Dave

If trip is less than 24 hours, I would not use dry ice. I do fully pack with frozen meats, as full as possible (except for space reserved for non-frozen items such as cheese. I do Vac packs as more secure than zip locks). I pack polar bear cooler night before (we usually leave 6am for airport) and then place entire cooler in freezer. I pull out in morning and load items from the fridge.

I don't think dry ice changes the spices or the meats.
Gel packs are not necessary if your Polar Bear cooler is full or nearly full of frozen meats.