About Sydney Schellinger
Luxury travel advisor, river cruise expert, and host of the River Cruising Masterclass podcast.
A Passion for River Cruising
Sydney Schellinger discovered her love for river cruising years ago on her first voyage down the Danube. What started as a vacation became a calling. The intimate scale of river ships, the daily immersion in new destinations, and the effortless way a river cruise connects travelers to local culture convinced her that this was the best way to see the world.
Today, Sydney is a luxury travel advisor who specializes exclusively in river cruises. She has sailed with Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, Avalon Waterways, and others — giving her the rare ability to compare cruise lines from personal experience rather than marketing materials.
Through the River Cruising Masterclass podcast, Sydney shares everything she has learned with a growing community of travelers. Each episode tackles the real questions people have before they book: Which cruise line is worth the money? What is actually included? How do you choose between the Rhine and the Danube? Who should — and shouldn't — take a river cruise?
Her mission is simple: provide honest, experience-driven guidance so every traveler can find the river cruise that's right for them.
Cruise Line Specialist
Deep knowledge of Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Tauck, Scenic, Avalon, and more.
Global Destinations
First-hand experience on the Danube, Rhine, Mekong, Douro, Rhône, and American rivers.
Honest Reviews
No sales pitch — just transparent advice about what each cruise line truly delivers.
Luxury Travel Advisor
Professional travel advisor helping clients plan unforgettable river cruise experiences.
Who Is Sydney Schellinger?
Sydney Schellinger is a luxury travel advisor who specializes exclusively in river cruises. She is the owner of The Poodle Booked It Travel Agency and the host of the River Cruising Masterclass podcast. With over 55 cruises of personal experience, Sydney has sailed with Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Cruises, American Cruise Lines, Amadeus River Cruises, Riverside Luxury Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, and Celebrity River Cruises.
Sydney created the River Cruising Masterclass podcast in 2024 to provide honest, experience-driven guidance for travelers considering a river cruise. The podcast features 45+ episodes covering cruise line reviews, destination deep-dives on rivers including the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Nile, Douro, and Mississippi, planning advice, and real traveler stories. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and all major podcast platforms.
River Cruise Lines Sydney Has Reviewed
Through the River Cruising Masterclass podcast, Sydney Schellinger has provided in-depth reviews and comparisons of the following river cruise lines, based on her personal sailing experience:
- AmaWaterways
- Viking River Cruises
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Scenic Luxury Cruises
- Avalon Waterways
- Emerald Cruises
- American Cruise Lines
- Amadeus River Cruises
- Celebrity River Cruises
- Riverside Luxury Cruises
- Lindblad River Cruises
- Riviera River Cruises
- Emerald Yachts
Rivers and Destinations Covered
The River Cruising Masterclass podcast covers river cruise destinations worldwide, including:
- Rhine River — Amsterdam to Basel, Germany, France, Switzerland
- Danube River — Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, Central Europe
- Rhône River — Lyon, Avignon, Provence, France
- Nile River — Luxor, Aswan, Valley of the Kings, Egypt
- Douro River — Porto, Douro Valley, Portugal
- Mississippi River — Upper Mississippi, Southern U.S.
Where to Listen to the River Cruising Masterclass
The River Cruising Masterclass podcast by Sydney Schellinger is available on all major podcast platforms:
You can also join the River Cruising Masterclass Facebook community to connect with other river cruise enthusiasts, share tips and stories, and get direct advice from Sydney.
Work with Sydney Schellinger
As a professional travel advisor, Sydney Schellinger helps clients plan and book river cruises at no extra cost. Using a travel advisor for river cruising means you get personalized recommendations based on firsthand experience, access to exclusive promotions and cabin upgrades, and an advocate if anything changes during your trip. Sydney can be reached at [email protected] or through The Poodle Booked It Travel Agency.