DCL Duo Podcast: A Disney Cruise Line Fan Podcast

Brian & Sam
  • 4.9 (607)
  • 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. 17h ago

    Ep. 701 - Disney Magic Alaska Cruise With Littles: Budget & DIY Excursion Tips

    Two sisters, a GTY stateroom, and a three-year-old with strong opinions about gondolas. Kory and Lyndsey booked their Disney Magic Alaska cruise just 30 days out, and it turned into one of their most relaxing sailings yet. From a musty stateroom mishap to a $200 parking hack near Canada Place, this episode is packed with real, DIY-tested tips for doing Alaska with young kids on a budget. In this episode: Booking a seven-person Alaska cruise just 30 days out with a GTY stateroom, and what to do if your room isn't great A $200+ parking hack for anyone driving up to Canada Place in Vancouver Renting a car through Turo to build a DIY White Pass itinerary in Skagway The Icy Strait Point trick that gets you a gondola ride, a scavenger hunt, and a surprise visit from Koda Why you should pre-buy your Disney Cruise Line photo package before you sail Sailing with a toddler, seven-year-old twins, and a Kids Club goal for baby number two "It was very smelly and being pregnant, I just had a little bit of an emotional breakdown... I don't know that I can stay in this room feeling this kind of nauseous, but the cast members were wonderful." 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. We Do Travel Right Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. DCL Magazine Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon (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 (#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.

    Ep. 701 - Disney Magic Alaska Cruise With Littles: Budget & DIY Excursion Tips

  2. 1d ago

    Ep. 700 - Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruise: World Cup Chaos + Rescue at Sea

    Beth just wrapped her ninth Disney cruise — a Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona to Southampton with four families and 15 people along for the ride — and it delivered everything from a World Cup Final erupting in the streets of Barcelona to an actual maritime rescue mission that held the ship in place for hours. In this episode: Traveling with a 15-person, four-family group across Barcelona, Cartagena, Malaga, Vigo, and A Coruna Why the World Cup Final in Barcelona turned the smoothest embarkation into chaos the next morning A real maritime rescue mission that delayed arrival into Cartagena The UK visa pro tip every Southampton-bound sailor needs before online check-in Palo, rotational dining with a table of 15, and Pirate Night's best photo backdrop What made sailing the Strait of Gibraltar the highlight of the entire cruise "The most memorable part by far for me was being out there on deck sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar. It really was something that just felt really unique and just like we were seeing a part of the world that we just didn't expect to really see in that way." - Beth 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. We Do Travel Right Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. DCL Magazine 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 (#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.

    Ep. 700 - Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruise: World Cup Chaos + Rescue at Sea

  3. 3d ago

    Ep. 699 - Disney Fantasy 5-Night Duo Dip: Castaway Cay & Lookout Cay Review

    Fresh off cruise #17, a platinum Disney Cruise Line sailor joins Sam solo this week (Brian's away at a work conference!) to talk through her Fourth of July "duo dip" on the Disney Fantasy — hitting both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay in one five-night sailing. She shares a real operational fix to the biggest long-running complaint about the Mickey & Minnie Cabanas, plus a few practical tips every DCL fan should hear before their next cruise. In this episode: Why a 5-night Fantasy sailing won out over a nearly-identical-price 7-night Destiny cruise How DCL airport check-in and Disney transportation smoothed out embarkation day What Disney changed about the Mickey & Minnie Cabanas at Castaway Cay — and why it matters The real answer to Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay from someone who did both on the same trip A heads-up about "tier three and tier four" test menus that can show up on certain sailings An easy Disney Cruise Line app trick for anyone traveling with a CPAP machine "He is either number one or number two of all time... incredible." — on her Fantasy stateroom host, from a cruiser with 17 sailings under her belt and the Destiny already booked for next spring. 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 (#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.

    Ep. 699 - Disney Fantasy 5-Night Duo Dip: Castaway Cay & Lookout Cay Review

  4. 6d ago

    Ep. 698 - Sailing Alaska on the Disney Magic: A Repeat Guest Tells All

    She's sailed the Disney Magic to Alaska three times, and this trip finally convinced her to skip one of Disney's own shore excursions for good. Repeat guest Shannon joins Sam solo this week (Brian sits this one out) to recap her family's ninth Disney sailing, a group cruise with nine people, two private excursions that beat anything booked through the app, and one Broadway star shoutout her teenager will never stop talking about. In this episode: Why Shannon's group skipped Disney's totem-pole-painting excursion at Icy Strait Point, and what a string of guest complaints had already warned her about The $80 private crab feast with a local Hoonah family that turned into the highlight of the whole sailing A rare bear sighting on a private, Haida-guided tour of Ketchikan's Totem Bight State Park What it's actually like sailing Alaska with a group of nine, and how to plan excursions together without locking your whole trip together The Disney Magic's Broadway Stars Series, including an onstage shoutout for one very starstruck teenager Why "Disney sells it" doesn't always mean "book it" when it comes to Alaska shore excursions "You do run into a lot of the same people, and so you kind of become your own little floating community, which I think is really cool." — Shannon 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 (#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.

    Ep. 698 - Sailing Alaska on the Disney Magic: A Repeat Guest Tells All

  5. Sep 1

    Ep. 697 - Would You Take a Toddler on a 5-Week Disney Cruise to Europe?

    She flew a toddler across the Atlantic and didn't stop there. Emily, a Disney Cruise Line travel advisor based in Denmark, spent five straight weeks aboard the Disney Dream — a transatlantic crossing followed by three back-to-back European itineraries. Four cruises, five weeks, one very well-traveled four-year-old. In this episode: How a "why not, since we're already over here" idea turned into a five-week, four-sailing itinerary The transatlantic crossing itself — booking it, flying in, and what those sea days are actually like A local guide near Civitavecchia who turned one port day into the best day of the entire trip Why hitting the Parthenon mid-morning was the wrong call (and when to go instead) How the kids club experience changes once your toddler ages out of the nursery Real talk on eating the same rotational menus for five straight weeks "There are these waterfalls that you — it's like one of these crazy Instagram pictures you can't even believe is real. And it was free. My son and I just played in the water for like two and a half hours, we got some snacks, we got ice cream, and it was... the best day. It was so great." Connect with Emily: she shares her travel content on Instagram and YouTube  Support the Show: Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our presenting 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 (#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.

    Ep. 697 - Would You Take a Toddler on a 5-Week Disney Cruise to Europe?

  6. Aug 31

    Ep. 696 - Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruise: A First-Timer's Honest Review

    She'd sailed Disney Cruise Line ten times before — but never across the Atlantic. Jen joins Sam to break down her family's first-ever European vacation: the Disney Dream's Mediterranean season opener out of Barcelona, complete with a canceled excursion that turned into the trip's best day. In this episode: Sailing the very first Mediterranean season cruise out of Barcelona on the Disney Dream, right behind the transatlantic crossing Jen's original Rome excursion got canceled onboard — and the last-minute replacement became the highlight of the whole trip Comparing port days in Florence, Rome, Naples (Herculaneum vs. Pompeii), and the brand-new Sardinia port of call Palo brunch AND Remy dessert on the same sea day — plus a vegetarian dessert mix-up worth knowing about before you book Why this sailing had the best cast member service Jen's experienced since her very first Disney cruise Real talk on train strikes, long port-day logistics, and why late dining is the move for Europe sailings "Our service throughout... the cast members, no matter what, are amazing... on this cruise, I feel like we've gotten the best service we've ever had in the restaurants since our first cruise." — Jen 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. We Do Travel Right Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. DCL Magazine Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon (https://patreon.com/dclduo). 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. Patreon 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.

    Ep. 696 - Disney Dream Mediterranean Cruise: A First-Timer's Honest Review

  7. Aug 30 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 695 - Live Bonus Show - Disney Adventure Review + Tauck Japan Tour: A Family's 35-Day Trip

    Adventures by Disney canceled Sam's Japan trip because they didn't have enough people booked — and because ABD's customer service doesn't work weekends, Tauck ended up with her business instead. That gap became a real, lived comparison of the two companies, plus a full concierge-class review of the Disney Adventure sailing out of Singapore. In this episode: Sam's concierge-class review of the Disney Adventure, sailing out of Singapore Why an ABD cancellation sent her Japan tour to Tauck instead A 10-day Tauck Bridges tour through Tokyo, Hakone, Hiroshima, and Kyoto Head-to-head: where Adventures by Disney still has an edge, and where Tauck holds its own Fireworks, Palo Brunch for teens, and the longest rollercoaster at sea Plus: Disney Cruise Line news — a coordinate-decoding itinerary tease pointing to a New York City season "And Tauck does work on the weekend. So Tauck got my money." -Sam Support the show by becoming a Patron! Join us over at Patreon (https://patreon.com/dclduo). 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. 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. We Do Travel Right Subscribe to the DCL Magazine today! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off everything in the WDW Magazine store. DCL Magazine 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.

    Ep. 695 - Live Bonus Show - Disney Adventure Review + Tauck Japan Tour: A Family's 35-Day Trip

  8. Aug 26 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 694 - Live Bonus Show - 132 New Disney Cruise Itineraries: Fall 2027 + Spring 2028 Breakdown

    132 itineraries dropped this morning, and by the end of the night three of us had agreed on which ones we would not book. Travel advisor Jamie from We Do Travel Right joined Sam and Brian live for a ship-by-ship walk through the entire Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 release — the Disney Wish's return to New York, the Disney Destiny's move to Port Canaveral, two Panama Canal crossings with brand-new ports, and the full Castaway Club booking ladder. In this episode: The complete booking schedule — Pearl on August 31, Platinum September 1, Gold September 2, Silver September 3, and first-time cruisers on September 8 Why the 6-night Canada-and-Bermuda sailing out of New York covers 1,935 nautical miles, and why Jamie won't recommend it The Disney Wish transatlantic from Southampton to New York City, September 17 to 29, 2027, with an overnight in Reykjavík and a call at St. John's, Newfoundland Sleuthing Sam's prediction for the Disney Believe — Fort Lauderdale, December 2027 — and the terminal math that got her there Only 8 Galveston itineraries in this release, and what Sam turned up looking for a full-year port agreement By the numbers: 33 duo dips, only 4 double dips, 24 Halloween on the High Seas sailings, 43 Very Merrytime, and just two one-night gaps in the whole fleet schedule Jamie's favorites — the 8-night Disney Fantasy overnighting in Bermuda with a duo dip, and the ABC Islands run out of San Juan "So sailing out of New York truly is iconic. And I'm calling it like Broadway to Bermuda." — Jamie, We Do Travel Right (54:16) SUPPORT THE SHOW Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our presenting sponsor, We Do Travel Right! Let We Do Travel Right handle the planning, so you can focus on relaxing. 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 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.

    Ep. 694 - Live Bonus Show - 132 New Disney Cruise Itineraries: Fall 2027 + Spring 2028 Breakdown
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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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