About Us
Craft Cruises
Melissa Gower founded Craft Cruises in 1999 but started her career in the
travel industry in 1987. Although Melissa has worked in every aspect of the
travel industry, she has always been a cruise specialist. While Melissa
loves both knitting and cruising, what motivates her most is the shared
travel experience.
Melissa grew up in a home filled with arts and crafts. Knitting, quilting,
beading, crocheting, soap making and tole painting were all a part of
everyday life. Melissa grew up on military bases so gravitating towards the
travel industry seemed only natural.
Melissa earned her associates degree in travel and tourism and began her
career at The Cruise Shoppe in Bethlehem, PA specializing in cruises and
group travel. Within a short time it became evident travel was her passion
so learning as much about the world she was selling became her primary
goal. Melissa went on to earn a bachelors degree in international business
with a concentration in third world politics, economics and sustainable
development from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA.
After being a cruise specialist for a number of years Melissa now
specializes exclusively in educational cruise groups. Melissa is also an
Aussie and Kiwi Specialist and does custom itinerary planning to Australia
and New Zealand for New Zealand's largest inbound tour operator, Anzcro
Pacifica.
Knautical Knitters How it all Started
In 1998 the founder of Craft Cruises, Melissa Gower, received two very
special gifts for Christmas; knitting lessons and a trip to Stitches.
During this trip the idea behind Craft Cruises was born. Having specialized
in cruise and group travel for many years, Melissa, along with the support
of a few top knitting instructors, organized the first educational cruise
for hand knitters. Since then over five hundred knitters and their
traveling companions have cruised all over the world with the Knautical
Knitters.
The idea behind the Knautical Knitters is to bring knitters from across the
country and around the world together for enriching journeys of learning,
shopping, and sharing. Quality instructors are essential to each cruise.
Instructors are selected for their teaching skills, fun personalities and
expertise in the different regions being visited.