The Podcastaways Podcast By Trevor Shelby Thomas Kennedy and Jennifer Rowell cover art

The Podcastaways

The Podcastaways

By: Trevor Shelby Thomas Kennedy and Jennifer Rowell
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Join superfans Trevor Shelby, Thomas Kennedy, Jennifer Rowell, and Reese Schrimsher each week as they lead their audience through their love of Cruising, Cruise News, and a focus on various Cruising Topics and interviews with Cruise staff, Crew members and Excursion staff who work so hard to make each and every cruise magical!Trevor Shelby, Thomas Kennedy, and Jennifer Rowell Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Platinum Problems, Balcony Mattresses, and Bobby's Terrible Taste in Chicken
    Mar 21 2026

    The Golden Crew is back and absolutely unhinged as ever. First, big congrats to Tom — his brass band took home a win this weekend, which means Trevor and Jenn have exactly zero excuses next time they lose anything. We kick off the news with some ACTUAL good news: the Carnival Jubilee scored a perfect 100 on its CDC health inspection — that's a first since its 2023 launch, and our home port of Galveston has never looked cleaner. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean was busy committing an international crime on St. Patrick's Day: no corned beef. Their stock took a hit and frankly, we're not surprised.

    We dive into the growing chaos around Carnival's Platinum perks after multiple sailings started pulling priority boarding and early stateroom access — turns out when everyone's Platinum, nobody is. We've got thoughts. Strong ones. Also: the Carnival Firenze is canceling 11 sailings out of Long Beach to reposition to the East Coast, and the West Coast is not taking it well (looking at you, Jenn).

    Then there's the TikTok trend of people dragging their mattresses out onto their balconies to sleep under the stars — John Heald has officially had enough, and honestly? Same. Bobby called in on the Speak Pipe to defend Carnival's fried chicken, and Trevor and Tom has never recovered. Plus, MSC Seascape is charging admission to a new after-hours show that includes cocktails — which sounds fine until you realize some guests already have the drink package. Chaos. Pure chaos.

    And yes, the Miami road trip comes up. It always comes up. Tom drove for what felt like 27 hours, Megan flew like a genius, and Trevor stared longingly into the Mississippi River. We don't talk about FGGC 1. We just... don't.

    Subscribe, join the Podcastaways Facebook group, and remember: anything that happens on the ship stays on YouTube. 🛳️


    Speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways⁠ to leave us a voicemail.

    Cruise With us on FRGC 4, September 2026 - Contact Amanda Barmore with Have Luggage Will Travel ⁠https://flow.page/haveluggagewilltravel

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    47 mins
  • The Wildest Things Banned on Cruise Ships
    Mar 14 2026

    he Golden Crew is back, and this week Trevor runs through a comprehensive list of the most bizarre rules and banned items across cruise lines — from Samsung Galaxy Note 7s still being on Disney's no-go list to non-collapsible lightsabers being classified as weapons. Plus, Carnival bans upside-down pineapple behavior, Tom barely survives Oklahoma tornado season, the crew debates Carnival's new brunch menu (breakfast Philly, anyone?), and Jen owes the Costco community a major apology. Grab a drink of the day — just not from a box — and sail in!

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    38 mins
  • Lights Out on the Sunshine, Glow Up on the Conquest & Waffle Cones Are a Hack Now
    Mar 7 2026

    The Golden Crew is back, and this week Trevor is NOT dead — despite his best efforts to convince everyone otherwise. After a dramatic week of faking strep throat, sending blinking GIFs, and getting his wife Megan to photograph the inside of his throat for a very skeptical Teladoc doctor, Trevor has somehow survived to podcast another day.

    On the cruise news front, we've got a big week! The Carnival Sunshine went full blackout — losing power, propulsion, AND sanitation at 2 AM while returning to Norfolk. Tugboats, delayed embarkation, and a $25 onboard credit were involved. We break it all down. Then we talk about the Carnival Conquest's fresh glow-up out of dry dock, including the new Heroes Tribute Bar honoring our military veterans and active duty service members — and yes, the arcade came up too.

    We also touch on Puerto Vallarta's temporary removal from Carnival's Mexican Riviera routes (Jen is on the Costco update desk, so stay tuned to the Facebook group), and the 2026 Cruiseline.com Member Choice Awards — spoiler: Royal Caribbean swept basically everything and the crew has thoughts.

    And finally... waffle cones. We somehow end up in a deeply committed conversation about soft serve, cruise hacks, and things we probably should not describe in a family-friendly podcast description. You'll just have to listen.

    🚢 Join the conversation! Find us in the Podcastaways Facebook Group for Costco updates, waffle cone debates, and a countdown to the Family Reunion Group Cruise — only 195 days away!

    Anything that happens on the ship stays on YouTube. Bye!


    Speakpipe.com/CarnivalCruisingPodcastaways to leave us a voicemail.

    Cruise With us on FRGC 4, September 2026 - Contact Amanda Barmore with Have Luggage Will Travel https://flow.page/haveluggagewilltravel

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    34 mins
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