Best First Time Cruiser Podcasts (2025)

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479 First Time Cruiser’s Marvel Day at Sea on The Dream 46:31

5d ago46:31

46:31

This week, we are joined by Kyle, who sailed for the first time on the Disney Dream! As a huge Marvel fan, Kyle ensured his first sailing included a Marvel Day at Sea. We discuss first-time cruising expectations and realities, and what they would do differently on a future cruise. Want to be on the show? Fill out this form and we’ll be in contact w…

1
480 Adventures By Disney 2026 Land Adventures Release 53:56

24h ago53:56

53:56

Adventures By Disney has released its 2026 land adventures, and bookings start soon! Christy and Steve are here to break down the release and discuss why they chose ABD. Learn about what makes ABD special and the benefits of travelling with them. Follow Steve at: https://www.instagram.com/dcl_adventurers Want to be on the show? Fill out this form a…

1
Japan’s Desperate Air Battles Against the US in the Final Months of WW2 37:15

3d ago37:15

37:15

The B-29 Bomber led the Allied strategic bombing offensive against Japan, succeeding when US Bomber Command switched from high-level daytime precision bombing to low-level nighttime area bombing. The latter tactic required Superfortresses to attack their targets individually, without a formation or escorting fighters for protection. Despite this, J…

1
Conquer Seasickness: Expert Cruise Hacks for Smooth Sailing on High Seas! #BruceCruise 5:32

3d ago5:32

5:32

Discover actionable tips and cruise hacks to prevent seasickness - from top hygiene practices to choosing the perfect cabin. Learn about personal experience of Doug Parker and Emma of Emma Cruises on a recent Norwegian Aqua Cruise. #brucecruise Send us a text Support the show patreon.com/brucecruise Teespring! https://my-store-caccb1.creator-spring…

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D-Day From the East: The Soviet Operation Bagration Crippled the Wehrmacht in Late 1944 42:08

5d ago42:08

42:08

Throughout the war on the Eastern Front, there were two consistent trends. The Red Army battled to learn how to fight and win, while involved in a struggle for its very survival. But by 1944 it had a leadership that was able to wield it with lethal effect and with far more effective equipment than before. By contrast, the Wehrmacht had commenced a …

1
Pilgrimages Involved Penitent Marches, Visiting Holy Places, and Watching Drunken Emperors Go on Chariot Rides 44:53

10d ago44:53

44:53

Pilgrimages are a universal phenomenon, from China’s bustling Tai Shan to the ancient Jewish treks to Jerusalem. But why? What is it about a grueling penitent march to an isolated temple that has become a prerequisite for a civilization of any size, whether Chicen Itza in the Mayan Empire or the holy sites of Mecca? To explore this is today’s guest…

1
478 Snippets From The Disney Wonder With Steve | 3-Night Baja Sailing 45:10

12d ago45:10

45:10

Steve and Wake recorded some snippets from a recent 3-night Baja Sailing on the Wonder. Follow along as they spend time in Disneyland (They can miss the Incredicoaster), travel down to San Diego, and explain why a 3-night sailing on the Wonder is worth it. Want to be on the show? Fill out this form and we’ll be in contact with you real soon! https:…

1
Britain Learned How to Set Up Its Global Empire on a Tiny Bermudan Island 44:02

12d ago44:02

44:02

Years before Jamestown planters made New World farming profitable by growing tobacco, and years before their countrymen up north in Plymouth Colony managed to overcome their starvation conditions and acclimate to New England’s growing conditions, there was an English settlement in Bermuda that was wealthier, larger, and more prosperous. It was esta…

1
477 Disney Destiny New Details, Themes, and Characters Revealed! 32:02

15d ago32:02

32:02

Lake and Christy discuss the latest Disney Destiny news, covering the recent details announced. This ship is shaping up to have such a unique identity compared to its Wish and Treasure sisters, We cannot wait to see more! Want to be on the show? Fill out this form and we’ll be in contact with you real soon! https://dclpodcast.com/want-to-be-on-the-…

1
The Hatfield-McCoy Feud Started Over a Pig and Nearly Escalated Into a Regional War 45:20

17d ago45:20

45:20

The origins of the Hatfield-McCoy conflict (between the Hatfield family of West Virginia, led by William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield, and the McCoy family of Kentucky, led by Randolph "Old Randall" McCoy) begins with a dispute over a pig. From here, it escalated from minor disagreements to violent encounters that spanned decades, nearly sparking…

1
476 A Royal Caribbean Vs. Disney Cruise Line Showdown 1:18:12

19d ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Queue Forced Audience Applause. Christy, Nova, and Amber recently sailed on Royal Caribbean over spring break and we’ve come together to pit their experiences against Disney Cruise Line. Join us in this week’s episode as each cruise line battles it out for our guests’ points in categories like Staterooms, Dining, and Pool Towel Rental Processes? We…

1
The 1845 Potato Blight Struck Across Northern Europe. Why Did Only Ireland Starve? 48:41

19d ago48:41

48:41

In 1845, a novel pathogen attacked potato fields across Europe, from Spain to Scandinavia—but only in Ireland were the effects apocalyptic. At least one million Irish people died, and millions more scattered across the globe, emigrating to new countries and continents. Less than fifty years after the union of Ireland with the rest of Great Britain,…

1
Empathy vs. Sympathy: What’s the Difference and How to Manage Empathy Without Burnout 12:17

19d ago12:17

12:17

What’s the real difference between empathy and sympathy—and why does it matter in everyday life? In this episode of Rollin With the Dolans, Patrick and Tamekia get real about the emotional challenges of caring deeply, especially when you're a parent, spouse, entrepreneur, or just someone who feels everything. We explore: What empathy really means (…

1
Exploring Spain on The Road and Rail 49:58

23d ago49:58

49:58

From carnivals to historic landmarks it's all about Exploring Spain on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast with travel writer Rose Palmer. Hear about her experiences in Cadiz, Sitges, Madrid, Segovia, Avila, Andalucia, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada. Follow Rose's adventures on her site: https://quiltripping.com…

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475 Hiking in Alaskan Cruise Ports 38:54

24d ago38:54

38:54

We’ve got a great bonus episode to round off our Alaska Week! We get many questions about hiking in Alaskan Cruise Ports so we are very excited to have had friends of the show Ken and Sarah on to discuss the various hikes and excursions they have done in Alaska. They have done a variety of hikes on their own and through booked excursions and discus…

1
A Simple Tennessee Preacher Transformed Abolitionism from a Deeply Unpopular Radical Movement to a Centrist Cause 51:18

24d ago51:18

51:18

Sitting high above the small community of Ripley, Ohio, a lantern shone in the front window of a small, red brick home at night. It was a signal to slaves just across the Ohio River. Anyone fleeing bondage could look to Reverend John Rankin’s home for hope. To the slaveholders they fled from, Rankin’s activities as a “conductor” on the Underground …

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474 All About Alaska Ports | Plus A Land and Sea Itinerary 54:13

26d ago54:13

54:13

We are joined by Kira who has a fantastic Alaskan Sailing resume, traveling there the last three summers aboard Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess! Her Princess sailing also included a Land and Sea package to visit Denali which we discussed at the beginning of the show. Then we all discuss the various port excursions we’ve done throughout …

1
How Benjamin Franklin’s Stove Invention Kept Early America From Freezing 41:53

26d ago41:53

41:53

The biggest revolution in Benjamin Franklin’s lifetime was made to fit in a fireplace. Assembled from iron plates like a piece of flatpack furniture, the Franklin stove became one of the era's most iconic consumer products, spreading from Pennsylvania to England, Italy, and beyond. It was more than just a material object, however—it was also a hypo…

1
Roman Churches Had No Involvement in Marriage. How Did It Become a Holy Sacrament by the Middle Ages? 38:25

1M ago38:25

38:25

For much of Christian history, the Church had little involvement in marriage, which was primarily a contract between families. It wasn’t until the fourth century that church weddings emerged, and even then, they were mostly reserved for the elite. Fast forward to the High Middle Ages, and marriage became a sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church. Si…

1
473 First Time To Lookout Cay With Bethany Vinton Aboard the Disney Fantasy 1:05:18

1M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Bethany Vinton joins us to discuss her recent sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy. Bethany sailed with her neighbors who were first-time cruisers, and they all got to share a first-time experience to Lookout Cat at Lighthouse Point. She shares her experiences from the island and some of her favorite on-board locations and activities such as Prima Not…

1
How a Mess Cook Saved Dozens of Sailors from Shark Infested Waters Off the Coast of Guadalcanal 28:21

1M ago28:21

28:21

On the night of September 5, 1942, the USS Gregory (APD-3), a converted destroyer turned high-speed transport, was caught in a deadly ambush near Guadalcanal. The ship had been supporting U.S. Marine forces, ferrying troops and supplies, when it was mistaken for a larger threat by a group of Japanese destroyers. Outgunned and unable to escape, Greg…

1
472 Snippets From the Disney Dream With Chad | Marvel Day at Sea 27:25

1M ago27:25

27:25

Friend of the show and Patreon member Chad recently sailed on the Disney Dream for a Marvel Day at Sea cruise and agreed to record a snippets episode while on board. Chad and his wife enjoyed a sailing that stopped at both private islands and Chad discussed his first-time thoughts from Lookout Cay. Then they close out with a Marvel day! Thanks agai…

1
Humanity’s Past Suggests We Only Have 10,000 Years to Change or Go Extinct 53:19

1M ago53:19

53:19

We are living through a period that is unique in human history. For the first time in more than ten thousand years, the rate of human population growth is slowing down. In the middle of this century population growth will stop, and the number of people on Earth will start to decline - fast. As Gee demonstrates, our population has peaked, and is dec…

1
471 First Time Disney Cruisers Go All In | A Wish To Fantasy Back to Back Experience 57:44

1M ago57:44

57:44

First-time Disney Cruiser Cassie joins us to discuss her family’s first Disney cruises. yes, plural! They got to experience the Wish, disembark, and embark on the Fantasy on the same day. We discuss what information Disney Cruise Line provided to Cassie about this process and how the experience panned out. Then we discuss the wonderful things her f…

1
The 16th Century Ottomans Nearly Conquered Europe. Why Did European Kingdoms Make So Many Alliances With Them? 51:05

1M ago51:05

51:05

The determined attempt to thwart Ottoman dominance was fought by Muslims and Christians across five theaters from the Balkans to the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, from Persia to Russia. But this is not merely the story of a clash of civilizations between East and West. Europe was not united against the Turks; the scandal of the age was the al…

1
Crossing the Border & Loving It: Our Mexico Road Trip Recap 15:13

1M ago15:13

15:13

In this episode of Rollin with the Dolans, we’re sharing all the real talk about our very first trip to Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco), Mexico! After 27 years of living in Arizona, Patrick finally agreed to go—and spoiler alert: we’re already planning our next visit. We talk about: How easy (and safe) it was to cross the border Why we picked Las Palo…

1
Fort Stanwix and the Forgotten Revolutionary War Siege That Convinced France to Help the US 42:07

1M ago42:07

42:07

After a series of military defeats over the winter of 1776–1777, British military leaders developed a bold plan to gain control of the Hudson River and divide New England from the rest of the colonies. Three armies would converge on Albany: one under Lieutenant General John Burgoyne moving south from Quebec, one under General William Howe moving no…

1
Enough is Enuf, Our Failed Attempts to Make English Easier to Spell 39:21

2M ago39:21

39:21

No language is as inconsistent in spelling and pronunciation as English. Kernel and colonel rhyme, but read changes based on past or present tense. Ough has many pronunciations: ‘aw’ (thought), ‘ow’ (drought), ‘uff’ (tough), ‘off’ (cough), ‘oo’ (through). In response to this orthographic minefield, legions of rebel wordsmiths have died on the hill …

1
470 Sailing The Disney Treasure With Joe From Disney Deciphered 55:35

2M ago55:35

55:35

Joe from the Disney Deciphered Podcast joins us this week to discuss his family’s sailing aboard the Disney Treasure. Joe gives all his hints and tricks from their time on board. We discussed what excursions they did while at port and what activities they enjoyed the most while on board. This one is packed with details and we hope you enjoy! Follow…

1
Travel Tips for First-Time Princess Cruisers 57:13

2M ago57:13

57:13

It's all about Cruising with Princess Cruises on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast with travel writer Rose Palmer who has cruised on ten different Princess ships on itineraries that have spanned the globe. Find out how to choose the right cruise ship and what fare package to purchase, along with packing tips,…

1
Did Haiti’s First and Last King Squander the Revolution or Succeed in Underappreciated Ways? 51:04

2M ago51:04

51:04

Slave, revolutionary, king, Henry Christophe was, in his time, popular and famous the world over. Born to an enslaved mother on the Caribbean island of Grenada, Christophe first fought to overthrow the British in North America, before helping his fellow enslaved Africans in Saint-Domingue, as Haiti was then called, to end slavery. Yet in an incredi…

1
What Ancient Greeks and Victorian Explorers Thought Was at the North Pole 41:34

2M ago41:34

41:34

The North Pole looms large in our collective psyche—the ultimate Otherland in a world mapped and traversed. It is the center of our planet’s rotation, and its sub-zero temperatures and strange year of one sunset and one sunrise make it an eerie, utterly disorienting place that challenges human endurance and understanding. Erling Kagge and his frien…

1
Through Sickness and Health: Our Guests’ Incredible Journey 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

In this powerful episode of Rolling with the Dolans, we welcome special guests Patrick & Mariesha Russell to share their incredible journey of overcoming a stage 4 cancer diagnosis while staying strong in their marriage, faith, and family life. They open up about the shock of the diagnosis, how they navigated telling their young children, and the u…

1
469 Sailing the Fantasy to Lookout Cay For The First Time With Once Upon A Marathon 48:06

2M ago48:06

48:06

Amanda (@OnceUponAMarathon) joins us this week to discuss her recent sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy. With previous sailings aboard the Dream, Amanda discusses the differences between the two Dream class ships and what she prefers about each. This was Amanada and her Husband’s first sailing to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and she discusses he…

1
Nothing Healed America’s Wounds After the Civil War Like Baseball 50:35

2M ago50:35

50:35

The nineteenth century was a time of rapid growth and development for the game of “base ball,” and players George Wright and Albert Spalding were right in the thick of it. These two young men, the first superstars of the professional game, won the hearts of a country in search of a unifying spirit after a devastating civil war. Today’s guest is Jef…

1
How an 1870 Murder Created San Francisco 37:52

2M ago37:52

37:52

Shortly before dusk on November 3, 1870, just as the ferryboat El Capitan was pulling away from its slip into San Francisco Bay, a woman clad in black emerged from the shadows and strode across the crowded deck. Reaching under her veil, she drew a small pistol and aimed it directly at a well-dressed man sitting quietly with his wife and children. T…

1
Failed Futures: If Alexander The Great Hadn’t Died, He Might Have Conquered Europe, Circumnavigated Africa, and Built His Own Silk Road 34:20

2M ago34:20

34:20

And Alexander wept, seeing as he had no more worlds to conquer. That’s a quote from Hans Gruber in Die Hard, which is a very convoluted paraphrase from Plutarch’s essay collection Moralia. There’s plenty of truth in that unattributed quote from Mr. Gruber. Alexander the Great’s death at 323 BC in Babylon marked the end of the most consequential mil…

1
468 Comparing Cruise Lines | Celebrity Summit Vs The Disney Dream 1:01:53

2M ago1:01:53

1:01:53

We welcome Derry back to the show to discuss two recent sailings she took. One aboard the Disney Dream and one aboard the Celebrity Summit. Due to a recent surgery, her sister was 0-weight bearing on one foot, leading them to learn all about the accommodations and challenges a cruiser with accessibility issues may have while sailing aboard DCL. Whi…

1
Why the Anabasis is the Second-Most Influential Greek Epic (After Homer’s Works) 48:43

2M ago48:43

48:43

Imagine being stranded thousands of miles deep in enemy territory with 10,000 soldiers, no allies, no clear way home, and the only means of escape was by foot. This was the predicament faced by Xenophon and the Greek mercenaries in Anabasis, one of the most gripping survival stories of the ancient world. In this episode, we delve into the incredibl…

1
The American Revolution Would Have Been Lost Without a Ragtag Fleet of Thousands of Privateers 59:36

2M ago59:36

59:36

Privateers were a cross between an enlisted sailor and an outright pirate. But they were crucial in winning the Revolutionary War. As John Lehman, former secretary of the navy under President Ronald Reagan, observed, “From the beginning of the American Revolution until the end of the War of 1812, America’s real naval advantage lay in its privateers…

1
467 First Time Cruisers Aboard The Disney Wish 1:00:06

2M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

John joins us to discuss his family’s first time sailing DCL aboard the Disney Wish. They took a 3-night sailing for their first and had a marvelous time exploring all the Wish had to offer. We also discuss what resources they used to help prepare them for their first sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line! Want to be on the show? Fill out this form and…

1
Did Lincoln Save Global Democracy or Undermine It Using Wartime Powers? 57:26

2M ago57:26

57:26

Did Abraham Lincoln preserve democracy during the Civil War, or did he endanger it in the process? To explore this paradox, we’re joined by renowned historian and Lincoln scholar Allen Guelzo, author of Our Ancient Faith. Guelzo takes us deep into the high-stakes decisions of Lincoln’s presidency, from the suspension of habeas corpus to the Emancip…

1
Exploring Norway: Cruising and Road Tripping 53:03

3M ago53:03

53:03

It's all about Norway on this episode of Big Blend Radio's "Quiltripping Travel with Rose" Podcast with travel writer Rose Palmer. Hear about her cruising and road tripping adventures, plus, her travel tips on when to visit, seeing the northern lights, budgeting, and more. Read Rose's Norway Articles: - Quiltripping.com: https://quiltripping.com/ca…

1
466 An Adventurous Southern Caribbean Sailing with Trevor and Cheltsaney Aboard the Disney Magic 58:04

3M ago58:04

58:04

We have an adventurous one for you today! Trevor and Cheltsaney join us to discuss their 7-night Southern Caribbean sailing aboard the Disney Magic. They showed their travel confidence by exploring many of the islands by simply disembarking the ship and finding local guides to help them navigate. Follow Cheltsaney: Instagram: @Travel_with_cheltsane…

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The 1541 Spanish Expedition Down the Amazon to Find the Imaginary “El Dorado” and Valley of Cinnamon 40:32

3M ago40:32

40:32

As Spanish conquistators slowly moved through Latin America, they encountered levels of wealth that were unimaginable. Most famously, Incan Emperor Atahualpa was captured by Francisco Pizarro and paid a ransom of a room filled with gold and then twice over with silver. The room was 22 feet long by 17 feet wide, filled to a height of about 8 feet. S…

1
Everyday Life for the 500K German POWs House in America During World War Two 1:02:31

3M ago1:02:31

1:02:31

During World War II, approximately half a million German prisoners of war were held in the United States, housed in 700 camps spread across the country, from Florida to Maine. These POWs were treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, often working in agriculture and other industries to alleviate domestic labor shortages. Today, evidence of…

1
No Participation Trophies! Why We Made Our Kids Run a 5K 8:27

3M ago8:27

8:27

Welcome back to Rollin with the Dolans! In this episode, we dive into kids and sports—how much should parents push their kids to be active? Should kids be required to participate in sports even if they don’t want to? We break down our real-life experiences, including Patrick taking all four of our younger kids on a mandatory 5K (semi-mandatory, as …

1
465 Disney Cruise Line Summer 2026 Itineraries 40:37

3M ago40:37

40:37

We break down Disney Cruise Lines Summer 2026 Itineraries! We’ve got a couple of interesting shake-ups including both the Magic Class ships going to Alaska next summer. Plus the Wish gets some interesting itineraries that skip Nassau for several sailings. Want to be on the show? Fill out this form and we’ll be in contact with you real soon! https:/…

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The Arsenal of Democracy: How the Revolver and Repeating Rifle Democratized Gun Ownership and Armed the United States 56:07

3M ago56:07

56:07

The United States is the most heavily armed nation in the world, with an estimated 400 million guns in private hands. But few know that this legacy can be directly traced back to a handful of gunmakers who worked in the Springfield Armory of Massachusetts in the early 1800s. Their names became synonymous with American guns—Colt, Smith, Wesson, Winc…

1
464 Navigating Allergies and Special Diets Aboard Disney Cruise Line 1:19:31

3M ago1:19:31

1:19:31

Sarah from https://www.youtube.com/@glutenfreedairyfreedisney and Gina from www.instagram.com/glutenfreedisneyworld/ join Christy to discuss Cruising with special dietary needs onboard Disney Cruise Line. They talk about all things dining, the different dining locations, and how to order if you have special dietary needs. Check out Sarah’s content …

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