As 2025 comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to look back on what has been our biggest year yet for Cruise Conversations. From podcast growth and YouTube growth, client bookings, and unforgettable cruises, this year exceeded our expectations in just about every way.
However, none of it happened on its own.
Instead, every listen, every download, every view, every message, and every cruise booked through us played a role in getting us here.This year wasn’t just about growth — it was about community.
The Podcast: A Year of Unbelievable Growth
2025 marked our strongest year ever for the Cruise Conversations Podcast.
Because of you, the numbers tell an incredible story:
- 640% growth in new listeners (nearly double last year’s growth)
- 31,300 total podcast plays in 2025
- Listeners were tuning in from across the globe, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Argentina (Top 5)
- We ranked in the Top 5% of all video podcasts on Spotify
Spotify Wrapped also showed us something we’ll never take for granted:
- 1,000 listeners had Cruise Conversations in their Top 10 podcasts
- 600 listeners ranked us in their Top 5
- 128 listeners had us as their #1 podcast of the year
That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from you tuning in each week, sharing the podcast, and supporting what we’re building — and we’re incredibly grateful for it.
Your Favorite Episodes of 2025
Out of more than 50 episodes released this year (Episodes 81–132), a few clearly stood out as listener favorites:
Most-Listened Episodes of 2025
- Sun Princess Cruise Review with Hans & Shari
- Norwegian Aqua Recap with Emma from Emma Cruises
- New Things Coming to Cruising in 2025
- MSC World America Inaugural Season Review with Ed, Jessica & Haliey
- Our Cruising Hot Takes
🏆 Top Episode of the Year:
MSC World America Inaugural Season ReviewWorld America Review with Ed, Jessica, and Hailey
These episodes led the way because of the voices behind them — and because you showed up, listened, shared, and kept coming back each week.
Growing YouTube Beyond the Podcast:
In addition, 2025 was a breakout year for Cruise Conversations on YouTube as we moved beyond posting weekly episodes and leaned into vlogs and original video content.
Here’s what the year looked like:
- 60,421 total views in 2025
- 5,900 hours of watch time
- 411 new subscribers added
- Watch time more than tripled compared to the previous year.
What matters most to us isn’t just views — it’s that you stayed. Watch time more than tripled, showing that long-form cruise content and honest ship experiences are resonating.
More Than Content: Bookings, Cruises & Trust
Behind the scenes, 2025 was also a huge year for our travel business.
A hundred plus of you trusted us to help plan your cruise vacations — from first-time cruisers to seasoned sailors booking Alaska, the Caribbean, and beyond. When you book with us, you’re not just planning a trip — you’re helping fuel the content we create next.
Your bookings made it possible for us to:
- Share authentic, firsthand reviews
- Invest more time into blogs, vlogs, and podcast episodes
- Grow beyond podcasts into YouTube and Vlog content
- Expand our team so we can bring you content faster and at a more regular cadence
- Continue bringing you our authentic experiences from multiple cruises per year
That trust means everything to us, and we can’t wait to continue to work with you or work with you for the first time in the new year.
This Growth Happened Because of You
One thing both of us know is that none of these numbers exist without the people behind them.
Whether you listen to an episode, watch a vlog, share a post, leave a comment, send a message, or book a cruise, you’re directly shaping what Cruise Conversations is becoming.
Along the way, some of you found us through Spotify. Others discovered us on YouTube, Instagram, or even a blog post. Many of you became listeners first, then clients, and some even friends we’ve met on board ships. No matter how you got here, you played a part in this year.
Looking Ahead to 2026 — Together
As we head into 2026, we’re excited — not just about where Cruise Conversations is going, but about continuing the journey with you.
More sailings.
More ships.
More destinations.
More opportunities for you to be involved.
And most importantly, more Cruise Conversations!
If you supported us in any way this year, thank you. You helped make 2025 our biggest year yet — and we can’t wait to see what we build together next.
We hope you have a wonderful and safe New Year and will see you in 2026!
Congratulations on your successes in 2025! 🎉🎉Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings you!