoke tours, and the personal service I have received on each barge cruise I have experienced.

La Belle Epoque
European Waterways’ La Belle Epoque

Quiltripping  Travel With Rose podcast – Barge Cruising with European Waterways –  which is distributed to all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Audible, iHeartRadio, ListenNotes, etc. Also on my YouTube channel (part of the Big Blend network).

Why a Luxury Barge Cruise Should be on Your Bucket List – BlendRadioandTV.com

Small Ship cruising Around the World – BigBlendRadioandTV.com podcast

Barge Cruising in France – Vacation Station Magazine

For the Best French Food and Wine, I Took A Luxury Barge Cruise With European Waterways – SheBuysTravel.com and also syndicated to MSN and 25 McClatchy newspapers across the USA

La Bella Vita

I cruised on the La Bella Vita from Venice to Mantua through the Venetian Lagoon and down the Po Canal.

European Waterways La Bella Vita Cruise Review – Discovering Italy on a Luxury Barge Cruise

Memories From a “Beautiful LIfe” on the La Bella Vita – European Waterways Blog

La Belle Epoque

I cruised on the La Belle Epoque barge on the Burgundy Canal in France.

My France Canal Barge Cruise – Quiet Luxury in the French Countryside

My “Belle of the Ball” Experience On La Belle Epoque in Burgundy – European Waterways Blog

Boomer Adventure on a Burgundy Canal Barge Cruise – MyItchyTravelFeet.com; this story was recognized with a Silver Award in the Luxury Travel and Resort category in the 2020 North American Travel Journalists Association excellence in travel journalism competition.

Renaissance

I cruised on the Renaissance barge on the Canal de Briare in the Loire Valley in France.

An Intimate European Waterways Loire Valley Barge Cruise on the Renaissance

Cruising the Canal de Briare and the Loire Valley – Amateur Traveler podcast

A Perfect Luxury Barge Cruise is all About the Details – European Waterways Blog

 

Heritage Expeditions

Heritage Expeditions is a family run company based in New Zealand that offers off the beaten path itineraries to Antarctica, South Pacific islands, Japan, and South Korea.

The Heritage Adventurer
The Heritage Adventurer

Heritage Adventurer

I loved my experience exploring areas of Japan where I had not been to before on a 10 day cruise on the Heritage Adventurer expedition ship.

A Heritage Expeditions Review – Cruising in Style on the Heritage Adventurer

Japan Off the Beaten path With Heritage Expeditions

A Visit to Japan’s Most Sacred Island – A Day in Miyajima

My Visit to the HIroshima Memorial Peace Park – A Continuing Classroom For Peace

Quiltripping Travel With Rose podcast – Small Ship Cruising in Japan With Heritage Expeditions – which is distributed to all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Audible, iHeartRadio, ListenNotes, etc. Also on my YouTube channel (part of the Big blend network).

Small Ship Cruise With Heritage Expeditions in Japan – BlendRadioandTV.com

Small Ship Cruising in Japan with Heritage Expeditions – podcast on Big Blend Radio Vacation Station you tube channel, available via BigBlendRadio.com, Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Audible, iHeartRadio, ListenNotes

Small Ship Cruise With Heritage Expeditions in Japan – Big Blend Radio on YouTube

Unforgettable Moments: Heritage Expeditions Cruise Review – SheBuysTravel.com and also syndicated to MSN and 26 McClatchy publications

 

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten is the original Norwegian cruise line.  It offers a variety of itineraries along the Norwegian coast. I enjoyed one of the Signature Journeys which took me from Svalbard to Bergen.

Hurtigruten MS Trollfjord
Hurtigruten MS Trollfjord

7 Reasons I Cruised Solo in Norway on a Hurtigruten Cruise – SheBuysTravel.com

 

Iceland ProCruises

Owned by an Icelander and using only Icelandic guides, Iceland ProCruies specializes in Iceland circumnavigation small ship cruises that included the scenic highlights along with unique stops and experiences, along with unique itineraries in Greenland.

Iceland ProCruises review - sailing on the Seaventrue expedition ship

I toured with Iceland ProCruises on the expedition ship MS Seaventure on one of their 9 day Iceland circumnavigation cruises.

Experiencing Authentic Iceland in Style – An Iceland Pro Cruises Review

Shore Excursions in Iceland – How I Spent a Day in Iceland’s Most Popular Ports

In the Land of Fire and Ice – My Favorite Iceland Photos and Iceland Photography Spots

Quiltripping Travel With Rose podcast – Adventures With Iceland ProCruises – which is distributed to all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Audible, iHeartRadio, ListenNotes, etc. Also on my YouTube channel (part of the Big blend network).

How I learned to Eat Fermented Shark with Iceland ProCruises – fwtmagazine.com

Unique Small Ship Adventures With Iceland ProCruises – Travel World International Magazine

Circumnavigating Iceland with Iceland ProCruises – BlendRadioandTV.com

Adventures With Iceland ProCruises – BigBlendRadio.com

Adventures With Iceland ProCruises – BigBlendRadio podcast on YouTube.com, BigBlendRadio on Apple Podcast, BigBlendRadio on Spotify, BigBlendRadio 0n Amazon, BigBlendRaio on iHeart

Circumnavigating Iceland With Iceland Pro Cruises – Big Weekly Blend Magazine – Travel and Leisure Edition

5 Reasons Why I Chose to Cruise Solo With Iceland ProCruises in the Land of Fire and Ice – SheBuysTravel.com, and syndicated to MSN and 26 McClatchy newspapers

 

Pandaw

Pandaw specializes in river cruises in Asia. In fact, owner Paul Strachan pioneered the Vietnam-Cambodia river cruise on the Mekong which is now imitated by many. Their signature teak and brass boats are evocative of a time when travel was slower and more intimate. I loved the unique itineraries and the personalized service on their beautiful small riverboats. I have cruised with Pandaw in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and three different areas of India and have loved every single experience.

Laos Pandaw on the Mekong River in Laos
Laos Pandaw on the Mekong River in Laos

Pandaw Mekong River Cruise: A Journey through Four Countries – SheBuysTravel.com and also syndicated to MSN and 26 McClatchy publications

Laos Pandaw

I sailed on the Laos Pandaw on the Mekong River starting in Thailand and ending in Vientiane.

The Faces of Laos

The Boats are Back in Town – The Triumphant Return of Pandaw River Cruises

Bassac Pandaw

I cruised on the Bassac Pandaw on the Lower Mekong River from Saigon, Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Quiltripping  Travel With Rose podcast – Pandaw Cruise on the Mekong River –  which is distributed to all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Audible, iHeartRadio, ListenNotes, etc. Also on my YouTube channel.

Cruising With Pandaw on the Mekong River – Big Blend Magazine

Cruising With Pandaw on the Mekong River – BigBlendRadioandTV.com

Cruising With Pandaw on the Mekong River – BigBelndRadio.com podcast

 

Princess Cruises

I have taken quite a number of Princess cruises on a variety of ships so now when I get on board it feels like home, but with an ocean view. Movies Under the Stars, the International Cafe, interesting itineraries, and quiet sea days with a good book are some of my favorite Princess cruises experiences.

View over Alesund, Norway
View over Alesund, Norway and the Sky Princess

Princess cruising tips

Guide for picking a drinks or fare package: Princess Cruises Drinks Packages and Fare Packages – Which One is Best?

Discovery Princess

I took a coastal discovery cruise on the Discovery Princess from Vancouver to Los Angeles.

Discovering New Horizons With Princess – A Complete Discovery Princess Review With Photos

The Princess 360 Experience – A Performance for all the Senses

A Taste of All the Discovery Princess Dining Options Including the 360 Experience

Island Princess

I cruised on the Island Princess in Alaska.

Alaska Cruise Excursion Tips to Inspire Your Best Alaska Trip

Skagway Excursions On Your Own: Going Off the Beaten Path to Explore Carcross, Yukon

Majestic Princess

I cruised on the Majestic Princess on a trans-Pacific repositioning cruise from Los Angeles, California to Auckland, New Zealand.

My Most Memorable Princess Cruise – A Complete Majestic Princess Review With Photos

All My Memorable Princess dining Options Including the Chef’s Table

Regal Princess

I was on the Regal Princess on a cruise around the British Isles with stops in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Cruising Like a Princess – A Complete Regal Princess Cruise Review With Photos

Dining Like a Princess – All the Regal Princess Dining Options Including the Chef’s Table

Ruby Princess

I did a full Panama Canal transit on the Ruby Princess from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco through the New Panama Canal locks.

Living Like Royalty On A Princess Cruise – A Ruby Princess Review With Photos

I Loved These Panama Canal Cruise Excursions

A Costa Rican Cooking Class – Forging Local Connections on an Atypical Cruise Excursion

One Day in Cartagena, Columbia – A Colorful, Independent Cruise ExcursionThis story was recognized by the North American Travel Journalists Association with a Silver award in the Photography – Cover or Feature Photo/Illustration category in the 2022 annual media travel awards competition 

A Full Transit Panama Canal Cruise – Passing Through an Engineering Marvel

Why NOW is the Best Time to Take a Cruise – fwtmagazine.com

Sapphire Princess

I cruised on the Sapphire Princess from Valparaiso, Chile along the coast of South America, to Antarctica, and then up the South American coast ending in Buenos Aires. This was one of my most memorable Princess cruises.

What is a Princess Cruise to Antarctica Really Like?

Finding My Blue Heaven on a Princess Cruise – A Detailed Sapphire Princess Review with Photos

Fine dining in Antarctica – My Sapphire Princess Dining Experiences Including the Chef’s Table

Photographing in Antarctica – 19 Antarctica Photography Tips for All Skill Levelsthis story received an honorable mention award in the SATW Lowell Thomas competition in 2023.

Penguins and Ice and So Much More – My Favorite Antarctica Cruise Photos

An Unforgettable Day With the Falkland Island Penguins

Sky Princess

I cruised on the Sky Princess from Southampton along the coast of Norway past the Arctic Circle.

Cruising Sky High with Princess – A Complete Sky Princess Review with Photos

Discovering the Sky Princess Dining Options and the Chef’s Table Experience

Norway Shore excursions – How I Spent a Day in Norway’s Most Popular Ports

Beautiful Storybook Norway Photos to Inspire Your Next Trip

Sun Princess

Here Comes the Sun – A Complete Sun Princess Review With Photos and Tips for the Best Cruise

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Riverside Luxury cruises strives to be the best luxury river cruise company in Europe. My river cruise with them was truly memorable, especially the food which was outstanding.

Riverside Debussy

I cruised on the Riverside Debussy on a Christmas Market cruise on the Rhine River that went from Amsterdam to Frankfurt.

Riverside Debussy
Riverside Debussy on the Rhine River – photo by Riverside Luxury Cruises

A complete Riverside Debussy Review – Cruising Europe’s Rhine River in Total Luxury

A Photo Journey Through My Best Rhine River Christmas Market Cruise With Riverside Luxury Cruises

A Perfect Rhine River Christmas Market Cruise With Riverside Luxury Cruises – SheBuysTrave.com, and also syndicated to MSN, and 28 McClatchy newspapers across the US.

Quiltripping Travel With Rose podcast – my monthly podcast which is distributed to all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple, Amazon & Audible, iHeartRadio, ListenNotes, etc. Also available on  my YouTube channel.

Luxury Christmas Market Cruise on the Riverside Debussy – BigBlendRadioandTV.com. Also published on BigBlendRadio.com podcast channel, Vacation Station Travel podcast channel, Big Daily Blend podcast channel

Luxury Christmas Market Cruise on the Riverside Debussy – Big blend Radio on YouTube.

Running On Waves

Running on Waves is a bountiful sailing vessel that specializes in small group itineraries around the Greek Islands. I have enjoyed sailing on her twice.

a luxury sailing holiday in Greece with Running On Waves ship
The beautiful Running On Waves ship

Release Your Inner Jackie O On a Sailing Holiday in GreeceThis story was recognized by the North American Travel Journalists Association with a Silver award in the Cruise category in the 2021 annual media travel awards competition .

Cruising in Style to the Most Beautiful Islands in Greece

A History Lovers Guide to One Day in Kos, Greece

Running On Waves Review: Unforgettable Greek Sailing Vacation – SheBuysTrave.com and also syndicated to MSN and 26 McClatchy newspapers cross the USA