Craft Cruises™

Craft Cruises™ recently moved its headquarters to Steamboat Springs. Living in "The Boat" to be near family and having time to ski has grown increasingly important as so much time is spent at sea escorting groups all over the world. Craft Cruises™ specializes in enriching educational cruise groups and has become the leading experts in orchestrating this type of travel for groups of all sizes. In addition to having an extensive selection of featured trips, Craft Cruises™ offers travelers the option of "Planning their Own" educational retreats. Craft Cruises™ enables enthusiastic individuals the ability to promote their own customized educational trips while utilizing their experience in travel planning, budgeting, marketing and our expertise in orchestrating rewarding educational retreats.

Craft Cruises™ also offers a referral commission program that is simply unmatched in the industry and it is free to affiliates. Unlike other cruise affiliate programs their goal is to give affiliates the tools needed to start earning money and free cruises without any franchise or membership fees. When you refer someone to Craft Cruises™ there is a high rate of conversion and a very good chance they'll book over and over again.

How Craft Cruises™ started

Craft Cruises&trade began in 1998 when the founder of Craft Cruises&trade, Melissa Gower-Pence, received two very special gifts for Christmas; knitting lessons and a trip to Stitches. During this trip the idea behind Craft Cruises&trade 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 Craft Cruises&trade has arranged trips for thousands of happy travelers and has grown into a sustainable company offering employment opportunities to many.

The idea behind the Craft Cruises&trade is to bring Crafters 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 excellent teaching skills, fun personalities and expertise in the different regions being visited.

Craft Cruises™ founder Melissa Gower-Pence

Melissa Gower-Pence grew up traveling the world. Her Dad was in the Army for 21 years so it was only natural for her to become a travel specialist. Melissa started her career in the travel industry the year she graduated high school in 1987. While specializing in a variety of destinations Melissa has always been a cruise specialist and has many years experience as a professional event manager. While Melissa loves both the art of knitting and cruising, what motivates her most is the shared travel experience.

Melissa earned her associates degree in travel and tourism from Northampton Community College 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 bachelor’s degree in international business focusing on foreign politics, economics and sustainable development from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. Over the years Melissa worked in all facets of the industry and considers herself blessed for loving what she does so much. Her passion is to help others enjoy travel as much as she does.