November 2, 2024 • 53 mins
Discover the secrets behind spine-chilling travel destinations and the future of air travel convenience in our latest Inside Travel Talk episode! With Halloween's eerie charm still in the air, we've curated a list of must-visit spooky spots for thrill-seekers. Plus, learn how Delta Airlines is revolutionizing travel with digital IDs, making your airport experience faster and more efficient. We'll also break down how this new feature stacks up against TSA PreCheck and Clear, ensuring you have the smoothest journey possible.
Ever dreamt of a Hawaiian escape? We're spilling the beans on the hottest hotel picks across the islands, including the freshly revamped Outrigger Waikiki Paradise Hotel. Stay ahead of the game with insider tips on navigating airline policies and scoring incredible travel deals, like a jaw-dropping $899 package to Hawaii. Also, get the lowdown on Disney's game-changing Lightning Lane Premier Pass, promising a queue-free theme park adventure for those willing to splash out.
Finally, we chat with Laura Okanowski from MSC Cruises about the unparalleled luxury of the Yacht Club experience. Hear firsthand accounts of her family's unforgettable escapade aboard the Seascape, complete with personal butlers and exclusive amenities. Despite a slight change in plans thanks to Hurricane Milton, the journey was one for the books. Don't miss the inside scoop on upcoming cruise deals, including Black Friday previews that could just be the ticket to your next oceanic adventure!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:00):
Welcome to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show.
On today's show we are going tobe talking about where to stay
in Hawaii, America's 250thbirthday cruise and an interview
with MSC Cruises' LauraOkonowski.
So let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
(00:22):
BluePlanetVacationscom containstravel deals, promotions and
offers that may be timesensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:42):
Explore your world.
It's the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show presented
by BluePlanetVacations.
com.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700, and
check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalkcom.
And now here are your hosts,patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
(01:07):
.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:14):
It is time for another Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show forSaturday, November 2nd and
Sunday, November 3rd.
Hello there, my name is PatrickWiscombe and, if you are brand
new to the show, first of allthank you for just listening.
The entire purpose of the showis to help you plan and book
(01:39):
your next vacation and creatememories for you, your family,
your friends, and go to theplaces and the parts of the
world where you want to travel.
You can get the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com or wherever you get yourpodcasts.
We are on all of the majorpodcast platforms and, if you're
(02:00):
in the Salt Lake City area,we're also on the air every
Saturday and Sunday mornings at11 o'clock Mountain Time, right
here on 860 KKAT, and we arepresented by BluePlanetVacations
.
com, and Mark Faldmo, the ownerof the company, is part of the
show and he joins me now.
(02:21):
It's good to see you.
As always, it's good to be here.
Now, it's good to see you.
As always, it's good to be here.
We have the travel news of theweek and we've also got right
here in this segment, thedestination of the week, and
we're going to highlight somespooky destinations to add to
your paranormal bucket list.
Mark Faldmo (02:37):
We just finished Halloween, so I thought we'd
throw some of those in, so ifpeople want to start planning
for next year, how many Snickershave you consumed here in the
last 48 hours?
Well, I'm actually goingthrough and looking for Crunch
bars.
Is that your favorite candy bar?
That is oh yeah, or Almond Joy.
Almond Joy and Crunch.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:58):
I think I'm done for the rest of the year.
Yeah, let's get to the TravelDeuce headlines.
Delta Airlines is addingdigital ID to another US airport
.
What airport is it?
Mark Faldmo (03:11):
It is Salt Lake City.
So for us here in the Salt LakeCity market, this is good news.
They're adding Salt Lake City,and soon they will be adding
Ronald Reagan Airport inWashington DC, so that will
bring the number of airports toseven where the digital ID is
available.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:30):
Okay, let me go.
Digital ID 101.
Here let's talk about digitalID and what the benefits are.
Mark Faldmo (03:37):
Digital ID allows you to check your bags and move
through security without showinga boarding pass or physical ID.
And at the security linethere's a whole separate line.
So you'll have the pre-checkline, the clear line, the
digital ID line and then thegeneral line and then the clear
line, yep.
And so Delta says the optionmakes checking bags 75% faster
(04:03):
and 60% faster going through thesecurity line experience.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:09):
Okay, so you said something there that caught
my attention.
So there's the TSA pre-checkline, which I have, you have.
There's now the clear line,there is the digital ID line and
then there's just the generalscreening line.
Did I get all that right?
That's correct, okay.
So let's start with Clear.
What is the Clear line?
Mark Faldmo (04:30):
Clear is a program similar to TSA PreCheck.
It's a little bit moreexclusive and that has
biometrics.
You go scan fingerprints, scanyour eye and then, once you do
that, it jumps you to the frontof the TSA Precheck line, if
there is a line.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:46):
So TSA is now second in order of its
exclusivity.
TSA pre-check Clear is moreexclusive.
Mark Faldmo (04:54):
Clear is also an additional paid program similar
to TSA pre-check.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:59):
Okay, and then the digital ID line, which is
what we're talking about here.
I'm assuming that that's goingto be near the TSA pre-check,
the clear line, and then digitalID.
Mark Faldmo (05:10):
That is Yep and there is no cost for digital ID.
You do have to meet somerequirements but there's no cost
to that program.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:18):
Okay.
And then of course, just thegeneral screening line to go
past TSA security.
Just the general, that'scorrect, okay.
Mark Faldmo (05:23):
All right screening line to go past TSA security.
Just the general, that'scorrect.
Okay, all right, yeah, and I'veused the digital ID a few times
and it's nice.
You basically walk to the frontof the TSA pre-check line in
one separate line.
There's a scanner there scansyour face and you walk through,
so you don't have to scan anydocuments or anything.
It is a pretty slick and fastprocess.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:44):
Okay, so since you and I both have global
entry, and I'm showing that toyou as we're here in the studio,
this is not a clear card.
This is just TSA pre-check anddigital and digital ID, or is
that different?
Mark Faldmo (05:58):
It's different, but in order to get a digital ID,
you have to have global entry orTSA pre-check.
Okay, so I could do this then.
Yeah, yeah, you just go to yourand this is a program only for
Delta flyers go to your accounton Delta and you opt into the
digital ID.
Ad Voice (06:15):
Okay.
Mark Faldmo (06:16):
You do have to have your global entry or TSA
pre-check associated to theaccount and then you just opt in
for it and on your boardingpass it will say digital ID on
it, where normally it said TSApre-check.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:29):
So, given the choice, what do you like to do?
Digital ID or TSA pre-check?
Mark Faldmo (06:34):
Well, digital ID, if it's available.
It jumps you in front of theTSA pre-check Okay.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:40):
Delta has unveiled an all new look for
their cabins, featuring new seatcoverings and fresh mood
lighting.
Mark Faldmo (06:48):
Delta is doing a cabin refresh.
We talked about Southwest a fewmonths ago.
That did the new cabin refreshwith new seat, look and feel.
Delta is doing the same thing.
They're adding mood lighting.
They're going to roll this outa little bit slower it's going
to go throughout 2025, but theyare going to start with their
long haul routes and AirbusA350s in early 2025 will be the
(07:11):
first to go through that.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:13):
So when you and I went to Florida, we were
on the.
What was the Airbus A321?
Was that one of their refresh?
Mark Faldmo (07:20):
That is, that'll be similar domestic first class.
You know that we did, althoughthey're upgrading even that
experience that we were in.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:29):
So yeah, well, that was pretty good to start
with.
You and I both agree that thisis long overdue.
American Airlines is targetingwhat they're calling group
jumpers with a new boardingsystem.
Explain to listeners what agroup jumper is.
Mark Faldmo (07:47):
Yeah, so a group jumper is someone that tries to
board before their zone iscalled, and I actually wish all
airlines would do this.
One thing they're trying to getrid of is how people just swarm
the gate to board, yep, and sowhat this new system will do is
if someone that's in zone fivetries to board in zone three,
(08:09):
it'll just ding and it won'tallow them to board.
They'll be asked to step asideand board with their proper
group.
So I don't know why this hasn'tbeen done earlier.
Is the technology has certainlybeen there.
I actually kind of wish itwould be a big gong sound so
that, so that everybody seesthat someone's trying to jump
(08:31):
their group, that would be sofunny.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:33):
If you hear this, gong Steve Smith, you're
in violation yep, shame him so.
Mark Faldmo (08:41):
So right now they're testing it out in
Albuquerque and Tucson.
So if you're flying on Americanout of those cities, make sure
and board with your boardingzone.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:52):
Let's get to the destination of the week
Since Halloween was two days ago.
Let's talk about some spookydestinations that our listeners
can add to their paranormalbucket list.
Mark Faldmo (09:04):
We occasionally get that call and say I want to do
something for Halloween.
That's kind of spooky, stay ata haunted hotel or something
like that.
So this is a list to startplanning your next year vacation
if you're looking for somethinglike that.
The first stop on the list ison Oahu.
It's Moana Falls.
I have been to Moana Falls inthe daytime, but locals say at
(09:30):
nighttime is when you get peoplesee ghosts.
They're called the nightmarchers, where it's Hawaiian
warriors marching through theforest at Moana Falls.
The next place is also on Oahu,so I guess you could plan a
trip to Oahu if you wanted.
That it's Pearl Harbor AviationMuseum.
In 1941, the attack on PearlHarbor, almost all of the
(09:52):
hangars were damaged ordestroyed, except for two,
hangar 37 and Hangar 79.
They survived and those are nowthe Pearl Harbor Aviation
Museum, which say the place iscrawling with ghosts.
According to people Paranormalhunters I guess you would call
them it is in Pearl Harbor bythe airfield.
The next place on the list isthe Hollywood sign in Los
(10:16):
Angeles.
I guess it's haunted.
I've not heard that before.
They say there are severalghosts.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:22):
The ghost of Harvey Weinstein.
Yes, they say, there areseveral ghosts.
The ghost of Harvey Weinstein?
Mark Faldmo (10:26):
Yes, the next one I find that's interesting is the
Chicago River.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:31):
Yeah, okay, I can buy that actually.
Mark Faldmo (10:38):
Downtown Chicago is absolutely spectacular, but
that river's pretty gross, yeah.
So that's one of the hauntedplaces.
Another one is the Queen Maryin Long Beach.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:46):
Yeah, I've been on the Queen Mary.
That was old, it was just.
I know it's been restored-ish,but it was.
It did give me kind of a creepyvibe and I wasn't even looking
for it the last one that we'lltalk about is the Biltmore Hotel
in Miami in Coral Gables area.
Mark Faldmo (11:03):
I have stayed at this hotel a few times,
thoroughly enjoyed it.
I didn't know it was haunted,but apparently it was a mob
hotel and so there were severalghosts created in the hotel
during its mob days and also inthe 1940s it was for World War
II it was changed into amilitary hospital, so it was a
(11:26):
hospital at one point.
But it is a wonderful vintageold hotel there in Coral Gables
in Miami, but some say it'shaunted.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:35):
It's hard to say this.
I think Miami's a littleunderrated.
It is spectacular right now.
Mark Faldmo (11:41):
I always enjoy Miami.
You know, when I Go to thatarea for a cruise, I always try
and go in a day or two early.
You did the things with me thatI like to do Go to Shark Valley
and drive part of the Keys oreven all the way down to Key
West, time permitting, butthere's a lot to do in the area.
South Beach Miami is veryinteresting.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:01):
It's beautiful .
It was genuinely a beautifulplace.
It makes me wonder how manyAirbnbs they have down there,
because I bet they're justfilled all the time.
Yes, I can't recommend enoughgoing to Miami, Miami Beach.
I'm not a big Halloween personmyself, but I do like it for
(12:22):
kids.
I love when they come to mydoor and get to pass out candy.
If you can get to Miami, callMark, he knows Miami back and
forth.
Book your vacation through Mark.
Call him in his office.
He's open Monday through Friday888-718-7717.
(12:44):
888-718-7717 is his officenumber.
Open Monday through Friday,just regular business hours.
When we come back we've got thehot travel deal of the week,
always in segment number two.
And are we going to Hawaii?
This week we are going toHawaii.
Yep, awesome, you can go toPearl Harbor and go see the
(13:09):
hangars.
Yeah, that is next when theInside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show continues alongsideMark Faldmo by good friend.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (13:23):
Taking you to destinations around the world.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show is presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
Thanks for listening.
(13:44):
We'll be right back.
We'll be right back throughoutthe Mediterranean, Caribbean and
Central.
Ad Voice (13:50):
America To book your unique Star Clipper sailing
adventure.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
(14:19):
blueplanetvacationscom.
Show Voice (14:25):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
(14:46):
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:53):
Welcome back inside of the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show.
Hello there, I'm PatrickWiscombe.
Thank you for making this partof your Saturday and Sunday
mornings.
Here in the 11 o'clock hour weare presented by blue planet
vacations.
com.
Mark Faldmo is owner of blueplanet vacations.
(15:15):
com and he joins me as he doesevery single week right here on
eight, 60 KKAT and radiostations around the country and
you can also get the podcast oninsidetraveltalk.
com and you can also just go toblueplanetvacations.
com to get the podcast coming up.
(15:35):
In this segment we always havethe hot travel deal of the week.
We are headed to Hawaii thissegment and we're going to talk
about mark's picks, if he hashis choice to go to any of the
Hawaiian islands, where he wouldstay, the hotels that he's
stayed at and that he recommends.
That's coming up here in just afew minutes.
(15:55):
But let's get to the TravelDews headlines.
I saw that Outrigger isunveiling a reimagined and
rebranded Waikiki or, as Sirisays, Waikiki Hotel.
What are the details?
Mark Faldmo (16:09):
Outrigger is rebranding what was formerly
known as Ohana Waikiki EastHotel to a new brand called the
Outrigger Waikiki Paradise Hotel.
Waikiki East Hotel was one ofthe hotels that I used to use a
lot.
It's a pretty good location.
It's near the Sheraton PrincessKealani, which we've talked
about a lot.
(16:29):
On this, they've completelygutted out the hotel, reimagined
and rebranded this hotel inWaikiki, so it has all new
bedding, all new fixtures,everything.
That's another option of placeto stay when you're looking for
a Wahoo in Waikiki in particular.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:48):
I love Waikiki , or Waikiki as Siri says.
I saw that a jury awardedAmerican Airlines $9.4 million
against hidden city ticketercalled skip lagged, and explain
to people how this whole thingworks.
Mark Faldmo (17:07):
This is one of the reasons why to use a travel
agent, because we have some ofthese tricks and tips that we
can use to help you get betterairfare.
A lot of those with theinvention of some of the
technology that's out there havegone out the window and in
terms and conditions they'vebeen written out that you can't
do this.
One of those is hidden cityticketing.
(17:29):
So what hidden city ticketingis?
Say you want to go between SaltLake and Denver and it's $200.
You might be able to get aticket Salt Lake City to Omaha,
Nebraska, for $150, connectingthrough Denver, and you just get
off in Denver and you do thesame thing on the way home.
So to get back home you goDenver, say to Las Vegas, but
(17:52):
connect through Salt Lake, get acheaper fare that way.
But for several years thatpractice has been written into
terms and conditions thatpassengers won't participate in
that and that ticketing agentsso travel agents we can't
participate in that anymore.
Years ago when this first cameout, there were several people
that airlines just banned andtook away all their frequent
(18:14):
flyer miles because they gotcaught doing that During COVID.
This trend called skip laggingcame and there was a whole
company created, which wascalled Skip Lagged and that's
who the jury awarded theAmerican settlement from was
this company called Skiplag,which helped people to do that?
They didn't physically book thetickets, but they showed people
(18:36):
how to do that.
As a consulting fee, basicallyas a consulting fee, and so they
were showing people how tobreak the rules of the airlines.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:45):
I saw that Disney is going to launch a new
reservation-free ride pass forup to $449 per person.
Mark Faldmo (18:56):
This is an enhancement to their Lightning
Lane.
This is called the LightningLane Premier Pass and it allows
you to access the Lightning Lanewithout a reservation.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:09):
I would do that.
I know it's expensive, but Ilove Disneyland, except for the
lines Pro tip.
If you go to Disneyland afterthe new year, like the week
after the new year, that's agreat time to go.
That is.
Yeah.
Let's get to the hot traveldeal of the week, always in
segment two of the show, andwe're going to Hawaii.
(19:29):
There was a caller, what washer name?
Was it Susan?
I think it was yeah she wants togo to Hawaii but is having a
hard time deciding which islandto go to and where to stay.
She's asking you what are yourfavorite hotels on each of the
Hawaiian islands?
Mark Faldmo (19:46):
This is kind of a two-part question.
One is which island and thenthe other is my favorite hotels.
So we probably don't have timeto do all of that, so I decided
to focus on my favorite hotelson each island.
First of all, let's start withthe pricing.
Right now to Hawaii.
Prices start at $8.99 perperson.
This is for early January,January 9th departure, including
(20:09):
airfare from Salt Lake CityFive Nights Hotel.
You can get all the details toall the islands just by visiting
blueplanetvacations.
com, which is our new websitefor full deals.
Just click on the Hawaii dealand it'll give you all of this
pricing.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:25):
By the way, $899, five days in Hawaii.
That's phenomenal.
The airfare alone is worth that.
What should she consider?
Mark Faldmo (20:32):
First consideration is budget.
The second is experience.
Depending on the hotels, hotelsrun in all different prices and
experiences.
So what I've done is I'vepicked three hotels on each of
the islands.
All these hotels I've stayed atseveral times.
They all have good experiences,but they do range in budget,
(20:53):
and so you know, I've kind ofpicked a lower priced hotel,
medium priced hotel and a higherpriced hotel.
Let's start in Oahu For thelower priced hotel.
The one I would recommend isthe Sheraton Princess Kehlani.
It's across the street from thebeach but it has good prices.
The next one is probably myfavorite pick on the island,
(21:15):
which is the Courtyard NorthShore, and I like this one just
because of the location.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:20):
You're about an hour drive from the airport
to this location.
Mark Faldmo (21:25):
Yeah, about an hour drive, but it is the only hotel
in the area.
It's basically in the parkinglot of the Polynesian Cultural
Center, which is a greatattraction.
You can walk across the streetto the beach, has a great beach
and it's just a good point toexplore the north side of the
island.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:43):
And much less hustle and bustle.
It is way different than Oahuand Waikiki.
It is yeah Beautiful location.
Mark Faldmo (21:51):
And then, kind of for the higher end hotel, it's
the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Oh yeah, that's where I stayed.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:00):
So those are my picks on Oahu.
Do you want to go to Maui orKauai next let's go to Kauai.
Mark Faldmo (22:04):
Okay, Kauai is probably the least visited
island.
I like it because it's a littlebit more laid back yes, there,
you know, not not as much goingon.
There's still a lot to see andmy pick of hotel there for the
lower priced hotels is theoutrigger kawaii beach.
This has a great beach, reallygood location kind of for the
(22:25):
medium hotel, Sheraton, Kauai,coconut Beach, which is right on
the Coconut Coast.
It's by a shopping center, justa really good area to stay.
And then my favorite hotel onthe island is the Hyatt Regency
Poi Pu Beach.
My father, who's traveled toHawaii a lot more than me, says
this is his favorite hotel inall of the Hawaiian islands.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:48):
That's saying a lot, because there's some good
ones there is, yeah.
Mark Faldmo (22:51):
What about Maui?
So in Maui, the Royal LahainaHotel is a good one, right on
Kaanapali Beach.
The next hotel is right nextdoor to it, which is the
Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Hotel.
Those are two great locatedhotels.
And then, if you really want anexperience, go to the Grand
Wailea, right on the water.
(23:13):
It's associated with severalgolf courses in the area.
It is quite the experience tostay at the Grand Wailea.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:21):
Well, that only leaves the big island left.
Mark Faldmo (23:23):
Which is personally my favorite island to visit.
And then hotels there.
My kind of lead-in hotel is theRoyal Kona Resort.
I like this one because it'sright in the town of Kilauea
Kona.
There You're right by all theshopping and restaurants.
It's just a great location fora vacation.
And then the Hilton WaikoloaVillage would be the next hotel
(23:46):
on the big island, the mediumoption, the medium option, and
it's had some really good priceslately.
And then again for the high endoption, the Mauna Kea Beach
Resort has its own golf courseon Haupuna Beach, which is the
best beach probably in all ofHawaii.
There.
I remember Heather and I got aday room there just waiting for
(24:06):
a flight one day and she walkedinto the room and was just
amazed with the view of thebeach and the water and it was
such a nice hotel there, the theMauna Kia beach resort you just
can't go wrong with Hawaii.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:21):
it's the one vacation that everyone just goes
.
Yeah, okay, let's go.
Prices to Hawaii start at $899per person for a January 9th
departure.
That includes the airfare fromSalt Lake and Five Nights Hotel.
It is featured onblueplanetvacations.
com right now or you can callMark in his office, starting on
(24:48):
Monday, the phone number888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
When we come back, it is theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
We've got the cruise news ofthe week and we are going to
talk about celebrating America'sbirthday on a Holland American
(25:10):
cruise.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show continues.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe, heis Mark Faldmo.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (25:24):
You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast
and radio show with PatrickWiscombe and Mark Faldmo,
presented by BluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
(25:45):
com.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (25:59):
This segment of Inside Travel Talk is sponsored by El
Dorado Spa Resorts.
Escape to Cancun's Riviera Mayawith authentic all-inclusive
luxury at an El Dorado sparesort.
To book your romantic beachgetaway, contact Blue Planet
Vacations at 888-718-7717 orblueplanetvacations.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:18):
Let me welcome you back to the Inside Travel
Talk podcast, a radio showComing up here.
In the next 30 minutes we aretalking MSC cruises and they are
slashing prices because theywant you on their ships, and
we've also got the cruise newsof the week and then we're going
to talk about what to expect ifyou book at MSC Cruise and you
go in their yacht club.
(26:39):
Let's get back to the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (27:13):
This is the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And now here are your hostsPatrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
.
Patrick Wiscombe (27:37):
All aboard for segment number three of the
Inside Travel Talk podcast andradio show.
This is the infamous JustCruising segment.
This is the infamous JustCruising segment.
We've got some great and I domean great deals if you want to
go sail with MSC Cruises.
Laura Okonowski is going tojoin me here in just a second to
(28:01):
talk about those promotionsthat are coming up for Black
Friday.
This is the perfect gift forChristmas.
Let me bring back in MarkFaldmo, the owner of
BluePlanetVacations.
com.
That are coming up for BlackFriday this is the perfect gift
for Christmas.
Let me bring back in MarkFaldmo, the owner of
blueplanetvacations.
com, and we've got some cruisenews of the week that we need to
share with listeners.
Since this is going to be anMSC segment, let's start with
(28:22):
MSC Cruises launching theirfirst Alaska cruises in 2026.
Mark Faldmo (28:28):
So this is exciting news.
MSC has really been expandingin North America and they just
announced, starting on May 11th,they are going to do an Alaska
cruise round trip from Seattle.
So this will be seven daycruises visiting Ketchikan, icy
Strait, Tracy arm, Juneau andVictoria.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:49):
It is time for the cruise deal of the week,
which is always in segmentnumber three of the show, and we
have a Happy Birthday USA,which is a special 250th
anniversary cruise on HollandAmerica.
I'm going to assume that thisis selling fast and that they
just have to call you for thisone.
Mark Faldmo (29:07):
Call me for dates and prices, but this is a
special sailing July 4th 2026.
Starts and ends in Boston.
It leaves Boston late so youcan watch the fireworks in
Boston Harbor while you're onthe ship, and then it takes off.
I think this is a greatitinerary.
It visits Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, and then it spends
two full days and an overnightin New York City, and then it
(29:30):
does have to get itsinternational port in.
So it goes to St John, newBrunswick in Canada and ends
back in Boston on July 11th.
How many days is this?
It's a seven night cruise.
It was starting.
Last I checked, the insideswere somewhere around 1200, but
everything is selling so fast onthis that if you want to get
(29:51):
this call and we can actuallyget the prices and availability
for you.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:56):
Let's transition away from the Happy
Birthday America cruise onHolland America and let me bring
in Laura Okonowski.
She is the business developmentmanager for MSC Cruises.
She was just on MSC's seashorea few weeks ago and we wanted to
invite her on the show to talkabout her experience.
Did you go?
(30:16):
Thermal suite, of course, oh,Laura, that is special, that's
fun too.
Laura Okanowski (30:24):
It was fun.
So we went on the first sea day, which I think everybody and
their brother goes on the firstsea day.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:33):
Yeah, that's true.
Laura Okanowski (30:35):
Right.
So it was a little bit busy onour first sea day, but we got to
see the entire landscape ofeverything.
We, you know, hopped and jumpedinto all the different rooms.
There's the snow room, yeah, Ilove that one.
The salt room there are allthose really fun showers cold
shower, hot shower with all thedifferent scents that go along
(30:57):
with it the eucalyptus and mintso they're very invigorating.
Right there's the dry sauna,the hot, wet steam sauna.
There's all different types ofthings, the whirlpool, the
mosaic chairs to lay out on andrelax For the listening audience
.
The thermal sues is an area ofthe spa where guests who have
our ARIA experience as well asYacht Club are welcomed there
(31:21):
any time when it's open for theduration of the cruise.
So if it's a seven-day cruise,you're able to go seven days.
Right, wear your swimsuit, it'sco-ed.
You can expect that no childrenwill be there because it's for
adults only, which is quite nice, and you just make your way
around all of these differentrelaxation chambers and rooms.
(31:42):
So it really is just a greatway to get your blood flowing,
invigorate your body, relax.
If there's any guests who havelong flights before embarking on
a ship, you might feel oh, myback's a little sore or maybe I
need to get the circulationgoing.
A visit to the thermal suiteswill certainly help that.
And so by yeah, third day wewere a little bit more strategic
(32:04):
.
We would go late afternoon,about four to five, and
typically five is when peoplemight be back in their
staterooms changing for dinneror having an early cocktail
before dinner.
So we found less busy.
Here's my little pro tip Foundit less busy during that time
and also less busy in the lasthour of the opening hours.
(32:25):
So if they say they're opentill nine o'clock, try to go
from eight to nine and it willbe less busy.
Why?
Because people are at dinner,they're at the shows, they're at
the shows, they're at thecasino, they're already into the
nighttime groove.
That, I found, was a great timeto go as well at the end of the
day and you know what that doesthat sets you up for the most
amazing relaxation and sleep.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:46):
What promotions do you have for
listeners?
Laura Okanowski (32:48):
Well, can you even believe it?
We are approaching Thanksgiving.
You know we're still here inOctober, but we are approaching
Thanksgiving and Black Fridaysales, and MSC, of course,
doesn't disappoint withdifferent specials that we have.
So what we are going to beoffering is, of course,
(33:09):
something to our listeningaudience, and that is I'm just
pulling it up here, so I haveall the details in front of me.
It will begin on the 12th ofNovember, so we're getting out
of the gate early.
It's a Black Friday previewsale we're calling it, we want
to get a jumpstart on things andit will offer up to a 35% off
(33:32):
savings on almost every voyagein our itinerary landscape.
So you'll find itineraries forthe Caribbean, for the Med,
you'll find itineraries fordomestic departures leaving out
of Port Canaveral, Brooklyn,Miami.
You might even find some of ournew opportunities leaving out
(33:53):
of Galveston.
Now, Galveston is going to be anew port for us starting fall of
next year.
So, if you know, some of ourlisteners are in the drive
market to drive to Texas, toGalveston in particular.
We are currently building ourown parking structure, five-tier
parking structure, and our ownterminal and pier for MSC
(34:15):
Cruises to leave out ofGalveston.
So a lot of fun things on thehorizon.
But getting back to thisparticular sale and savings, so
I understand that drinks andWi-Fi are going to be included
in this as complimentary andsome onboard credits as well.
So the onboard credit, it's upto $400 onboard credit and
that's determined by the type ofstateroom a guest is purchasing
(34:37):
and also the number of daysthat the cruise will be
traveling for.
And that is also, Patrick, howthey determine the up to portion
of 35% off.
So I just like to explain thatbecause sometimes people think,
oh, 35% off and a $400 onboardcredit out of the gate for
everybody.
No, it depends on those twopieces of criteria how long are
(34:59):
you traveling for, what is thedestination?
So that is the promo BlackFriday and Cyber Monday.
So I am being told that it willbegin, as mentioned, November
12th and run through and upuntil close of business on the
25th of November.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:16):
The pricing on MSC Cruises is aggressive.
They want people on those ships.
Laura Okanowski (35:22):
Yes, you've noticed.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:24):
Yes, In some cases I won't say it's half, but
sometimes it's significantsavings.
Laura Okanowski (35:30):
Absolutely Now.
Reason for this is MSC Cruisesis not your average household
name as of yet.
We really are striving for itto become that.
There are some other cruiselines out there that are more
commonly seen in televisioncommercials, more common ads,
you know, displayed onbillboards or maybe in magazines
and periodicals.
MSC has really been growing tothat and with the movement out
(35:56):
of Galveston starting fall ofnext year and you know some,
maybe some other potentialopportunities in future, we
really are making our mark onNorth America and and really
getting ourselves in front ofthe North American market of
cruisers and first time cruisers.
I really invite all of yourlisteners to do their homework.
If you have a favorite brand,compare it with MSC, compare it
(36:18):
with the price of that favoritebrand and then our balcony
stateroom.
Or compare it with that specialship-within-a-ship VIP
experience of a suite on anothercruise line, with that of the
Yacht Club on MSC.
Almost in every opportunity ourprices and rates will beat that
competition.
(36:38):
So strike while the iron is hot.
I always like to say we neverknow how long this best pricing
is going to last for, but it'sworth giving yourselves that
comparison and being an informedconsumer.
Now our travel provider friends, of course, informed consumer,
now our travel provider friendsof course do an amazing job of
helping with that and breakingit all down.
(36:59):
But MSC is something to take alook at, I would say.
If you're planning to cruisewithin the next two years, our
itineraries right now arespanning into 2026, if you can
believe it.
So get to planning and lock inthat best pricing to planning
and lock in that best pricing.
Patrick Wiscombe (37:14):
It really is worth going on MSC cruises.
Nikki and I were there in June.
We went from June 20th to June30th on MSC seashore.
It really was a spectacularcruise.
Book the vacation through Mark.
Just call his office,888-718-7717, 888-718-7717.
(37:42):
And I'm just going to add apersonal plug that Mark doesn't
know.
I'm going to say hereBluePlanetVacations.
com has one of the best cruisebooking engines I have ever come
across.
It is so easy to read, it'seasy to get to the place that
you want to go to and you justbook it through him.
He takes care of all of theheadache and he can advise you.
(38:03):
Let me give you the number onemore time 888-718-7717.
And you can also go toblueplanetvacations.
com.
When we come back, we're goingto continue our conversation
with MSC Cruises' LauraOkonowski and we've got the
final segment of travel newsthat you need to be aware of.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
(38:26):
show continues.
Alongside Mark Faldmo, I am hishumble sidekick, Patrick
Wiscombe.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (38:36):
Explore your world.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (38:58):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Anna.
Waterways, from castles andcapitals to vistas and villages
visit some of Europe's mostremarkable sites and cities To
set out on your own river cruisejourney.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (40:23):
Welcome back inside the final segment of this
week's Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and as we
start this final segment, letme just plug the website.
If you've heard something thatyou would like to book during
(40:46):
the show, go toblueplanetvacations.
com or you can just call Mark inhis office, Monday through
Friday, normal business hours.
Speaking of that, did you hearthe text that just came in?
I heard a ding.
We really do get text duringthe show, anyway, 888-718-7717,
(41:10):
888-718-7717.
And, as I mentioned,blueplanetvacations.
com, we're going to continue ourconversation with Laura
Okonowski of MSC Cruises.
At the very start of the show.
You know how we were talkingabout Delta reimagining their
cabins.
Yes, well, I just got an emailfrom Delta just now that says
(41:32):
something new is on the horizon,introducing a completely
reimagined onboard design.
They are really making somechanges and they're beautiful
changes.
Mark Faldmo (41:44):
This is a good upgrade.
I saw an email a few days agofrom Delta, but that's
interesting that we talked aboutit and then you got an email
right away.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:52):
Let's get to the final travel news headlines
for this week.
How many times have you flownto New York City's LaGuardia
Airport?
Probably five or six, yeah,okay, I've done it two or three
times.
I got to be honest.
The old LaGuardia was just adump, yeah, but it's now ranked
one of the best airports.
Mark Faldmo (42:15):
The former president and the current
president both basically calledLaGuardia Airport a third world
airport.
Patrick Wiscombe (42:18):
Yeah, I remember when he did that too.
Mark Faldmo (42:20):
They've spent years rebuilding a new terminal,
rebuilding the whole airport,and now in a recent poll it was
ranked as the top airport in theUS.
So I haven't been to any of thenew parts of it, but I'm
looking forward to it.
Patrick Wiscombe (42:35):
Let's get back to the interview with MSC
Cruises' Laura Okonowski.
In the previous segment we weretalking about the Black Friday
specials to go cruise on MSCCruises, but recently she was
part of the Yacht Club and ithad been a while since I had
seen Laura or that we had spoken, and this is how the interview
(42:55):
went.
It's good to have you back.
It's been what July since welast spoke.
Laura Okanowski (42:59):
Yeah, it's been a few months, Patrick, so we
are getting into the fall winterseason at MSC with a lot of
exciting things happening in2025 that I'm bursting at the
seams to talk to you about.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:11):
Let me take you back.
A few short weeks ago you wereon MSC's seashore.
You went with your family.
Tell me how it went and whereyou went.
Laura Okanowski (43:20):
We began our journey out of Miami on the MSC
Seascape Beautiful ship.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:26):
Yeah, it is.
Laura Okanowski (43:26):
She was launched in 2022.
So she's equipped with all thelatest and greatest bells and
whistles Just a stunninglybeautiful ship.
She has these amazing Swarovskicrystal staircases throughout
where people line up to takephoto opportunities, and the
ship is just abuzz with musicand people and laughter.
And you have to like people togo on the ships of MSC because
(43:50):
there are people on board.
Our ships usually have anywherefrom 5,000 to 6,000 guests on
our C-class ship, so that wouldbe seashore out of Port
Canaveral or seascape out ofMiami, and there were probably
5,000 plus individuals on board.
My family, though, was veryblessed to be able to be booked
in the Yacht Club a small shipexperience but then you still
(44:13):
have all the exterior amazingthings to go do on a big ship,
like water slides and arcadesand all different types of
entertainment venues in theevening and a casino, and you
know all the things.
But I have to tell you, Patrick, that the hype and the buzz it
is true about yacht club Nowworking for the company, I had
always suspected it was true andaccurate, but until you
(44:34):
actually experience somethingyourself, personally, right, you
just don't really know for sure.
It's amazing.
Yacht Club, oh my gosh.
For those who want attention todetail, who likes all sweet,
appointed accommodations, whodon't mind having a butler.
Part the Red Seas for you whenyou're trying to make your way
through navigate a large crowdof people.
You know this butler everyevening would take us to the
(44:57):
7.30 show or the 9.30 show, leadus from deck 18 down to deck 7,
where the show was taking place, and typically guests would
have to show their MSC for meapp to show that they have their
entertainment ticket and thenbe checked into the theater show
lounge.
Well, when you're led by thebutler from Yacht Club literally
(45:17):
the C's part you don't have toshow a ticket.
He or she leads you to yourstanchion sitting area that's
been pre-reserved for only YachtClub guests.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:25):
And let's talk about the embarkation and
disembarkation process.
You have benefits for that.
You just go right to the frontof the line.
Laura Okanowski (45:33):
Absolutely Seamless, and upon check-in at
the terminal, you will beequipped with a special Yacht
Club bracelet, and the braceletacts as your pass, not only to
your stateroom, but you cancharge things to it.
It actually, I learned, is alsoa GPS piece, so the butler
(45:54):
knows where you are.
So this is how the ninjas ofthe state rooms and suites right
, Because the butler and theroom attendant will swoop in
when maybe you're gone to thepool or you're gone for
breakfast.
They come in, pull everythingtogether in your suite and then
poof, magically you know it'sput back together in your
stateroom.
Patrick Wiscombe (46:12):
It really is just kind of fun to have someone
cater to you for a week.
It's kind of weird, especiallyif you're not used to it.
Laura Okanowski (46:20):
I can get used to it very easily and my family
was getting used to it as well.
Fun fact, you know, travelingwith my 12 year old son and my
husband to see an experiencethrough the eyes of your child
is a really cool thing as well.
So, as a 12-year-old who istrying to exercise his
independence and wants to do hisown things, you know he found
(46:40):
himself calling room service andordering, you know full large
pepperoni pizzas to the suite bythe way the pizza is truly, I
mean genuinely good, truly Imean genuinely good.
It is very, very good, and alittle note about me is I do
have to eat gluten-free.
It's by necessity, not bypreference, and I shared this
(47:03):
with them on board, as everyoneshould share if they have
certain eating protocolpreferences or needs.
They shared this informationwith the chef, the head chef,
and we had been mentioning abouthow the pizza was so amazing
and lovely and, oh, I wish therewas a gluten-free variety
option.
Well, guess what, Patrick?
It showed up.
It showed up and it was sodelicious and good that my
(47:23):
husband, who doesn't have to eatgluten-free, was asking well,
how do I get one of those?
Patrick Wiscombe (47:29):
The gluten-free option is available
to everyone, not everyone justin Yacht Club, correct.
Laura Okanowski (47:34):
The gluten-free option is available to everyone
, not everyone, just in YachtClub, correct?
Well, they do have a pre-madecrust that they can.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:38):
Oh, that's right.
Laura Okanowski (47:39):
They get the crust sent in, but in Yacht Club
the chef actually handmade thedough and I have to tell you
that the time frame that I'vebeen with the company, the menu
has certainly expanded.
It has the menu has certainlyexpanded.
It has, yes, and there are alot of delicious, tasty items,
from desserts to you know,entrees to, you know, everything
under the sun.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:59):
Did you go to Ocean Key, your private island,
while you were down there?
Laura Okanowski (48:02):
Well, we would have had Hurricane not been on
our tail.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:07):
Which hurricane was on your tail?
Laura Okanowski (48:08):
Milton.
Oh, so you couldn't go.
Yeah, we were traveling October5th to the 12th, and sadly, you
know, hurricane Milton cameroaring his ugly head right
behind Hurricane Helene.
So we were quite lucky that theship departed Miami without any
situation.
Everything was fine and good.
We had a beautiful day at sea,beautiful sunny skies.
(48:28):
We even went to our first stop,which was Falmouth, Jamaica.
Now, the next day, though, wewere supposed to embark by
tender to Grand Cayman.
At 7 o'clock am, the captaincame over the loudspeaker and
announced that the port of GrandCayman was closed because of
the impeding Hurricane Miltonthat was beginning to rear its
(48:49):
ugly head.
So I'd seen reports that it hadquickly moved from a Cat 3 to a
cap five, and, you know, thewaters were getting a little bit
more turbulent.
Two hours after the captainmade that announcement, the
white caps forming, you know onthe way.
Yeah, so the captain did anamazing job of keeping the ship
and guests out of harm's way.
Of course we had turned thatGrand Cayman Day into a sea day
(49:11):
and then they changed theitinerary up.
So the next stop was Roatan,Honduras, which was not on the
regular itinerary schedule.
That was then followed by astop in Cozumel, which was on
the schedule, but just adifferent day, Another day at
sea, and unfortunately Ocean Keywas not going to materialize
for us.
And yeah, by that time in theweek the bands, even though it
(49:35):
was making its way throughFlorida and it was calming down
as far as the categories, itstill was causing the waters to
be too turbulent for us to beable to navigate and dock anchor
right there on the island.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:48):
So that's amazing, that that's literally
hundreds of miles away and yetit's still affecting you.
Laura Okanowski (49:54):
Correct, and so you know.
I want to raise a veryimportant point I think about
traveling by cruise ship,especially during hurricane
season, is we have to rememberthat Mother Nature is in charge.
Right, and we have to rememberthat it is the ship's goal and
the captain's goal to make surethat all of us are meeting every
(50:14):
safety guideline and keeping usout of harm's way.
Mother Nature is in charge inthese situations and we really
have to.
I believe I tell my familyevery time we go anywhere, we
have to pack our patientsbecause we don't know what's
going to be in store.
But I have to tell you that,even though our itinerary got
changed, we still had the mostbeautiful, amazing time, because
(50:34):
you know what, when you're withloved ones and you're in a safe
place, you make the most ofyour situation.
Right.
I have to tell you, truth betold, I will take a sea day so I
can enjoy the ship's amenitiesalmost any day, because you
really get to kick back, relax,enjoy the service aspects and
elements of what you were goingaway on vacation for.
(50:55):
And, yes, it's always nice tosee different places and have
excursions, but you know toexplore the ship and just not be
in a hurry to get anywhere.
That was lovely for us as afamily, so we really took our
time and just kind of savoredthe moments together.
Patrick Wiscombe (51:11):
That was an interview that I was able to do
a little bit earlier this weekwith MSC's Laura Okonowski.
In the previous segment wetalked about the Black Friday
specials, and you can book thosewith Mark on his website,
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Mark Faldmo (51:26):
One thing on that Black Friday sale, I just want
to mention that those do startNovember 12th, as Laura
mentioned, so those aren't quiteready yet.
We're just getting you ready tojump on the deals when they
become available.
Patrick Wiscombe (51:38):
MSC Cruises was a great experience,
especially if you can get toOcean Key, which is their
private island.
Just a whole lot of fun.
So that's coming up on November12th If you want to book any of
the vacations that we havetalked about.
Hawaii We've also talked aboutthe spooky destinations that you
(52:00):
may want to put on yourparanormal bucket list.
And happy birthday to theUnited States.
The special 250th anniversarycruise on Holland America.
You just have to call Mark forthat one.
Call him in his office if youwould please.
Anniversary cruise on HollandAmerica you just have to call
Mark for that one.
Call him in his office if youwould please.
888-718-7717.
(52:23):
888-718-7717.
And you can also go toblueplanetvacations.
com.
You can listen to this showagain tomorrow morning, Sunday,
at 11 am, right here on 860 KKATIf you want or need to listen
to the show again.
You can download and subscribeto the podcast version of the
show on InsideTravelTalk.
com.
(52:44):
We're on all of the majorpodcast platforms and while
you're at it, may I ask you tosubscribe and leave us a
five-star review, Because itreally does help us get traction
with the podcast platforms.
So thank you.
Well, now it's your turn to getout and explore the world while
(53:05):
you can, because you never knowwhat curveballs life is going
to throw at you, and you knowwhat I'm talking about.
Today is a good day for a goodday.
Live your life intentionally,live your life deliberately and
remember what you're notchanging, you are choosing.
Thanks for listening.
Everyone, have a great week.
(53:26):
We'll talk to you next Saturdayand Sunday mornings.
Show Voice (53:31):
That's it.
That's the end of the showYou've been listening to the
Inside Travel Talk podcast andradio show with Patrick Wiscombe
and Mark Faldmo, presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
Book your adventure right now.
Call 888-718-7717.
That's 888-718-7717.
(53:52):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
Welcome to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show.
On today's show we are going tobe talking about where to stay
in Hawaii, America's 250thbirthday cruise and an interview
with MSC Cruises' LauraOkonowski.
So let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
(00:22):
BluePlanetVacationscom containstravel deals, promotions and
offers that may be timesensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:42):
Explore your world.
It's the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show presented
by BluePlanetVacations.
com.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700, and
check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalkcom.
And now here are your hosts,patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
(01:07):
.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:14):
It is time for another Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show forSaturday, November 2nd and
Sunday, November 3rd.
Hello there, my name is PatrickWiscombe and, if you are brand
new to the show, first of allthank you for just listening.
The entire purpose of the showis to help you plan and book
(01:39):
your next vacation and creatememories for you, your family,
your friends, and go to theplaces and the parts of the
world where you want to travel.
You can get the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com or wherever you get yourpodcasts.
We are on all of the majorpodcast platforms and, if you're
(02:00):
in the Salt Lake City area,we're also on the air every
Saturday and Sunday mornings at11 o'clock Mountain Time, right
here on 860 KKAT, and we arepresented by BluePlanetVacations
.
com, and Mark Faldmo, the ownerof the company, is part of the
show and he joins me now.
(02:21):
It's good to see you.
As always, it's good to be here.
Now, it's good to see you.
As always, it's good to be here.
We have the travel news of theweek and we've also got right
here in this segment, thedestination of the week, and
we're going to highlight somespooky destinations to add to
your paranormal bucket list.
Mark Faldmo (02:37):
We just finished Halloween, so I thought we'd
throw some of those in, so ifpeople want to start planning
for next year, how many Snickershave you consumed here in the
last 48 hours?
Well, I'm actually goingthrough and looking for Crunch
bars.
Is that your favorite candy bar?
That is oh yeah, or Almond Joy.
Almond Joy and Crunch.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:58):
I think I'm done for the rest of the year.
Yeah, let's get to the TravelDeuce headlines.
Delta Airlines is addingdigital ID to another US airport
.
What airport is it?
Mark Faldmo (03:11):
It is Salt Lake City.
So for us here in the Salt LakeCity market, this is good news.
They're adding Salt Lake City,and soon they will be adding
Ronald Reagan Airport inWashington DC, so that will
bring the number of airports toseven where the digital ID is
available.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:30):
Okay, let me go.
Digital ID 101.
Here let's talk about digitalID and what the benefits are.
Mark Faldmo (03:37):
Digital ID allows you to check your bags and move
through security without showinga boarding pass or physical ID.
And at the security linethere's a whole separate line.
So you'll have the pre-checkline, the clear line, the
digital ID line and then thegeneral line and then the clear
line, yep.
And so Delta says the optionmakes checking bags 75% faster
(04:03):
and 60% faster going through thesecurity line experience.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:09):
Okay, so you said something there that caught
my attention.
So there's the TSA pre-checkline, which I have, you have.
There's now the clear line,there is the digital ID line and
then there's just the generalscreening line.
Did I get all that right?
That's correct, okay.
So let's start with Clear.
What is the Clear line?
Mark Faldmo (04:30):
Clear is a program similar to TSA PreCheck.
It's a little bit moreexclusive and that has
biometrics.
You go scan fingerprints, scanyour eye and then, once you do
that, it jumps you to the frontof the TSA Precheck line, if
there is a line.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:46):
So TSA is now second in order of its
exclusivity.
TSA pre-check Clear is moreexclusive.
Mark Faldmo (04:54):
Clear is also an additional paid program similar
to TSA pre-check.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:59):
Okay, and then the digital ID line, which is
what we're talking about here.
I'm assuming that that's goingto be near the TSA pre-check,
the clear line, and then digitalID.
Mark Faldmo (05:10):
That is Yep and there is no cost for digital ID.
You do have to meet somerequirements but there's no cost
to that program.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:18):
Okay.
And then of course, just thegeneral screening line to go
past TSA security.
Just the general, that'scorrect, okay.
Mark Faldmo (05:23):
All right screening line to go past TSA security.
Just the general, that'scorrect.
Okay, all right, yeah, and I'veused the digital ID a few times
and it's nice.
You basically walk to the frontof the TSA pre-check line in
one separate line.
There's a scanner there scansyour face and you walk through,
so you don't have to scan anydocuments or anything.
It is a pretty slick and fastprocess.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:44):
Okay, so since you and I both have global
entry, and I'm showing that toyou as we're here in the studio,
this is not a clear card.
This is just TSA pre-check anddigital and digital ID, or is
that different?
Mark Faldmo (05:58):
It's different, but in order to get a digital ID,
you have to have global entry orTSA pre-check.
Okay, so I could do this then.
Yeah, yeah, you just go to yourand this is a program only for
Delta flyers go to your accounton Delta and you opt into the
digital ID.
Ad Voice (06:15):
Okay.
Mark Faldmo (06:16):
You do have to have your global entry or TSA
pre-check associated to theaccount and then you just opt in
for it and on your boardingpass it will say digital ID on
it, where normally it said TSApre-check.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:29):
So, given the choice, what do you like to do?
Digital ID or TSA pre-check?
Mark Faldmo (06:34):
Well, digital ID, if it's available.
It jumps you in front of theTSA pre-check Okay.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:40):
Delta has unveiled an all new look for
their cabins, featuring new seatcoverings and fresh mood
lighting.
Mark Faldmo (06:48):
Delta is doing a cabin refresh.
We talked about Southwest a fewmonths ago.
That did the new cabin refreshwith new seat, look and feel.
Delta is doing the same thing.
They're adding mood lighting.
They're going to roll this outa little bit slower it's going
to go throughout 2025, but theyare going to start with their
long haul routes and AirbusA350s in early 2025 will be the
(07:11):
first to go through that.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:13):
So when you and I went to Florida, we were
on the.
What was the Airbus A321?
Was that one of their refresh?
Mark Faldmo (07:20):
That is, that'll be similar domestic first class.
You know that we did, althoughthey're upgrading even that
experience that we were in.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:29):
So yeah, well, that was pretty good to start
with.
You and I both agree that thisis long overdue.
American Airlines is targetingwhat they're calling group
jumpers with a new boardingsystem.
Explain to listeners what agroup jumper is.
Mark Faldmo (07:47):
Yeah, so a group jumper is someone that tries to
board before their zone iscalled, and I actually wish all
airlines would do this.
One thing they're trying to getrid of is how people just swarm
the gate to board, yep, and sowhat this new system will do is
if someone that's in zone fivetries to board in zone three,
(08:09):
it'll just ding and it won'tallow them to board.
They'll be asked to step asideand board with their proper
group.
So I don't know why this hasn'tbeen done earlier.
Is the technology has certainlybeen there.
I actually kind of wish itwould be a big gong sound so
that, so that everybody seesthat someone's trying to jump
(08:31):
their group, that would be sofunny.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:33):
If you hear this, gong Steve Smith, you're
in violation yep, shame him so.
Mark Faldmo (08:41):
So right now they're testing it out in
Albuquerque and Tucson.
So if you're flying on Americanout of those cities, make sure
and board with your boardingzone.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:52):
Let's get to the destination of the week
Since Halloween was two days ago.
Let's talk about some spookydestinations that our listeners
can add to their paranormalbucket list.
Mark Faldmo (09:04):
We occasionally get that call and say I want to do
something for Halloween.
That's kind of spooky, stay ata haunted hotel or something
like that.
So this is a list to startplanning your next year vacation
if you're looking for somethinglike that.
The first stop on the list ison Oahu.
It's Moana Falls.
I have been to Moana Falls inthe daytime, but locals say at
(09:30):
nighttime is when you get peoplesee ghosts.
They're called the nightmarchers, where it's Hawaiian
warriors marching through theforest at Moana Falls.
The next place is also on Oahu,so I guess you could plan a
trip to Oahu if you wanted.
That it's Pearl Harbor AviationMuseum.
In 1941, the attack on PearlHarbor, almost all of the
(09:52):
hangars were damaged ordestroyed, except for two,
hangar 37 and Hangar 79.
They survived and those are nowthe Pearl Harbor Aviation
Museum, which say the place iscrawling with ghosts.
According to people Paranormalhunters I guess you would call
them it is in Pearl Harbor bythe airfield.
The next place on the list isthe Hollywood sign in Los
(10:16):
Angeles.
I guess it's haunted.
I've not heard that before.
They say there are severalghosts.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:22):
The ghost of Harvey Weinstein.
Yes, they say, there areseveral ghosts.
The ghost of Harvey Weinstein?
Mark Faldmo (10:26):
Yes, the next one I find that's interesting is the
Chicago River.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:31):
Yeah, okay, I can buy that actually.
Mark Faldmo (10:38):
Downtown Chicago is absolutely spectacular, but
that river's pretty gross, yeah.
So that's one of the hauntedplaces.
Another one is the Queen Maryin Long Beach.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:46):
Yeah, I've been on the Queen Mary.
That was old, it was just.
I know it's been restored-ish,but it was.
It did give me kind of a creepyvibe and I wasn't even looking
for it the last one that we'lltalk about is the Biltmore Hotel
in Miami in Coral Gables area.
Mark Faldmo (11:03):
I have stayed at this hotel a few times,
thoroughly enjoyed it.
I didn't know it was haunted,but apparently it was a mob
hotel and so there were severalghosts created in the hotel
during its mob days and also inthe 1940s it was for World War
II it was changed into amilitary hospital, so it was a
(11:26):
hospital at one point.
But it is a wonderful vintageold hotel there in Coral Gables
in Miami, but some say it'shaunted.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:35):
It's hard to say this.
I think Miami's a littleunderrated.
It is spectacular right now.
Mark Faldmo (11:41):
I always enjoy Miami.
You know, when I Go to thatarea for a cruise, I always try
and go in a day or two early.
You did the things with me thatI like to do Go to Shark Valley
and drive part of the Keys oreven all the way down to Key
West, time permitting, butthere's a lot to do in the area.
South Beach Miami is veryinteresting.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:01):
It's beautiful .
It was genuinely a beautifulplace.
It makes me wonder how manyAirbnbs they have down there,
because I bet they're justfilled all the time.
Yes, I can't recommend enoughgoing to Miami, Miami Beach.
I'm not a big Halloween personmyself, but I do like it for
(12:22):
kids.
I love when they come to mydoor and get to pass out candy.
If you can get to Miami, callMark, he knows Miami back and
forth.
Book your vacation through Mark.
Call him in his office.
He's open Monday through Friday888-718-7717.
(12:44):
888-718-7717 is his officenumber.
Open Monday through Friday,just regular business hours.
When we come back we've got thehot travel deal of the week,
always in segment number two.
And are we going to Hawaii?
This week we are going toHawaii.
Yep, awesome, you can go toPearl Harbor and go see the
(13:09):
hangars.
Yeah, that is next when theInside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show continues alongsideMark Faldmo by good friend.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (13:23):
Taking you to destinations around the world.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show is presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
Thanks for listening.
(13:44):
We'll be right back.
We'll be right back throughoutthe Mediterranean, Caribbean and
Central.
Ad Voice (13:50):
America To book your unique Star Clipper sailing
adventure.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
(14:19):
blueplanetvacationscom.
Show Voice (14:25):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
(14:46):
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:53):
Welcome back inside of the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show.
Hello there, I'm PatrickWiscombe.
Thank you for making this partof your Saturday and Sunday
mornings.
Here in the 11 o'clock hour weare presented by blue planet
vacations.
com.
Mark Faldmo is owner of blueplanet vacations.
(15:15):
com and he joins me as he doesevery single week right here on
eight, 60 KKAT and radiostations around the country and
you can also get the podcast oninsidetraveltalk.
com and you can also just go toblueplanetvacations.
com to get the podcast coming up.
(15:35):
In this segment we always havethe hot travel deal of the week.
We are headed to Hawaii thissegment and we're going to talk
about mark's picks, if he hashis choice to go to any of the
Hawaiian islands, where he wouldstay, the hotels that he's
stayed at and that he recommends.
That's coming up here in just afew minutes.
(15:55):
But let's get to the TravelDews headlines.
I saw that Outrigger isunveiling a reimagined and
rebranded Waikiki or, as Sirisays, Waikiki Hotel.
What are the details?
Mark Faldmo (16:09):
Outrigger is rebranding what was formerly
known as Ohana Waikiki EastHotel to a new brand called the
Outrigger Waikiki Paradise Hotel.
Waikiki East Hotel was one ofthe hotels that I used to use a
lot.
It's a pretty good location.
It's near the Sheraton PrincessKealani, which we've talked
about a lot.
(16:29):
On this, they've completelygutted out the hotel, reimagined
and rebranded this hotel inWaikiki, so it has all new
bedding, all new fixtures,everything.
That's another option of placeto stay when you're looking for
a Wahoo in Waikiki in particular.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:48):
I love Waikiki , or Waikiki as Siri says.
I saw that a jury awardedAmerican Airlines $9.4 million
against hidden city ticketercalled skip lagged, and explain
to people how this whole thingworks.
Mark Faldmo (17:07):
This is one of the reasons why to use a travel
agent, because we have some ofthese tricks and tips that we
can use to help you get betterairfare.
A lot of those with theinvention of some of the
technology that's out there havegone out the window and in
terms and conditions they'vebeen written out that you can't
do this.
One of those is hidden cityticketing.
(17:29):
So what hidden city ticketingis?
Say you want to go between SaltLake and Denver and it's $200.
You might be able to get aticket Salt Lake City to Omaha,
Nebraska, for $150, connectingthrough Denver, and you just get
off in Denver and you do thesame thing on the way home.
So to get back home you goDenver, say to Las Vegas, but
(17:52):
connect through Salt Lake, get acheaper fare that way.
But for several years thatpractice has been written into
terms and conditions thatpassengers won't participate in
that and that ticketing agentsso travel agents we can't
participate in that anymore.
Years ago when this first cameout, there were several people
that airlines just banned andtook away all their frequent
(18:14):
flyer miles because they gotcaught doing that During COVID.
This trend called skip laggingcame and there was a whole
company created, which wascalled Skip Lagged and that's
who the jury awarded theAmerican settlement from was
this company called Skiplag,which helped people to do that?
They didn't physically book thetickets, but they showed people
(18:36):
how to do that.
As a consulting fee, basicallyas a consulting fee, and so they
were showing people how tobreak the rules of the airlines.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:45):
I saw that Disney is going to launch a new
reservation-free ride pass forup to $449 per person.
Mark Faldmo (18:56):
This is an enhancement to their Lightning
Lane.
This is called the LightningLane Premier Pass and it allows
you to access the Lightning Lanewithout a reservation.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:09):
I would do that.
I know it's expensive, but Ilove Disneyland, except for the
lines Pro tip.
If you go to Disneyland afterthe new year, like the week
after the new year, that's agreat time to go.
That is.
Yeah.
Let's get to the hot traveldeal of the week, always in
segment two of the show, andwe're going to Hawaii.
(19:29):
There was a caller, what washer name?
Was it Susan?
I think it was yeah she wants togo to Hawaii but is having a
hard time deciding which islandto go to and where to stay.
She's asking you what are yourfavorite hotels on each of the
Hawaiian islands?
Mark Faldmo (19:46):
This is kind of a two-part question.
One is which island and thenthe other is my favorite hotels.
So we probably don't have timeto do all of that, so I decided
to focus on my favorite hotelson each island.
First of all, let's start withthe pricing.
Right now to Hawaii.
Prices start at $8.99 perperson.
This is for early January,January 9th departure, including
(20:09):
airfare from Salt Lake CityFive Nights Hotel.
You can get all the details toall the islands just by visiting
blueplanetvacations.
com, which is our new websitefor full deals.
Just click on the Hawaii dealand it'll give you all of this
pricing.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:25):
By the way, $899, five days in Hawaii.
That's phenomenal.
The airfare alone is worth that.
What should she consider?
Mark Faldmo (20:32):
First consideration is budget.
The second is experience.
Depending on the hotels, hotelsrun in all different prices and
experiences.
So what I've done is I'vepicked three hotels on each of
the islands.
All these hotels I've stayed atseveral times.
They all have good experiences,but they do range in budget,
(20:53):
and so you know, I've kind ofpicked a lower priced hotel,
medium priced hotel and a higherpriced hotel.
Let's start in Oahu For thelower priced hotel.
The one I would recommend isthe Sheraton Princess Kehlani.
It's across the street from thebeach but it has good prices.
The next one is probably myfavorite pick on the island,
(21:15):
which is the Courtyard NorthShore, and I like this one just
because of the location.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:20):
You're about an hour drive from the airport
to this location.
Mark Faldmo (21:25):
Yeah, about an hour drive, but it is the only hotel
in the area.
It's basically in the parkinglot of the Polynesian Cultural
Center, which is a greatattraction.
You can walk across the streetto the beach, has a great beach
and it's just a good point toexplore the north side of the
island.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:43):
And much less hustle and bustle.
It is way different than Oahuand Waikiki.
It is yeah Beautiful location.
Mark Faldmo (21:51):
And then, kind of for the higher end hotel, it's
the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Oh yeah, that's where I stayed.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:00):
So those are my picks on Oahu.
Do you want to go to Maui orKauai next let's go to Kauai.
Mark Faldmo (22:04):
Okay, Kauai is probably the least visited
island.
I like it because it's a littlebit more laid back yes, there,
you know, not not as much goingon.
There's still a lot to see andmy pick of hotel there for the
lower priced hotels is theoutrigger kawaii beach.
This has a great beach, reallygood location kind of for the
(22:25):
medium hotel, Sheraton, Kauai,coconut Beach, which is right on
the Coconut Coast.
It's by a shopping center, justa really good area to stay.
And then my favorite hotel onthe island is the Hyatt Regency
Poi Pu Beach.
My father, who's traveled toHawaii a lot more than me, says
this is his favorite hotel inall of the Hawaiian islands.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:48):
That's saying a lot, because there's some good
ones there is, yeah.
Mark Faldmo (22:51):
What about Maui?
So in Maui, the Royal LahainaHotel is a good one, right on
Kaanapali Beach.
The next hotel is right nextdoor to it, which is the
Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Hotel.
Those are two great locatedhotels.
And then, if you really want anexperience, go to the Grand
Wailea, right on the water.
(23:13):
It's associated with severalgolf courses in the area.
It is quite the experience tostay at the Grand Wailea.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:21):
Well, that only leaves the big island left.
Mark Faldmo (23:23):
Which is personally my favorite island to visit.
And then hotels there.
My kind of lead-in hotel is theRoyal Kona Resort.
I like this one because it'sright in the town of Kilauea
Kona.
There You're right by all theshopping and restaurants.
It's just a great location fora vacation.
And then the Hilton WaikoloaVillage would be the next hotel
(23:46):
on the big island, the mediumoption, the medium option, and
it's had some really good priceslately.
And then again for the high endoption, the Mauna Kea Beach
Resort has its own golf courseon Haupuna Beach, which is the
best beach probably in all ofHawaii.
There.
I remember Heather and I got aday room there just waiting for
(24:06):
a flight one day and she walkedinto the room and was just
amazed with the view of thebeach and the water and it was
such a nice hotel there, the theMauna Kia beach resort you just
can't go wrong with Hawaii.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:21):
it's the one vacation that everyone just goes
.
Yeah, okay, let's go.
Prices to Hawaii start at $899per person for a January 9th
departure.
That includes the airfare fromSalt Lake and Five Nights Hotel.
It is featured onblueplanetvacations.
com right now or you can callMark in his office, starting on
(24:48):
Monday, the phone number888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
When we come back, it is theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
We've got the cruise news ofthe week and we are going to
talk about celebrating America'sbirthday on a Holland American
(25:10):
cruise.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show continues.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe, heis Mark Faldmo.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (25:24):
You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast
and radio show with PatrickWiscombe and Mark Faldmo,
presented by BluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
(25:45):
com.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (25:59):
This segment of Inside Travel Talk is sponsored by El
Dorado Spa Resorts.
Escape to Cancun's Riviera Mayawith authentic all-inclusive
luxury at an El Dorado sparesort.
To book your romantic beachgetaway, contact Blue Planet
Vacations at 888-718-7717 orblueplanetvacations.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:18):
Let me welcome you back to the Inside Travel
Talk podcast, a radio showComing up here.
In the next 30 minutes we aretalking MSC cruises and they are
slashing prices because theywant you on their ships, and
we've also got the cruise newsof the week and then we're going
to talk about what to expect ifyou book at MSC Cruise and you
go in their yacht club.
(26:39):
Let's get back to the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (27:13):
This is the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And now here are your hostsPatrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
.
Patrick Wiscombe (27:37):
All aboard for segment number three of the
Inside Travel Talk podcast andradio show.
This is the infamous JustCruising segment.
This is the infamous JustCruising segment.
We've got some great and I domean great deals if you want to
go sail with MSC Cruises.
Laura Okonowski is going tojoin me here in just a second to
(28:01):
talk about those promotionsthat are coming up for Black
Friday.
This is the perfect gift forChristmas.
Let me bring back in MarkFaldmo, the owner of
BluePlanetVacations.
com.
That are coming up for BlackFriday this is the perfect gift
for Christmas.
Let me bring back in MarkFaldmo, the owner of
blueplanetvacations.
com, and we've got some cruisenews of the week that we need to
share with listeners.
Since this is going to be anMSC segment, let's start with
(28:22):
MSC Cruises launching theirfirst Alaska cruises in 2026.
Mark Faldmo (28:28):
So this is exciting news.
MSC has really been expandingin North America and they just
announced, starting on May 11th,they are going to do an Alaska
cruise round trip from Seattle.
So this will be seven daycruises visiting Ketchikan, icy
Strait, Tracy arm, Juneau andVictoria.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:49):
It is time for the cruise deal of the week,
which is always in segmentnumber three of the show, and we
have a Happy Birthday USA,which is a special 250th
anniversary cruise on HollandAmerica.
I'm going to assume that thisis selling fast and that they
just have to call you for thisone.
Mark Faldmo (29:07):
Call me for dates and prices, but this is a
special sailing July 4th 2026.
Starts and ends in Boston.
It leaves Boston late so youcan watch the fireworks in
Boston Harbor while you're onthe ship, and then it takes off.
I think this is a greatitinerary.
It visits Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, and then it spends
two full days and an overnightin New York City, and then it
(29:30):
does have to get itsinternational port in.
So it goes to St John, newBrunswick in Canada and ends
back in Boston on July 11th.
How many days is this?
It's a seven night cruise.
It was starting.
Last I checked, the insideswere somewhere around 1200, but
everything is selling so fast onthis that if you want to get
(29:51):
this call and we can actuallyget the prices and availability
for you.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:56):
Let's transition away from the Happy
Birthday America cruise onHolland America and let me bring
in Laura Okonowski.
She is the business developmentmanager for MSC Cruises.
She was just on MSC's seashorea few weeks ago and we wanted to
invite her on the show to talkabout her experience.
Did you go?
(30:16):
Thermal suite, of course, oh,Laura, that is special, that's
fun too.
Laura Okanowski (30:24):
It was fun.
So we went on the first sea day, which I think everybody and
their brother goes on the firstsea day.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:33):
Yeah, that's true.
Laura Okanowski (30:35):
Right.
So it was a little bit busy onour first sea day, but we got to
see the entire landscape ofeverything.
We, you know, hopped and jumpedinto all the different rooms.
There's the snow room, yeah, Ilove that one.
The salt room there are allthose really fun showers cold
shower, hot shower with all thedifferent scents that go along
(30:57):
with it the eucalyptus and mintso they're very invigorating.
Right there's the dry sauna,the hot, wet steam sauna.
There's all different types ofthings, the whirlpool, the
mosaic chairs to lay out on andrelax For the listening audience
.
The thermal sues is an area ofthe spa where guests who have
our ARIA experience as well asYacht Club are welcomed there
(31:21):
any time when it's open for theduration of the cruise.
So if it's a seven-day cruise,you're able to go seven days.
Right, wear your swimsuit, it'sco-ed.
You can expect that no childrenwill be there because it's for
adults only, which is quite nice, and you just make your way
around all of these differentrelaxation chambers and rooms.
(31:42):
So it really is just a greatway to get your blood flowing,
invigorate your body, relax.
If there's any guests who havelong flights before embarking on
a ship, you might feel oh, myback's a little sore or maybe I
need to get the circulationgoing.
A visit to the thermal suiteswill certainly help that.
And so by yeah, third day wewere a little bit more strategic
(32:04):
.
We would go late afternoon,about four to five, and
typically five is when peoplemight be back in their
staterooms changing for dinneror having an early cocktail
before dinner.
So we found less busy.
Here's my little pro tip Foundit less busy during that time
and also less busy in the lasthour of the opening hours.
(32:25):
So if they say they're opentill nine o'clock, try to go
from eight to nine and it willbe less busy.
Why?
Because people are at dinner,they're at the shows, they're at
the shows, they're at thecasino, they're already into the
nighttime groove.
That, I found, was a great timeto go as well at the end of the
day and you know what that doesthat sets you up for the most
amazing relaxation and sleep.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:46):
What promotions do you have for
listeners?
Laura Okanowski (32:48):
Well, can you even believe it?
We are approaching Thanksgiving.
You know we're still here inOctober, but we are approaching
Thanksgiving and Black Fridaysales, and MSC, of course,
doesn't disappoint withdifferent specials that we have.
So what we are going to beoffering is, of course,
(33:09):
something to our listeningaudience, and that is I'm just
pulling it up here, so I haveall the details in front of me.
It will begin on the 12th ofNovember, so we're getting out
of the gate early.
It's a Black Friday previewsale we're calling it, we want
to get a jumpstart on things andit will offer up to a 35% off
(33:32):
savings on almost every voyagein our itinerary landscape.
So you'll find itineraries forthe Caribbean, for the Med,
you'll find itineraries fordomestic departures leaving out
of Port Canaveral, Brooklyn,Miami.
You might even find some of ournew opportunities leaving out
(33:53):
of Galveston.
Now, Galveston is going to be anew port for us starting fall of
next year.
So, if you know, some of ourlisteners are in the drive
market to drive to Texas, toGalveston in particular.
We are currently building ourown parking structure, five-tier
parking structure, and our ownterminal and pier for MSC
(34:15):
Cruises to leave out ofGalveston.
So a lot of fun things on thehorizon.
But getting back to thisparticular sale and savings, so
I understand that drinks andWi-Fi are going to be included
in this as complimentary andsome onboard credits as well.
So the onboard credit, it's upto $400 onboard credit and
that's determined by the type ofstateroom a guest is purchasing
(34:37):
and also the number of daysthat the cruise will be
traveling for.
And that is also, Patrick, howthey determine the up to portion
of 35% off.
So I just like to explain thatbecause sometimes people think,
oh, 35% off and a $400 onboardcredit out of the gate for
everybody.
No, it depends on those twopieces of criteria how long are
(34:59):
you traveling for, what is thedestination?
So that is the promo BlackFriday and Cyber Monday.
So I am being told that it willbegin, as mentioned, November
12th and run through and upuntil close of business on the
25th of November.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:16):
The pricing on MSC Cruises is aggressive.
They want people on those ships.
Laura Okanowski (35:22):
Yes, you've noticed.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:24):
Yes, In some cases I won't say it's half, but
sometimes it's significantsavings.
Laura Okanowski (35:30):
Absolutely Now.
Reason for this is MSC Cruisesis not your average household
name as of yet.
We really are striving for itto become that.
There are some other cruiselines out there that are more
commonly seen in televisioncommercials, more common ads,
you know, displayed onbillboards or maybe in magazines
and periodicals.
MSC has really been growing tothat and with the movement out
(35:56):
of Galveston starting fall ofnext year and you know some,
maybe some other potentialopportunities in future, we
really are making our mark onNorth America and and really
getting ourselves in front ofthe North American market of
cruisers and first time cruisers.
I really invite all of yourlisteners to do their homework.
If you have a favorite brand,compare it with MSC, compare it
(36:18):
with the price of that favoritebrand and then our balcony
stateroom.
Or compare it with that specialship-within-a-ship VIP
experience of a suite on anothercruise line, with that of the
Yacht Club on MSC.
Almost in every opportunity ourprices and rates will beat that
competition.
(36:38):
So strike while the iron is hot.
I always like to say we neverknow how long this best pricing
is going to last for, but it'sworth giving yourselves that
comparison and being an informedconsumer.
Now our travel provider friends, of course, informed consumer,
now our travel provider friendsof course do an amazing job of
helping with that and breakingit all down.
(36:59):
But MSC is something to take alook at, I would say.
If you're planning to cruisewithin the next two years, our
itineraries right now arespanning into 2026, if you can
believe it.
So get to planning and lock inthat best pricing to planning
and lock in that best pricing.
Patrick Wiscombe (37:14):
It really is worth going on MSC cruises.
Nikki and I were there in June.
We went from June 20th to June30th on MSC seashore.
It really was a spectacularcruise.
Book the vacation through Mark.
Just call his office,888-718-7717, 888-718-7717.
(37:42):
And I'm just going to add apersonal plug that Mark doesn't
know.
I'm going to say hereBluePlanetVacations.
com has one of the best cruisebooking engines I have ever come
across.
It is so easy to read, it'seasy to get to the place that
you want to go to and you justbook it through him.
He takes care of all of theheadache and he can advise you.
(38:03):
Let me give you the number onemore time 888-718-7717.
And you can also go toblueplanetvacations.
com.
When we come back, we're goingto continue our conversation
with MSC Cruises' LauraOkonowski and we've got the
final segment of travel newsthat you need to be aware of.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
(38:26):
show continues.
Alongside Mark Faldmo, I am hishumble sidekick, Patrick
Wiscombe.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (38:36):
Explore your world.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (38:58):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Anna.
Waterways, from castles andcapitals to vistas and villages
visit some of Europe's mostremarkable sites and cities To
set out on your own river cruisejourney.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
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Patrick Wiscombe (40:23):
Welcome back inside the final segment of this
week's Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and as we
start this final segment, letme just plug the website.
If you've heard something thatyou would like to book during
(40:46):
the show, go toblueplanetvacations.
com or you can just call Mark inhis office, Monday through
Friday, normal business hours.
Speaking of that, did you hearthe text that just came in?
I heard a ding.
We really do get text duringthe show, anyway, 888-718-7717,
(41:10):
888-718-7717.
And, as I mentioned,blueplanetvacations.
com, we're going to continue ourconversation with Laura
Okonowski of MSC Cruises.
At the very start of the show.
You know how we were talkingabout Delta reimagining their
cabins.
Yes, well, I just got an emailfrom Delta just now that says
(41:32):
something new is on the horizon,introducing a completely
reimagined onboard design.
They are really making somechanges and they're beautiful
changes.
Mark Faldmo (41:44):
This is a good upgrade.
I saw an email a few days agofrom Delta, but that's
interesting that we talked aboutit and then you got an email
right away.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:52):
Let's get to the final travel news headlines
for this week.
How many times have you flownto New York City's LaGuardia
Airport?
Probably five or six, yeah,okay, I've done it two or three
times.
I got to be honest.
The old LaGuardia was just adump, yeah, but it's now ranked
one of the best airports.
Mark Faldmo (42:15):
The former president and the current
president both basically calledLaGuardia Airport a third world
airport.
Patrick Wiscombe (42:18):
Yeah, I remember when he did that too.
Mark Faldmo (42:20):
They've spent years rebuilding a new terminal,
rebuilding the whole airport,and now in a recent poll it was
ranked as the top airport in theUS.
So I haven't been to any of thenew parts of it, but I'm
looking forward to it.
Patrick Wiscombe (42:35):
Let's get back to the interview with MSC
Cruises' Laura Okonowski.
In the previous segment we weretalking about the Black Friday
specials to go cruise on MSCCruises, but recently she was
part of the Yacht Club and ithad been a while since I had
seen Laura or that we had spoken, and this is how the interview
(42:55):
went.
It's good to have you back.
It's been what July since welast spoke.
Laura Okanowski (42:59):
Yeah, it's been a few months, Patrick, so we
are getting into the fall winterseason at MSC with a lot of
exciting things happening in2025 that I'm bursting at the
seams to talk to you about.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:11):
Let me take you back.
A few short weeks ago you wereon MSC's seashore.
You went with your family.
Tell me how it went and whereyou went.
Laura Okanowski (43:20):
We began our journey out of Miami on the MSC
Seascape Beautiful ship.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:26):
Yeah, it is.
Laura Okanowski (43:26):
She was launched in 2022.
So she's equipped with all thelatest and greatest bells and
whistles Just a stunninglybeautiful ship.
She has these amazing Swarovskicrystal staircases throughout
where people line up to takephoto opportunities, and the
ship is just abuzz with musicand people and laughter.
And you have to like people togo on the ships of MSC because
(43:50):
there are people on board.
Our ships usually have anywherefrom 5,000 to 6,000 guests on
our C-class ship, so that wouldbe seashore out of Port
Canaveral or seascape out ofMiami, and there were probably
5,000 plus individuals on board.
My family, though, was veryblessed to be able to be booked
in the Yacht Club a small shipexperience but then you still
(44:13):
have all the exterior amazingthings to go do on a big ship,
like water slides and arcadesand all different types of
entertainment venues in theevening and a casino, and you
know all the things.
But I have to tell you, Patrick, that the hype and the buzz it
is true about yacht club Nowworking for the company, I had
always suspected it was true andaccurate, but until you
(44:34):
actually experience somethingyourself, personally, right, you
just don't really know for sure.
It's amazing.
Yacht Club, oh my gosh.
For those who want attention todetail, who likes all sweet,
appointed accommodations, whodon't mind having a butler.
Part the Red Seas for you whenyou're trying to make your way
through navigate a large crowdof people.
You know this butler everyevening would take us to the
(44:57):
7.30 show or the 9.30 show, leadus from deck 18 down to deck 7,
where the show was taking place, and typically guests would
have to show their MSC for meapp to show that they have their
entertainment ticket and thenbe checked into the theater show
lounge.
Well, when you're led by thebutler from Yacht Club literally
(45:17):
the C's part you don't have toshow a ticket.
He or she leads you to yourstanchion sitting area that's
been pre-reserved for only YachtClub guests.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:25):
And let's talk about the embarkation and
disembarkation process.
You have benefits for that.
You just go right to the frontof the line.
Laura Okanowski (45:33):
Absolutely Seamless, and upon check-in at
the terminal, you will beequipped with a special Yacht
Club bracelet, and the braceletacts as your pass, not only to
your stateroom, but you cancharge things to it.
It actually, I learned, is alsoa GPS piece, so the butler
(45:54):
knows where you are.
So this is how the ninjas ofthe state rooms and suites right
, Because the butler and theroom attendant will swoop in
when maybe you're gone to thepool or you're gone for
breakfast.
They come in, pull everythingtogether in your suite and then
poof, magically you know it'sput back together in your
stateroom.
Patrick Wiscombe (46:12):
It really is just kind of fun to have someone
cater to you for a week.
It's kind of weird, especiallyif you're not used to it.
Laura Okanowski (46:20):
I can get used to it very easily and my family
was getting used to it as well.
Fun fact, you know, travelingwith my 12 year old son and my
husband to see an experiencethrough the eyes of your child
is a really cool thing as well.
So, as a 12-year-old who istrying to exercise his
independence and wants to do hisown things, you know he found
(46:40):
himself calling room service andordering, you know full large
pepperoni pizzas to the suite bythe way the pizza is truly, I
mean genuinely good, truly Imean genuinely good.
It is very, very good, and alittle note about me is I do
have to eat gluten-free.
It's by necessity, not bypreference, and I shared this
(47:03):
with them on board, as everyoneshould share if they have
certain eating protocolpreferences or needs.
They shared this informationwith the chef, the head chef,
and we had been mentioning abouthow the pizza was so amazing
and lovely and, oh, I wish therewas a gluten-free variety
option.
Well, guess what, Patrick?
It showed up.
It showed up and it was sodelicious and good that my
(47:23):
husband, who doesn't have to eatgluten-free, was asking well,
how do I get one of those?
Patrick Wiscombe (47:29):
The gluten-free option is available
to everyone, not everyone justin Yacht Club, correct.
Laura Okanowski (47:34):
The gluten-free option is available to everyone
, not everyone, just in YachtClub, correct?
Well, they do have a pre-madecrust that they can.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:38):
Oh, that's right.
Laura Okanowski (47:39):
They get the crust sent in, but in Yacht Club
the chef actually handmade thedough and I have to tell you
that the time frame that I'vebeen with the company, the menu
has certainly expanded.
It has the menu has certainlyexpanded.
It has, yes, and there are alot of delicious, tasty items,
from desserts to you know,entrees to, you know, everything
under the sun.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:59):
Did you go to Ocean Key, your private island,
while you were down there?
Laura Okanowski (48:02):
Well, we would have had Hurricane not been on
our tail.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:07):
Which hurricane was on your tail?
Laura Okanowski (48:08):
Milton.
Oh, so you couldn't go.
Yeah, we were traveling October5th to the 12th, and sadly, you
know, hurricane Milton cameroaring his ugly head right
behind Hurricane Helene.
So we were quite lucky that theship departed Miami without any
situation.
Everything was fine and good.
We had a beautiful day at sea,beautiful sunny skies.
(48:28):
We even went to our first stop,which was Falmouth, Jamaica.
Now, the next day, though, wewere supposed to embark by
tender to Grand Cayman.
At 7 o'clock am, the captaincame over the loudspeaker and
announced that the port of GrandCayman was closed because of
the impeding Hurricane Miltonthat was beginning to rear its
(48:49):
ugly head.
So I'd seen reports that it hadquickly moved from a Cat 3 to a
cap five, and, you know, thewaters were getting a little bit
more turbulent.
Two hours after the captainmade that announcement, the
white caps forming, you know onthe way.
Yeah, so the captain did anamazing job of keeping the ship
and guests out of harm's way.
Of course we had turned thatGrand Cayman Day into a sea day
(49:11):
and then they changed theitinerary up.
So the next stop was Roatan,Honduras, which was not on the
regular itinerary schedule.
That was then followed by astop in Cozumel, which was on
the schedule, but just adifferent day, Another day at
sea, and unfortunately Ocean Keywas not going to materialize
for us.
And yeah, by that time in theweek the bands, even though it
(49:35):
was making its way throughFlorida and it was calming down
as far as the categories, itstill was causing the waters to
be too turbulent for us to beable to navigate and dock anchor
right there on the island.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:48):
So that's amazing, that that's literally
hundreds of miles away and yetit's still affecting you.
Laura Okanowski (49:54):
Correct, and so you know.
I want to raise a veryimportant point I think about
traveling by cruise ship,especially during hurricane
season, is we have to rememberthat Mother Nature is in charge.
Right, and we have to rememberthat it is the ship's goal and
the captain's goal to make surethat all of us are meeting every
(50:14):
safety guideline and keeping usout of harm's way.
Mother Nature is in charge inthese situations and we really
have to.
I believe I tell my familyevery time we go anywhere, we
have to pack our patientsbecause we don't know what's
going to be in store.
But I have to tell you that,even though our itinerary got
changed, we still had the mostbeautiful, amazing time, because
(50:34):
you know what, when you're withloved ones and you're in a safe
place, you make the most ofyour situation.
Right.
I have to tell you, truth betold, I will take a sea day so I
can enjoy the ship's amenitiesalmost any day, because you
really get to kick back, relax,enjoy the service aspects and
elements of what you were goingaway on vacation for.
(50:55):
And, yes, it's always nice tosee different places and have
excursions, but you know toexplore the ship and just not be
in a hurry to get anywhere.
That was lovely for us as afamily, so we really took our
time and just kind of savoredthe moments together.
Patrick Wiscombe (51:11):
That was an interview that I was able to do
a little bit earlier this weekwith MSC's Laura Okonowski.
In the previous segment wetalked about the Black Friday
specials, and you can book thosewith Mark on his website,
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Mark Faldmo (51:26):
One thing on that Black Friday sale, I just want
to mention that those do startNovember 12th, as Laura
mentioned, so those aren't quiteready yet.
We're just getting you ready tojump on the deals when they
become available.
Patrick Wiscombe (51:38):
MSC Cruises was a great experience,
especially if you can get toOcean Key, which is their
private island.
Just a whole lot of fun.
So that's coming up on November12th If you want to book any of
the vacations that we havetalked about.
Hawaii We've also talked aboutthe spooky destinations that you
(52:00):
may want to put on yourparanormal bucket list.
And happy birthday to theUnited States.
The special 250th anniversarycruise on Holland America.
You just have to call Mark forthat one.
Call him in his office if youwould please.
Anniversary cruise on HollandAmerica you just have to call
Mark for that one.
Call him in his office if youwould please.
888-718-7717.
(52:23):
888-718-7717.
And you can also go toblueplanetvacations.
com.
You can listen to this showagain tomorrow morning, Sunday,
at 11 am, right here on 860 KKATIf you want or need to listen
to the show again.
You can download and subscribeto the podcast version of the
show on InsideTravelTalk.
com.
(52:44):
We're on all of the majorpodcast platforms and while
you're at it, may I ask you tosubscribe and leave us a
five-star review, Because itreally does help us get traction
with the podcast platforms.
So thank you.
Well, now it's your turn to getout and explore the world while
(53:05):
you can, because you never knowwhat curveballs life is going
to throw at you, and you knowwhat I'm talking about.
Today is a good day for a goodday.
Live your life intentionally,live your life deliberately and
remember what you're notchanging, you are choosing.
Thanks for listening.
Everyone, have a great week.
(53:26):
We'll talk to you next Saturdayand Sunday mornings.
Show Voice (53:31):
That's it.
That's the end of the showYou've been listening to the
Inside Travel Talk podcast andradio show with Patrick Wiscombe
and Mark Faldmo, presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
Book your adventure right now.
Call 888-718-7717.
That's 888-718-7717.
(53:52):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
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