Where We Roam Podcast

Japan is calling, and the Rice family is going BIG! This week on Where We Roam, Dayna is planning the ultimate family adventure to Japan, celebrating her daughter's 18th birthday and a year of major milestones with 10 nights exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. John, Jess, and Shawn join the planning party as Dayna shares her itinerary, from Tokyo DisneySea and Super Nintendo World to Pokémon shoppi...

Airbnb hosts are CRASHING OUT, and the internet is watching! From outrageous cleaning fees and endless checkout chores to hosts charging guests for moving furniture, has the short-term rental industry completely forgotten about hospitality? This week on the Where We Roam Podcast, John, Dayna, Jess, and Shawn dive into the controversy surrounding Airbnb's guest policies and the viral host meltdowns...

Is Royal Caribbean's Suite Class really worth the upgrade? This week on Where We Roam, John joins Dayna and Jess to share his family's experience aboard Utopia of the Seas, including how a last-minute RoyalUp bid landed them in an incredible two-story Crown Loft Suite! From the exclusive Suite Neighborhood and Coastal Kitchen to priority boarding, reserved show seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, and so...

Shawn is BACK! After months away and a move halfway around the world, Shawn Janofski rejoins John, Dayna, and Jess; and naturally, we’re welcoming him back with a Disney resort showdown. The whole crew is together again, the opinions are flying, and we’re finding out whether Shawn can make it through the scoring without handing out any of his infamous bonus points. This week, Disney’s Yacht &...

Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Choosing sides gets personal when your favorite rides, resorts, and park perks are on the line. This week on Where We Roam, John, Dayna, and Jess play Would You Rather: Orlando Theme Park Edition. From Dole Whip versus churros to Lightning Lane versus Universal Express, we’re making the tough calls, defending our favorites, and occasionally trying to pick an...

Big ships, private islands, and just a few days to get away. Which short cruise is actually worth booking? John, Dayna, and Jess compare the best weekend cruises for families, couples, and adults looking for a quick escape. From Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas to Disney Cruise Line and adults-only Virgin Voyages, we break down the food, entertainment, atmosphere, and va...

Looking for spring break vacation ideas? John, Dayna, and Jess talk family cruises, Universal Orlando, Hawaii, Japan, and tropical resort escapes, plus why now is the time to get your trip booked. We share what our travel clients are booking for spring break, where availability is tightening, and why Universal is getting so much love. We also discuss Disney Cruise Line concierge and Royal Caribbea...

Disney finally put real details behind its biggest theme-park projects at D23 2026, but did it announce enough? John is joined by Dayna and Jess to break down everything coming to Walt Disney World, Disneyland and the international Disney parks. Villains Land officially has a name and two attractions, Piston Peak is looking much more ambitious than expected, Carousel of Progress is getting a major...

Is Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island worth the extra cost during a Nassau cruise stop? Dayna shares her firsthand review after visiting during a sailing on Wonder of the Seas, including transportation, pricing, what’s included, food and drink options, beaches, pools, cabanas and the overall atmosphere. This isn’t just a quiet family beach day, but it isn’t an adults-only party clu...

Hotel Xcaret México promises an elevated all-inclusive vacation with incredible dining, spectacular grounds and unlimited access to some of the Riviera Maya’s best parks. But is this luxury resort still worth its five-star price? John joins Dayna and Jess to share an honest review of his family’s return to Hotel Xcaret México. We cover the resort’s massive expansion, exceptional meals at Las Cueva...

Is an Alaska cruise worth the hype? Dayna returns from a family sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s newly amplified Ovation of the Seas and shares everything you need to know before planning your own Alaska adventure. We cover the stunning train ride from Anchorage to Seward, sailing past Hubbard Glacier, whale watching in Juneau, meeting sled dogs and puppies in Skagway, searching for bears in Icy S...

What was the trip that made you fall in love with travel? This week, John, Dayna, and Jess look back at the journeys that shaped them as travelers. They share their favorite family vacations, the couples’ trips that helped them reconnect, and the destinations that surprised them most. From a groundbreaking first cruise aboard Voyager of the Seas and a European family adventure on Symphony of the S...

This week, we’re crowning the best moderate resort at Walt Disney World. Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside/French Quarter, and Coronado Springs/Gran Destino Tower go head-to-head across the categories that matter most: transportation, theming, rooms, dining, pools, amenities, value, and a few highly subjective bonus points. Is the Skyliner enough to push Caribbean Beach to the top? Does Port...

Summer travel is in full swing, and this week we’re breaking down the biggest trends we’re seeing in 2026: cruises, Europe, and multi-generational family trips. John, Dayna, and Jess talk through their own summer travel plans, from Alaska cruises and Hotel Xcaret to Universal Orlando, Epic Universe, Disney weekends, river cruising, and sports travel. But the bigger story is what clients are bookin...

This week on Where We Roam, we are getting a few things off our chest with a full episode dedicated to our biggest Walt Disney World pet peeves. John, Dayna, and Jess talk through the guest behaviors that can turn a magical park day into a test of patience, from people standing way too close in line, to massive groups cutting the queue, to guests stopping dead in the middle of Main Street USA like...

Dayna is back from Walt Disney World with firsthand updates from some of the newest experiences in the parks! In this episode of Where We Roam, John, Dayna, and Jess dive into Dayna’s recent visit for passholder previews, including the new Muppets-themed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the limited-time Soarin’ Across America overlay at EPCOT, and the newly refreshed Animatio...

This week on Where We Roam, we’re talking location, location, location with a Disney Resort Showdown featuring three of our favorite Walt Disney World resorts close to the parks: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. But first, Dayna joins us live from Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a Disney Parks update, including her experience riding...

This week on Where We Roam, we’re playing Travel Would You Rather — the ultimate vacation debate episode. John, Dayna, Jess, and Shawn are choosing between some seriously tough travel scenarios: a full week at Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, a suite on an older cruise ship or an inside cabin on the newest ship, flying economy with an ultra-luxury resort stay or flying business class with m...

Jess is official official! This week on Where We Roam, we officially welcome Jess as a regular co-host and give listeners a chance to get to know her better. Jess shares how her love of travel started, what led her into the travel advisor world, and why Hawaii has become one of her deepest areas of expertise. We talk Maui memories, favorite Hawaiian resorts, bucket-list trips, traveling with kids...

Thinking about upgrading to The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line? Before you spend the extra money, this episode breaks down what you really need to know. After John’s recent stay in a Haven Penthouse with Balcony on Norwegian Luna, we’re answering the most common NCL Haven questions: what The Haven actually is, what perks are included, how the private restaurant compares to specialty dining, whethe...

Universal’s Epic Universe is officially raising the stakes—and Disney is responding with a massive $10 billion investment across its parks. But is it enough? In this episode of Where We Roam, we break down the growing battle between Disney and Universal, including what’s coming to Walt Disney World through 2030, how Epic Universe is already changing the game, and why this feels like a full-blown t...

Norwegian Luna is one of the most stunning new ships at sea—but is it enough to take down Royal Caribbean? Fresh off the first public sailing, we’re breaking down our full experience onboard NCL’s newest ship—from embarkation and ship design to dining, entertainment, and The Haven. But the real question: 👉 When you compare it head-to-head with Royal Caribbean… who actually comes out on top? In th...

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 J...

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, overa...

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, expan...