These Two Black Women Transformed Luxury Cruises for Black Travelers | The Layover Podcast
What happens when you put dozens of Black travelers on a luxury riverboat cruise through Europe to learn about our hidden history? You get one of the most profound travel experiences of your life. We sat down with Jazzmine Douse and Crytsal August—the two Black women behind AmaWaterways' Soulful Experience—to talk about creating space for us in the luxury travel industry, navigating backlash, and why they refuse to apologize for centering Black joy.
This conversation will change how you think about travel, representation, and what we deserve.
WHAT WE COVER:
1. How the Soulful Experience was born (and why it almost didn't happen)
2. What it's like being the ONLY Black woman cruise manager in river cruising
3. Navigating internal skepticism and external backlash
4. Why "We deserve this too" became the rallying cry
5. The destinations where Black history is hidden in plain sight (Netherlands, Belgium, Egypt, Portugal, Vietnam, Colombia)
6. How non-Black travelers ended up on a Black-focused cruise (and what happened next)
7. The future of Soulful Experiences: Mekong River, Christmas markets, and beyond
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction: Meeting Jazzmine & Crystal
2:30 - The Origin Story: "Why don't more of you guys come?"
8:45 - Crystal: The ONLY Black Female Cruise Manager in River Cruising
12:20 - What Makes the Soulful Experience Different (Food, Music, Family Reunion Vibes)
18:35 - Internal Challenges: Selling the Vision to AmaWaterways
25:10 - "We Deserve This Too" - Why This Matters
32:40 - When Non-Black Travelers Book a Black-Focused Cruise
40:15 - Support from the Community: What We Need from You
45:30 - Future Destinations: Egypt, Mekong River, Christmas Markets, Colombia
50:20 - Crystal's Karaoke Moment (Pajama Jam Night!)
52:00 - Final Thoughts & How to Book
BOOK YOUR SOULFUL EXPERIENCE:
AmaWaterways Soulful Experience: https://www.amawaterways.com/soulful
2026-2027 DESTINATIONS:
- Portugal (Douro River): Lisbon to Porto
- France (Rhône River): Paris to Lyon, 7-night cruise
- Egypt (Nile River): SOLD OUT for 2026 (book 2027 now!)
- Vietnam & Cambodia (Mekong River): October 12, 2026 (14-night journey)
- Netherlands to Switzerland (Rhine River): Christmas Markets, December 2026
- Colombia: Palenque, Barranquilla, Cartagena + 3 nights in Panama
ABOUT CULTURE TRAVELS MEDIA:
Culture Travels Media is a San Antonio-based travel and cultural storytelling company operating as "the BET of travel." We produce a quarterly print magazine, The Layover Podcast, and original travel shows that center Black and Brown voices in global spaces. Founded by Leroy Adams, we're building an archive of cultural belonging—one story at a time.
Culture travels, because you do.
FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
1. Black Heritage Canal Tour (Amsterdam)
2. Africa Museum (Belgium)
3. The Moors' intellectual foundation in Europe
4. Maroons who defeated the Dutch military 103 years before abolition
5. Why food and music matter in creating soulful experiences
6. Pajama Jam Night karaoke (yes, we have footage)
HASHTAGS:
#SoulfulExperience #BlackTravel #AmaWaterways #LuxuryTravel #TravelWhileBlack #RiverCruise #BlackHistory #CultureTravels #TheLayoverPodcast #BlackWomenInTravel
DISCLOSURES:
Culture Travels Media was a guest on the AmaWaterways Soulful Experience cruise (December 2025 - January 2026). This podcast episode is not sponsored by AmaWaterways. All opinions are our own. We are not travel agents and do not receive commission from bookings, but we're happy to connect you with trusted Black travel advisors who can help you book your Soulful Experience.
© 2026 Culture Travels Media. All Rights Reserved.
