DCL Duo Podcast: A Disney Cruise Line Fan Podcast

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DCL Duo Podcast: A Disney Cruise Line Fan Podcast episodes

July 03Ep.674 - Live Bonus Show - Disney Alaska Cruise: Glaciers, Excursions & Real Costs
After 21 Disney cruises, Kelly came home from the Disney Wonder calling her Alaska sailing a contender for her favorite ever. She is back on the show to break down what a Disney Cruise Line trip to Alaska is really like with an 18-person group: three glaciers in one week, a ship that felt surprisingly empty in peak June, and the excursion strategy that kept everyone together.
In this episode:
The Castaway Club booking trick for getting a large group onto the same Alaska excursion
Three glaciers, three ways: the Glacier Explorer, the Skagway hiker's-train hike, and a Mendenhall canoe-and-hike adventure
Real excursion pricing, from a 106-dollar train hike to a 358-dollar canoe day to roughly 900 dollars for helicopter dog-sledding
Why the Disney Wonder felt nearly empty in mid-June, and what that meant on board
How Disney Cruise Line handled a wheat allergy for a graduating senior, down to a from-scratch chocolate lava cake
Who an Alaska sailing is genuinely for, and who should book a warm-weather cruise instead
"I love this cruise. I think this might be my favorite Disney cruise I've been on and I've been on a lot of good ones, but we just had such a good time." — Kelly
Book with our guest:
Kelly is a Disney travel advisor with Platinum Mouse: Book with Kelly
Travel blog: Afterall Travel
Or follow along with her great tips on her DCL 101 socials on Instagram and TikTok
Support the Show: Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today — use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off.
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Apple Podcasts | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 13 min
July 01Ep. 673 - Live Bonus Show - Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise: Everything You Need to Know!
CT — aka Tin Foil Mouse Ears — came back from an Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise from Basel to Amsterdam and joined Sam and Brian live to break it all down. Castles, chocolate, a music cabinet museum, a perfume house that became the trip's surprise highlight, and a brutally honest answer to the question every DCL fan eventually asks: is Adventures by Disney worth the price?
In this episode:
A day-by-day breakdown of the Rhine River Cruise — Riquewihr, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne, and Amsterdam
How the AmaWaterways Ama Siena compares to Disney Cruise Line in room size, food, community atmosphere, and onboard vibe
Food on the ship: CT says it ranks a step below Palo for regular dining — and a step above it for the Chef's Table
Practical tips for European river cruising: church dress codes, packing layers, translate apps, and the gear that made the trip
Who Adventures by Disney is really built for, and when the all-inclusive, guided experience is worth every penny
Sam's predictions: DCL returning to New York City and late-2027 itinerary releases ahead of D23
You can find and follow along with CT (aka Tin Foil Mouse Ears) on all of his Disney adventures and prrognostications at his website, on Instagram and on Threads.
Subscribe to DCL Magazine and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off: DCL Magazine
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Watch on YouTube | Listen on Apple Podcasts
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 32 min
June 29Ep. 672 - What a 7-Night Disney Treasure Concierge Cruise Is Really Like
Jason returns to the show — this time with his sister Paris joining for the first time — to break down the family's first seven-night cruise: Concierge on the Disney Treasure through the Eastern Caribbean. Six travelers, three generations, two birthdays on board, and a long-awaited jump from short sailings to a full week. After a four-night Wish cruise that left everyone wanting more, the longer itinerary changed the whole experience, especially for Jason's son Casper.
In this episode:
The honest verdict on the Mickey and Minnie Cove Cabana on Castaway Cay, plus what "no more waitlists" means for booking one
How Jason arranged an Impossible Burger at every dinner through Disney's special request services team, including the 30-day photo requirement
Why Tale of Moana drew the biggest reaction of the week from twelve-year-old Casper
The Worlds of Marvel night-two dinner that genuinely missed the mark, and how the dining team recovered in seconds
The Facebook group strategy that set up a ready-made friend for Jason's daughter before the cruise began
The churro Mickey waffle rescue before an early port-adventure call time
"This for me felt like coming home... I'm back, and this is exactly how I want to feel... instantly relaxed, walking to the Treasure." — Jason
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel.
Subscribe to DCL Magazine and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the WDW Magazine store.
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 27 min
June 27Ep. 671 - Live Bonus Show - Is DCL's Alaska Worth the Cost? One Family's Complete Wonder Review
Rich just got back from a seven-night Disney Wonder Alaska sailing — and he came prepared, with a full slide deck, a family of four platinum-status DCL sailors, and a fresh frame of reference from a previous Antarctica expedition cruise. The result is one of the most practical and specific Alaska trip reports we've had on the show.
In this episode:
The honest cost breakdown for Alaska excursions — Rich estimates they ran 30–35% on top of the cruise fare
Why Deck 4 (not Deck 10) might be your best friend on Glacier Day — no lines, hot chocolate carts, and easy port-to-starboard access
The private fishing charter in Ketchikan through Exclusive Alaska — rockfish, bald eagles, a campfire meal, and fresh-caught halibut shipped home frozen
Packing reality check: Rich's family over-packed hard and wishes they'd brought half as much
The Broadway Star Series adult-only show: go early — all seats were full 30 minutes before showtime
Would Rich do Disney for Alaska again vs. a small ship expedition? His answer might surprise you
"I don't know of any other cruise line that does that [Glacier Day] well... kind of bringing out the magic of the day and the wonder of the setting that you're in. They really, really did a great job." — Rich
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with My Path Unwinding Travel
Subscribe to DCL Magazine and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the WDW Magazine store
Rich's Travel Agency — Family Passport Adventures
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familypassportadventures/
Website: https://www.familypassportadventures.com/
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Watch on YouTube | Listen on Apple Podcasts
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 19 min
June 24 Ep. 670 - Disney Treasure Babymoon: Sailing Pregnant on the Eastern Caribbean
Lyndsey had one rule for this trip: book the Disney Treasure, Eastern Caribbean, before 24 weeks pregnant — or the babymoon doesn't happen. Between a stage four endometriosis diagnosis and a surgery-to-conception timeline she had to map backward from her sailing cutoff, this cruise required more planning than most. It all came together perfectly, right down to a Enchantè lunch her dad is still talking about.
In this episode:

- Why Lyndsey reverse-engineered her entire cruise booking around a 24-week pregnancy sailing cutoff — and pulled it off perfectly
- The Disney Treasure pool deck food gets an enthusiastic endorsement: every station, including a solid 12-slice pizza run across the sailing
- A nearly four-hour Enchantè lunch that made Palo feel like rotational dining by comparison — plus a zero-proof pairing that impressed even the wine-savvy in-laws
- A front-row view of a brand new Treasure cast finding its footing: the stage shows absolutely delivered, the Sage & Coriander dynamic was still working itself out
- The grandparent verdict: longtime Viking cruisers who sail 15-to-20-night itineraries loved the Treasure — and are already talking about coming back when the baby arrives
- The boarding group tip Lyndsey only discovered unpacking at home: flip your Disney transport character card over — there's an earlier boarding group on the back
"Enchantè, though, was on another level. Like to be honest, our experience at Enchantè made Palo kind of feel like a rotational dining dinner." — Lyndsey
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our show sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel!
Subscribe to DCL Magazine and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the WDW Magazine store — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks!
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Watch on YouTube | Listen on Apple Podcasts
Book Your Trip with Today's Guest:
Lyndsey is an agency manager and travel advisor specializing in Disney and cruising at Wanderlust Journeys.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.wanderlustjourneys.net
nstagram handle unconfirmed — https://www.instagram.com/thewanderlustlynds/
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 21 min
June 21Ep. 669 - Live Bonus Show - Disney Destiny Through a 9-Year-Old's Eyes: Is the Destiny Fun for Kids?
Danny and Stephanie have been on the Disney Destiny since before it launched — from the shipyard in Germany to the christening cruise — but this sailing was different. They brought Jacob, their nine-year-old nephew, for his very first Disney cruise, and what followed was part Marvel pilgrimage, part parenting crash course, and entirely unforgettable.
Jacob had the deck layout memorized from Danny and Stephanie's YouTube channel before they even boarded. He rated everything "20 out of 10." And the thing he wanted to do most? Ride Aquamouse six times in a row on Cozumel port day while most of the ship was off on excursions.
In this episode:
Why a single glimpse of Spider-Man on the stern — spotted from a shipyard in Germany — made Danny and Stephanie declare the Destiny as Jacob's first cruise ship before they'd even booked
Their first-ever inside cabin experience on a Wish-class ship (including the one with an unexpected foyer) and whether the savings were worth it
The Broadway Star Series featuring Susan Egan and James Monroe Iglehart — and why Jacob ranked it his #2 show of the cruise despite having no idea who they were
Feast of the Lion King Night 2 menu, a server who broke out a full dance number tableside, and a nine-year-old adventurous enough to order lobster and venison on his first cruise
What a first-timer who spent years in Hawaii said when she stepped onto Castaway Cay beach for the first time
Why Danny and Stephanie believe DCL needs to expand its Royal Gathering-style reservation model beyond princesses — and their ship-specific character group idea
"We went on the ship for all these Marvel characters and honestly he met more princesses and like Goofy and Mickey and stuff... he told me about the roller coaster he built for 10 minutes and it was the greatest game he ever played."
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our show sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel
Subscribe to DCL Magazine and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks!
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Listen on Apple Podcasts | Watch on YouTube
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 14 min
June 18Ep. 668 - Bonus Show - Is Virgin Voyages Built for Alaska? One DCL Fan Found Out
Cathy sailed the Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady on its Mermaiden Voyage — the maiden sailing out of Seattle to Alaska — and she's here to give us the full, unfiltered report. From Richard Branson stopping by her dinner table on night one to a Scarlet Night line that stretched the length of the ship, this episode is packed with the kind of firsthand intel you can only get from someone who was actually there.
In this episode:
The luggage tag mistake that cost Cathy 30 minutes at embarkation — and how to avoid it
How upgrading one cabin to premium fare unlocked dining reservations for her entire group of nine at 60 days out
Mermaiden-exclusive gifts, keel coins, and what it was like to have Sir Richard Branson on board for the whole sailing
Why Virgin's ship design — all small indoor spaces and outdoor pool decks — becomes a real liability in Alaska
Pink Agave versus Test Kitchen: the food hits, the misses, and the brunch that underwhelmed
The best excursions she found — including the Turo car hack in Sitka and a wildlife boat tour in Ketchikan that delivered bald eagles, seals, and a whale tail
"That was the start of what became an entire cruise of long lines." — Cathy
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our show sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel!
DCL Magazine — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks! Join the waitlist and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the WDW Magazine store.
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Listen on Apple Podcasts | Watch on YouTube
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 16 min
June 16Ep. 667 - Is the Disney Destiny Worth It If Your Family Isn't Into Marvel?
You couldn't script a more magical first day on the Disney Destiny: Sarah's family bounded their way onto the ship in matching Minnie Mouse outfits, got pulled out of the boarding line as Family of the Day, and walked into a private meet-and-greet with Hero Minnie in the Grand Hall before anyone else boarded. And that was just Day One.
Five DCL sailings deep and freshly minted as a Gold Castaway Club member, Sarah brings one of the most useful perspectives we've had on the show: a family that loves Disney, doesn't know much about Marvel, and just came off the most heavily Marvel-themed ship in the fleet. Her verdict? The Destiny is her favorite ship. By a lot.
In this episode:
How Sarah's family got chosen as Family of the Day — and exactly what they were wearing
Whether the Disney Destiny's Marvel and villains theming actually matters for non-Marvel families (short answer: not as much as you'd think)
The dining experience in Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King and why Sarah calls it her single favorite meal in five DCL sailings
Why Hercules became the undisputed highlight of the cruise
The pirate makeover — is the basic $70 package worth it? And the smart money move Sarah made with costumes
A heartwarming moment from head server Raphael that helped calm a six-year-old's ocean anxiety mid-cruise
"I would put it at number one... what I would say gives it the edge above the Wish for me are the Pride Lands, the restaurant and the Hercules show." — Sarah
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our show sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel
Subscribe to DCL Magazine and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the WDW Magazine store — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks!
Stay Connected with DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Watch on YouTube | Listen on Apple Podcasts
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 6 min
June 13Ep. 666 - Live Bonus Show - Disney Wonder Alaska Trip Report: Glaciers, Sled Dogs & Lobster Night
When Oliver turned 12, his parents told him he could go anywhere in the United States. He picked Alaska. "He's not a dummy," his dad Wesley said. "He knows his parents." And going to Alaska ended up, very quickly, becoming a Disney Wonder sailing — making this one of the most intentional, joyful trip reports we've heard in a long time.
In this episode:
The family tradition of solo parent-kid trips that made this cruise extra special — and how Oliver's 12th birthday choice proved he was ready for it
Coming back to the Wonder after sailing the Destiny: what still works beautifully on the classic ships, and one very funny quote about the atrium
The Glacier Explorer excursion — what the guides taught them about glaciers, bergy bits, and cascades, and why watching the Wonder sail away in the Endicott Arm fog was the highlight of the week
Port by port: White Pass train and Liarsville gold panning in Skagway, sled dog camp in Juneau, and the Ketchikan Lumberjack Show — which excursions are actually worth your time?
Hot takes on the best restaurant, best show, and best pub in the entire fleet
The salmon donut situation in Juneau. Don't do it.
"The only person who's sorry is my bank account — but that's fine. They'll get over it. It's fantastic. The people that we've met, the experiences that we've had, the friends my children have made — 10 out of 10, man." — Wesley
Find and follow along with Wesley at his website, on Instagram, and Threads.
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with My Path Unwinding Travel
DCL Magazine — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks! Join the waitlist and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the WDW Magazine store: DCL Magazine
Stay Connected with DCL Duo:
Website | Watch on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Listen on Apple Podcasts
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 19 min
June 13Ep. 665 - Disney Dream Review: Multi-Gen Spring Break Family Cruise
Philip had one Disney Cruise Line sailing under his belt — a 3-night Wish sailing that converted him — and decided round two was the Disney Dream, spring break, out of Fort Lauderdale, with eight family members in tow. That group included his parents, who had never been on any cruise ship, and who had a 14-night Polynesian voyage booked for a few weeks after this one. As first-cruise warm-ups go, the Dream's 4-night Bahamian itinerary was a solid choice. What actually happened was a little more interesting.
In this episode:
Philip's approach to multi-generational cruise planning: set the expectation early that nobody has to do everything together — and let people self-select into what they actually want
What Silver Castaway Club status got Philip at the cabana booking window during spring break — and why he kept refreshing the app anyway
Beauty and the Beast on the Disney Dream: Philip has seen it on Broadway. His verdict may surprise you.
Why Palo brunch belongs on cruise #2 — and what Philip actually ordered when he finally went
The three-veranda trick: how Philip's family opened adjoining rooms into one long shared deck for eight people
Edge waiver logistics for an almost-11-year-old, Aqua Duck timing secrets, and the room steward pixie dust upgrade that requires a specific ask
"I've seen it on Broadway... but this outdid what I was expecting." — Philip
Support the Show:
Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with My Path Unwinding Travel
Check out DCL Magazine — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off: DCL Magazine
Stay Connected with the DCL Duo:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Listen on Apple Podcasts | Watch on YouTube
We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot:
Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12)
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.
1 hr 17 min

About DCL Duo Podcast: A Disney Cruise Line Fan Podcast

From the publisher's feed

DCL Duo is the #1 Disney Cruise Line podcast — your go-to resource for Disney Cruise Line tips, trip planning advice, honest ship reviews, and insider secrets from two of the most experienced DCL fans in the community.