DCL Duo Podcast: A Disney Cruise Line Fan Podcast

Brian & Sam
  • 4.8 (622)
  • 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. 1d ago

    Ep. 721 - Never Seen a Marvel Movie: Can You Still Love the Disney Destiny?

    What happens when you take a grandma who hasn’t cruised in 30 years, and has never seen a Marvel movie, onto the heroes and villains ship? Returning guest Rob joins Sam and Brian to share his family’s five-night Disney Destiny sailing to Cozumel and Castaway Cay, from a near-miss on embarkation morning to the moment his mom cried happy tears on the way home. In this episode: Why his daughter’s new Marvel obsession sold the family on the Destiny, and the short pre-cruise watch list Sam, Brian and Rob recommend (totally optional) Booking two side-by-side verandas and splitting the party two and two to save money A rented mobility scooter that couldn’t stay in a non-accessible stateroom, and what to confirm before you sail A forgotten prescription, an emergency CVS run, and making the Disney transportation bus with minutes to spare Villain meet-and-greets, Villains Game Night, a smaller-than-expected Royal Gathering, and skipping Cozumel on purpose Magical Moment certificates, a surprise gift from Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and where the Destiny lands in Rob’s ship rankings “She was all tears at the end with just how much of a nice time it was.” — Rob Support the Show Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon. Your support each month allows us to keep putting out great content each and every week. Thanks to our current patrons for their support. Join today! You can subscribe for one annual discounted payment today. 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 (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#3) 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.

    Ep. 721 - Never Seen a Marvel Movie: Can You Still Love the Disney Destiny?

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    Ep. 720 - Live Bonus Show - Trick or Treat: Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Fantasy

    Josh and his wife dressed as Flynn Rider and Mother Gothel for Halloween on the High Seas aboard the Disney Fantasy, then discovered they were the only guests booked for that night’s whiskey tasting. Josh joins Sam and Brian live with stories of a bartender who became the highlight of the trip, a Pirate Night dinner made just for him, and a 110-flight stair challenge at sea. Plus, the big news of the week: Palo drops its prix-fixe dinner menu and the Platinum and Pearl credit is now dinner-only. In this episode: Palo goes à la carte, the $55 Platinum and Pearl credit is no longer usable at brunch, and what it means for cruisers Disney Believe maiden voyage sells out, DVC’s Believe first wave sailing, and DJs returning as cast members Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Fantasy: Tangled family costumes, trick-or-treating, and the best costumes onboard Why booking a whiskey tasting on Halloween night may be a pro tip Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay tips, plus why crew connections make the cruise Josh asks Sam and Brian which ship they would retire, rename, reimagine and replicate “Just go on these cruises, be yourself, engage with the crew on a human level and magic will happen.” — Josh Support the Show Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon. Your support each month allows us to keep putting out great content each and every week. Thanks to our current patrons for their support. Join today! You can subscribe for one annual discounted payment today. 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 (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#3) 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.

    Ep. 720 - Live Bonus Show - Trick or Treat: Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Fantasy

  3. Oct 19

    Ep. 719 - Disney Treasure Western Caribbean Review: 7 Nights With Young Kids

    Miranda admits she used to be “kind of snobby” about cruising. A few years and three Disney Cruise Line ships later, the New Yorker is back from a seven-night Western Caribbean sailing on the Disney Treasure with her family, and she has thoughts on everything from the Grand Hall to the security line that confiscated her homemade fish extender treats. In this episode: Why a true seven-night sailing feels different from a back-to-back that adds up to seven nights Splitting a family across staterooms to save money, and the photo package wrinkle that comes with it The prepackaged-food rule every fish extender participant should know before boarding Lunch at Enchanté with the wine pairing, and whether the splurge was worth it A 105-foot submarine dive in Cozumel and a Castaway Cay versus Lookout Cay hot take Coco, Worlds of Marvel, the Haunted Mansion Parlor, Moana and Beauty and the Beast “The YouTube videos do not do the Treasure justice. Everyone said it’s so beautiful, and I was like, I don’t know. I don’t like that chandelier. But in person, it is astonishing.” — Miranda Support the Show Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon. Your support each month allows us to keep putting out great content each and every week. Thanks to our current patrons for their support. Join today! You can subscribe for one annual discounted payment today. 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 (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#10) 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.

    Ep. 719 - Disney Treasure Western Caribbean Review: 7 Nights With Young Kids

  4. Oct 18

    Ep. 718 - Disney Destiny Back-to-Back: 9 Nights + Only Adults

    Lawrence and Lauren only started cruising in 2024. For their fifth wedding anniversary, they left the kids at home and booked nine nights on the Disney Destiny: a five-night Western Caribbean sailing followed immediately by a four-night Nassau and Castaway Cay sailing. Sam is solo-hosting this week and gets the full back-to-back story, from a Lucha Libre ring in Cozumel to a completely sold-out second sailing. In this episode: How a same-stateroom back-to-back works, and the stateroom host move that made reboarding effortless The Cozumel Lucha Libre excursion and its Disney-exclusive wrestler meet and greet Timing the Dr. Facilier and Cruella meet-and-play experiences, and which one they would wait for again Trivia tactics, skipped dinners, and a very worried main dining server Pride Lands, the Broadway Star Series, and two different Megaras in Hercules What changes when a Wish-class ship sails at full capacity “I think we were on board for like eight minutes and I turned to her and I was like… this is our personality now.” — Lawrence Support the Show Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon. Your support each month allows us to keep putting out great content each and every week. Thanks to our current patrons for their support. Join today! You can subscribe for one annual discounted payment today. 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 (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#3) 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.

    Ep. 718 - Disney Destiny Back-to-Back: 9 Nights + Only Adults

  5. Oct 14

    Ep. 717 - Disney Dream Eclipse Cruise: 4 Nights From Southampton to Bilbao

    Disney never billed it as an eclipse cruise. Still, Anna and her family sailed the Disney Dream out of Southampton with their own viewing glasses packed and a port-side veranda booked. They watched totality together from their balcony. Returning guest Anna joins Sam and Brian from Scotland to recap a 4-night sailing to Bilbao that doubled as a 20th anniversary celebration and a do-over of a rocky first embarkation. In this episode: Driving from Scotland to Southampton in four- to five-hour chunks, and what cruise parking cost The passport-validity issue that surfaced in her cruise group, and how a renewed passport was updated at the terminal Using a quiet port-day morning for back-to-back AquaDuck runs and an empty pool deck How the cruise director and captain handled the eclipse, including viewing glasses in every stateroom Palo brunch as a value play, plus a surprise favorite dish A serving team that turned an anniversary dinner into a moment worth remembering “It was lovely, the idea that we could be just the four of us on our veranda... experiencing that together.” — Anna Support the Show Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Love the show? Become a supporter on Patreon and help keep the DCL Duo sailing. Stay Connected with the DCL Duo Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Watch on YouTube We’re Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot: Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#3) 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.

    Ep. 717 - Disney Dream Eclipse Cruise: 4 Nights From Southampton to Bilbao

  6. Oct 12 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 716 - Live Bonus Show - Seeing is Believing: A First-Hand Account of the Disney Believe Reveal

    Stephanie and Danny from DCL Magazine spent a week aboard the Disney Wish chasing clues to the Disney Believe. They snorkeled for a Prince Eric statue on Castaway Cay, traded glowing ice to Oaken, and met a Moana on Castaway Cay that Disney says will never greet guests again. Recorded live the night before bookings opened, they fill in everything the reveal livestream left out. In this episode: How the multi-day Believe scavenger hunt worked, from colored towel animals to a treasure map on Castaway Cay Oaken’s Table: a summer cottage in the woods with Anna, Kristoff, pop-punk Frozen music and an all-new menu The Wishing Well Lounge’s three zones, the Moonshine cocktail at Skygazers, and a new long-lasting smoke effect Why Encanto drew the biggest reaction of the night, plus the Susan Egan concert onboard Nick and Judy’s ZPD mystery in Gazelle, the magic mirror tease, and godparent predictions Maiden voyage booking tips: Castaway Club windows, the 10% non-refundable deposit, and trip insurance timing “Frankly, I think a lot of this commentary is going to age like milk... they’re playing chess and we’re thinking in checkers.” - Stephanie and Danny, DCL Magazine Support the Show Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon. Your support each month allows us to keep putting out great content each and every week. Thanks to our current patrons for their support. Join today! You can subscribe for one annual discounted payment today. 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 (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#3) 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.

    Ep. 716 - Live Bonus Show - Seeing is Believing: A First-Hand Account of the Disney Believe Reveal

  7. Oct 10

    Ep. 715 - Disney Fantasy 5-Night "Duo Dip": Is This the Best 5-Night Disney Cruise Itinerary

    Three private island days in five nights, and a sea day at the end to pack in peace. Returning guest Nick takes us through his family’s Disney Fantasy “double dip”: two stops at Castaway Cay with Disney Lookout Cay in between, plus everything he learned about doing it with two young boys and no stroller. In this episode: Why ending on a sea day beats ending on a private island Surviving the Lookout Cay pier walk, and why the wagons are worth it on the way back The secret cave, the nature trail, and the barefoot lesson learned the hard way Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay, from someone who has been to Castaway many times How both boys sat through every show for the first time, plus the Palo date-night strategy Midship Detective Agency and switching from the Wish to the Fantasy “I don’t even think [Lookout and Castaway Cay] are ... really the same product, right? ...They’re two different experiences.” — Nick Follow along with Nick at: Nick is a travel advisor with Make Waves Vacations. You can find all the ways to connect and follow them at their website. Support the Show: Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon. Your support each month allows us to keep putting out great content each and every week. Thanks to our current patrons for their support. Join today! 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 (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#3) 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.

    Ep. 715 - Disney Fantasy 5-Night "Duo Dip": Is This the Best 5-Night Disney Cruise Itinerary

  8. Oct 8 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 714 - Disney Believe Reveal: Our Honest Take

    Disney Cruise Line revealed the Disney Believe, and Sam and Brian went live that same night with an honest verdict on the fleet’s fourth Wish-class ship. There’s a Fort Lauderdale homeport, a December 18, 2027 maiden voyage, and the world’s first Encanto stage musical. There’s also a lineup of venues that left two longtime fans feeling underwhelmed. In this episode: Homeport and maiden voyage: Port Everglades, December 18, 2027, and the early booking windows Oaken’s Table: why another Frozen dining show disappointed us most, and the Moana luau we were hoping for Café Kakamora, Big Hero Sips and why Baymax deserves more than a coffee counter Sea Notes, Wishing Well and Skygazers: the Little Mermaid piano lounge, the Snow White lounge and a pub that’s “a feeling, not a theme” The bright spot: the first-ever Encanto stage musical, a reimagined Tangled, Pluto’s Pita Platters and a Zootopia game show “This just doesn’t feel like the cruise line at its best. And I just have to be honest about that. I think there are some bright spots with this ship.” - Brian Support the Show Book your next Disney vacation with our show sponsor - We Do Travel Right! Life is short, take the trip. Let the agents at We Do Travel Right handle the planning so you can focus on relaxing. Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon. Your support each month allows us to keep putting out great content each and every week. Thanks to our current patrons for their support. Join today! You can subscribe for one annual discounted payment today. 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 (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#10) 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.

    Ep. 714 - Disney Believe Reveal: Our Honest Take
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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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