Ryan is back from Portugal with a 10/10 review—and a few notes. After five days working, eating pizza, and sampling cappuccinos in Lisbon and Porto, he boarded AmaWaterways' AmaSintra for seven nights on Portugal's Douro River. Stephanie and Ryan break down why this river cruise feels so different from sailing the Rhine or Danube, from slow mornings and daytime scenic sailing to vineyard-covered hills, giant locks, port wine, and a full-day visit to Salamanca. Plus, Ryan shares who will love this cruise, what travelers should know before booking, and one unforgettable Porto pizza experience.

The Galapagos Islands may be one of the best wildlife trips in the world — but is a Galapagos cruise worth the cost? Stephanie and Ryan talk about giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas and what makes an expedition cruise different from a traditional cruise. Ryan also shares his September 2027 National Geographic-Lindblad Galapagos group and an optional Peru extension featuring Machu Picchu. If you've ever wondered what a Galapagos trip is really like, how much it costs or whether you should combine it with Peru, grab a slice and join us.

Is the Rhine the perfect place to take your first European river cruise?

This week, we're heading from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam and talking through one of the best-known river cruise routes in Europe—with one very fun addition.

Ryan is hosting an AmaWaterways Celebration of Beer Rhine River cruise November 13–20, 2027 aboard AmaFiora.

We'll take you stop by stop through the route, including Breisach, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rüdesheim, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Amsterdam.

Along the way we're talking castles, vineyards, walking tours, bike rides, Riesling, Rüdesheim coffee, regional food, Kölsch beer, Altbier, Amsterdam snacks, and the kind of small-group experiences that make river cruising so different from an ocean cruise.

We also explain what it's actually like to cruise with AmaWaterways.

What's included? How do excursions work? Can you change your plans? What drinks are included? Can you bring your own bottle of wine back onboard?

AmaWaterways offers multiple excursion choices in many ports, and guests can often change their selection even after initially choosing an excursion. Stephanie and Ryan also discuss the included drinks and the local experiences that happen both ashore and onboard.

And yes—we finally get to the beer.

The special sailing includes a brewer onboard, tastings, and beer experiences tied to the regions along the Rhine.

If you're thinking about river cruising and aren't sure which cruise line, cabin, itinerary, or sailing fits you best, that's where we come in.

Visit OneSlicePod.com to connect with us and start planning.

Is Disney’s Aulani Resort worth flying nearly 5,000 miles to Hawaii? Stephanie and Ryan break down what makes Aulani different from a typical Disney vacation, including its calm Ko Olina lagoons, pools, lazy river, character dining, Hawaiian cultural activities, snorkeling, spa, kids’ programs, and larger villa options. They also explain when you need a rental car, which reservations should be made early, and how much Disney theming you should expect. Plus, Ryan shares a birthday pizza stop and Stephanie explains why Aulani may be the perfect relaxing finish to a larger Hawaii vacation.

Ryan and Maggie turned a three-night Celebrity Reflection sailing into a midyear couples board meeting. Here is how they reviewed their goals, reconnected, and used a short cruise to create space for better conversations.

Is Disney’s Animal Kingdom really a half-day park? Stephanie and Ryan share two different touring styles, including what to ride first, when to use Lightning Lane, where to eat, what families often miss, and how to decide how much time your family needs.