DCL Duo Podcast: A Disney Cruise Line Fan Podcast

Brian & Sam
  • 4.7 (23)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Semiweekly

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. Hosted by Brian Flock and Samantha Kanner (Pearl Castaways with 35+ sailings), DCL Duo covers everything you need to know about sailing with Disney Cruise Line — from choosing the right ship and itinerary, to navigating concierge service, dining reservations, port adventures, onboard activities, and the newest ships like the Disney Treasure and Disney Adventure. Whether you're a first-time Disney cruiser or a seasoned DCL veteran, we help you make the most of every sailing. With 650+ episodes and over 1.1 million downloads, DCL Duo is the most trusted voice in the Disney Cruise Line community. We go beyond the glossy brochure with in-depth reviews, candid guest interviews, real listener questions, and the kind of detail that actually helps you plan — from what to pack to which dining experiences are worth every penny. And, we are *not* travel agents! What you'll find on DCL Duo: - Disney Cruise Line ship reviews (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny, Disney Adventure, Disney Believe, and beyond.) - Disney Cruise Line itinerary planning — Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Bahamas, and more - Concierge and Castaway Club tips for every level - Adventures by Disney travel, Disney Vacation Club, and onboard dining deep dives - Port of call guides and private excursion recommendations - New ship news, DCL announcements, and Walt Disney World sailings Ranked by Feedspot as the #1 Disney Cruise Line Podcast, #2 Cruise Podcast, #4 Disney Podcast, and a Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencer — DCL Duo is where the Disney cruise community comes to plan smarter and sail better. New episodes drop 2-3x a week. Subscribe now and never miss a sailing. 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. Ep. 670 - Disney Treasure Babymoon: Sailing Pregnant on the Eastern Caribbean

    18 hrs ago

    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: lyndsey@wanderlustjourneys.net 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.

    1h 20m
  2. Ep. 669 - Live Bonus Show - Disney Destiny Through a 9-Year-Old's Eyes: Is the Destiny Fun for Kids?

    3d ago ·  Bonus

    Ep. 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.

    1h 13m
  3. Ep. 668 - Bonus Show - Is Virgin Voyages Built for Alaska? One DCL Fan Found Out

    6d ago ·  Bonus

    Ep. 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.

    1h 16m
  4. Ep. 667 - Is the Disney Destiny Worth It If Your Family Isn't Into Marvel?

    Jun 16

    Ep. 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.

    1h 5m
  5. Ep. 666 - Live Bonus Show - Disney Wonder Alaska Trip Report: Glaciers, Sled Dogs & Lobster Night

    Jun 13 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 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.

    1h 19m
  6. Ep. 665 - Disney Dream Review: Multi-Gen Spring Break Family Cruise

    Jun 13

    Ep. 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.

    1h 17m
  7. Ep. 664 - Bonus Show - When a Disney Cruise Becomes a Medical Emergency: One Family's Story

    Jun 9 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 664 - Bonus Show - When a Disney Cruise Becomes a Medical Emergency: One Family's Story

    Michele had never been on a Disney cruise before. Her mother had just gotten stitches from a fall in the backyard. Two doctors cleared her to travel. None of that mattered on Day 2 of their five-night Disney Dream sailing, when a routine check turned into a race to Nassau — and a lesson in how Disney Cruise Line handles the moments when everything goes wrong. In this episode: How Michele's mom went from a routine leg injury to a medical emergency on Day 2 of their first DCL cruise on the Disney Dream What Disney's onboard medical team did — and how fast they did it — when the situation turned serious The moment the captain announced to the entire ship they were diverting to Nassau at full speed to evacuate a passenger How Disney's guest services team stepped up — from packing their bags to personally escorting Nico through customs at 9pm The brutal reality of travel insurance fine print (and the insurer who denied the claim mid-crisis, citing a "preexisting condition") Practical tips from Michele, Nico, Sam, and Brian: travel insurance, passports, credit card limits, and what to do the minute someone gets sick onboard "They were very transparent so that I knew how serious it was, but also so that I knew what the next steps were so that I wouldn't be afraid." — Michele Support the Show: Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our show sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel! Subscribe to DCL Magazine — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the WDW Magazine store. 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.

    1h 4m
  8. Ep. 663 - Live Bonus Show - Is Adventures by Disney South Africa the Ultimate Disney Travel Experience?

    Jun 5 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 663 - Live Bonus Show - Is Adventures by Disney South Africa the Ultimate Disney Travel Experience?

    A two-month-old baby elephant. A pack of 20 African wild dogs — the most endangered predator on the planet — running straight at the jeep. A male lion close enough to touch. June joined us live to walk through her Adventures by Disney South Africa trip, and it absolutely delivered. If you've ever looked at an ABD price tag and wondered whether it's actually worth it, this is the episode that answers that question honestly. In this episode: Why June chose Adventures by Disney over independent travel for South Africa — and what you genuinely can't replicate on your own The full itinerary: Cape Town (including a Table Mountain weather pivot), the Knysna coast, Kapama Game Reserve near Kruger National Park, and a post-tour add-on to Victoria Falls Big Five in the first 24 hours — plus African wild dogs, hyenas, and a female leopard carrying breakfast back to her cubs What's included vs. out of pocket on a land-based ABD, and how the lodging compares (spoiler: Kapama rivals the Four Seasons Maldives) Health prep, packing strategy, laundry logistics, currency — the practical stuff ABD doesn't always cover We also got into the week's DCL policy changes: the alcohol policy reduction, selfie stick rules, door decoration limits, and the Disney Adventure–specific Palo age change and room service fee "The only place I've ever stayed that was on par with that was the Four Seasons Private Island in the Maldives."— June, on Kapama Game Reserve Listen now and join the conversation! Follow June on Instagram to see even more from her amazing Adventures by Disney trip to South Africa, and her future travels! 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 | 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.

    1h 13m
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4.7
out of 5
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About

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. Hosted by Brian Flock and Samantha Kanner (Pearl Castaways with 35+ sailings), DCL Duo covers everything you need to know about sailing with Disney Cruise Line — from choosing the right ship and itinerary, to navigating concierge service, dining reservations, port adventures, onboard activities, and the newest ships like the Disney Treasure and Disney Adventure. Whether you're a first-time Disney cruiser or a seasoned DCL veteran, we help you make the most of every sailing. With 650+ episodes and over 1.1 million downloads, DCL Duo is the most trusted voice in the Disney Cruise Line community. We go beyond the glossy brochure with in-depth reviews, candid guest interviews, real listener questions, and the kind of detail that actually helps you plan — from what to pack to which dining experiences are worth every penny. And, we are *not* travel agents! What you'll find on DCL Duo: - Disney Cruise Line ship reviews (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny, Disney Adventure, Disney Believe, and beyond.) - Disney Cruise Line itinerary planning — Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Bahamas, and more - Concierge and Castaway Club tips for every level - Adventures by Disney travel, Disney Vacation Club, and onboard dining deep dives - Port of call guides and private excursion recommendations - New ship news, DCL announcements, and Walt Disney World sailings Ranked by Feedspot as the #1 Disney Cruise Line Podcast, #2 Cruise Podcast, #4 Disney Podcast, and a Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencer — DCL Duo is where the Disney cruise community comes to plan smarter and sail better. New episodes drop 2-3x a week. Subscribe now and never miss a sailing. 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.

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