Cruising in Alaska

Wildlife, Glaciers and Questionable Pizza Toppings

 Alaska’s short cruise season packs a big punch: glaciers, wildlife, and once-in-a-lifetime excursions. Stephanie and Ryan share their best tips for making the most of your Alaska sailing.

 This week on One Slice at a Time, we’re heading north! Alaska cruises are unlike any other — from breakfast on your balcony while glaciers glide past to excursions like dog sledding and the White Pass Railway.
We break down the top cruise lines for families, couples, and luxury travelers, plus why booking excursions early is the smartest move you can make. And don’t miss Ryan’s Crusty Review — this time, it’s all about pizza ovens at home.

Top Travel Tips

Save Time, Money & Stress

Travel doesn’t have to be stressful-

especially when you’ve got a slice of wisdom on your side. In this episode, Stephanie and Ryan share their 10 best travel hacks for families, frequent flyers, and first-time adventurers alike.

From TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry to Ziploc outfit hacks, grocery delivery, private transfers, and even travel insurance, you’ll learn how to skip the stress and focus on making memories.

🍕 This week’s Crusty Review? Airport pizza. Spoiler alert: it’s not winning any awards.

Cruising for Good

How to Raise Dough on the High Seas

Ready to do good while having a great vacation?

Planning a vacation can do more than create memories—it can make a difference. In this week’s episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie and Ryan talk about how nonprofit groups can use cruises as a powerful fundraising tool.

From weekend sailings out of Florida, New York, or Galveston, to short cruises from Los Angeles, charities can raise money while supporters enjoy a vacation together. Every cabin booked sends funds back to the cause—just like a 5K or golf tournament, but with sunshine, ocean views, and built-in fun.

The episode also highlights Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to the children and spouses of America’s fallen or disabled service members and first responders. It’s a reminder that travel can be more than an escape—it can give back.

Listen now to learn how your favorite charity could plan a fundraising cruise, and why this is one of the most unique ways to raise support while bringing communities closer together.

👉 Ready to explore fundraising at sea? Contact Stephanie and Ryan at Creating Magic Vacations to start planning your group cruise today.

Last Minute Spring Break Ideas

With and Without the Kids

Think you missed the chance to plan spring break? Not so fast.

In this episode, Stephanie and Ryan share last-minute spring break trips you can still book that balance fun, relaxation, and luxury. Whether it’s traveling with the kids or sneaking away adults-only style, you’ll walk away with real ideas you can actually put on the calendar.

Highlights:

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly: Private catamarans, Spain getaways, luxury ranches

• 🍹 Adults-only: Tahiti cruises, Disneyland Paris, Sandals Royal Bahamian

• 🍕 Ryan’s Crusty Review: Barcelona pizza that scored eight out of eight

Disney at Christmas

How to Plan the Most Magical Holiday Trip

Peppermint churros, Very Merrytime cruises, and snow on Main Street—it must be Disney during the holidays!

In this episode, Stephanie and Ryan break down everything from Disneyland’s festive overlays to Disney World’s after-hours parties and those famous gingerbread resorts.

Meltvin gets his moments to shine, leading us into the Crusty Review and reminding you that Stephanie and Ryan are your go-to for holiday Disney planning. Whether you’re dreaming of a December cruise, a California getaway, or a Christmas week at Disney World, this slice is full of tips, laughs, and holiday spirit.

👉 Share the episode with friends, subscribe, and leave a review—we’d love to hear what slice of Disney you’re biting into next!

Cape Town and Sala Beach House

The Perfect Bookends to a South African Safari

If you’re planning a South African safari, here’s the secret nobody tells you:

the “before” and “after” stops can make your trip just as unforgettable as the safari itself.

In our latest episode of One Slice at a Time, Ryan and I share how we turned our safari trip into a full-on luxury travel experience—starting in Cape Town and ending at the breathtaking Sala Beach House in Durban.

From the moment we stepped off the plane in Cape Town, the VIP welcome from Live Life African Safari Getaways set the tone. We’re talking private greeters, seamless luggage handling, and a guide who made every moment easy and fun.

Cape Town Highlights

• Table Mountain: Skip-the-line tickets and 360° gondola views over the city.

• Cape Winelands: Pinotage, bubbly, and some of the best wine we’ve ever had.

• Boulder Beach Penguins: Tiny tuxedoed locals in their natural habitat—adorable is an understatement.
  

Sala Beach House in Durban

After safari, Sala Beach House was the ultimate exhale. This private beachfront villa on the Indian Ocean gave us:

• Spacious luxury suites and a villa all to ourselves

• Gourmet breakfasts and a farewell dinner planned with the chef just for us

• Monkey “security patrols” to protect our croissants (mostly successful!)

Pizza Talk

Ryan also gives his famous Crusty Review, and let’s just say… stick to Cape Town for your pizza fix.

Ready to Plan Your Trip?

Whether it’s penguins, Pinotage, or pampering by the ocean, Ryan and Stephanie can help you design a trip that hits all the right notes.
Contact us here to start planning your dream South Africa experience.

What to Expect on a South African Safari

Wildlife, Luxury Lodges & Cape Town Pizza

Ryan’s safari rookie days are officially over. This episode is packed with wild animal sightings, food highs (hello, Cape Town) and lows (Durban mall pizza, yikes), and the story of how we help you plan an unforgettable, fully customized African safari.

In This Episode:

• Why Cape Town earned its 2024 foodie crown

• Real safari stories: elephants at the pool, a wild dog hunt, and a dozen hyenas

• Luxury lodge stays: nThambo Tree Camp & Umkumbe River Lodge

• Beachfront luxury at Sala Beach House

• Crusty Review: Cape Town = chef’s kiss, Durban = pizza sadness

• How we work with Clint from Live Life Safaris to plan your dream trip

Want help planning your safari?
We’ll schedule a Zoom with Clint, customize your itinerary, and make your bucket-list trip stress-free from start to finish. Start the conversation.

Next Episode:
We dive deeper into Cape Town & Sala Beach House and why they’re the perfect start and end to a safari adventure.

Popcorn, Pillows & Palo: Inside Disney Cruise Concierge Life

A Look Inside the VIP Life on Disney Cruise Line (Without the Refillable Mug)

Is Disney Cruise concierge worth the upgrade? In this episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie shares what it’s really like to cruise concierge—from pillow menus and private lounges to early cabana access and actual humans who memorize your cappuccino order.

Ryan’s not convinced (he’s still chasing ice cream on Deck 11), but the perks keep stacking up: free popcorn, private character meet-and-greets, and someone literally walking you off the ship while others stand in line with luggage.

Plus, don’t miss the Crusty Review of a Curacao pizza place with a better logo than pizza.

🎧 Listen in and decide if you're team concierge or team refillable mug.

Frozen Pizza and Polar Plunges

 This week on One Slice at a Time, Stephanie grills Ryan about his most ambitious trip yet—a group cruise to Antarctica aboard the World Navigator with Atlas Ocean Voyages. If you’ve ever thought Antarctica was out of reach, think again. Ryan breaks down exactly what’s included, how he planned this polar plunge-worthy adventure, and why this trip is more all-inclusive luxury than arctic expedition campout.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why Antarctica? (Hint: Maggie's bucket list)

• What’s included in the trip—and what’s not

• The real deal with the Drake Passage

• Camping, kayaking, and other wild add-ons

• A frozen pizza showdown on The Crusty Review

Interested in joining the Antarctica group trip?
Message Ryan and grab one of the remaining cabins.

Adult-Only Escape or Family Mayhem? The Truth About All-Inclusive Resorts

Is Sandals really the gold standard—or is Beaches where the magic happens?

In Episode 4 of One Slice at a Time, Ryan and Stephanie go head-to-head on one of the biggest debates in travel: all-inclusive resorts. Ryan’s all in on Sandals—luxury, no kids, and as many desserts as you can carry. Stephanie makes the case for Beaches—family-friendly fun, ice cream trucks, and a lazy river staffed by Elmo.

We break down what’s actually included (spoiler: not always what the brochure says), share real experiences from both sides of the age gap, and introduce a new segment: Ryan’s Crusty Review, where he rates resort pizza with a very serious system.

Also in this episode:
🍕 A pizza-scented sunscreen ad that went too far
🏖️ Why room category really matters
💡 How to avoid hidden resort fees

One Slice or the Whole Pie? Splurging vs. Saving at Disney

Pizza, parades, and premium upgrades-oh my

Planning a Disney trip but don’t know where to spend and where to skip? In this episode, we’re breaking down which upgrades are actually worth it-and which ones you can leave behind without missing the magic.

Stephanie and Ryan go slice by slice through all the options:

• Lightning Lanes

• On-property vs. off-property hotels

• Dining and character meals

• Ticket options

• Souvenirs and extras

Whether you’re a budget-conscious or ready to roll VIP-style, we’ll help you figure out what actually makes your trip better-and what just eats your wallet like a turkey leg on Main Street.

Cruise Ships, Kids, & Questionable Pizza

In this episode of One Slice at a Time, Stephanie and Ryan are hitting the high seas — with and without kids. Stephanie breaks down the real pros and cons of cruising with little ones, while Ryan shares the bliss (and a few hidden challenges) of adult-only cruises.

They cover:

- The truth about kids clubs and connecting staterooms

- Why cruise ship pizza is a worldwide tragedy

- Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Windstar, Celebrity, Norwegian & Carnival

- Pro tips for families, multi-gen groups, and couples

- The myth of “kids sail free” 😬

Plus, another Ryan’s Crusty Review, featuring Cresto’s — the world’s first shelf-stable emotionally distant pizza alternative.

Five Things That SHOCKED Us on Our First River Cruise