Best of Cruising - Find Your Perfect Cruise Match

Join Ryan and Julie from Wonder and Beyond Travel for their milestone 300th episode as they break down the best cruises for every type of traveler. Whether you're a first-timer or seeking deep cultural immersion, this comprehensive guide will help you find your ideal cruise experience. What You'll Discover: Best Cruises for First-Time Cruisers: Looking for familiar destinations with clear daily routines and minimal stress? Perfect options include: River Cruising: Viking River Cruises (adults-only calm energy, straightforward inclusions) and AMA Waterways (small ships, intuitive layouts, guided touring included) Ocean Cruising: Celebrity Cruises (modern design, balanced activities), Princess Cruises (strong Alaska partnerships, clear experiences), and Royal Caribbean (variety of ships and activities) Best Cruises for Immersive Exploration: For travelers who want destinations to take center stage with meaningful, unhurried experiences: Riviera Travel: Elegant European-style river cruising timed to special events (tulip season, Oktoberfest) Azamara Cruises: Longer port stays and overnight stops for true destination immersion, plus signature "AzAmazing Evenings" Lindblad Expeditions: Deep exploration to Alaska, Galapagos, and Antarctica with naturalists and experts onboard Best Value Cruises: Understanding what's included and maximizing your return on investment: River Options: AMA Waterways and Viking (nearly all-inclusive experiences) Ocean Options: Royal Caribbean (wide variety for families and groups), Disney Cruise Line (premium service eliminates mental load for parents) Domestic: American Cruise Lines (U.S. rivers, nearly all-inclusive, drive-to embarkation) Bonus Feature: Julie shares an exciting Ireland trip she planned around a Luke Combs concert at Slane Castle, including Guinness tours, Jameson Distillery, and unique experiences like a sheepdog demonstration at a thousand-year-old fort. This episode celebrates finding the cruise style that matches your travel personality—not ranking cruise lines, but helping you discover where you belong on the water. Perfect for anyone considering their first cruise or looking to try a different cruise experience. Episode 300 of All Things Travel, hosted by Ryan and Julie, your travel experts from Wonder and Beyond Travel Support the show Love the podcast? Help us continue to create great travel content by supporting the show. You can do that here: Ready to plan your vacation? Most families are confused and overwhelmed when planning a vacation. We work with you to plan a trip perfect for your family. Saving you time, money, and stress! Visit our website and click on "Plan Your Next Vacation" Join the travel conversations and the fun in our Facebook Page and Instagram Page ! Please share the show with your travel buddies!! Click this link and share the show ! Never miss an episode and help us take you to the top with us by following and leaving a 5-Star review on your favorite podcasting app!

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Best of Cruising - Find Your Perfect Cruise Match is an episode from All Things Travel Podcast by Ryan Hedstrom and Julie Shaffer.

This episode is 21:27 long.

This episode was published on Jan 14, 2026.

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