Craft Cruises™

Melissa Gower-Pence started her career in the travel industry in 1987 and founded Craft Cruises™ in 1999. While specializing in a variety of destinations throughout the years 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 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 bachelor’s degree in international business focusing on foreign politics, economics and sustainable development from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA.

Craft Cruises™ specializes exclusively in educational cruise groups. In addition to our schedule of Craft Cruise™ sponsored trips planning your own is a new service offered to those wanting to organize their own educational retreat at sea.

How Craft Cruises™ started

Craft Cruises™ began in 1998 when the founder of Craft Cruises™, 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™ 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™ has arranged trips for thousands of happy travelers.

The idea behind the Craft Cruises™ 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 teaching skills, fun personalities and expertise in the different regions being visited.