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 bachelor’s 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.