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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 Excursion – This 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 Levels – this 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.
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.
Release Your Inner Jackie O On a Sailing Holiday in Greece – This 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