DCL Duo Podcast: A Disney Cruise Line Fan Podcast

Brian & Sam

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. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Ep. 685 - Live Bonus Show - A Disney Wish Vow Renewal on Castaway Cay (+ Big News!)

    Emily and Scott join us to share the full story of their vow renewal on Castaway Cay during a Disney Wish sailing — the planning, the timeline, the moment they ended up in the ocean in their wedding clothes — plus our big sponsor announcement. In this episode: Why they chose the Disney Wish and Castaway Cay for their vow renewal The real timeline of the day, from hair and makeup to the ceremony Coordinating a 50-person group across cabanas, dining, and photos Why Castaway Cay not being your last sailing day changes everything What they'd tell other couples considering a DCL wedding or vow renewal Introducing our new show sponsor "It was beyond anything that I imagined, that special connection that we had. And that moment in time, I will certainly cherish that forever. It was really special." Support the Show: Ready to set sail? Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our show sponsor, We Do Travel Right — the crew that handles the planning, so you can focus on relaxing! Subscribe today to DCL Magazine — use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off 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. 685 - Live Bonus Show - A Disney Wish Vow Renewal on Castaway Cay (+ Big News!)
  2. 3d ago

    Ep. 684 - Was 7-Nights on the Destiny too Many? An Honest Take.

    Nathan and Alicea from Adventures and Mousecapades just got back from a brand-new 7-Night Eastern Caribbean sailing on the Disney Destiny, hitting two ports the Destiny doesn't usually visit: St. Martin and San Juan. Nathan even crewed an actual 1980s America's Cup 12-meter racing yacht in St. Martin, no motors, no electric winches involved. We break down the whole week. In this episode: Why Nathan and Alicea picked the second 7-Night Eastern sailing over the more common Western itinerary, and what it took to snag two staterooms at their booking window A full breakdown of the 12-meter America's Cup regatta excursion in St. Martin, including how crew roles get assigned and how these boats moor with zero motors Their honest verdict on the Destiny's Grand Hall vs. the Treasure's, plus first reactions to the Marvel theming throughout the ship A 500-year-old fort in San Juan, a stop at Casa Bacardi, and why Alicea started photographing the historical placards instead of reading them onboard Their take on the Sanctum's signature drink, a new Kentucky bourbon-aged ale worth hunting down, and which drinks are actually worth the tasting slots Which villain show, Hercules or Dr. Facilier, won the week, and the audience member who filmed anyway right after being told not to "They host, quite frankly, one of my absolute favorite shore excursions ever." — Nathan, on St. Martin Support the Show: Ready to set sail? Book your next Disney Cruise Line vacation with our show sponsor, We Do Travel Right — the crew that handles the planning, so you can focus on relaxing! And don't forget to check out DCL Magazine — your ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks! Use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off at the DCL 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. 684 - Was 7-Nights on the Destiny too Many? An Honest Take.
  3. Jul 25

    Ep. 681 - Would You Run 100 Miles the Day Before a Disney Cruise?

    He crossed the finish line of a 100-mile ultramarathon in the Florida Keys, showered on the beach, and drove straight to Fort Lauderdale to board the brand-new Disney Destiny the next morning. Nine-time DCL sailor Josh joins us to break down how he pairs grueling endurance races with Disney cruises — and what boarding a ship on legs that just ran four marathons back to back actually feels like. In this episode: How Josh turned Disney cruising from post-race recovery into a full-blown tradition across nine sailings The wild 24 hours between crossing the finish line at Keys 100 and boarding at Port Everglades Why trip insurance won't cover an ultramarathon-plus-cruise combo, and what that risk actually looks like His honest take on the Destiny's dining, entertainment, and Wish-class layout, including one hot take about Lookout Cay vs. Castaway Cay The one piece of advice he gives every Disney cruiser: be fluid, not over-scheduled What's next for his race-and-sail tradition "There is no moment like when they finally check your last passport, your last little thing, and you're like, OK, we're here." Support the Show: DCL Magazine — use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off 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. 681 - Would You Run 100 Miles the Day Before a Disney Cruise?
  4. Jul 20

    Ep. 680 - Is a Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Worth It? One Family's Take

    Gabe is back — and this time he traded a stormy, port-skipping Disney Fantasy cruise for the very first Disney Wonder Alaska sailing of 2026. His family lucked into a full week of sunny, 70-degree weather, and Gabe walks us through the planning, the ports, the excursions, and an honest verdict on whether DCL Alaska lives up to years of anticipation. In this episode: How choosing early May kept the price down — and why Alaska on Disney Cruise Line is still never truly "cheap" The sideways inside stateroom that gave two adults real space, plus access to Mom and Dad's veranda down the hall Excursion-by-excursion prices and takeaways: White Pass Scenic Railway, Mendenhall Glacier + whale watching, and the character Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show Palo brunch on Glacier Day — unobstructed views of Dawes Glacier and the character-photo tradeoff The revamped main dining menus: "small plates," dessert ordered with your mains, faster dinners, and the classics that didn't survive the cut A Broadway Star Series first sailing with Adam Jacobs (original Aladdin) and Josh Strickland (original Tarzan) "It was probably a one and done we decided for us... we're very glad we were able to kind of check it off the list." — Gabe Support the Show: Subscribe to DCL Magazine and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off 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. 680 - Is a Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise Worth It? One Family's Take
  5. Jul 15 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 679 - Live Bonus Show - Adventures by Disney Holland & Belgium River Cruise the Duo's Verdict

    Eight days, two countries, nineteen windmills, and one official certificate proving Sam is not a witch. We're back from Adventures by Disney's Holland & Belgium River Cruise aboard the AmaLea, and this is the full trip report — every port, every excursion, the ones worth your money and the one Brian would trade for a chocolate-making class. After two ABD river cruises, we give you our verdict on whether the premium is justified. First, Danny from DCL Magazine joins us for Disney Cruise Line news and a crash course in taking better travel photos with the phone already in your pocket. In this episode: Why five Adventure Guides are the real difference between an Adventures by Disney river cruise and booking AmaWaterways on your own Our port-by-port breakdown: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Ghent, Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, Dordrecht and the UNESCO windmills at Kinderdijk The Antwerp food tour that ranks near the top of every ABD excursion we've done — and the Brussels beer tour that fell flat Life aboard the AmaLea: the Chef's Table is now open for lunch, tips are fully included, and there is no reason to board before mid-afternoon How to legally bring real farm Gouda home — and why shipping it is off the table Danny's phone photography tips, including the parallax trick that keeps landmarks from shrinking into specks Our verdict, and the Adventures by Disney trip we booked before we even got home "They bring the magic all the way to Europe and onto the ship and make sure that you just have that little dose of Disney that you need if you're doing one of these." — Brian Support the Show: 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 | 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.

    Ep. 679 - Live Bonus Show - Adventures by Disney Holland & Belgium River Cruise the Duo's Verdict
  6. Jul 12 ·  Bonus

    Ep. 678 - Bonus Show - 12 Years Working at Disney and DCL: A Cast Member's Story

    At 12 years old, sitting on Main Street USA, Theresa looked down at a single brick and decided it was hers — then spent 24 years at the Walt Disney Company proving it. She managed hotels, sold Disney Vacation Club onboard the ships for a dozen years, and came out the other side of a spinal cord injury that four doctors first mistook for ALS. This conversation covers all of it, plus the book she wrote about finishing hard things. In this episode: Why Theresa says the cast members are the most magical thing about Disney Cruise Line, and what she witnessed building that culture from the inside The reason she boarded a Disney cruise the day before emergency spinal surgery What onboard life as a vendor and DVC guide was really like: the perks, the boundaries, and the crew politics How 50-plus marathons and multiple Ironmans shaped her "race to complete, not to compete" outlook Her three straight-talk tips for first-time Disney Cruise Line families The origin of her book Built to Finish, and the turtle on the cover "If you take care of your cast members, your cast members are going to take care of your guests, which is then going to take care of your business needs." — Theresa Find Theresa's Book: Built to Finish (website): Built to Finish Built to Finish on Amazon: Built to Finish on Amazon Instagram: Built to Finish Support the Show: 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. 678 - Bonus Show - 12 Years Working at Disney and DCL: A Cast Member's Story

Trailers

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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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