One Slice at a Time

Ryan Joy and Stephanie Pakosta
  • 5.0 (9)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

A travel podcast with flavor. Hosts Stephanie and Ryan explore the world one slice, one city, and one unexpected story at a time.

  1. 3D AGO

    Thinking About a River Cruise? What We Learned Touring Europe’s Top River Cruise Lines

    Have you been curious about river cruising but not sure if it’s really worth the cost… or if it’s just for retired travelers? In this kickoff episode of our month-long river cruise series, Ryan shares what he learned after returning from the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Amsterdam, where he toured multiple river cruise brands, explored a brand-new ship debut, and compared what really matters when choosing the right sailing. We’re talking about: • what flying into Amsterdam for a river cruise is really like  • how Viking, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Scenic and more actually compare  • what river cruise cabins look like and why layout matters  • who river cruising is perfect for (and who it may not be for)  • the biggest misconceptions first-time travelers have  • what’s included, what’s not, and why cruise line choice matters more than people think  • whether a river cruise is better than planning Europe on your own If Europe is on your list and you want to see more without dragging luggage from hotel to hotel, this episode gives you the honest version of what to expect. 📩 Ready to plan your own river cruise? Contact us: bookings@oneslicepod.com  📰 Join our newsletter: extracheese.fun bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    40 min

  2. APR 27

    Celebrity Cruises Greece Group Trip: Ancient Ruins, Beaches & Greek Food

    This week on One Slice at a Time, Stephanie and Ryan head to Greece — one of the few destinations that truly offers something for every type of traveler. We’re talking ancient ruins in Athens, blue-domed sunsets in Santorini, flexible beach days in Mykonos, medieval charm in Rhodes, and the peaceful no-car island of Hydra. But we’re also talking strategy: Why do so many Greece vacations become exhausting when travelers try to piece everything together on their own? And why is cruising one of the smartest ways to actually enjoy Greece without spending half your trip dragging luggage and chasing ferries? Plus:  Celebrity Cruises’ July 18, 2027 Greece group sailing  Why this itinerary is ideal for families and groups  Long full port days that actually let you experience each destination  Ryan’s deep concern with whether pizza was invented in Greece Grab a slice and come with us. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    14 min

  3. APR 20

    The Cruise with a Roller Coaster (Norwegian Aqua Group Sailing)

    Would you ride a roller coaster… on a cruise ship? In this episode, we break down a Caribbean group cruise sailing on Norwegian Aqua, one of the newest ships in Norwegian’s fleet—and why this type of trip might be one of the easiest ways to travel right now. We cover:  What makes Norwegian Aqua stand out  The full itinerary (Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola)  Why group cruises remove the stress from planning  How you can access group pricing without being part of the original group Plus, Ryan’s crusty review makes a return—with a pizza story you don’t want to miss. Key Topics  Norwegian Aqua overview  Slide coaster attraction  Caribbean port breakdown  Group cruise strategy  Who this trip is best for  Thinking about a cruise? We help you:  Find the right itinerary  Get access to group pricing  Plan without the overwhelm Message us at Bookings@OneSlicePod.com to get in on this incredible cruise! Follow us on social media and subscribe so you never miss an episode of One Slice at a Time. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    16 min

  4. APR 13

    Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: The Best Moderate Resort at Disney?

    In this episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie and Ryan break down Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and talk through what makes this resort such an interesting option for Walt Disney World travelers. They compare Grand Destino Tower vs. the Casitas, talk about the overall feel of the resort, cover the pool scene, food options, club level, and who this resort is actually best for. They also talk about the biggest tradeoff at Coronado Springs: whether you want convenience, space, or a little bit of both. In this episode:  Grand Destino Tower vs. Casitas  Why the tower feels like a completely different resort  The Dig Site pool and quiet pools  Best dining at Coronado Springs  Toledo, Three Bridges, Barcelona Lounge, and more  Why resort location matters for your Disney trip  Who Coronado Springs is best for  Ryan’s Crusty Review of the pizza at El Mercado If you’re planning a Disney trip and want help picking the right resort for your family, reach out to us. We help travelers choose the right fit for their vacation style, budget, and priorities. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    14 min

  5. APR 6

    Disney Dream vs Fantasy: What Actually Matters Before You Book

    Most people think the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are basically the same. They’re not. And if you pick based on outdated advice (like “short cruise vs long cruise”), you could end up on the wrong ship for your trip. In this episode, we break down:  What’s actually different between the Dream and Fantasy  Why the home port matters more than the ship  Which one is better for first-time cruisers  How itineraries (especially Europe) change the decision completely We also compare:  ✔ Shows  ✔ Dining  ✔ Adult areas  ✔ Overall vibe And yes… we review the pizza 🍕 If you're trying to decide between these two ships, this episode will make it simple. Need help choosing the right cruise? We plan Disney cruises, group trips, and multi-generational travel every day. Emaill us Bookings@oneslicepod.com bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    19 min

  6. MAR 30

    Alumni Travel – The Untapped Strategy for Connection & Engagement

    What if alumni engagement didn’t revolve around another banquet… but a shared experience at sea? In this episode, we’re talking about alumni cruises—and why they might be one of the smartest, most underused strategies in higher education today. Most institutions focus heavily on top-tier donors, but long-term sustainability comes from engaging alumni early and consistently. That’s where travel comes in. We break down:  Why alumni cruises fill the gap traditional programs miss  How they create real connection across life stages  The difference between high-end travel programs and accessible cruise options  How universities can offer these experiences without taking on operational stress And if you’re not part of an alumni association? This conversation still applies. Any group—clubs, organizations, or communities—can use travel to strengthen connection. Plus, Ryan revisits his college days with a late-night pizza bagel that somehow earns a spot in this week’s Crusty Review 🍕 Thinking about organizing a group trip?  We specialize in creating seamless, high-impact travel experiences for groups, families, and organizations. 👉 Reach out to start planning  👉 Follow the show for more travel insights (and pizza debates) bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    12 min

  7. MAR 23

    Loews Royal Pacific: Worth It or Just Paying to Skip the Lines?

    Loews Royal Pacific is one of Universal Orlando’s Premier hotels—but is it actually worth the price? In this episode, we break down what you’re really paying for… and it’s not the room. We cover: Why Express Unlimited is the main selling pointWhen this hotel saves you money (and when it doesn’t)Room expectations vs realityPool, dining, and overall experienceTransportation tips (especially for Epic Universe)Who should book it—and who should skip itIf you’re planning a Universal trip, this episode will help you make a smarter decision. Need help planning your Universal or Disney trip?  We’ve been there—many times—and we’ll help you get it right. Reach out anytime. bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    29 min

  8. MAR 16

    Private Island Showdown: Disney vs Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian

    Cruise lines love to promote their private islands as the ultimate beach day — but are they really all the same? In this episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie and Ryan break down the most popular cruise line private islands and compare what actually makes them different. They discuss: • Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay • Disney’s newer island Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point • Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay • Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay From food and cabanas to water slides and relaxation spots, they explain what each island does best and which type of traveler will enjoy each one the most. You’ll also learn some insider tips cruise lines rarely mention — including cabana pricing, shade strategy, drink package rules, and how to avoid crowds. Whether you're planning your first cruise or choosing between cruise lines, this guide will help you decide which private island fits your travel style. Episode Chapters 00:00 Intro – The Private Island Showdown  01:00 What cruise private islands actually are  02:30 Disney Castaway Cay overview  05:00 Serenity Bay adults-only area  08:00 Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point review  10:00 The long pier debate  12:00 Norwegian Great Stirrup Cay  16:00 Royal Caribbean Perfect Day at CocoCay  20:30 Travel advisor tip: choosing the right cruise  21:00 Ryan’s Crusty Pizza Review – Pizza Hut edition  24:30 Best island for families with kids  25:30 Best island for teens  26:30 Best island for adults and couples  27:30 Best island for multigenerational groups  28:30 Chill beach day vs thrill experiences  30:00 Insider tips cruise lines don’t tell you  34:00 Next episode preview bookings@oneslicepod.com https://linktr.ee/onesliceatatime oneslicepod.com ExtraCheese.Fun

    36 min
See All (45)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A travel podcast with flavor. Hosts Stephanie and Ryan explore the world one slice, one city, and one unexpected story at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Joy and Stephanie Pakosta
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 One Slice at a Time
  • Show Website
    One Slice at a Time

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