By Arielle Nissenblatt

🛳️Podcasts For The Cruise-Curious

If you’ve ever gone down a rabbit hole researching your next trip, you may already know that travel podcasts can quickly become part inspiration, part planning tool, part escapism. Mikkel Woodruff of Sometimes Sailing leans all the way into that—specifically with a focus on cruise podcasts.

Mikkel is deeply embedded in the world of travel and small-ship cruising (she even co-hosts one of the shows on the list you’re about to read), and her picks reflect that expertise. Whether you’re curious about luxury cruises, Disney Cruise Line, expedition travel, or just want quick daily cruise news updates, this list covers a wide spectrum of the cruise industry.

So, whether you’re planning a trip (or just dreaming about one), these podcasts will help you get a feel for what’s out there, what to expect, and how to choose the right experience for you.

P.s. one of the best parts of my job (as the founder of EarBuds) is gathering niche podcasts and sharing them with people who might be looking for them. There are so many podcasts out there — who has time to sift through them to find the right ones. This list is a perfect example of the power of a niche!

Start here: the best cruise podcasts right now

The following podcasts and descriptions of them were selected and written by Mikkel Woodruff

Small Ship Cruise Talk (https://pod.link/1802110861)

Think cruises are all big ships with thousands of passengers? Think again! Small Ship Cruise Talk is co-hosted by husband and wife team, Dan and Mikkel Woodruff, who are experts in small ship cruising.

They offer listeners a peek behind the curtain of this elusive travel world with the only podcast of its kind, which focuses on small vacation vessels worldwide, including river, expedition, sailing, yacht, and barge cruises with 1,000 passengers or fewer, most with fewer than 200. Whether you're planning your first small ship voyage or you're a seasoned cruiser, they will help you discover your perfect intimate cruise experience.

DCL Duo (Disney Cruise Line Podcast) (https://pod.link/1501550336)

There's no denying that Disney Cruise Line is a mainstay of the cruise industry and offers a unique experience among cruise lines.

The husband-and-wife team Brian and Sam Flock co-host this engaging podcast. Not only do they talk about all things Disney Cruise Line, from ships to itineraries, onboard restaurants, and ports, but they also regularly have guests on to discuss their experiences and other cruise lines.

The Joy of Cruising (https://pod.link/1669861513)

If you're looking for a podcast that offers unique interviews with everyone from cruise crew to cruise content creators, tune into Paul C. Thornton’s podcast.

He brings listeners fascinating conversations with a new guest each week, discussing an engaging topic and exploring all facets of the cruise industry.

CruiseTipsTV Unplugged (https://pod.link/1454430628)

Tune into CruiseTipsTV Unplugged with host Sheri Griffith, a cruise expert who discusses everything from cruise planning tips to trip reports and reviews on popular cruise lines in 30-minute digestible episodes.

She answers listener questions and keeps guests updated on cruise industry news.

Cruise News Today (https://pod.link/1027216124)

Doug Parker hosts this daily show with quick hits for cruise news you need to know today.

Episodes rarely go beyond five minutes. The podcast mainly covers mega-ships, but occasionally the daily broadcast includes newsworthy announcements about small ships.

🤔Why Cruise Podcasts Are Having a Moment

Cruise travel has evolved over time. It’s no longer just about mega-ships (though those still exist and thrive). There’s a growing interest in:

Small ship cruising and expedition travel
Niche cruise experiences (like river cruises, yachts, and themed trips)
And yes, still plenty of love for big cruise lines and entertainment-driven boats

Podcasts are uniquely suited to bring potential cruisers into this space. They let you hear firsthand experiences, insider tips, and takes that you won’t always get from a blog post or YouTube video.

On Finding Your Perfect Cruise (and Podcast)

What I like about Mikkel’s picks is that they don’t assume there’s one way to cruise. Whether you’re: planning your first cruise, comparing cruise options, are deep into the world of small-ship travel, or just cruise-curious, there’s something here for you.

Learn more about our curator, Mikkel Woodruff, and her work here:

Learn more

Cruise Podcasts to Fuel Your Next Trip (Big Ships, Small Ships, Everything in Between)