This week on Going Beyond the Castle, Ashley and Lori take the helm while Fred enjoys some well-earned baby snuggles with the newest member of the Briley family — welcome to the world, baby Eliana! With Fred temporarily off-duty, Ashley and the Podcast Princess herself, Lori Talamo (tiara included… eventually), dive into a jam-packed episode all about cruising.

They’re joined by special guest and fellow Mouse Counselor, Bethany Chapman, who brings her extensive first-hand cruise experience to the table. From Disney Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages to Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and more, Bethany breaks down the best itineraries, ships, dining, excursions, and insider must-knows you won’t find on a brochure.

In This Episode:

• A warm welcome to baby Eliana Briley 💗

• Updates from around the Disney and Universal worlds

• The very broken reopening of Astro Orbiter

• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure going 2D (and why that’s a win!)

• A first look at Universal’s upcoming Kids Resort in Frisco, TX

• “Apricot” Food & Wine Festival… yep, you read that right

• Bethany’s cruise expertise — favorite ships, bucket-list itineraries, cabin tips, port planning, and the truth about swimming with pigs 🐷

• Virgin Voyages’ food (spoiler: it’s elite) and the infamous onboard tattoo studio

• Lori and Bethany share travel memories, mishaps, and why girls’ trips just hit different

• Rapid-fire cruise preferences: balconies, sea days, favorite ships, and more!

If you're thinking about hitting the high seas — whether with family, your partner, or your best girlfriends — this episode is packed with insights and laughs to help you choose the perfect cruise.