00:00.00 dclduo Welcome back everybody to this week's bonus episode of the Dc L Duo Podcast brought to you by my path unwinding travel and Sam we're we talk an expedition cruising tonight right. 00:09.64 Sam Yeah, I'm super excited I always have wanted to do one of these. We haven't gotten the chance to do one yet but specifically doing an a b d expedition cruise I think is the most attractive we have talked to a few guests about. Some of the competitors because now Disney is moving more and more into expedition cruising. But of course we have an awesome guest with us. Um, as Brian mentioned my path unwinding travel and we are bringing you. The owner of my path unwinding travel and travel adviser extraordinaire Karen Shelton welcome to the show. Karen. 00:46.61 Karen Hello so good to talk to you about adventures by Disney Expedition cruising 00:52.49 Sam Yeah. 00:54.18 dclduo Yeah, there's been a lot of news this year from adventures by Disney that that crazy trip that they had ah the kid you remember where all it with the round the world abd now they've been yeah but. 01:02.25 Sam Ah, you're around the world. Yeah yeah. 01:03.74 Karen Oh the private jet ah around the world visiting all the Disney theme parks and and amazing ah wonders of the world. 01:10.24 dclduo That's right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, they've been really expanding the offering and they've been pushing even deeper into expedition cruising. So this was the first year they did antarctic and Galapagos cruising right? Karen. 01:25.19 Karen Right? They've had a gallopco's itinerary before but they've kind of repackaged it as this expedition cruise and it is on a separate cruise line from the others. It's ah it's a different ship and experience from. You know the ones that we'll be talking about in the Antarctica and um, the adriatic, but ah now we have a total of four expedition crews itineraries through adventures by Disney. 01:55.71 Sam Amazing. 01:57.68 dclduo Yeah, and that that model is ah similar to the river cruising model right? I mean they they contract with amma waterways and so you're not getting on you know a Disney Cruise line ocean liner with 2 Mickey Funnels you're getting on an Amma Waterways River Cruise ship and so. Similar kind of approach to what they're doing these expedition cruises if I if I understand correctly. 02:17.36 Karen That's exactly right? It is a full ship charter. So unlike some other expedition experiences where you might be a group put on with you know, a different group or you know different kind of tours going on the same vessel. Adventures by Disney takes over the entire ship and creates the adventures by Disney experience in conjunction with the team that operates the ship so you have the expertise in the destination and in those waters of the of that cruise line. Um, and then the kind of the entertainment. The security, the service of Disney. 03:02.81 dclduo Yeah, and you know I know Disney has well they do they fully own national geographic as national geographic has their own expedition cruising as well is that you go ahead. 03:10.40 Karen they they do so it's an interesting kind of partnership so eventually Disney um, you know the disney corporation does own national geographic and the vast majority of national geographic itineraries now come under the disney brand and in fact, you know count towards our disney sales. As a side note so we now now can sell national geographic and that um. 03:33.30 Sam Are. Oh. 03:43.69 Karen You know it's considered a Disney destination and we work with our Disney sales team on that. Um, but there's a couple of national geographic partnerships with Lynn blood and with Ge Adventure specifically that. Are really ah more about branding and maybe some knowledge sharing and not um, fully run by national geographic so those are not Disney a little complicated but the um the majority of Nat Geo um 04:05.57 dclduo Yeah. 04:10.55 Sam Um. 04:16.48 Karen Expeditions are now under the Disney family. 04:17.79 dclduo Yeah, am I sense as between the two just kind of glancing briefly here is the nat geo ones might be a little more rustic than what you'd experience on the adventures by Disney side or am I thinking about that wrong. 04:31.40 Karen I think they can be they might be um, considered more adventurous more rustic depending on the itinerary I think you know one of the key differences is that while Nat Geo may accept kids on some of their itineraries. They are really not. 04:44.45 dclduo New. 04:47.56 Karen Focused on families or multigenerational travel. It's you know they? they've been around a long time and they do a great job. But it's designed more for adults traveling and I would say there's a focus more on nature culture and history. 04:48.15 Sam Um. 05:05.61 dclduo Um. 05:05.66 Karen And um, we're adventures by Disney definitely has you know that kind of family focus that more cultural immersion and activity focus I would say um so it's a little bit just of a different vibe that you would experience. 05:14.90 dclduo Sure to. 05:17.36 Sam Um. 05:21.89 Karen And so you know for instance, you know you could go to Africa with ah adventures by Disney or nat geo and you know Nacho has a lot more destinations in Africa so it's just going to depend on where you want to go and who's traveling with you. 05:38.54 dclduo Well and you don't get the fabulous adventures by Disney Guides on board your ship which we've heard so much about from across the Abd portfolio. So that's probably also another difference there. Ah. 05:47.40 Karen I Don's true I think the nat geo guides are probably really knowledge 1 wonderful but they probably don't have that same Disney energy. You know it's just that personality that Disney is so good about hiring for in their guides and um. 05:53.59 dclduo Yeah. 06:00.70 dclduo Yeah. 06:04.20 Karen And then you know the little you're not going to see little Mickey Touches you know on the that Geo and you won't see a lot of Disney on the um expedition cruises. For example, you know there's not going to be characters on board. Um, but there will be Disney touch. Is here and there and and tie ins and references and kind of you know, a lot of times you're traveling with people that are Disney fans so you all have that shared language. 06:30.90 dclduo Yeah, yeah, well and so let's deep dive for a second on the adventures by Disney Expedition offering and let's just step back and orient folks into Karen like describe for folks, what the adventure by Disney Brand is it's within the signature. Offerings of Disney where Disney Cruise line also sits but it's a separate offering and so you want to help folks understand what adventures by Disney is. 06:54.42 Karen Absolutely so adventures by Disney is a so complete standalone company within the Disney portfolio that offers guided vacations around the globe. They are. Ah. On now on every continent and they offer ah vacations for families and adults that are designed to be immersive and to help experience the magic in the real world. So it is um. You know an exclusive luxury product for sure and it is depending on which itinerary and destination. They can be mostly inclusive to for example on these expedition cruises. Virtually all inclusive. So um, they are ah really I think the highest level of you know Disney's portfolio in terms of you know how you can travel with Disney. 08:03.82 dclduo I'm pausing C same if you want to ask a question. 08:04.22 Sam Sorry I'm still looking I can't find the other episode with John I found the one on Atlas but I can't find the penant one? Sorry so. 08:09.10 dclduo Okay, I'd say what you ask a couple questions and I'll go find those go ahead. 08:12.88 Karen I Have a question. Are you guys like in the same room right now i' just trying visualize are you different? Yeah, just trying to get the visual of you do. 08:17.29 Sam No, where no where so yeah Brian no, you should ask the next question just because I missed the what the last question was but I will all'll stop looking at I have a list of a few abds but I just can't find the pen the pen the pen on one. Yeah. 08:17.30 dclduo No no, we record separately. Yeah. 08:26.98 dclduo Okay, all right, all right. 08:33.33 dclduo Ok, well Karen well Karen so ab d started offering they started offering river cruises a while ago so those have existed for a while with this expedition cruising product is something new for them. Maybe before we start time out specifics of what they're offering. We give sense of what the the key differences are kind of between going on an ocean cruise which a lot of our listeners are going to be familiar with versus going on an expedition sailing. 09:01.41 Karen Sure So the expedition sailings are going to be some more unique destinations that might be considered more adventurous so to speak and they are going to be on. 09:13.41 Sam Um. 09:16.72 Karen Usually purpose build vessels so you can't just take any ship into Antarctica safely so they have again with their partnership with ponet. For example, they have ah ships that they will take over in order to bring you into these more. Ah, far long destinations and as an expedition they are um, more inclusive and that you are going to have your ah excursions included on some days. You'll have. Multiple options on some days. You'll have fewer options but you know most of the ship is going to be doing one of let's say 2 or 3 excursions. Um in the morning or in the afternoon or for a full day and what's great is that it's already included in your cruise fare. So. You know there may be some more um you know, unique activities like um, you know going on a zodiac um in Antarctica to look at you know the wildlife or or actually um, kayaking in Antarctica um, or um, you know going. Ah, through the different islands in the Galapagos. So I think they're just kind of a more adventurous um idea of a cruise. 10:40.66 dclduo Yeah, and and and smaller I think you mentioned that smaller typically far fewer people. 10:47.56 Karen Absolutely so you know these ships maybe have you know couple 250 I think passengers um as opposed to you know thousands on board the large you know Disney Ships 10:59.27 dclduo It it. 11:01.80 Sam Right? And the amenities obviously are are different. Um for our listeners who haven't listened to some of our shows on smellership or expedition cruising. You are not going to have like a large theater spaces and large kids club spaces and large spas you may have some of these things in smaller form. But you're not going to have sort of the variety of activities on board because so much of those experiences ah is about being out in nature being you know out. Um, hiking and doing different active things. Would you agree Karen that that's sort of typically what we're talking about with this kind of cruising. 11:39.88 Karen Why Absolutely it's really a focus on the destination and the the ship is just your vehicle to get there. It's not the um yeah I can. 11:42.94 Sam Um, hello. 11:50.60 dclduo Up hey Karen can you hear us. Ah, you're you're showing is offline and sam are you not hearing Karen ah. 11:56.72 Karen Hey I can hear you. 11:57.10 Sam I'm not hearing Karen are you hearing Karen. 12:01.18 dclduo I can hear her but you know what she's showing is offline so here Karen I'm going to stop the recording and make sure that we didn't just lose a whole bunch of audio. So. 12:05.37 Karen I Would love. 00:00.00 dclduo All right, go ahead. Karen. 00:00.89 Karen So definitely the emphasis. The focus on expedition cruises is about the destination. Not the ship. You know a lot of times on Disney Cruise line I say this my family say this is just put us on the ship. We don't care where it's going. We love being on the ship. We love being so at sea days. We love everything about you know, being on a Disney Cruise and we're entertained on the ship. The expedition cruising. You'll be quite comfortable. These are not. 00:26.49 Sam Right. 00:33.74 Karen You know the rugged Um, you know, rugged low low um amenity kind of kind of ship. These are you know, definitely luxurious, but the emphasis again is on the destination and experiencing. 00:41.80 Sam E. 00:52.96 Karen The nature the the local the local you know the local towns um in some cases the the wildlife the the awe of you know where you are in the world that you know places that many people have never you know, never seen never will see. So it's It's a different um to different approach to traveling. 01:17.48 Sam Yeah, definitely more probably for the more active cruiser than um than let's say the regular large ship. Cruiser any any thoughts on what the demographic is Target. You're the target demographic of these abd experiences specifically. 01:37.30 Karen Yeah I definitely think that the target would be families with you know, kids in the 10 and up to young adult range. So I've seen multi-generational families going with kind of you know, parents and the young adults. Or parents and you know the teenagers. Um I would say you're going to see fewer ah grandparents traveling on these but some we definitely have clients that um are grandparents that are ready to go to Antarctica and experience it all or snorkel at Galapagos. 02:15.11 Sam Um. 02:16.51 Karen And so you know it really just depends adventures by Disney is great at making everybody comfortable on some things there just might not be alternative options like they usually try to do um because you know if you can't climb into a zodiac. Then you might be limited on what you can do but you can still you know, enjoy the scenery and being with family but I think for the most part it's going to be you know families with kids in that kind of older older tween to young adult range. 02:45.75 Sam In. 02:48.94 dclduo and and I should say here just really quickly for our listeners. We've done a few shows now on various kinds of expedition cruising including ah some shows around expedition cruising with the cruise line that Disney uses for some of its these abd adventures and so. Ah, if you want to go back into our back catalog. We did an episode way. Ah way long time ago episode 23 with Dana Freeman all about small ship cruising but specific expedition cruising. We also did on episode 82 we talked to John from in the loop travel about a galapagos cruise that he was doing um that. Actually was that Kalagos sorry hold on me say that 1 more time just need to click through this link sorry and actually and actually if you go back to episode 82 we've done a cruise. And actually if you go back to episode 82 we did a show with John from in the loop travel who's been on a couple times about an antarctic cruise he did on panant which is the cruise line that Disney uses for its antarctic cruises we up. 03:47.51 Sam And episode 84 was also with John when he did an antarctic cruise on Atlas so you can do a sort of compare if you listen to both of those episodes. 03:57.15 dclduo Yeah, and then coming out in December we're going to have an actual trip report from a friend of the show Chris about his Galapagos Islands Cruise with adventures by Disney so you'll be to hear what the feedback is like which Karen leads me the question. We've had expedition cruising with adventures by Disney for a little while now we kind of have you had clients go on some of the Galapagos adventures because the antarctic one hasn't happened yet for Disney I think we were talking off here but have you had clients. Oh it has okay. 04:23.38 Karen Um, the article one has happened actually it's the art Arctic has not um, the feedback that I have gotten has been absolutely tremendous life changing. Um, you know it is. You know going through the Drake passage you might remember talking to your other guests about that you know is something that some people people fear. But I think it's again, it's one of those things. Mickey won't won't let you down. You're going to great time. Um I think that you know they have done such a fantastic job. 04:51.64 Sam Ah. 04:57.82 Karen Um, the guides have come back thrilled. So um, you know and they're working but they I think are just um, you know? So um, how do they just seem so happy and and energized by by the experience. So. 05:15.12 Sam Yeah. 05:17.47 Karen I think the feedback has been fantastic and you know I have spent actually when the Antarctica expedition came out I spent hours looking at it comparing it to some of the other options that are out there and you know there are. Are differences in many ways and the product that Abd has put together really hits it on almost every count and there's other cruise lines out there that actually have almost double the amount of passengers on board and I think that makes a difference. 05:50.72 Sam Um. 05:52.73 Karen You know when you are in a place like Antarctica or the Galapagos. You don't want to be traveling with a huge hope you want that those smaller numbers and some you know some don't have like they only have twin beds or some only have buffets. 05:57.30 Sam Right. 06:09.33 Karen So there's really differences and I think Adv Adventures by Disney has done such a great job in Picking Pona as their partner for these expedition cruises. Um in Antarctica Arctic circle and now the new adriatic. 06:20.57 Sam Yeah I think one of the one of the things we should sort of highlight for our listeners is that you know Disney doesn't own these ships they are partnering but oh but okay, but they choose their partners as as gonna say but they. 06:30.36 dclduo We did that see him we did that go good say go ahead, Go it sit say just see it again. Say it again. Yeah. 06:40.31 Sam But they choose their partners very wisely and they're choosing other luxury brands to partner with and obviously we all question like you know will Disney get into this space. You know on completely on their own. You know who know is probably not in the near future. But maybe in the sort of long-term future. But. 06:58.61 Karen Yeah I don't see that they're going to build ships for themselves because this is just the best of both worlds right? They can have some select departures. They can restrict supply as they've done with the Adriatic and you know maybe we can get into talking about that I mean the Adriatic. 07:05.12 Sam So. 07:18.61 Karen Ah, expedition cruises went on sale on Monday and today is Wednesday and I believe that they are all sold out one day it was already sold. Um earlier today. 07:28.83 Sam Wow. 07:32.54 Karen All the suites were sold out. Um, even before today the the suites sold out first. Um, so and you know this is not and a ah vacation for the faint of budget. It's 2 years away it's non-refundable deposits and people are. 07:35.98 Sam Wow. 07:51.79 Karen You know clamoring because it is you know such a beautiful itinerary to go to Croatia and to sail on this gorgeous ship in the summertime and there's only 2 dates that they were doing it in 2024 so I mean it it you know went in ah in a flash. 08:05.57 Sam Um. 08:11.73 Karen Because you know again, not a lot of staterooms and you know folks are looking for new destinations to travel with Disney and with adventures by Disney. 08:22.48 Sam And the way that they did the booking. It's similar to how they do it for Disney Cruise line right? It's like they have um people who have sailed with them before get sort of first crack is that that how it works. 08:31.30 Karen Um, yes, so in this case, they split it up. The first day was adventure insiders who have completed 4 or more adventures so they got to book on monday. 08:42.12 Sam Wow. 08:46.79 Karen Tuesday was anybody that had done a prior adventure one or more and then today were um, some other categories like dvc and Disney Cruise line castway club members and then tomorrow will be the general public but it might be too late. Um, there are holds. 08:49.28 Sam E. 09:06.29 Karen They do allow holds but they will not assign a stateroom on these expedition cruises without your deposit and so most people go ahead and deposit straight away. So it's possible that some people would cancel within the fourteen day you know, no penalty period and open some rooms up. But. 09:22.38 Sam Um, wow. 09:23.61 Karen I think these are mostly gonna be sold out I think there's now there's still going be space for 2024 on the others. It was the adriatic that sold out quickly. The others you know, still have some space. Um, even maybe some for 2023 here and there. Um so you know all'll hope is not lost. 09:24.16 dclduo I. 09:43.24 Karen To experience an expedition crews with Disney. It's just these this you know hot off the press new itinery that I you know the shiny nickel. 09:46.16 Sam Right? This the newest itinerary. Yeah. 09:51.72 dclduo Well I think what we've seen I think what we've seen across a Disney portfolio is as they expand they don't tend to revert unless it isn't just not working right? I mean if this if these things were a flop and they didn't sell or or they happen and they get terrible feedback then they might shift ah shift gears a little bit but. These things are sold out and they go well, they'll be back that would be my guess. Um, and yeah, they'll keep doing it. So yeah, but. 10:14.86 Karen Absolutely I mean you know a lot of people question can they actually sell at these price points but sure enough they are quickly and you know again, it's the it's the sweets that we're selling out first. So there's definitely a demand. Um. 10:23.23 Sam Yeah. 10:29.82 Sam Well people you know they say the same thing about those annual passes I'm going to call them magic keys at the um at Disneyland because right right now Disney World is not selling annual passes but like we still buy him. You know I mean have not saying it's doesn't hurt me. Ah, when I see the price that I don't get you know, kind of shellshocked by the prices but you know there's those of us out there who are diehard Disney fans and yeah, even even when they increase prices you know we'll we'll get mad about it and then we'll still buy anyway. But. 11:01.44 Karen Absolutely I completely agree people I mean these and these the kinds of things. There's still a lot of pent-up travel demand because people have not been able to travel for so long and so now people are willing to surge. They're like we've stayed home for 3 years 11:02.96 dclduo Well let's suck. 11:11.80 Sam Yeah. 11:16.39 dclduo And. 11:18.90 Sam Yep. 11:19.21 Karen We're ready to go someplace new and exciting and you know as we've said I mean traveling with Disney is is feel safe to a lot of people. Um, they know that Disney will you know, be fair and take care of them and um, by the way. 11:27.55 Sam Um. 11:33.16 Karen Ah, question that has come up right now. The published guidance is that there are no Covid restrictions for these expedition cruises. 11:38.27 Sam Wow. Well I mean anything can change right? They're like a they're they're almost. They're 2 years away yeah 11:38.51 dclduo Oh how. 11:42.58 Karen We always have to figure out these days right? who knows? but um, but Disney was so fair and reasonable with how they handled you know their um ah their guests that you know. Were impacted by covid one way or the other and you know I fully expect that they would continue continue to do that. 12:00.91 Sam Yep. Yeah, yeah, that would make sense if if they if conditions change and they have to they have to make some restrictions then they'll probably be more generous on refunds and things like that and so I mean we'll hopefully we're in a knock on wood and hope that. We you know Covid sort of continues on the path that it's currently on and becoming endemic and no longer Pandemic. So. 12:31.53 dclduo Well I'm curious Karen what do we know about the adriatic cruise those are the newest ones. Um, we know a little bit about Penant Cruise line because we've had some folks on before but like what do we know about the panant as a partner their ships and some of these destinations that they're going to. They're theyre ones that we're not very familiar with. 12:34.69 Karen Yes. 12:46.53 Karen So you know the ponat is a french cruise line and it very much has french service and I think with adventures by Disney They will you know put forth the the. Ah, kind of american sensibilities more front and center than they might normally if you were sailing with ponat so that might be an interesting contrast to hear folks who have sailed with po. Not um, you know directly because the feedback that I have is that you know it definitely is french ah so and and the crew. 13:16.74 dclduo Um. 13:19.93 Karen Will be french it's you know the penant. Um, you know penant will provide the crew. Um at all aspects of the service on board except for the adventure guides so they'll be up to 8 adventure guides um with a sold out sailing I fully expect there'll be 8 adventure guides that. 13:35.93 Sam Oh wow. 13:39.70 Karen Um, travel with you on board and you know they are um, a combination of american and somebody that knows this destination so you know if we're talking about the adriatic we may have folks from um, that region. To share stories and to tell what life is like there and to help you know facilitate and also you know the adventure guides on board. Um, they kind of you know create the relationships they create the entertainment. Um, and and. Ah, the handle all the logistics to make everything smooth you know from ah point to point um throughout the whole whole cruise and and this um adventure starts in Venice. So you know Venice is definitely a. 14:33.67 Karen A um, ah ah a big destination. It's nice that it's a smaller ship so it feels a little less impactful to you know to the city of Venice that it's that it's a small ship. Um. 14:34.33 Sam Big destination. 14:35.61 dclduo Now. 14:49.99 Karen I don't know that it has said exactly where it's going to port because you know there's some different locations that the ships can port now um to be more respectful of some of the um you know, local environment there in Venice. But it's definitely a destination that Disney has a lot of experience with between ah their Disney Cruise line itineraries and their adventures by Disney Italy which is one of their most popular adventures by Disney um, you know vacations that ends in Venice. So. 15:20.54 Sam Yeah, and I mean everyone wants to go to Venice at some point in their life if you haven't been right? It's it is one of those sort of iconic european cities that that people want to to go see so very smart of them to have that sort of be right and a. 15:21.10 dclduo Um. 15:34.92 dclduo What it ends there. It ends in Venice too. Yeah. 15:39.98 Sam Right? I mean very smart to have a to have that is your your ending point because people will probably they're more likely to have people tech on one of those ah other ab D's right those? Ah the what do they call them short escapes. 15:51.18 dclduo Um. 15:52.65 Karen Short escapes and they have not yet announced if there will be a short escape in conjunction with this but I can see and speculate that a venice short escape would be a perfect addition. Yeah because they already know what they're doing in Venice. They have all the contacts. So. 16:03.83 Sam Right. 16:06.21 dclduo Um. 16:11.60 Karen Um I would I would think that it's possible just as they have added a Buenos ares short escape on the antarctic cruise. For example that they you know may at some point. 16:24.10 Sam Um. 16:27.90 Karen Include a venice short escape on this. 16:27.48 Sam Um, yeah. 16:28.54 dclduo Well and for for Disney Cruise line ocean fans I'm looking at the itinerary for this adriatic sailing and on on day two I probably noted elsewhere but I'm looking at day two and it says that they will have not only themed karaoke sam which I know you're going to be dying to do. 16:41.37 Sam Yeah. 16:44.38 dclduo But they're going to be doing some dizzy trivia and game nights and some Disney movies on board so you can still get your Disney fix. Ah while you're sailing through the adriatic, um, no no no no characters yeah 16:50.77 Sam Right? The ship won't be decorated though with Mickey that's I think 1 thing we should just sort of tell people from the get go like yeah, there's you don't expect there to be Mickey and Minnie walking around the ship that will not happen and the spaces. While I'm sure they will be beautiful spaces because beant has beautiful ships but they will not be Disney Ip because Disney only uses these ships for a handful of cruises. So these ships are used by penant for their regular cruises. The rest of the year 17:24.80 Karen Right? One of the things that you might see and you'll probably see when you all take your River Cruise is that you know there might be a floor mat that hold out that says adventures by Disney or you might see a mickey mouse shaped. You know. 17:27.19 Sam Yeah. 17:43.86 Karen Sandwich. Um, you know little really really subtle touches. But then again like like you pointed out, you know that Disney Trivia and Disney movies and then some little disney surprises along the way will be I'm sure included again. You know they know their audience. 17:44.96 Sam Um, yeah, ah little touches. 17:46.86 dclduo Ah. 18:01.53 Sam Um. 18:03.62 Karen Most most of the guests will be experienced with Disney through Disney Cruise line that is kind of the natural progression of folks that experience adventures by Disney is that they are Disney cruisers and are looking for something new, but there are a small ah amount of guests. 18:17.96 Sam Using. 18:22.76 Karen That sail on these expedition cruises or the river cruises or do the land adventures that are not Disney fans that come because of the family friendly itineraries and the quality but are otherwise not into Disney so it's that's interesting. Um I would say it's about. 18:35.15 Sam No interesting. 18:41.30 Karen 10 to 15% of of guests that come in separately. Um. 18:46.24 Sam Now 1 1 question about that sort of another demographic question are I'm imagining these are like overwhelmingly american um is is that fair. 18:58.39 Karen Actually that is um I would say yes majority but I have been on adventures with um folks from Asia and folks from Europe. Um, so really, you know it's um. It may it may vary um, something like this um in the adriatic may attract a different audience now again because of how only those with you know forward more adventures could book on Monday and it sold out so quickly. 19:15.67 Sam New. 19:30.40 Karen Um I don't I don't know what the mix will be on these first initial you know departures but over time and you'll see on the River Cruise it might be more of a mix than you expect. 19:33.13 Sam Right. 19:39.80 Sam Interesting. 19:42.65 dclduo I'm curious Karen about I think 1 question people might have you know Disney's cruise line ships are set up to accommodate families of 4 in some cases even 5 I know when we booked our River Cruise 3 was about the max we could get in 1 stateroom um on some of these. Expedition cruises. Do you have a sense of you know what can the staterooms accommodate. So when you're looking at the pricing here. Um, you know how many state rooms you end up having to get. 20:09.90 Karen Right? So it's going to depend but most of the time families of 4 will need 2 staterooms and then they have you know some limited numbers of of um, connecting connecting. 20:19.62 Sam Um. 20:27.27 Sam Yeah, and that's what so our friends our our friends Chris and Sam who went on the galapagos as Brian mentioned we have and their episode out. Um coming soon. Ah, they had 2 rooms because they were 4 people and they said their rooms were the rooms. Um. 20:27.78 Karen Eight grams 20:44.40 Sam On the ship that they were on. They said the max was 2 in the in each room. So that's 1 thing. Um. 20:49.72 Karen Right? And they they do have suites. Um that hold up to 4 but really, they are 2 kind of like 2 connecting rooms for the most part they just call the suites but they're almost like 2 20:54.50 Sam No interesting. 21:01.96 Sam Ah. 21:05.56 Karen 2 rooms that open ah open up into one. They have a limited number of triples and that actually is a lower category of room and on these um itineraries they tend to reserve those rooms for the adventure guides. So it's. 21:13.32 Sam No interesting. 21:25.84 Karen Um, oftentimes they just have a very small amount of them that are bookable for the public. 21:30.43 dclduo Interesting and and I don't know that we talked about a camera what you know aside from Venice have you have you visited or gotten feedback on any of the other ports I've heard fabulous things about to brovnik for instance, but I I don't know what you've heard about any of the ports. They might be stopping at. 21:44.23 Karen So I mean croatia has just been such a popular destination and you know we've had a lot of folks that are interested in doing kind of like a small yacht experience in Croatia. There are a lot of companies that we work with where you can either join in on a yacht or charter an entire yacht um that and maybe have between depending on the size you know and the amenities like between 10 you know, maybe 10 to 20 rooms tops. And those are really great itineraries because a lot of times you are in port at night and then so it's in the evening where you kind of explore the town and eat at restaurants and then in the day you're on the water. And kind of swimming and island hopping and doing water sports. So this this is a little bit of a different itinerary I'm still trying to understand I did confirm that there's no swimming off the ship as there might be on some of the smaller vessels that people often you know travel with in Croatia. 22:52.12 dclduo Um. 22:55.26 Karen But definitely the itineerary gives you a lot of opportunities on their excursions to to swim and kayak and ghost see waterfalls and and and beaches and all of those great things and then yeah and then you have these great cities like debrovnik and you know these ancient beautiful. You know, beautiful towns. 23:05.10 dclduo Yeah, and look. 23:05.33 Sam Sounds a half them. 23:14.94 Karen That are so you know um I think intimate to navigate. 23:21.33 dclduo Um, one. It looks like they to your point early on in the show Karen it looks like you know, basically you get to choose an activity each day they've got like it's not like Disney Cruise line where there's kind of a full menu of various short short excursions. There's option a option b option c I'm sure that there's a. Maybe a few others or a few less depending on where you are like 1 of these just has 2 options but you're picking kind of your adventure for the day and that's what you're going to be doing so kind of like a River Cruise where the port itself is the destination not necessarily the the ship. 23:42.68 Karen Yes. 23:50.40 Karen Absolutely and again, these excursions are all included which is wonderful and they are you know in-depth excursions where some other cruise lines include excursions but they're just like a walking tour or a bus tour. 23:54.48 dclduo No. 24:07.95 Karen And then you have to pay extra for everything else. You know if you wanted to do something more unique these all of the options are included and you'll see if you go through the itinerary Sometimes you know the morning and afternoon options mirror each other so you could do one in the morning one in the afternoon sometimes. 24:08.69 dclduo Who. 24:26.50 Karen They're they're just different and you know you can't do it all so you'll come back and do the cruise again if you if you miss out and then a lot of times you know some folks might just say you know on your own exploration is 1 of the options. You know you don't need to do the excursion you can because you know of. 24:37.81 Sam In. 24:44.41 Karen These destinations you can walk off the ship and be in the town and and explore on your own or do something something you know away from the group and that's completely. Okay. 24:53.32 dclduo What have you heard about the sorry currently as a aside it was the antarctic cruises that have happened but the arctic ones haven't happened right? Yeah yeah, what have you heard from folks about the antarctic cruises have you had anyone take one of those and have they given you any feedback. 25:00.29 Sam Correct. Yes. 25:00.51 Karen Collect route. 25:09.54 Karen Right? So yeah, as I said earlier they are um, just come back. Invigorated from from that experience. They are so unique. They're in awe of of you know the absolute beauty the wildlife that they see the way that it's all. Orchestrated and organized. Um the adventure guides I think there's a bonding experience that happens on that um expedition maybe more so than the others because you know you know those those? um Disney can't make it warm. 25:43.72 Sam Right. 25:45.20 Karen Disney can't disney can't make the you know the seas smooth throughout you know, although you're on you know, a comfortable ship. Um, you know, but they can provide parkas that you order in advance that you know are included that you get to take home and. 25:47.15 dclduo Ah. 26:03.54 Karen You know they will make sure that everything is you know or safe above all of course and and comfortable and you know just so immersive and I think everybody that's come back has just been. You know like I said in awe and you know it's like. Yeah, it's a true bucket list I think Antarctica is really the bucket list. 26:24.19 dclduo Yeah, for sure for sure I I absolutely want to go on all of these. It's but but yeah, maybe Iceland is is a high up on the list right? meet for me right now in terms of ocean cruising. But I would love to see the arctic or the antarctic one or the other I want to see I want to see one. 26:40.10 Sam Um, yeah I'm mean I'm going to have to get those patches probably because I'm where I know that the seas are are are rougher. This is not like sailing in the caribbean. 26:41.88 dclduo Um. 26:52.97 Sam Um, from everything that we've heard obviously we haven't done these ourselves yet. So um I do think that that word of caution that these kinds of cruises. Not all of them. But at least the the antarctic one and the Galapagos one. You can hit some really rough seas I don't know if Arctic and Adriatic are are similar in that way. But. 27:13.38 Karen Adriatic should not be. It should definitely be you know more pleasant. Um, you're not quite on those you know, open open waters to that same extent and it I mean it seems to me be more of it. Just a really. 27:16.40 Sam And. 27:22.21 Sam You. 27:28.51 Karen Beautiful itinerary and and more comfortable in that way. But I think the the challenge Um, you know definitely has a huge payoff you know to you know, make that trip to. 27:38.29 Sam Right. 27:43.30 Karen You know you're flying down to buenos aes then you're taking another plane to uwaa then you're you know, getting on the ship and you're going through the Drake passage and then you know then you're the reward is you know these absolute incredible. You know terrain and wildlife that you know. 28:00.70 dclduo Um, yeah I'm I'm curious I'm curious Karen who do you see making this transition into expedition cruising I mean in terms of the clients who come through to book these with you. Are you seeing a lot of folks who were. 28:02.29 Sam Um, yeah I I sorry go ahead. 28:17.19 dclduo Disney Cruise line fans who want to make the leap into abd are you seeing sort of abd land based folks say I want to try out the cruises like who's the sort of demographic you tend to see kind of making this leap into these expedition cruises. 28:30.18 Karen I think that more so it's the Disney Cruise line folks that are looking for a new type of cruising experience. Although definitely we have some adventures by Disneyland people that want to try it. But for those that kind of started out. 28:40.50 Sam Um. 28:49.50 Karen Doing the adventures by Disney Land it is a little bit of a mind shift mindset shift to think about adventures by Disney being on an expedition ship or a River Cruise I had that same experience. You know I tell that story that I did the central europe abd that was my first adventure and shortly after that I was invited to a focus group and they were unrolling the the concept of the river crews and everybody was just up in arms. 29:15.97 Sam Um. 29:17.33 dclduo No. 29:19.94 Karen And you know there couldn't be in adventures by Disney with more than you know more than thirty five forty people on it. You know you're telling me there's going to be over a hundred. You can tell me, there's 200 now on these expedition cruises. So I think people that are really love the land tours. It's a little bit more challenging to think about what it would be like. 29:24.38 Sam Right. 29:39.51 Karen But I think folks that are on a cruise. Um, it's ah it's an easier shift if that makes sense. 29:43.83 dclduo Yeah, yeah. 29:44.84 Sam Right? know that that totally makes sense hey for those who want to hear more about abd land experiences. We do have a few episodes on those I'll I'll read them off to you? Um, we talked to some folks about an african safari ah through ab d. In episode one thirty six we talked to some folks about an egypt abd in episode one ninety one spoiler that one there was a sickness involved and so it's not probably the best experience. Um. 30:16.27 dclduo Oh I thought Jen did great talking about that experience. So yeah. 30:19.70 Sam No, she did great. She'd agree. It just her experience wasn't great. Um in episode two forty five we talk about the Southern California abd with friend of the show Chris and then more even more recently we talked about sailing in the med an episode. Two Forty nine where our guests had done a short escape in Barcelona I can remember if it was before or after the cruise but and but before the Cruise. So anyway, we have some shows on some of the land experiences as well because those are obviously. 30:42.60 dclduo Was before. 30:53.76 Sam Ah, big part of the abd offerings. 30:54.37 Karen And hopefully next year I'll return and talk to you about Greece we have a whole group of us going to greece next may so really excited about that. 30:58.48 Sam Yes. 31:05.00 Sam Amazing. 31:06.71 dclduo Fantastic. You know Karen I have an off the wall question for you which is with you know the demand and the expansion of abd. Ah you know river cruising. They've been there for a while expedition crusing. They're pushing more into although you know it's interesting. This adriatic quote unquote. Expedition Cruise feels more like a small ship cruise experience and it does like what I would consider to be a more traditional expedition cruise to kind of a farf flung place. Um are you seeing like a gap in the market here that that they're trying to fill for people who just want a more luxury experience than they can get sailing concierge on an ocean liner. Is. Do you think that that's kind of where they're heading. 31:42.34 Karen I don't know that it's about raising the luxury bar so much as offering new destinations that their traditional you know Cruise line can't offer you so it's going to new destination. So it's keeping. 31:50.17 dclduo And. 31:55.97 Sam Right. 32:02.17 Karen You know those passengers those Disney fans who might start feeling a little you know bored. Yeah. 32:09.59 Sam Right? Bored with going to the caribbean and casto a key every time they want to go someplace new and and maybe they're willing to go over to Europe or you know some other location. 32:18.20 Karen Exactly and and you know like we've said Europe to me personally I'd rather experience europe on a smaller ship or on a smaller you know in a smaller group and so I think it's just a different you know a different segment. 32:30.40 Sam Yep. 32:36.91 Karen Of traveler. Um I mean it is a luxury traveler for sure when you look at the price tag. But then when you look at everything that is included versus you know, sailing on Disney Cruise line on you know the Disney dream going going to Europe next year. The value. 32:38.53 dclduo Yep. 32:53.67 Sam Um, yeah, well and. 32:55.90 Karen I think does hold up. 32:55.37 dclduo Yeah, yeah, well just having gotten back from Norway on the disney magic I can say if you spent out the door. The total cost on the website the ab d versus what we spent to go on our vacation. You're getting. Yeah, you're getting pretty close. so so yeah 33:06.84 Sam Yeah, well and I will I will echo what you said Karen about certain parts of Europe in particular you want to sail on a smaller ship like I'll be honest, the one I tear itinerary that I know interests Brian but interests me less is the med and it's because. The Disney Cruise line ships are so far away from the larger cities. Um and are far away from you know some of the main sort of destinations in the med and so to me right. 33:35.45 dclduo Here. 33:36.39 Karen Right? And that's true for any kind of ocean liner. You know it's ocean and that's why you know you either do,? Um, you know you experience it by Land you experience it by River or you experience it on kind of like these you know smaller. Smaller ships that can hit some of the you know smaller ports. 33:55.21 dclduo Yeah, well to be fair Sam I'm not interested in the med I'm mentioned in the greek isles. That's where I want to go so I would skip I would skip the italy ports on a major ocean liner ship because I think you're way too far away from rome to make sense to go there by ocean liner. But. 33:55.29 Sam Yeah. Fair. 34:13.32 dclduo You know we've got abd by air now with the Jet adventure. We've got abd by Land We've got ab D by sea and by River So who knows maybe next it'll be abd by train. There's those luxury train excursions out there as well. So there you go there, you go. 34:21.20 Sam Who yeah exactly I was thinking the exact same thing in Asia because they've got so much high speed rail in Asia that would be the way to do it. Well you. 34:23.67 Karen Um, yeah, yeah, ab D and the orient express might be the next partnership. 34:33.92 dclduo Oh but you want the slow speed the the cars that they've converted into luxurious penthouses that just rumble you along from place to place. Ah. 34:39.74 Karen Or or what does it be tremendous to see the abd and the new 4 seasons yacht that's going to come out in a couple years that would be ultra locks right. 34:40.94 Sam You You need a. 34:45.34 dclduo Who there you go there, you go? Yeah I mean I do find it interesting on the ab D site that they have planned a trip and they're are not playing a trip. We see this where is it? oh. 34:48.27 Sam Oo yep. 34:58.49 dclduo On the abd site. They've got trip types and 1 of them is their private jet adventures and it's not it's plural even though they won now. So yeah, they're yeah they're clearly I think they're clearly going to keep pushing forward here so well. Karen as our fabulous show sponsor the owner of my path unwinding travel. 35:03.40 Sam right there's only 1 right now 35:15.67 dclduo Let folks know how they can book a fabulous adventures by Disney with you or a Disney Cruise line vacation sailing costs yours if adventures by Disney isn't their cup of tea. But how can they find you and book with you. 35:26.68 Karen The easiest way is to email us at dcl duo at mypathunwinding.com that way we'll know that we're all connected in this great circle of ah of Disney. Um, you can find us on Facebook on my path unwinding travel. We have all of our great Facebook groups. There is a link on the dcl duo website that will take you right to a page to request more information from us. Um my pathonwinding dot com slash dcl duo will get you to us. So there's all kinds of ways. It's easy to to find me or one of my many teammates that ah you have heard from on the podcast and out there in social media. 36:12.87 dclduo Yeah, and I got to put a special plugin for the Facebook groups because they are fabulous and I find myself relying on them quite a bit to see questions and get more information about some of the experiences we're going to have and find them to be a very friendly space as compared to perhaps some of the other Disney Cruise line groups that I've I've been a part. 36:13.12 Sam Awesome. 36:30.82 Sam Absolutely absolutely a spit. 36:31.00 Karen I I appreciate that so much I'm really you know proud of the community that we have developed in those groups with you know our our primary you know rules of not being judgmental about. 36:32.78 dclduo But so yeah. 36:48.13 Karen You know people spurging on vacations and to be kind or be quiet and those are you know, just the simple rules that end up creating just a really? um, wonderful community. 36:57.20 Sam Absolutely and and your team does such a great job you and your team I should say do such a great job of answering people's questions even when they haven't booked with you or with my path unwinding. So I we I Really appreciate that I think that. 36:57.40 dclduo Yes. 37:15.57 Sam People in those Facebook groups appreciate that and I think you know more and more people understand the value of booking with a reputable travel advisor when they see those things happening in the group. 37:26.26 dclduo Yeah, for sure. Well yeah, and Karen I know that you were talking off air that you were in the whirlwind right now and so we'll get you back to your regular life because I know you're very busy but thank you so much for taking time out to ah's talk to our audience about. 37:27.10 Karen But thank you so much. 37:42.26 dclduo Adventures by Disney and all these great expedition cruises all right? We hit stop. 37:43.51 Karen Thanks so much to both of you have a great night.