Where We Roam Podcast

Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay… Which Disney Island Wins?

Disney Cruise Line now has two private destinations… but which one actually delivers the better day?
In this episode of Where We Roam, John, Dayna, and special guest Jess break down Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point—and it gets surprisingly competitive.
Dayna just sailed back-to-back itineraries hitting BOTH islands in the same week, giving us a rare side-by-side comparison, while Jess brings fresh perspective from recent sailings.
We’re scoring each destination across what actually matters:
Beaches (spoiler: this one isn’t close 👀)
Layout & ease of getting around
Activities (snorkeling, biking, water play & more)
Vibe (classic Disney vs. authentic Bahamas feel)
Food (and yes… we go there)
From crystal-clear Bahamian water and pink sand beaches to nostalgia, crowd flow, and real-world usability, this is the honest breakdown Disney cruisers need.
If you’re deciding between itineraries—or just want to know if Disney’s new island lives up to the hype—this episode gives you the answer.

Utopia of the Seas Review: The Ultimate Weekend Cruise (Roamer Rating)

This week on the Where We Roam Podcast, we’re breaking down Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas with our brand new Roamer Rating system—and nothing is off limits.
Joined by special guest Corinne from Royal Caribbean, we dive into a real-world review of a 3-night weekend sailing out of Port Canaveral—covering everything from embarkation to entertainment.
We rate:
🚢 The Ship (layout, crowds, overall vibe)
🍽️ Food (Coastal Kitchen vs main dining vs specialty)
🛏️ Stateroom (Junior Suite for a family of 5)
📍 Itinerary (Nassau, CocoCay, and the new Beach Club)
👏 Service (and why Royal continues to stand out)
🎭 Entertainment (Aqua 80s, ice shows, live music)
💰 Value (is a short cruise actually worth it?)
Plus, we talk:
Weekend cruise vs weekday cruise vibes
Is Utopia too crowded?
The Galentine’s takeover 👀
And whether 3 nights is enough (spoiler: probably not)
If you’ve been considering a short Royal Caribbean cruise, this is the episode you need before you book.

Norwegian Luna Preview + Where Everyone Is Traveling in Summer 2026

What happens when two travel advisors get invited on one of the first sailings of a brand-new cruise ship?
In this episode of the Where We Roam Podcast, John and Dayna preview the Norwegian Luna, the newest ship from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus class, before sailing on board in just a few weeks.
We talk about what makes the Luna different from other ships — including the Aqua Coaster, expanded outdoor spaces, new dining concepts like the Indulge Food Hall, and how NCL’s Freestyle Cruising compares to other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line.
We also break down what our clients are actually booking for Summer 2026 travel, including:
• Alaska cruises• European cruises and river cruises• Caribbean family sailings• All-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Turks & Caicos• New ships like Disney Destiny, Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas, and Norwegian Luna
Plus we discuss:
Why cruise ships are getting bigger (and sometimes smaller)
New private island upgrades at Great Stirrup Cay
The best cruise experiences to book for next summer
And John’s plan to test the bourbon selection on board.
If you’re planning summer travel in 2026, considering a cruise vacation, or just love hearing about the newest ships and destinations, this episode is packed with inspiration.
Subscribe to the Where We Roam Podcast for weekly travel insights, cruise previews, and destination ideas from travel advisors who actually visit the places they recommend.

The Roamer Rating Debuts: Disney Fantasy Pixar Day at Sea Review

We’re launching something brand new this week: The Roamer Rating.
Instead of casually recapping trips, we’re breaking them down category by category so you know exactly what’s worth your time (and your money).
In this episode, John reviews his recent 5-Night Pixar Day at Sea sailing on the Disney Fantasy — and nothing is off limits.
We rate:
🚢 The Ship
🍽️ Food & Palo Brunch
🛏️ Stateroom
🗺️ Itinerary (including Lighthouse Point vs Castaway Cay)
🎭 Entertainment
💰 Value
⭐ Service (you will NOT believe this score)
Was the embarkation chaos a deal breaker?Did Lighthouse Point live up to the hype?Is Disney still setting the gold standard for service at sea?
And most importantly… is it worth the bang for your buck?
Let’s Roam.

Wish to Europe & a Growing Fleet: Breaking Down Disney Cruise Line’s 2027 Itineraries

Disney Cruise Line’s 2027 itineraries are officially here—and they might be the clearest sign yet that the fleet is entering a new era.
The headline move? The Disney Wish is heading to Europe for the first time. After years of short sailings out of Port Canaveral, Disney is finally sending a Wish-class ship across the Atlantic, signaling a more mature fleet, longer itineraries, and a more global strategy.
In this episode, we break down what’s available to book for 2027 and what it all means.
We cover:
The Wish moving to Europe and why it matters
How the growing fleet is changing deployment strategy
Alaska expansion and Caribbean reshuffling
Where each ship is sailing in 2027
Which itineraries will go fast (and which might surprise you)
What this says about Disney Cruise Line’s future
With more ships, more regions, and more variety than ever, 2027 isn’t just another deployment drop—it’s a snapshot of a cruise line that’s growing up fast.

Is Disney Too Expensive Now? Real 2026 Price Breakdown

Is Disney too expensive for the average family now?Or is the internet exaggerating again?
This week, John, Dayna, and Shawn break down real vacation pricing for summer 2026 and compare:
Disney value, moderate, and deluxe resort costs
Universal Orlando pricing (including Epic Universe)
Dining plans and hidden expenses
Where you actually get the most value
Whether the “Disney is unaffordable” narrative is true
We priced out full family vacations with tickets, hotels, and promotions to see what a middle-class trip really costs — and the results may surprise you.
Plus:
The new Disney CEO announcement and what it could mean
Why promotions can be a “shell game”
When Universal might actually be the better deal
And the one resort category where Disney still dominates
If you’re planning a 2026 trip, this episode will save you money — and maybe some stress.

French Quarter vs Caribbean Beach: The Ultimate Moderate Resort Showdown

Which Disney moderate resort is better: Port Orleans French Quarter or Caribbean Beach Resort?
In this episode of Where We Roam, John, Dayna, and Shawn bring back the fan-favorite Resort Showdown to compare two of Walt Disney World’s most popular moderate resorts. We score French Quarter and Caribbean Beach across the categories Disney travelers care about most—location and transportation, theming, room layout, food and beverage, pools, and on-site amenities—plus a bonus round that can completely change the outcome.
From Skyliner access and park convenience to beignets, bars, and resort vibes, we break down the real pros and cons of each resort and explain who each one is best for. Whether you’re planning a Disney vacation, choosing a moderate resort, or deciding between French Quarter vs Caribbean Beach, this episode will help you book with confidence.

Our Cruise Must-Pack List: From Magnetic Hooks to Baby Jesus

Season 3 is officially here! 🚢✨
We’re kicking off the new season of the Where We Roam Podcast with one of our most requested topics — cruise must-pack items.
In this episode, John, Dayna, and Shawn break down the things we never cruise without — the items that actually make a difference once you’re onboard and in port. From stateroom game-changers and pool-deck essentials to tech we swear by, money tips, and some of the fun cruise traditions you probably didn’t even know existed…this is the packing list we personally use before every sailing.
Whether you’re heading out on Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, or your first cruise ever, this episode will help you skip the rookie mistakes and cruise smarter from day one.
🎒 We cover:• The biggest cruise packing mistakes people make• Pool deck & beach day essentials• Stateroom organization hacks• Tech & charging must-haves• What to bring (and not bring) onboard• Cash, wine, and carry-on strategy• Fun cruise traditions like door decor, ducks, and more
Season 3 is packed with new destinations, new ships, and a lot of upcoming cruises — and this episode sets the tone for everything to come.
Welcome back, roamers. Let’s cruise. 🌊

🚨 Breaking: Disney Drops a Bombshell Summer Deal to Take on Universal

Disney just dropped one of the most aggressive summer promotions we’ve seen in years—and it’s a big one. In this special breaking-news episode of the Where We Roam Podcast, John and Shawn unpack Disney’s brand-new summer offer that adds free nights and free park days to longer Walt Disney World stays, creating some of the strongest pricing families have seen since before COVID.
But this isn’t happening in a vacuum. With Universal’s Epic Universe looming large, this move feels like a clear shot across the bow. Disney is making it very clear: they want your entire vacation this summer. We break down what the promotion includes, who it’s best for, real pricing examples, how it stacks up against Universal right now, and why this deal could seriously shift where families choose to spend their theme park dollars in 2026.
If you’re considering Orlando this summer—or deciding between Disney and Universal—this is an episode you’ll want to hear before you book.

Season 2 Finale: 2026 Travel Trends, Cruise Predictions & Where Everyone Is Traveling Next

It’s the Season 2 finale of the Where We Roam Podcast 🎉 In this episode, John, Dayna, and Shawn break down the biggest 2026 travel trends, including cruising demand, Disney travel shifts, luxury and long-haul bookings, and where travelers are heading next.
We share real booking data, firsthand experiences, and expert predictions covering Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Europe, Japan, Alaska, river cruising, and all-inclusive resorts — plus what’s changing in how travelers plan and spend.