[00:00:00] Speaker A: I what I haven't had a chance to do is to look at the pricing to see if that's going to help at all or if, you know.
[00:00:08] Speaker B: It doesn't look like it, look like it to me.
Welcome back everybody to this week's live episode, a special live episode of the DCL Duo Podcast brought to you by my Path Unwinding Travel and our friends over at the DCL Magazine. If you have not signed up to their wait list, please head over to dcl-magazine.com to sign up for the waitlist over there. They announced earlier this week they are a little behind where they want to be in terms of the waitlist interest, but that is not going to stop them from doing a very special edition of the magazine to see if they can get enough subscriptions to support having a regular DCL magazine. And we so want that to happen because we love the folks over there. They're doing some great work. And if you sign up, you'll get early notice of the offering about coming soon.
[00:01:05] Speaker C: Their Float out edition.
[00:01:06] Speaker B: Float out edition. I can't reveal the date, but they're Float out edition. And yeah, you'll be able to sign up for it early and read a very special article written by the DCL Duo in that magazine written by Brian.
[00:01:17] Speaker C: Of the DCL Duo.
[00:01:18] Speaker B: Everyone knows that. I'm just trying to be inclusive of the credit here, but we are excited. We are. Yeah. We are so sorry to be behind for our live audience this evening, but we were Talking all things DCL Duo podcast Cruise version 2.0 with Garen right before this and ran over because he has such great questions and such great information that Karen's going to share. I'll just plug once again at the top of this episode if you're interested in experiencing an Adventures by Disney river cruise with the DCL duo to Holland and Belgium on July 4, reach out to Karen 2026 07-04-2026 then reach out to Karen
[email protected] or mypathunwinding.com DCL duo we are excited to welcome all of.
[00:02:04] Speaker C: You and feel free if you can't travel with us if those dates don't work for you or if that itinerary doesn't work for you. Like feel free to reach out to Karen because she is the expert in all things Adventures by Disney. So if you want to do a land, you know, adventure or you want to do a different river cruise or you want to book on talk river cruises or you know, one of the or want to book a DCL cruise. You know, reach out to Karen. She is an expert on all of these things. So we know that not everybody's going to be able to come with us because there's only 150, you know, people maybe on board this river cruise. So all of our listeners can't possibly be coming because we have more than 150 of you.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: Last time I checked. Last time I checked.
[00:02:46] Speaker A: Yeah, that's right.
[00:02:47] Speaker B: But with that, we're excited to welcome Karen here. And apropos, you should reach out to her about this episode too, because we're talking about 2026 Disney Cruise Line summer itineraries released today and some surprises, some sleuthing that's been done for us. Lots of great stuff to talk about. So, Sam, I'm going to try to find the PDFs and get those up on the screen for folks so we can talk about them. But why don't you and Karen kick. Why don't you kick us off?
[00:03:15] Speaker C: Yeah, why don't we start. We're going to start off with our vegetables, as Brian likes to say. Right. So we're going to start off. So what first, let's, let's point out, okay, we've got April through September now, Basically, of the 2026 itineraries for Disney Cruise Line. That's sort of the nitty gritty. We've got bookings start next week, right, Karen, with.
[00:03:36] Speaker A: Thank goodness they gave us a few days because that was a late. Wow. This week has just been crazy. I told Brian, I think yesterday we were like, are they going to actually do both of these on the same week with the river cruising and the ocean line Summ. And sure enough, they did. So I guess the time of pacing things out is over because there's eight, there's eight Disney ships now.
[00:04:02] Speaker C: It's crazy. So that means next Monday, which is February 10th, we're going to see pearl bookings, then platinum bookings on the 11th, gold bookings on the 12th, silver bookings on the 13th, and then public will be, I guess, the 14th, Friday. Is that right?
So they give castaway club members, plus Golden Oaks and Club 33 members a couple of days. And to book because you can, you know, even though their phones might not be open all, you know, 24 hours a day, there's still online bookings. That can happen. All right, so that's like, that's like the, the nitty gritty about bookings. But of course, if you want to book, you should reach out to your travel advisor to Help you book because of course you get all benefits of an expert helping you throughout along the way. But let's talk ship by ship. So we're gonna, as I said, we're gonna start with our vegetables. So our vegetables are. The vegetables are what's not different. Okay. That's what, that's what the vegetables are. That's the wish and the treasure. I mean these are fantastic ships. So we know the wish classes.
[00:05:11] Speaker A: Why vegetables are not meat and potatoes. Are we just being like modern or healthier?
[00:05:18] Speaker C: I feel like the vegetables are the kind of boring. Stu.
That's how I think meat, potatoes. To me, not boring. That's delicious. So that would be like.
[00:05:31] Speaker A: So, so are the. Some are these regular itineraries, right? Delicious. They're delicious.
[00:05:36] Speaker C: True. So, so we've got. The Wish is not changing at all. So Wish is going to continue doing her three and four night sailings. She does four night sailings on Monday. She leaves for three night sailings on Friday. She's going to be going out of Port Canaveral. And it's the same old, same old. Right. We're see Nassau and Castaway Key on the wish. And then the Treasure is also going to continue its seven night eastern western flip flop back and forth between those, you know, those two itineraries. And it's going to be mostly hitting Castaway. I think there's a couple of. There's maybe one or two. I don't. I wasn't able to do the. A deep dive to see if there were any lookout. I do know that there have been. There are some itineraries in 2025 that go to lookout. But I, I didn't get a chance to see if there's 2026. But if those are the. I say those are the vegetables because they're okay, so. Because they're just doing the same thing.
Right. Moving on to the what?
[00:06:37] Speaker B: That was the most engaging set of commentary we've had. I'm just kidding.
[00:06:41] Speaker C: What? I want to get to the good stuff. Right?
[00:06:44] Speaker B: All right, all right, all right.
[00:06:44] Speaker C: I want to get to the good stuff. Okay. So let's talk.
[00:06:49] Speaker A: You know what? Now I can't let that stand.
All because the goods. You know, there are so many people that haven't experienced these vegetables. It may be just the best snack they've ever had.
[00:07:05] Speaker C: I mean it is. Let's. Let's be honest. The treasure is like Brussels sprouts with the bacon sprinkled in.
[00:07:11] Speaker A: Yeah, the balsamic glaze.
[00:07:13] Speaker C: Balsamic glaze, absolutely. So it's these are not like bad vegetables. These are delicious.
[00:07:17] Speaker B: These are amused. Not just veggies.
[00:07:20] Speaker C: Yeah but it's, it's. I, I just want people to understand like nothing is changing in the itine for the wish and the treasure they're going to continue and that can also be said for really the destiny and the Fantasy. But Fantasy is going to continue to sail out of Port Canaveral. So Fantasy has been sailing out of Port Canaveral as we know on seven night itineraries. We know she just switched to doing kind of this mix of different length itineraries and a lot of Lookout Key sailings and a lot of sailings that go to both Lookout and Castaway as well. So I feel like that's a actually pretty. I don't know, I thought that was pretty interesting and pretty good stuff. But obviously Fantasy is not going back to Europe. So that's the big news for her.
[00:08:08] Speaker A: Right. They decided to send the dream back.
I'd still always like to point out the southern Caribbean.
[00:08:16] Speaker C: Oh yeah.
[00:08:17] Speaker A: That is just a favorite. There's not an 11 night again. There's just a 10 night but still incredible opportunity to go to both Lighthouse Key and Castaway Key and some destinations that you normally can't get to on an eastern or western.
[00:08:36] Speaker B: I, I wanted to say so that are. Some friends reached out because we had said if they ever offer that southern Caribbean again they're like they offer it. It's not the 11 night.
[00:08:44] Speaker C: It's not the 11 night. It's a 10 night.
[00:08:46] Speaker B: Also I struggle with this as a southern Caribbean. I know it technically is but they're only. They're going to Antigua but they're not going to. Was it Barbados and Curacao?
[00:08:57] Speaker C: Yeah, yeah.
[00:08:58] Speaker A: They're not going to Aruba.
Like Aruba.
Yeah, yeah, I agree, I agree. But it's still, it's still some beautiful, you know, islands and technically you guys could make it to do it back to back with the river cruise and then the ten night. So.
[00:09:14] Speaker B: But I need a job to pay for these. I need a job actually.
[00:09:17] Speaker C: Yeah, yeah, no, yeah. We have to be able to keep our jobs. Oh yeah. Taryn's saying Bonaire is the other is bonaire ABC ABCs. Right, right. Yeah, it is definitely. Listen, that's. Those are, that's definitely an amazing itinerary. And because of that, because she's doing that 10 night she obviously has to get back onto her schedule. So there's some variation in the fantasy schedule over the summer when she. Around the time she's doing the ten night itinerary. But other than that, she's going to continue to do mostly these four and five night sailings in, you know, the Bahamas, Caribbean. And so that's, you know, it's, it's really nice. You know, the Fantasy is one of our favorite ships. I was very happy to be on her for New Year's Eve and I would be happy to get back on her, although I don't think that's coming anytime soon with the Destiny, which is, I think the next thing we should be talking about. The Disney Destiny is going to obviously premiere at the end of this year in December, and I'm guessing that Karen will be invited on a preview cruise. I know that Brian and I and some friends of ours will be on the maiden voyage and the second voyage of the Disney Destiny both four nights.
[00:10:29] Speaker A: I will, I will be on the maiden voyages.
[00:10:31] Speaker C: Oh, that's right. I forgot, Karen, you booked.
[00:10:33] Speaker A: I forgot that I am locked in for the maiden. I hope that I will also be on a preview. But yeah, I will be locked in and it's just, it's crazy to be planning out for the Disney Destiny. You know, just thinking so far, it feels so far ahead because she's not even, you know, out yet, so.
[00:10:51] Speaker C: Oh yeah. Oh, she's got some great, she's got a great mix of these four and five night sailings. Right. She's doing some Western Caribbean sailings, some Bahamian sailings. It kind of just depends which I, which itinerary you're interested in and if you want to go to Castaway or Lookout or both. So because she's sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, she's got, in my opinion, she's got like the, the best array of double dips and duo dips on her calendar of all the ships because she's going a lot of the time to both Castaway and Lookout and, or consistently to one or the other. And so yeah, it's a really, I think those itineraries are looking super desirable. I definitely think it's a draw to Fort Lauderdale and.
[00:11:41] Speaker A: Exactly. Because I think that this is going to help people think about Disney Cruise Line beyond Port Canaveral in a more consistent way. I, I think that they've been struggling a little bit with the Southern Florida itineraries and kind of getting their core fans, you know, down to southern Florida.
But now, you know, with these itineraries on the newest ship and you know, after the Treasure launch, I think a lot of people are going to want to see what the Destiny has in Store. So I think this is going to be fantastic. I mean, just such a great opportunity. We don't, you don't need to commit to the seven nights that you do on the Treasure.
A whole new set of entertainment, so.
[00:12:28] Speaker C: Absolutely. And you're basically getting a Marvel Week or four days or five days without having to pay for a Marvel Day at Sea cruise. I do think one of the things with Fort Lauderdale, yeah, one of the things with Fort Lauderdale that they have been doing is having, you know, those Marvel Day at seas on. They've done it on the Magic, they've done it on the Dream, and now having a brand new ship full time out of Fort Lauderdale. And I want to be clear, they're going to have like, it's one and a half ships out of Fort Lauderdale because during the summer, obviously the Dream is going to be over in Europe. So the Dream will not be in Fort Lauderdale, but Destiny is there full time. And that, that tracks with the contract that they have with the Port of Fort Lauderdale, or Port Everglades, I guess it's called, so that they will have essentially one ship there full time and another ship there seasonally.
And so it's definitely a way to get people to come to Fort Lauderdale to sail out with this new ship. I think the new ship is going to be a huge draw. I think it's going to be a huge success. And like you said, Karen, especially with the success of the Treasure and knowing that this is going to be the sister ship, it's going to have a lot of Marvel, it's going to have Haunted Mansion Parlor. This is going to be, I think, a huge, huge, huge success.
[00:13:48] Speaker A: Exactly. I see. Taryn said the same thing. Like after being on the Treasure, she's more excited about the Destiny. And we've talked about this when we talked about the Treasure, that the Wish had a bumpy start for a number of different reasons. But I think the Treasure kind of reset all of the, you know, the expectations and the emotions about this new type of ship. And so I think, you know, everybody's going to be really, really excited. And it's, you know, it's, it's super easy to get to Fort Lauderdale and you can, you can fly to Orlando and still do your Disney vacation. Before or after. Take the bright line, you can go to Miami, you go to Fort Lauderdale, you can go to West Palm. There's just so many options. It's really convenient.
[00:14:34] Speaker C: Yeah, absolutely.
[00:14:35] Speaker A: I just had this random thought.
I wonder if there'll be a DVC property built in The Fort Lauderdale area.
[00:14:43] Speaker C: At some point, you know, it wouldn't be, it wouldn't be a stupid investment, I would think.
[00:14:48] Speaker B: I don't think Disney's gonna build any more DVC resorts outside of the theme park.
[00:14:52] Speaker C: Outside of.
[00:14:53] Speaker B: Yeah, maybe it has such trouble selling the ones that they have.
[00:14:56] Speaker C: I guess they had trouble selling. Yeah. With Vero and Hilton Head. Well, let's, let's pivot to talking about the Disney dream. I know Brian really wants to talk about the dream. I can I point out the gap in the schedule first before we talk about our actual itineraries?
[00:15:09] Speaker B: Yeah, go ahead.
[00:15:10] Speaker C: Okay, so there is an itinerary gap. It's a seven day gap from August 31st to September 6th.
[00:15:17] Speaker B: DVC member cruise.
[00:15:20] Speaker C: It is a BBC member cruise.
The Disney Cruise Line blog is reporting that it's going to be a seven night Northern Europe Norwegian Fjords cruise sailing from Southampton. So I, I have not independently verified that myself, but I would TR their information on that.
[00:15:38] Speaker A: I believe I saw that myself. So I'm going to check it while we're chatting.
[00:15:41] Speaker C: Yeah, so it's a seven night gap. It's at the end, it is not the very end of the schedule for Europe, but is towards the end of the schedule. So last week in our last day in August, so the first week of September, most people, of course, most kids back in school sometime in August or at least by Labor Day. And so that's probably not going to work for most people. But that is, that is the one. There are three gaps in the schedule. That is the first of the three that I'm gonna discuss today that sleuthing Sam has found. Okay, now I'm gonna pass it over to Karen and Brian because I'll admit I did not do a deep dive into this, but I know there are some new ports on here.
[00:16:22] Speaker B: Well, there is, there's at least there's one new port on the schedule because Disney made a big deal in the press release for this itinerary release. So the, the seven night Mediterranean sailings on May 16th, 23rd, July 6th and July 13th are going to a Newport stop, Cagliere, Italy on the island of. I think. Is that Sicily or Sardinia?
It is. For the first time at Disney Dream. We'll call on this island city of Cagliere located in Sardinia, Italy, a brand new destination for Disney Cruise Line. Yeah, so. So there's four opportunities to go to that Newport stop.
The photo that they released of the island looks absolutely stunning. So looks like a great Newport stop. I don't know, Karen if you've had any experience with that stop at all on any of the cruises.
[00:17:11] Speaker A: I, I have not. But I know it's definitely becoming a more popular destination. You know, Italy is just, you know, continues to be probably the most popular destination and it feels like in the world, you know, everybody wants to go to Italy and folks are seeking out new corners, islands, destinations within Italy, you know, after they've done sort of the main attraction, so to speak. So I think this is a great opportunity. Sardinia is beautiful and I think it'll be really fun.
[00:17:46] Speaker B: Yeah, I'm excited. Otherwise, I mean, I. It's standard fare except they're doing multiple Norwegian fjords trip this year.
I don't see.
Did I miss Iceland? I think Iceland is done. I don't think it's on here this year, which is sad because I really, I was top of my list to try.
I don't see it. Iceland is not here. That's. That is actually sad news for me. I really, really wanted to go on one of those longer Iceland, northern European sailings. So. Wow, bummer. It looks like they've removed a port stop. They did have a lot of problems last year, this past year with Iceland and some of the port stops there. And so I'm not maybe surprised that it came off the list, but that was a lot of people who went there really, really loved it. So I don't know, did anything catch your attention out of the Mediterranean European.
[00:18:38] Speaker A: Sailings otherwise, Karen, it seemed, as you said, pretty standard.
I don't know we calling these. Are these the entrees now?
[00:18:49] Speaker B: Meat, potatoes.
[00:18:50] Speaker C: These are meat and potatoes. These are entrees.
[00:18:53] Speaker A: You know, these are the classic itineraries.
[00:18:56] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:18:57] Speaker A: Oh, but you know, it's kind of fun that they have these little short ones. You know, I think those are fun add ons if you're going to be in Europe anyway and you want to hop on a Disney cruise? You know, I think that their main goal is not for us in the US to do those, but more to continue to let the European market enjoy a, you know, three or four night vacation.
The one that I, you know, that kind of caught my attention is the British Isles.
[00:19:30] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:19:31] Speaker A: Cruise that, you know, that always seems to happen in September, which works for me now that I'm an empty nester. But you know, I know a lot of families can't take advantage of that. But that looks really awesome going to Scotland and Ireland. So, you know, I love that they're. They have that. The mix.
[00:19:48] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:19:49] Speaker C: Yeah, I, I was, I just saw a Question about which Norwegian fjord sailing is the best. Whichever one you can get on is the best. Right? The Norwegian fjords is beautiful. I will say we've, we haven't been to all the ports that they're going to because they've changed up the ports a bit since we went in 2022.
But we've been to Olesund and that was wonderful. And we went to Stavanger. That's where we did that crazy hike.
[00:20:15] Speaker B: And, and we just, we just did a couple episodes on Norwegian cruises, Iceland cruises. So like I would say like literally just released them this past few weeks. Like I would go back and look at, listen to those because they, we, when we do those shows we're very intensive on which ports they stopped at and what excursions they did so that you can kind of get a sense of that. So. Yeah, and it's interesting too. Just caught my eye that there's. I don't know if. So it says Mecca Javeric, Stavanger, Norway. I feel like ours just said Stavanger. So I'm wondering if someplace else.
[00:20:47] Speaker C: Yeah, we were, we were in Stavanger. We were in the city. So this must be another port that's probably close by that they probably bus you to Stavanger right from. So it might have been. They couldn't get.
[00:20:59] Speaker A: I wonder if this is one of those situations where they're limiting the size of the ships.
[00:21:05] Speaker C: It could be. Although Stavanger is a big city, it's one of the, it's one of the bigger cities in Norway. But I don't know. Yeah, it could be or could just be they couldn't get. Get the port. You know, there might only be one slip or two slips and they couldn't get it on the day they wanted so they got a. Near a nearby one. But yeah, and I wanted to just jump in and say totally agree with you, Karen. These three night Netherlands, Belgium and four night Spain, the focus of those. And sorry, I'm looking at my phone because I can't see it. It's not big enough on my screen for my eyes.
But the focus of those are definitely on European cruisers, probably mostly British cruisers because they're sailing out of Southampton but there will be some Americans obviously on, on some of those cruises as well.
[00:21:51] Speaker B: Just released an episode with somebody who did a four night out of Southampton to Spain I think this one that went to Bilbao, Spain. So that's the. They really enjoyed it from the uk. Thank you Karen for correcting Karen in the chat for correcting me on the stop in Cagliere, Italy. The July 13th sailing does not stop in Cagliere. It stops in Ajaccio, France instead. So, yes, three opportunities to go to cagl.
[00:22:16] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:22:16] Speaker B: So, yeah.
[00:22:17] Speaker C: All right, well, we've, we've got to move to the main event. Right? The main, the, the main event.
[00:22:23] Speaker B: This is the design breaking news. Breaking news.
[00:22:27] Speaker C: I will, I want to tell you all. I. I had a little birdie tell me this tidbit that both the Magic and the Wonder were going to be in Alaska. The information I had though, that I was given was wrong as to what the itineraries were. I was told one of them would be doing seven night sailings and the other would be doing kind of a mix of like nine and five. But instead, of course, we know they're both doing seven night sailings for there's like one five night to get one of them on the schedule. But they're both doing seven night sailing out of Vancouver in Alaska. One of the ships will be heading out on Mondays, which is the normal schedule that the Wonder currently does. And then the other ship will be heading out on Thursdays. So we've got these seven night itineraries, both ships. I will also tell you these. There are two gaps in the schedule. One for the Magic and one for the Wonder.
And the Magic's one is probably the. Well, maybe slightly more interesting because the Magic's itinerary gap is right before she starts sailing to Alaska. And we can. It is a like a, I think about a three week gap, which makes perfect sense because the Magic has not been to Alaska, which means the Magic's hull is likely not yet reinforced. And if you're sailing in icy waters like in Alaska, you have to have a reinforced hull. And the Wonder already has that. So the Magic must be getting her hull reinforced in or near Vancouver.
[00:23:56] Speaker B: Do we think that they will also perhaps finish some of what they started on the Magic with, with. So like the concierge lounge was framed out but was not fully enclosed in three weeks. I mean, they could need every minute of that for the whole. But I'm just wondering if we think they'll finish any of that concierge lounge upgrade that they did not complete the first time around. I don't know.
[00:24:18] Speaker C: I don't know.
[00:24:19] Speaker A: That would be interesting.
[00:24:20] Speaker C: Yeah. So the gap is from April 23rd to May 16th. So. And then she start. So it's, it's after she repositions from San Diego to Vancouver, she's got a three week gap and then she starts her Alaska sailings out of Vancouver.
And then I'll tell you the other gap I'm gonna. The Wonder. It's at the, almost the end. Not quite the end of the Alaska season, but almost the end of the Alaska season. The, the Wonder has a three week itinerary gap from August 17th to September 6th.
[00:24:52] Speaker B: Does she sail, does she sail another Alaska trip trip after she sells two.
[00:24:57] Speaker C: More Alaska trips after that. But I would guess that that just happens to be when the, the dry dock space was available. And so I would guess that she's just doing her, her regular dry dock because remember the Wonder and the magic now that they are over 25 years old or once they hit 25 years old, they have to do dry docks like every. I can't remember if it's two years or every three years, but it's much more often than the, you know, the five year schedule.
[00:25:26] Speaker B: I was gon buckle up, you're going to see these ships head into drywall. But I actually thought maybe what they're doing was because they have to do some pretty intensive hull cleaning before they can take her over to Australia because to meet the, meet the standards that they have. So I was, I was curious if they were going to clean the hull and then send her across the Pacific for the, for the.
[00:25:43] Speaker A: Yeah, but there's still a couple of sailings after that.
[00:25:45] Speaker B: So. Yeah. Yeah. So interesting to see. What, what do you, Karen, what do you think about two ships in Alaska? Because the other thing they seem to have done is opened up up shorter itineraries which I've got to believe is, is responsive to a market of people who want.
[00:26:00] Speaker C: But they didn't. They only opened one five night itinerary. Everything else is seven nights.
[00:26:04] Speaker A: Well, they don't have the nine anymore so. And they only. Yeah, they only have that one five, I don't think. I really don't recommend doing a five night to Alaska unless you already live in the Pacific Northwest or in Canada.
It just to me is, you know, not, you know, not a good value for your vacation investment.
It's really fascinating. I mean, you know, I think I counted up like 34 Alaska cruises or something like that in the season in 2026.
What I haven't had a chance to do is to look at the pricing to see if that's going to help at all or if, you know, it.
[00:26:48] Speaker B: Doesn'T look like it doesn't look like it to me.
[00:26:54] Speaker A: You know, it's going to be really interesting to see if they really have that much demand. I mean yes, it's a short season and so, you know, they've been able to really, you know, fill it.
You know, it's a great, it's a great experience. Vancouver is an incredible city. But then there's a lot of people that when they do Alaska want to do it a little differently to be able to do more of those one way itineraries that go a little further into, into the state. So I don't know how it's going to turn out.
[00:27:27] Speaker B: It was, it was interesting. So it was. Thank you for pointing out. I thought it was more short sailings as I thought maybe what they were doing is being responsive to a market of people who like, they want to sail to Alaska on Disney but they don't like the full seven night price. I can make it a little more affordable by shortening days, but I 100% agree with Karen. Like the more time you have, the further north you can get and that's where things get really interesting. I'm a little surprised. As you were talking here, I was thinking like a little surprised they don't have one of the ships just going Vancouver to you know, Anchorage or you know, the port right back.
[00:28:00] Speaker A: Some cruise lines do that.
Yeah, yeah, they do one ways and you know, it, it has. So I kind of thought, when I first saw both ships I thought well maybe that's, you know, maybe one ship will be doing those kind of alternating itineraries. But there's a little surprise that they were doing, you know, essentially identical sailings. It's great that there's different days.
You know, Mondays have always, I think, you know, been a little bit of an awkward time. Thursday might still be an awkward time, but at least you have your choice now of what works best for your vacation schedule.
[00:28:34] Speaker C: True.
And, and I do think, you know, there's, there is some more variety in which itinerary. Right. So there's like, there's Icy street, there's Juno and Ketchikan there, there's a couple different. There's a little bit more variety in what the itinerary is most of the time. Disney's itineraries have been pretty cookie cutter and with these two different ships going, they have a little bit more variation, but other than that it's just, yeah, it's just increasing the supply of Alaska cruises now to be fair, other cruise lines have more than one ship in Alaska and they do fine. So it may be absolutely, you know.
[00:29:12] Speaker A: The demand, you know, as they're growing their fleet. I mean, I think they're kind of Stepping up to where their competitors are. I mean, Royal Caribbean has several. Princess has many. Holland America has many. Celebrity has a couple Norwegian. So, you know, it's a very busy market. It's a very popular market. It's a short season.
So, I mean, I guess we'll see how it plays out for Disney Cruise Line. If they're, you know, this is really the kind of situation now where it's, it's got to expand from people that are not just interested in sailing on Disney, but are looking at their Alaska options. And now they're going to see two ships in Alaska on Disney Cruise Line and start comparing it to all of their Alaska options. So I think there's going to be more people that choose it with Alaska as their first, you know, their first preference. And the cruise line being Disney may not be the first reason that they chose that ship. That makes sense.
[00:30:13] Speaker C: Yeah, no, that makes sense because I do think with Alaska, a lot of people prioritize, you know, itinerary, the dates, the price. Right. There's a lot of, I mean, like any cruise, there's a lot of different priorities. But I think because Alaska is such a destination in and of itself where it's not like the Bahamas, where the ship is just as much the destination that I do think people tend to, you know, they are willing to look at different cruise lines that they might not consider for, for other items. Right.
[00:30:41] Speaker A: And, you know, I have to say that, but, you know, because we do, you know, oftentimes compare different options, Disney is really just still the best fit for families.
[00:30:54] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:30:56] Speaker A: You know, we, we love Royal Caribbean, but the bedding situation of Royal Caribbean is just not as ideal as when you. For kids or for, you know, multiple adults or whatever, because they just don't have individual sleep space for the kids. They have to basically share if you have a family of four or five. So, you know, that is such an appeal for families these days. We always ask about bedding preferences because that can make a difference on your vacation for your family. Right. If you have two kids that can't share a bed and they're forced to kick at each other all night, everybody.
[00:31:34] Speaker C: In a mood, nobody's happy, then nobody is happy.
[00:31:37] Speaker A: So I think it is going to be nice that there's more options that, you know, in with the Disney type of stateroom setup, I think that's going to be great.
[00:31:45] Speaker C: Absolutely. I wanted to bring up a couple of comments because we got comments from both Linda and Ed. I'm going to bring them up one at a time. But with Magic, Ed is saying, would the Magic go down to Galveston? Could it stay on the west coast during the winter? And Linda's of course, saying, anyone else hoping the Magic spends a little time in San Diego after Alaska before going back to Galveston. So obviously the Magic is going to be doing, you know, Panama Canal sailing in order to. To get to the West Coast. We already knew that.
And so. Because he obviously has to show up somehow. But, you know, I think that we could see the Magic staying on the west coast now that we've got. Now that the Destiny will be online. Right. There's enough ships that they could conceivably, I. I do think they'll send the Magic eventually, but back through the Panama Canal and back to the East Coast. I don't think she'll stay on the west coast sort of permanently for the year or the rest of the year, but I do think could see her stay and do a few sailings out of San Diego, like having both the Magic and the Wonder doing some sailings. Because the Magic is because the Wonder is going to be heading over to New Zealand, as Brian pointed out earlier.
[00:32:53] Speaker B: So I also wanted Ed raised the question about price. Karen, you mentioned this too. So I have pulled up Scott Sanders, hopefully has historical pricing for opening day from 2024 for Alaska. And also now I can compare that. Prices are up. They're. I mean, up incrementally, not up exponentially, but there are more. And the other thing I noticed is that there's a price differential between the Thursday to Thursday and the Monday to Monday sailing. So the Thursday to Thursday sailings are like, just like a hair cheaper in each category than the Monday to Monday to.
[00:33:26] Speaker A: You know what their costs are in some way. I don't know.
[00:33:30] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:33:31] Speaker A: Or they just think that those will be slightly more popular. So, yeah, I can't remember which ship.
[00:33:36] Speaker C: Is doing the Monday when Chip is doing.
[00:33:38] Speaker A: I think Wonder is staying on Monday.
[00:33:41] Speaker C: Okay. And it's. Yeah, that's what I thought that Magic was doing Thursday. I just couldn't remember.
Yeah, it'll be really super interesting to see. We won't have. Remember, folks, we won't have itineraries for the fall for quite a long time because DCL is very, very slow to release itineraries, unlike the other cruise lines. But the hope, of course, is all the hope for us is always that. That they keep one of the ships on the west coast because as we know, the Wonder is going to Australia and New Zealand. And so. Or I should say we don't know as we expect, we expect the Wonder to go to Australia, New Zealand. Otherwise it would seem, would seem kind of silly to have two ships on the West Coast. Unless maybe the magic could go, I.
[00:34:25] Speaker B: Was gonna say they swap. Yeah, they could, they could just, you know, they could maybe say, like, let's send a new ship, a different ship over to Australia to give them just a slightly different experience than what they're getting now and keep the Wonder here. I, I, you know, I don't know. I don't know. They had to do some work on the Wonder to get her, you know, get her ready to go to Australia. So it may not be sort of worth putting that work into the magic. I, I, I don't know. But yeah, it, it, what's more interesting to me is two ships on the west coast, like, so the next set of itineraries should be fascinating. Like what's going to happen with the other Magic class ship that's out here? Will there be an extended San Diego season?
They'll definitely be a West coast repositioning cruise, which, you know, we haven't seen for quite a while.
Is one of them going to go, start going maybe back and forth to Hawaii more?
[00:35:18] Speaker C: I mean, yeah, that's saying. Her guest survey last summer was heavily focused in interest in Pacific coast ports. You know, there's definitely, there's, I mean, there would definitely be interest. I think there's a lot of west coasters who'd be interested in sailing up and down the west coast, even not heading to Hawaii.
And of course, as Beth is pointing about, as the other Beth is pointing out, a land and sea combo would be popular with Disneyland.
[00:35:46] Speaker B: Be there in a heartbeat. Yeah, sign me up. Yeah. Well, I guess the last ship to talk about quickly is the adventure.
[00:35:56] Speaker C: Oh, I almost forgot about the adventure.
[00:36:00] Speaker B: It's there. It's this little bitty little corner over here.
[00:36:04] Speaker A: This is our, this is our dessert.
Now.
[00:36:08] Speaker C: This is like our after dinner mint or something.
[00:36:10] Speaker A: Our after dinner mint.
[00:36:12] Speaker B: This is those chocolates they send you home with that you throw away the.
[00:36:17] Speaker A: Ones that they put in the little box.
[00:36:18] Speaker B: Yeah. Yep. So she's going to be doing three and four night sailings. Not surprising. Cruises to nowhere. I really hope, hope. I really hope at some point in the future we see a little something fun with the adventure in this column. Or maybe, you know, just a port stop, you know, so, but maybe I will put the call out again. We have been very interested in having someone on the show who is a, an expert in the Asian cruise market. Because I'd love to understand what we might be in for now. Disney's bucked the trend so far with the casino on board the ship. So they may buck other trends over there. But, but I'd love to know if this is just standard, what you expect in Asia is three and four night cruises to nowhere. Then you know, maybe the adventure won't ever do anything else. But I'd love to see them throw a seven night or a longer sailing over there to just give a nod to the US side of the equation here that does want to go over and experience that ship, but doesn't fly for 19 hours to go on a three night cruise.
[00:37:14] Speaker C: So yeah, I mean I think other.
[00:37:16] Speaker A: Cruise lines, other American cruise lines do have extended itineraries out of Asia that, you know, I think our combination of Asian and American guests, Princess comes to mind. Viking comes to mind. So, you know, I think they're still putting their toes in the water and figuring out, you know, there's probably a number of considerations, you know, culturally, economics, all of that before they, you know, commit to bigger things. But it's a big commitment. They've got this biggest ship.
[00:37:51] Speaker C: Right.
[00:37:52] Speaker A: Has it been out, has it been out built yet?
[00:37:56] Speaker B: No, no.
[00:37:59] Speaker C: And we've heard rumors that it's like wildly over, over cost.
[00:38:04] Speaker B: Well, we've heard conflicting rumors. We've heard, we've heard rumors that it is wildly behind schedule and rumors that it is in fact on schedule. So I guess we're going to find out pretty soon because they're gonna have to float her out about the same time as the Destiny. Destiny float out can't be that far off to make the, to make the November time frame. So in the next couple months we should see kind of if the adventure is truly ready or not.
Yeah, it'll be very interesting. We, we have heard that they really can't miss their date over in Singapore.
[00:38:39] Speaker C: Yeah, we heard that there's.
[00:38:40] Speaker B: Sets them up, sets them up for a wish like scenario.
[00:38:44] Speaker C: We don't know. We don't know. We don't know the details. But, but the last thing that we heard about them being behind schedule was that they really can't be behind schedule in Singapore because there's some kind of penalties that they might have to pay if they're not on time for their maiden. I don't know about test cruises or anything like that. So we'll see. We'll have to keep watching and maybe we'll hear again. When we hear these things, we don't always know how accurate they are because they're there's, there are, there are some more reliable and less reliable sources that we have. And, and so we don't always know what information is just purely telephone.
[00:39:26] Speaker B: We try desperately on this show to be very clear when we are like prognosticating or talking about rumor. Because if it's rumor and it's not confirmed, then all bets are off when it comes to Disney. Disney Cruise Line. But yeah, it'll be, it will be interesting to see what happens with the, the adventure. I really don't, I don't think they can have a flop of a maiden voyage over there and then, yeah, it's just going to create an uphill battle for them. So I really hope they figure it out because you know that for that ship to be a success, everything needs to kind of work like it did on the Treasure, not like it did on the Wish. So.
Yeah. Karen, what, what are you. Anything catch your eye? I'll say for. Just to answer the question we usually get. What are you booking? We're probably, to be perfectly honest because we're doing the podcast cruise in July, not booking anything off of this itinerary release. I will be, I was, I should actually say I was shocked that it only went to September because I thought that Disney was moving to this like twice a year release schedule. Schedule. We would get, we would get dates out fall to December.
[00:40:26] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:40:26] Speaker B: And we did it. So I don't know if they're holding back because of, you know, some new like, maiden voyage that they don't want to put out or gaps in the itinerary that would signal when a new ship is coming in. Who knows. But we'll be looking, I'll be looking heavily at the fall release that comes out. Fall winter release that comes out because I think we might be looking to book something for Thanksgiving holiday or Christmas time in 2026. This, this year for 2026, for summer for us. We're all in on the podcast cruise with Karen. Reach out to her to book.
[00:40:54] Speaker C: And so, and of course, and of course we've got the destiny booked at the end of this year. So it's, it's, you know, and we, we, I will tell you all, we are booked on Royal Caribbean Cruise for spring break of 2026 on the, I believe it's the symphony. Is that right, Brian? It's Oasis, right? Yeah. So it's an Oasis class ship. So we are, we're giving we one, you know, one of our weeks that year. So we've got a, you know, this balance there. But we'll definitely be looking all to winter itinerary six.
[00:41:30] Speaker B: Yep. Karen, what are you. What are you looking at?
[00:41:33] Speaker A: You know, 2026 is going to be a very big transition year because I'm going to have two adult kids that have completely transitioned out of the usual, out of school and everything, grades and so. So I'm kind of feeling like a little bit deer in the headlights, empty nest, depression. I don't know what you want to call it.
So I have no idea what we're going to plan for 2026 in terms of Disney Cruise Line itineraries.
I.
[00:42:04] Speaker C: You know, Karen, I hear you're a size 7, size 10 night Southern Caribbean.
[00:42:09] Speaker A: That is always.
That is always a very good option. I am all for the more nights, the better, so. But also, you know, I kind of like. Because I am not locked into those traditional breaks anymore, I think the one that calls to me the most is probably that British Isles in September.
[00:42:33] Speaker C: Yeah, I can, I can understand that. Honestly, I would. You know, that was before we booked the Norwegian Fjords. We were actually booked on British Isles and then we pivoted to Norwegian Fjords. I don't regret that decision at all. But I still want to do a British Isles cruise cruise someday. It's just probably not in the next two years. It's probably further out in the schedule. And you know, with. With Disney Cruise Line heading to Asia in 2029, I've already got that like, laser focused out there as well, so.
[00:43:05] Speaker B: Well, as we wrap up, I would really love to.
[00:43:07] Speaker A: I would love to start looking at some combinations and I hope they're starting to do some more synergies of adventures by Disney with Disney Cruise Line, especially as they expand, you know, more globally. So I'm going to be on the lookout for that and maybe even the return. I don't think it's going to happen, but the return of the embedded ABDs on Ford Disney Cruise Line.
[00:43:28] Speaker C: Oh, yeah, that would be interesting. Definitely.
[00:43:31] Speaker B: Yeah. I've completely. I almost forgotten that those exist.
[00:43:35] Speaker C: Yeah, it's been years now.
[00:43:37] Speaker B: A hot minute. Yeah, it's been a hot minute since those were around. Yeah. Yeah. Well, as we wrap up here, let me put a call first out to everyone watching live. Like, throw in the chat. If any of these itineraries have caught your eye and you're looking to book, I'd be curious what you're looking to book. I know Beth is. The British Isles is definitely on her list. So, yeah, if you're looking to book anything, I'd love to know what is catching your attention. Karen, while folks might be doing that, like let them know how they can book with you and help support our show by booking with you and. And take advantage of your fabulous services.
[00:44:09] Speaker A: Absolutely. So we have. You can reach me and our team like any which way. Mypathunwinding.com DCLDUO that's scrolling across the bottom of your screen. That's sort of the landing page has a quick form. If you're not a form person, you can email dclduomypathunwinding.com if you can't find either of those, you can find me on Facebook. Just send me a message. I'll shoot you my email. We'll connect.
I know you'll tell me that the DCL duo sent you and that you saw us chatting and that you're ready to plan your next vacation. So we're here for you. We've been working with a lot of DCL duo listeners for Disney Cruise Line for this adventures by Disney River Cruise and then well beyond, whether it be Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean, all of all of the good things.
[00:45:04] Speaker C: Oh yeah, that's right. I saw our friends, the Burns family is interested in. Well, the Burns adults are interested I saw in Virgin Voyages.
Yeah, there's definitely lots of different options out there on the table. And as Karen said, please reach out out to her if you're interested in booking any of these things on dcl but also and on the other major cruise lines, all inclusives, river cruises, all those things, all of your travel needs my path unwinding can help you with. So with that I'll just wait.
[00:45:36] Speaker B: Well, wait, hold on. We got, I put a call out. We got some answers.
[00:45:39] Speaker C: Oh, sorry. Okay.
[00:45:43] Speaker B: We got Wesley saying he's definitely going to book Alaska because his son sun is turning 12. Great age, I think for that trip, Wesley. And we'll see by the way, Wesley, we'll see you on the main voyage of the Destiny. It sounds like Linda says she's definitely considering Alaska. I feel like Alaska is always the star of the show for these release cycles.
[00:46:00] Speaker C: Summer itineraries is always Alaska.
[00:46:02] Speaker B: I do like Beth Gentry's comment here. I wish the new ships were doing more interesting ports. Amen. Like it'd be nice to see like a few more ports announced as new year to year. But hey, hey, with the new ships that they announced recently, the smaller ships, I bet that's where we'll start to see some of these new reports because they can get into more interesting places.
[00:46:22] Speaker C: Yeah, we just have to wait till 2029 for that though, Brian, that's very sad.
[00:46:26] Speaker B: Yeah, well, it is, it is, it is very sad. Yeah. And Taran made a good point about the adventure. Bookings are similar in cost. And I. The adventure, I will say outside of the airfare to get to Singapore, the Adventure has some of the most affordable itineraries on like a per night cost basis. It's like, like old school DCL, like per night cost of, you know, about about $1,000. I say old school like pre pandemic, like right before where it's like $1000 a night for a regular sailing and around 1500 dollars a night for a concierge room. Like. And they've got a lot more stateroom classes and styles on that ship. I will be interested to hear reports from Americans who sail on that on board.
Just from the standpoint that it's going to be different, I think it's going to be a very, very different experience.
[00:47:17] Speaker C: Yeah. Imagine the people who were complaining about the wish and how it was different.
[00:47:22] Speaker A: Exactly, exactly.
And if it's not quite ready, then that's just.
[00:47:28] Speaker C: Oh, this is cherry on top. Oh my gosh.
[00:47:31] Speaker A: That will be the cherry on top of our box. Chocolate dessert.
[00:47:35] Speaker C: Exactly. We've got Drew saying maybe the DVC cruise or a seven night Eastern on the Destiny.
[00:47:42] Speaker B: Ye.
[00:47:42] Speaker C: Yeah, that's right. The. The Destiny has a couple of seven night sailings that are interesting. We didn't. We. I forgot to point those out. Yeah, there's I think two seven night sailings that the Destiny has in. In the mix there as well. So. Yes.
[00:47:56] Speaker B: Wait, the Destiny has a seven night sailing?
[00:47:58] Speaker C: Yeah, I think it has just two. I think it has two of them on it.
[00:48:02] Speaker B: I totally miss it. Fort Lauderdale to look at Key.
Yep. And three days at sea. Nice. And then where's the other one? I want. Oh, it's. Is it two? No, it's one here.
[00:48:11] Speaker C: It's just one. I thought there were. Maybe I'm wrong.
[00:48:13] Speaker A: There's a Western, there's an Eastern one.
[00:48:15] Speaker C: Western. Yeah. That's what I call one western and one Eastern.
[00:48:18] Speaker B: And that. That Western is very nice because it stops at both private islands. I, I cannot, I cannot speak highly enough of getting to Lookout Key, as many of you will know. But that opportunity to go to Both Islands and P.S. neither.
[00:48:31] Speaker C: And on the newest ship.
[00:48:33] Speaker B: On the newest ship and neither of them are stopping at Nassau. Like, wow. Like that is. Those are. Those are going to be some good trips. I have. I have a feeling. So that's. That's amazing.
[00:48:42] Speaker C: I think those will Book up pretty quick for sure.
[00:48:44] Speaker B: Well, and so as we wrap up, I just want to say thank you to everyone out there for, for watching, for listening after the fact. I always like to say to let folks know what our next live episode is going to be. It's with CT on Monday. Our friend over at Tinfoil Mouse, there's a little, a little Valentine's Day special. Early CT is going to share some of the fun things that he and his wife like to do as a couple onboard Disney cruise line. And, and C T is just always fun to hear from. So we can't wait to hear from him.
I have to absolutely plug that. Our live show after that will be on February 24th with an ABD guide. Danny. And Danny was friends with the genie. Danny is an amazing Adventures by Disney guide. We loved him on the adventure that we had. And Sam bumped into him on the Treasure on the preview cruise. So. So Danny, if you're out there watching, listening, we can't wait to have you on and talk all things your life right now and hopefully adventures by Disney too.
And yeah, so can't wait for those two episodes. So stay tuned for those. I think we will be dark from an episode, a live episode standpoint on February 17th. I believe it is because we had originally planned to be in New Orleans until you can't see because it's off screen. But Sam is in a boot from a stress fracture from her recent double run on Disneyland.
[00:50:05] Speaker C: I did complete the Dumbo with no issues, but after the fact it appears that I developed or developed a stress, probably a stress fracture. I have, have to. I'm scheduling an MRI to confirm it.
[00:50:18] Speaker B: So I'm in a boot and actually someone just commented. Sam, where's did we talk about the one that stops twice? Like three times?
[00:50:26] Speaker C: We, we, we just, we didn't, we didn't comment about it specifically but I mentioned that there the Destiny has the most like duo dip, double dip type stuff going on. And so that was like. That is the, the, the amazingness of the Destiny having all of those options.
[00:50:44] Speaker B: Yes. But the Destiny, it sounds like one of them is going to cast away twice and look out key once.
[00:50:48] Speaker C: Correct. It's a. It is a double or it is a double plus. Duo destination dip. Double dip.
[00:50:55] Speaker B: Double duo dip. A double duo dip. There you go.
[00:50:58] Speaker C: Plus. You have to put a plus because otherwise it's double duo dip plus.
[00:51:01] Speaker B: Sure.
[00:51:01] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:51:01] Speaker B: An uber duo dip duo. I've lost. I can't do it. I can't do it. Uber duo dip. There you go. All Right. All right, well, okay with that. Seriously, we will wrap up. We will thank Karen so much for coming on. Please, please, please reach out to her if you're interested in booking any of these sailings. It helps support our show. We don't promote things that we don't use ourselves. And we've, we've booked with Karen. We booked with other of her fabulous agents over at My Path Unwinding. Love the experience there. So please, please, please support our show by booking with them. And otherwise we will just say good night, thanks for watching and we'll see.
[00:51:33] Speaker C: You on Monday at our normal time.
[00:51:35] Speaker B: All right, see you.
[00:51:36] Speaker A: Thanks everybody.
[00:51:42] Speaker B: Well, thanks everyone out there for listening this week. We really, really appreciate it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast secure. You can keep getting great content from us every week. In fact, twice a week we publish shows. So be sure to hit the subscribe button to get all of those great episodes. And if you want to watch us alive, we have a live show now every week, Monday nights, 5:30pm Pacific, 8:30pm Eastern over on YouTube.com DCLDUO so be sure to head over and check that out. If you want help support the show, be sure to hit those five stars on Apple podcasts. And if you leave us a written review, a five star written review, we will read it at the top of one of our main episodes. So please head over there and hit those five stars. Of course, you can also help support the show by supporting our fabulous show sponsor, My Path Unwinding Travel. You want to book your next Disney vacation? Head over to mypathunwinding.com dclduo or email them at dclduomypathunwinding.com so they know we sent you their way. If you've got questions or you'd like to connect with us, the best way to do that is to head over to DCLDuo.com it's got links to to all of our things. Full catalog of the podcast episodes including a searchable catalog for the podcast. Links off to our vlog, a link to our Etsy store. We sell some fun fan inspired magnets link to our patreon. If you'd like to help directly support the show each and every month, just head over to the website or patreon.com DCLDUO also has a way for you to sign up for our substack newsletter that we're hoping to start really pumping out monthly here at least and a few blog articles that we've written. So DCL D duo.com is the best way to connect with us. You can also, of course, email
[email protected] or reach out to us on our voicemail line at 402-413-5590. That's 402-413-5590. The DCL duo Podcast is not affiliated with Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Company, or the Disney Family of theme parks. The views expressed on the show are solely those of the individuals on the podcast and in no way reflective. Use the Disney Company or Disney Cruise Line. If you have questions about a Disney Cruise or Disney Vacation, please contact the great folks over at My Path Unwinding Travel or Disney directly or your own travel agent. Thanks again for listening, and we'll see you next time for another fabulous adventure with the DCL Duo.
