Where We Roam Podcast

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...

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 🗺️ It...

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 s...

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” narra...

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...

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, mo...

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 happ...

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,...

What are the best adult-only vacations for couples and friends in their 40s and beyond? In this episode of the Where We Roam Podcast, John, Dayna, and Shawn share their favorite middle-aged, adult-only getaways — trips that balance relaxation, great food, adventure, and nightlife without feeling like a spring break rerun. From adult-only cruises to luxury all-inclusive resorts, domestic escapes, a...

Disney Cruise Line’s Wish Class has sparked more debate than any fleet Disney has ever launched — and today, we’re breaking down the good, the bad, and the downright controversial. From elevator layouts and the infamous “bathtub pools” to the new rotational dining shows, immersive storytelling, elevated theming, and the real-world fixes Disney implemented between Wish → Treasure → Destiny… we cove...

Ever wonder which Universal Orlando rides truly stack up against Disney World’s biggest attractions? This week, John, Dayna, and Shawn dive deep into the most honest, most chaotic, and most opinion-packed comparison episode we’ve ever done. Buckle up — feelings were hurt, friendships were tested, and some sacred cows were absolutely roasted. We break down attraction matchups like: Tron Lightcycle...

This week we’re embracing the chaos with what we lovingly call The Big Toe Episode — where the topics aren’t sexy, but they matter more than ever. We’re breaking down the travel insurance questions everyone is suddenly asking, the recent flight disruptions, and the reality behind those shiny Black Friday offers. PLUS: four brand-new cruise ships launching in the same month (yes, four!), what that...