Cruise Experts Since 2005 – Long Before “Influencer” Was Even a Word
We’ll admit it… there’s no shortage of cruise websites out there. Cruise news aggregators, review sites, YouTube channels, TikTok accounts – the internet is a sea of cruise content. But here’s what separates Scott’s Cruises from nearly all of them: we’ve been doing this since 2005, years before social media existed in any meaningful form and well before the word “influencer” entered anyone’s vocabulary.
We don’t consider ourselves influencers, as we all loathe that term. We consider ourselves cruise experts.
There’s a meaningful difference. An influencer is handed a free cruise, given a curated list of approved talking points, shoots a 30-second TikTok, and calls it a review – often having never set foot on a ship before that “free” trip. We are a team that actually sails. We pay for our cruises. We know the ins and outs of the industry – the experience, the ships, the ports, the quirks, the policies, and yes, the things that go wrong – because we’ve lived them.
With 100+ cruises and nearly a thousand days at sea among our team, you’ll be hard pressed to find any “influencer” who comes close to the depth and breadth of experience we bring to cruise coverage. That’s not a boast – it’s just the math.
What Makes Us Different
Unfiltered, day-by-day written reviews. Not a 30-second video clip that skips the food, skips the crowds, skips the noise, and skips anything the cruise line would rather you not see. Our reviews are daily, deep dives – the good, the bad, and the occasionally ugly – so you can actually make an informed decision before you book.
Real, cruise-tested tips. We don’t just rewrite press releases or articles. Our tips come from actually sailing – figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and what the cruise line brochure conveniently left out.
News that matters to you. When cruise lines make announcements, we don’t just repeat the headline. We tell you what that news actually means for your vacation – whether it’s a reason to celebrate or a reason to re-evaluate your booking.
100% independent reviews. Our cruises are paid for by us, period. The only exception is a casino comp offer – and those are always disclosed and never come with strings that social media influencers have to abide by to provide glowing, positive content. Either way, our reviews are never swayed by freebies, social media contracts, or cruise line relationships. If you want rose-colored-glasses coverage, there are plenty of influencers happy to oblige. If you want the real story, you’re in the right place.
Meet the Scott’s Cruises Team
Scott Sanfilippo
Founder & Editor | Based in Delray Beach, FL
Scott’s love affair with cruising began in 1994 on Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas – at the time, the largest cruise ship in the world. That first voyage hooked him, and he hasn’t stopped sailing since.
With hundreds of days at sea across more ships than he can count, Scott has sailed everything from budget-friendly lines like Carnival and MSC to ultra-luxury experiences on Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas, and Crystal. That range gives him a rare ability to evaluate any ship on its own terms rather than through a single lens.
His writing style – equal parts informed and snarky – has built a loyal following of cruisers who appreciate honesty over hype. Based in Delray Beach, Florida, Scott is ideally situated near Port Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Canaveral, which means he’s rarely far from a gangway.
Jason Jaes
Contributor | Based in Orlando, FL | Disney Cruise Line Specialist
A former Disney Cast Member, Jason brings an insider’s perspective to our Disney Cruise Line coverage that goes well beyond what any first-time sailing influencer could offer. He knows the magic – and the mechanics – behind the Disney cruise experience.
Living in Orlando, Jason and his family are conveniently close to Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line’s home base, making him our go-to voice for all things DCL. His family travel perspective is invaluable – if you’re cruising Disney with kids, Jason has been there, done that, and done it again.
Beyond Disney, Jason contributes regular reports from his other cruise travels, always bringing a keen eye for what families need to know before they book.
John Hoiden
Contributor | Based in Tampa, FL | Royal Caribbean Specialist
A former theme park manager, John is our resident Royal Caribbean expert – and yes, he is proudly one of those “Loyal to Royal” cruisers you’ve read about. When it comes to the Royal Caribbean experience, John has sailed it, analyzed it, and can tell you exactly what’s worth it and what isn’t.
John covers a wide range of topics including casino gaming at sea – where his knowledge runs deep – along with general Royal Caribbean news, ship reviews, and sailing tips. Based in Tampa, Florida, he’s just minutes from Port Tampa Bay.
Want to Join Our Team?
We’re always looking for contributors who share our passion for cruising and, more importantly, for telling it like it is. If you’re an experienced cruiser with strong opinions, a knack for storytelling, and zero interest in sugarcoating your experience for a cruise line’s benefit – we’d love to hear from you.
We’re not looking for social media personalities, anyone chasing free cruises, or looking to make a living off writing cruise reviews. We’re looking for writers who sail because they love it and want to help fellow cruisers make smarter, better-informed decisions. Specialty knowledge is a plus – whether that’s a specific cruise line, a style of cruising (luxury, river, expedition, solo travel), or a particular corner of the world.
Sound like you? Drop us a line through our contact page and tell us a little about yourself and your cruising background. We’ll take it from there.
Thanks for being here. We’ve been doing this a long time – and we’re not slowing down. Happy sailing.