New Cruise Line Viva | Ep 64

Dr. Krystal Sodaitis sits down with Michelle McSorley of Nova Luxury Travels to explore the vibrant world of river cruising through the lens of the 2026 ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam. Michelle was lucky enough to attend the festive christening of AmaWaterways’ newest vessel, the AmaSofia, and shares the celebratory energy, speeches, drone show, and heartfelt quote from the godmother. The conversation dives deep into what makes river cruising special,  smooth sailing, beautiful scenery, smaller ships, and outstanding service,  while highlighting standout experiences aboard AmaWaterways and the lesser-known but impressive German line VIVA Cruises. Michelle details her stay on the VIVA Enjoy, including its airy design, all-inclusive offerings, delicious dining, and warm international crew. She also discusses exciting new developments, such as Celebrity River Cruises launching in 2027 and VIVA’s upcoming boutique ship. Listeners will walk away inspired by the variety of options in river cruising, practical insights for choosing the right line, and Michelle’s personal definition of luxury as effortless, worry-free travel. Episode Highlights: 🚢 Attending the christening of AmaWaterways’ newest ship, AmaSofia, in Amsterdam 🌈 The magical rainbow moment during CEO Catherine Powell’s speech 🎉 Festive christening party with live entertainment, speeches, and a stunning drone show 🛳️ Touring 16 river ships at the 5th Annual ASTA River Cruise Expo 🏠 Double balcony suites and the fresh “Vivace Red” brand refresh on AmaSofia  🌊 Discovering VIVA Cruises: the airy, all-inclusive German line with excellent value  🍽️ VIVA Enjoy’s three restaurants, gala dinner, and accommodating service  ✨ VIVA’s upcoming boutique ship launching May 2026 in Paris  🚀 What’s coming next: Celebrity River Cruises in 2027 and more options for travelers 💭 Michelle’s definition of luxury: effortless service where someone else makes your dreams happen About the Guest: Michelle McSorley is a Concierge Travel Advisor and Certified Travel Associate (CTA) who, alongside her husband Kevin, owns NoVA Luxury Travels, a Favorite Grampy Travels affiliate. A lifelong traveler who explored Europe and Australia as a child, Michelle is passionate about crafting personalized experiences for her clients — from land adventures to sea. Cruising holds a special place in her heart: she has sailed to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean with her family, and Mediterranean, Iceland, and British Isles voyages are on the horizon. She and Kevin are already counting down to a Christmas markets cruise on the Danube following the 2027 launch of Celebrity's river cruise line.  NoVA Luxury Travels, An Affiliate of Favorite Grampy Travels Email: [email protected] Phone: (703) 966-3587⁣ Website: https://NoVALuxuryTravels.com FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleKevFGLT FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CruiseFoodAndDrinksSociety  About the Host: Dr. Krystal Sodaitis is a pediatrician, executive, and life coach for neurodiverse physicians—and the passionate host behind Luxury Cruising. She brings expert insight and honest excitement to every interview, helping curious travelers elevate their adventures at sea. 📍 Website: luxurycruising.net 📧 Email: [email protected] 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/krystalsodaitis 📝 Looking for the perfect luxury cruise: Take our quiz 👥 Want to be a guest? Fill out this form to connect.  Looking for the perfect spa experience: Spa table Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.