December 13, 2025 • 29 mins
Port loyalties just shifted: Port Canaveral edged out Miami to become the world’s busiest cruise port, and the ripple effects matter for your next sailing. We unpack what drove the surge, how midweek call-ins from Northeastern itineraries tip the scales, and what that means for finding better pricing, ships, and sail dates without the usual hassle. Then we turn to a pair of headlines redefining value: Virgin Voyages rolls out a wide-ranging status match and a bold 30-day Alaska season pass for 2026, inviting die-hard glacier chasers to stack back-to-back voyages into one immersive month at sea.
We also go deep on a smarter take than standard all-inclusive. Fresh from Cancun, we share why the “more inclusive” approach at El Dorado resorts delivers outsized value: roundtrip airport transfers, signature experiences like catamaran snorkeling and cenote adventures, eco ranch visits, and beach club access on famed Maroma Beach with a long, local-forward brunch included. From adults-only romance at Royale, Casitas, Seaside Suites, and Maroma to the family-friendly suite setup at Generations Riviera Maya, we map each property to the traveler who’ll love it most, and explain how these extras change the budget math.
Introducing alaskacruiseguru.com a new website from Blue Planet Vacations. Explore Alaska Cruise Tours and Small Ship adventure and Luxury Alaska Cruises.
Listener questions took us to Europe’s Christmas markets, where early bookings are crucial for 2026. We share our go-to picks: AMA Waterways’ iconic Danube route between Budapest and Nuremberg with Vienna by night and Salzburg’s charm, plus Avalon’s Romantic Rhine between Amsterdam and Basel, featuring Cologne, Rüdesheim, Strasbourg, and beloved Heidelberg. We compare vibes—castles and villages on the Rhine, grand capitals on the Danube—and outline current airfare promos and stateroom savings, with a realistic note on why holiday sailings sell out fast.
Ready to pick your path—glaciers, Christmas lights, or turquoise water? Tap play, get the strategy, and plan smarter. If you enjoy the show, follow, share with a travel-loving friend, and leave a quick review to help more travelers find us.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:00):
Welcome to the Inside Travel Talk Podcast
Radio Show.
Coming up on today's show, wewill be talking about the number
one and number two cruiseports.
Who is number one?
American Airlines quietly, shh,ever so quietly, raising bag
fees and cruising in Alaska.
Probably one of the mostpopular topics on this radio
show and podcast.
(00:20):
Let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk Podcastradio show presented by Blue
PlanetVacations.com containstravel deals, promotions, and
offers that are 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 (00:44):
Explore your world.
It's the Inside Travel TalkPodcast and Radio Show,
presented by Blue PlanetVacations.com.
Call or text the show now.
801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInside TravelTalk.com.
And now, here are your hosts,Patrick Wiscombe and Mark
(01:08):
Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:20):
He is back from beautiful Cancun Mexico.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk Podcast, a radio show.
Hello there.
I am Patrick Whiskey.
And if you have no idea whereto go, we're just going to give
(01:41):
you some ideas of where you maywant to go on vacation next.
And we are presented, proudlypresented, by
BluePlanetVacations.com, whichis Mark Faldmo's company.
Also the co-host of this show.
And thank you for taking thetime to stop and listen.
This week we are talking aboutcruise port number one, cruise
port number two.
We've had a switch in rankings.
(02:04):
We'll tell you who is the mostpopular cruise port in Florida.
American Airlines is quietly,ever so quietly, raising bag
fees.
And probably the number one ornumber two topic that we have on
the show each and every week,or certainly every other week.
Cruising in Alaska.
(02:25):
We're going to give you somegreat deals.
But let me bring in the verytan.
You're not as cherry red as youwere, Mark.
How you feeling?
Feeling good.
Good to have you back.
Let's get right to the travelnews headlines.
American Airlines is ever soquietly.
(02:47):
Did you hear that?
Raising some international bagfees.
Mark Faldmo (02:53):
Yeah, they are their short haul international
flights were $35.
They are raising them to $5.
There's no major announcementon this.
They just kind of raised it by$5 to $40.
Which is interesting becausedomestic flights, they already
charge $40.
So these international shorthaul flights, they had not
(03:15):
raised.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:16):
I mentioned at the very top of the show that
you're back from beautifulCancun, Mexico.
And that is going to be thetravel deal of the week.
Where did you stay down there?
I think it was the El DoradoResort, but I don't remember
which one it was.
Mark Faldmo (03:34):
I stayed at the El Dorado Royale.
I love all of the El Doradoresorts.
They're kind of known fortheir, they like to say, Mexican
luxury.
It's a luxury hotel, but it'svery steeped in Mexican
tradition and the Mexicanculture.
They're owned by a local familythere for 40 years or so.
(03:54):
Um they've had theirtransportation company and
hotels.
And so just a really goodfamily to work with and really
good resorts and services thatthey offer.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:04):
Let's do a quick overview of what your trip
was and the announcement.
It's the major award, theannouncement of the Palm Award.
What is the Palm Award?
Mark Faldmo (04:13):
I was there for a meeting, and it's kind of their
sales meeting, you know, wherethey talk about the upcoming
year, what they want to do, kindof review the past.
But they do have an awardceremony, and I was honored to
win the Palm Award, which is forone of the top travel advisors
uh that they have.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:31):
Really?
Mark Faldmo (04:31):
They they give out one a year, and I was honored to
receive it this year.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:37):
Wow.
Mark Faldmo (04:38):
So um you know, it was an honor.
And you know, coming from JoanDolores, who are the owners,
they're icons in the Mexicantourism industry, and so that
was a real honor to get thataward.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:50):
Was it a black tie affair?
And should I have been therefor it?
Mark Faldmo (04:54):
Something tells me I I should have been there for
that one.
It was a black tie affair,although I will say getting
dressed up in a suit in Mexicois kind of hard.
Um after the award ceremony anddinner outside, they have a a
taco cart, which is the bestpart of the meeting.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:12):
So here's the major award, here's your Emmy,
here's your Oscar, here's yourtaco cart.
Yep.
Mark Faldmo (05:21):
Congratulations.
I didn't know you were goingdown for that.
I didn't know I was going downfor that either.
I know I was going for themeeting, but and it's an honor
for me and for Blue PlanetVacations to have won that
award.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:32):
If I've got this straight, they're more of a
uh what is called a moreinclusive type resort.
Let's talk about a what themore inclusive resort does and
is.
Mark Faldmo (05:42):
Lomas hospitality, I came out with their more
inclusive concept.
You know, we always talk aboutall inclusive.
And so Lomas Hospitality wantsto be more than all inclusive.
And so it goes beyond thestandard all-inclusive.
They add in to the typicalall-inclusive, which is usually
food and drinks andnon-motorized water sports, they
(06:04):
add a lot to it.
So they add transportation, soround trip transportation from
the airport to any of theirresorts is included.
So you don't have to payadditional for that.
And then you have access tosignature experiences, so
included in your stay.
They have a catamaran cruise,which includes snorkeling on the
reef, they have wave runners,they have kayaking and paddle
(06:28):
boarding, they have an uh cenoteexperience, which is
underground cave or river.
Um and this one is actually ata place called Octuchen Nature
Park.
I've done cenote's a few timesand I absolutely love it.
If you've not done a cenote, goto the Yucatan Peninsula and
experience a cenote.
(06:49):
It is an experience.
And then they also includetheir eco ranch with wildlife
encounters, and it's an animalrescue, mainly horses that have
been abused in the area.
So it's an animal rescue thatyou can go experience that.
They include beach club accessto the Maroma Beach Beach Club.
And we've talked about beachclubs on a few shows.
(07:09):
Oh yeah.
One of your favorites being onuh Bimini and the Bahamas.
Oh yeah.
They have a beach club onMaroma Beach, which is the often
ranked as the in the top fiveor ten beaches in the world.
It's a phenomenal beach, MaromaBeach.
And at that beach club, theyhave a brunch that goes from 10
(07:30):
to 5, which is some of the bestfood I've had in Mexico, mainly
local things like tacos,empanadas, tortilla soup, lots
of things like that.
So that's all included at thebeach club.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:43):
I'm hearing a lot of value, Mark.
Good quiz.
Mark Faldmo (07:45):
Yeah, yeah, as well as it's all inclusive.
So you have all the food anddrinks, ocean loungers,
oceanfront loungers, chairs,just lots of interesting things
to do there.
And then it also includesaccess to their water park,
which is the largest water parkfor kids and families that like
water parks.
It includes that.
(08:06):
All of this is included if youstay at an El Dorado resort.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:10):
This feels bigger than it has been.
Have they increased theofferings?
Kind of sounds like they have.
Mark Faldmo (08:16):
They have, they've enhanced what's included at the
beach club.
They added Aktun Chen to it.
The water park's always beenthere because they own it and
it's adjacent to most of theirhotels.
They really have tried toenhance that and give a lot of
value, and there is a lot ofvalue in that.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:34):
Oh, yeah.
Which resort did you stay outagain?
I stayed at El Dorado Royale.
Okay.
So let's talk about thedifferent resorts then.
Let's start with El DoradoRoyale.
Let's go over all theirproperties and who they're aimed
at.
Mark Faldmo (08:46):
El Dorado Royale is an adult's only, and they
really focus on romance.
And it's very culinary driven.
One of their restaurants thereis Campai, which is a an Asian
Thai food.
One of my favorite restaurantsin all of Mexico.
That seems weird because when Igo to Mexico, I really want the
Mexican food.
They do really good at their umAsian food.
(09:09):
Of course.
Um and El Dorado Royale isreally good for honeymooners or
those that want to do adestination wedding.
When we were there, the fivedays we were there, I think
there were four weddings goingon at the hotel.
So they're really good at that.
What's the next property?
The next property is theCasitas Royale.
This is right next to the ElDorado Royale.
(09:33):
In fact, it used to be part ofthe same hotel, but they grew it
so much that it's nowconsidered its own hotel space.
Adults only, they have kind ofmore private casitas.
They have buildings that havefour rooms in them, and there's
eight to sixteen rooms aroundyour own private pool.
Patrick Wiscombe (09:51):
Oh wow.
Mark Faldmo (09:51):
For for just your casita section, you have your
own pool and bar all right atthe beach front.
They have my favorite perk,which is the outdoor shower.
Um, I absolutely love that.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:03):
There's something different about
showering outside than it's justlike it's a shower.
But it's not.
It's a totally differentexperience.
It is, yeah.
All right, what's the nextproperty?
Mark Faldmo (10:15):
Uh next one is the El Dorado Seaside Suites.
You've stayed there a fewtimes.
I have, and I really like thisone.
Again, adults only has a moderndesign, quiet beaches.
But what I like is all roomshave an infinity pool, even all
the way up to the uh, I thinksixth floor.
Oh, that's right.
They were all built with aninfinity pool.
(10:38):
Um, so you have pool accessright from every room in the
property.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:43):
Oh I'm afraid I'd never get out of the water.
And it's shaded too, if memoryserves.
Mark Faldmo (10:48):
Yeah, it is shaded, and I love to just go sit there
and look at the ocean.
Oh, yeah.
Get a higher floor room.
Yeah.
All right, what's the next one?
Uh the next one is the ElDorado Maroma, which is again
adults-only beach front.
It's on the famous MaromaBeach.
It's adjacent to the beach clubthat we talked about earlier.
(11:09):
What I like about this one isit's smaller.
It has about 160 rooms, almostboutique-ish, but it has been
ranked as the most romantichotel in Mexico.
So this one is perfect forhoneymoons, anniversaries.
They also do weddings there.
This is actually the resortthat I honeymooned at.
(11:30):
They do have a section thatdoes have outdoor showers and
private infinity pools as wellon every level of one of the
buildings.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:40):
So oh, just one of the buildings.
Just one of the buildings.
Okay, so the seaside suite hasall of the rooms.
Maroma just in a building.
Mark Faldmo (11:48):
In one of the buildings, uh, which makes up
about half of the rooms onproperty.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:52):
So far, I'm just hearing adults only.
Is there a family-friendlyplace?
Mark Faldmo (11:58):
Yeah, so the the family-friendly place is uh
Generations Riviera Maya.
It's an all-suite family andmulti-generational friendly
resort.
It's oceanfront.
It's kind of like the seasidesuites where almost every room
except for the very top levelhas an infinity pool or pool
access.
You can do one to three bedroomsuites there.
(12:20):
So you can get the family.
I remember I went with Heatherand myself, my parents, two of
my nephews, and we were in athree-bedroom suite.
What a great experience.
Oh, yeah.
You know, every room comes withbutler service, you know, as
we've often talked about.
We don't know what to do withbutler service, but but they
have butler service.
Those are the resorts of LomasHospitality in El Dorado with
(12:43):
that more inclusive program.
Patrick Wiscomb (12:45):
Congratulations on the award, seriously.
Before we go to break, is therea promotion?
I'm assuming you came back withsomething.
Mark Faldmo (12:51):
Yeah, there is.
And this is to Mexico and theCaribbean.
Save up to five hundred andfifty dollars when you pay in
full and book by December 31st.
So about two weeks left on thispromotion.
Um, and then travel is I thinkafter March 1st on this.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:08):
A little bit of a about a 90, 120 day wait on
that one.
Window, yeah.
Okay.
Take advantage of that.
Congratulations on the award.
Really.
Thank you.
Especially if you weren'texpecting it.
Although I am a little upsetthat we couldn't do the show
from down there.
Mark Faldmo (13:24):
Yes.
Well, we'll we will do it soon,so they will invite us down.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:31):
You'll have to send the show to them so they
can hear what we talked about.
Take advantage of that offer.
Call Mark in the office, justget the conversation started.
No obligation.
888-718-7717-888-718-7717.
And he'll also post this onBluePlanetVacations.com.
(13:54):
When we come back, it is timefor the infamous Just Cruising
segment.
The segment of the show thathas made us famous around the
country and around the world.
This week we're talkingcruising out of Port Canaveral,
Miami.
Virgin Voyages is getting intothe status match game, and we'll
(14:14):
be talking about cruising inAlaska.
And of course, we've got thecruise deal of the week.
That is next.
When the Inside Travel TalkPodcast or radio show continues,
alongside my very tan friend,Mark Faldmo.
I am Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much forlistening.
Give us about 60 seconds.
We'll be right back.
Show Voice (14:36):
Taking you to destinations around the world.
The Inside Travel Talk Podcastand Radio Show is presented by
Blue PlanetVacations.com.
America's best travel advisors.
Call or text the show now.
801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Thanks for listening.
(14:57):
We'll be right back.
This segment of Inside TravelTalk is sponsored by El Dorado
Spa Resorts.
Escape to Cancun's RivieraMayer with authentic,
all-inclusive luxury at an ElDorado Spa Resort.
To book your romantic beachgetaway, contact Blue Planet
(15:19):
Vacations at 888-718-7717 orBlue Planet Vacations.com now
back to the Insight Travel TalkPodcast and Radio Show.
Presented by Blue PlanetVacations.com.
(15:40):
America's best travel advisors.
Call or text the show right nowat 801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsightTravel Talk.com.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:25):
Hello there, I am Patrick Whiskey alongside
Mark Faldmo of BluePlanetVacations.com.
Coming up in this segment ofthe show, it is the infamous
Just Cruising segment where it'sonly about the cruise news and
only about cruise deals.
If you want to go on a cruise,listen up and thank you for
listening.
(16:46):
And to all boarding the showright now, may I just say, Ahoy,
mate?
Ahoy.
Let's get right into the cruisenews headlines.
Let's get to Port Canaveralversus Miami.
This feels like one of thoseMMA bouts.
In this corner, Port Canaveralversus Miami.
(17:08):
In the other corner, what newsdo we have on this?
Mark Faldmo (17:11):
Port Canaveral has edged out Miami to be the
world's busiest cruise port.
Really?
Miami's crazy busy.
That is saying a lot.
It is, yeah.
So Port Canaveral recorded arecord 8.6 million passenger
movements in the fiscal year2025.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:31):
Nikki and I were four of them.
Mark Faldmo (17:33):
Yes.
Yeah.
And compare that to the port ofMiami, which was 8.5 and a half
million.
Um, so Port Canaveral had a 13%year-over-year increase in ship
calls.
One thing that Port Canaveralhas over Miami is there are some
cruise lines that leave fromNew York that actually call on
Port Canaveral as a port ofcall.
(17:55):
That's why so that gives someof that midweek when you might
not find a ship in Miami.
You'll find a ship or two inPort Canaveral because cruises
coming from New York use that asa port of call.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:08):
I think Miami visually still more spectacular.
What's the famous island?
Mark Faldmo (18:12):
Star Island.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:13):
Yeah, Star Island.
Downtown Miami.
Man, that's special down there.
That's beautiful area of thecountry.
Virgin Voyages is getting intothe status match game.
What's this about?
Mark Faldmo (18:25):
Yeah, so Virgin Voyages will match um your
status with any other cruiseline.
So if you have a higher statuswith a cruise line, they will
match it.
Also, if you happen to have aVirgin Atlantic or Virgin
Australia airline status,they'll match that status as
(18:45):
well.
Oh, interesting.
Uh so Virgin will match everycruise line except for MSc.
The reason is because MSC has asimilar status match program
already, which allows you tostatus match with hotels.
And so I guess they don't wantyou to status match with hotels.
(19:05):
That's why MSc is left outbecause MSC's is a pretty broad
status match where Virgin's ismainly related to cruise lines
and other Virgin products.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:17):
Okay.
Let's stick with Virgin Voyageshere for a minute.
Virgin Voyages debuts a newAlaska summer season pass for
2026.
So coming up next year, what isthe season pass?
Mark Faldmo (19:30):
Virgin is new to the Alaska market, so 2026 will
be their first season in Alaska,and they now have a season pass
which will allow you to spend30 days on board ship exploring
Alaska.
Whoa.
And so they have four departuredates May twenty eighth, June
twenty third, July thirtieth,and August twenty seventh that
(19:53):
you can purchase for the thirtyday season pass for Alaska.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:58):
How many ports do you?
Go to or do you just visit thesame ports over and over?
I can't imagine they do that.
Mark Faldmo (20:04):
It's just back-to-back seven-day cruises.
Oh, okay.
But Virgins, since they'renewer into the market, not every
itinerary is the same.
You'll visit lots of the sameports, but it's still a good way
to really if you like Alaska.
I would do that.
Oh, yeah.
I did I did back-to-back Alaskasame itinerary two years ago.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:25):
Yeah.
Mark Faldmo (20:25):
And I loved it.
So I think I could do that fourtimes in a row.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:29):
Yeah, I think so too.
When Nikki and I were onNorwegian's Bliss, we went for
seven days.
I'm like, it's over?
Man, I could do this for atleast another week easily.
Mark Faldmo (20:40):
So Virgin is allowing you to do that.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:42):
You're the owner of Blue Planet
Vacations.com, who's the sponsorof this show.
But you just came out withanother website.
Yeah.
Mark Faldmo (20:50):
So since we're talking about Alaska, I thought
now is a good time to announcethis.
I just launched a website,which is Alaska Cruise Guru.com.
So AlaskaCruiseguru.com.
And it specializes in AlaskaCruises.
You know, that's one of mypassion cruise destinations.
(21:10):
I love Alaska's.
I just said before I could doseveral back-to-backs and do
that.
So this website is alldedicated to everything Alaska
Cruise.
There's a section for smallship adventure and luxury
cruises, you know, which wedon't talk a lot about on this
show, but there is a wholesection that just focuses on
those small ships and adventurecruises.
(21:32):
There's a section that justfocuses on Alaska Cruise tours.
So if you want to see theinterior of Alaska, and then
just lots of good informationabout Alaska cruising, Alaska
specials and promotions on thatwebsite.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:45):
There's probably two things that you're
guaranteed to enjoy cruising inAlaska and probably going to the
Caribbean.
Alaska is special.
If you're looking for a goodfirst cruise, you cannot go
wrong with Alaska.
You will absolutely enjoy it.
You will.
Yeah.
Let's get to the cruise deal ofthe week.
And we did receive a text fromCharlotte during the break.
(22:07):
So let me give out the studioand the text number.
801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Now, if you have travel relatedquestions during the week or
while we're on the air, text us,call us.
All of these go to Mark801-649-3700.
Charlotte was asking during thebreak, I want to go on a
(22:30):
Christmas markets cruise nextyear.
So I guess that'd be what 2026?
Yeah, I guess.
2026.
She's asking, when should Ireserve the cruise?
The short answer is as soon aspossible because they sell out
very quickly.
What is the best itinerary andcruise line?
Is her question.
Mark Faldmo (22:46):
Reserve it asap.
Yeah, really.
Um there are several departuresI was looking at for 2026 that
are already sold out.
So most of the river cruiselines are reporting their
Christmas season for 2026 isanywhere from 40 to 60 percent
sold out.
So so if you want to go in2026, reserve it as soon as you
(23:08):
can.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:08):
We're not telling you to for sales
purposes, they really do sellout that fast.
Mark Faldmo (23:13):
They do, yeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:14):
They're one of the most popular itineraries.
Who would you choose?
Alma or Avalon or both?
Mark Faldmo (23:20):
Yeah, I would choose both of those.
Those are my two favorite rivercruise lines.
I've been on four other rivercruise lines, and I prefer AMA
waterways or Avalon waterways.
As far as the Christmasmarkets, when you're choosing a
cruise, I would try and choose ariver cruise that includes
Nuremberg, Heidelberg, orCologne.
(23:41):
So Nuremberg's on the DanubeRiver, Heidelberg on the Rhine,
and uh Cologne is also on theRhine River.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:48):
I still want to go to Cologne just for the uh
cathedral.
Mark Faldmo (23:51):
Yeah, it it's amazing.
And then as far as the rivers,you know, if you're looking at
the Rhine, it's a little bitquieter, more kind of story
brook type towns, castles,vineyards, more of like
Christmas village vibes.
The Danube has more capitalcities, bigger cities, diverse
(24:11):
cultures, sightseeing, and lotsof different Christmas markets
to choose from.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:16):
If you only could do this once in your
lifetime, which one would youchoose?
Mark Faldmo (24:19):
I probably would choose the Danube.
That's my favorite.
Although I've not done theRhine enough to really
experience that and and say, youknow, I think the castles on
the Rhine and also Heidelberg,whether it's Christmas markets
or not.
Heidelberg's one of my favoritecities in that area to visit.
So it would be really hard tochoose if I had to only choose
(24:43):
one.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:43):
Um okay.
Well, then what are your picksfor cruises?
Meaning the Danube or theRhine.
Who would you use?
Mark Faldmo (24:49):
So I would use Alma Waterways on the Danube.
The Christmas markets cruise Iwould choose is the iconic
Christmas markets, and it runsbetween uh Budapest and
Nuremberg.
One of the highlights on thatis the Christmas market in
Salzburg and also the nightChristmas market in Vienna.
Part of this cruise, you arrivein Vienna a little bit later,
(25:12):
and so you go right off afterdark to the Christmas market.
So that'd be cool.
So that's one of thehighlights.
Patrick Wiscombe (25:19):
Because you're already amped up.
You're like, yes, I'm soexcited to be here.
And then to just head off intothe night.
That'd be cool.
Mark Faldmo (25:26):
Yeah, and then um I would choose the Avalon
Waterways, Christmas on theRomantic Rhine, and this one
runs between Amsterdam and Baselin Switzerland.
This one includes Cologne,Rudesheim, Strasburg.
Strasbourg also has a prettygood Christmas market, but then
it does include Heidelberg andthe Christmas market in
(25:47):
Heidelberg, which is myfavorite.
If you're into Hallmark movies,my wife is, so I watch them on
occasion.
There is a movie, I think,called Christmas in Heidelberg.
It's a little town square, andit's a perfect place, I think,
for a Christmas market.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:01):
There's something about plaid and women
in Hallmark movies that just isa magic combination.
unknown (26:07):
Yeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:08):
Let's get to the uh the cruise deal of the
week.
What are the promotions that wehave?
Mark Faldmo (26:12):
Avalon Waterways has free or reduced airfare.
And this is for all cruises,not just Christmas market
cruises.
Most of the Christmas marketshave a discounted air and they
aren't part of that free airfarepromotion, but it's still an
overall really good deal.
And then AMA Waterways is saveup to $2,500 per stateroom.
And this is on most cruisesthat AMA offers.
(26:35):
Most of the Christmas marketsare anywhere from uh $500 per
person to a thousand per person.
They don't really have todiscount the Christmas Mark
cruises as much.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
No.
Mark Faldmo (26:45):
And again, a couple of the early December Christmas
market cruises for both ofthese and other cruise lines are
already sold out.
So if you're wanting to go onChristmas market cruises, book
it right away.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:56):
Yeah.
Charlotte, I'm just going togive you the number right now.
888-718-7717-888-718-7717.
You can also get the contactinformation at
BluePlanetvacations.com.
You can listen to thisaward-nominated podcast or radio
(27:18):
show, even though we haven'twon, each and every Saturday and
Sunday morning right here onthis radio station and all radio
stations around the countrystarting at 11 a.m.
local time.
And you can listen to this showagain by streaming it right on
the website or subscribing tothe podcast on
(27:40):
insidetraveltalk.com.
All podcast platform links forthe show can be found on
insightraveltalk.com.
Well, we've done our job.
It is now your turn to get outand travel and see the world
while you can because you neverknow what curveballs life is
going to throw at you.
We say it every week.
Live your life deliberately,live your life intentionally,
(28:03):
live the life that you want tolive.
And a sincere thank you, agenuine sincere thank you for
listening.
We don't have a business, wedon't have a show without you.
So thank you.
Make it a great week.
We will talk to you nextweekend.
Show Voice (28:22):
That's it.
That's the end of the show.
You've been listening to theInside Travel Talk Podcast and
Radio Show with Patrick Whiskeyand Mark Faldmo.
Presented by Blue PlanetVacations.com.
Book your adventure right now.
Call 888-718-7717.
That's 888-718-7717.
(28:44):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
(29:08):
BluePlanetvacations.com.
Welcome to the Inside Travel Talk Podcast
Radio Show.
Coming up on today's show, wewill be talking about the number
one and number two cruiseports.
Who is number one?
American Airlines quietly, shh,ever so quietly, raising bag
fees and cruising in Alaska.
Probably one of the mostpopular topics on this radio
show and podcast.
(00:20):
Let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk Podcastradio show presented by Blue
PlanetVacations.com containstravel deals, promotions, and
offers that are 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 (00:44):
Explore your world.
It's the Inside Travel TalkPodcast and Radio Show,
presented by Blue PlanetVacations.com.
Call or text the show now.
801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInside TravelTalk.com.
And now, here are your hosts,Patrick Wiscombe and Mark
(01:08):
Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:20):
He is back from beautiful Cancun Mexico.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk Podcast, a radio show.
Hello there.
I am Patrick Whiskey.
And if you have no idea whereto go, we're just going to give
(01:41):
you some ideas of where you maywant to go on vacation next.
And we are presented, proudlypresented, by
BluePlanetVacations.com, whichis Mark Faldmo's company.
Also the co-host of this show.
And thank you for taking thetime to stop and listen.
This week we are talking aboutcruise port number one, cruise
port number two.
We've had a switch in rankings.
(02:04):
We'll tell you who is the mostpopular cruise port in Florida.
American Airlines is quietly,ever so quietly, raising bag
fees.
And probably the number one ornumber two topic that we have on
the show each and every week,or certainly every other week.
Cruising in Alaska.
(02:25):
We're going to give you somegreat deals.
But let me bring in the verytan.
You're not as cherry red as youwere, Mark.
How you feeling?
Feeling good.
Good to have you back.
Let's get right to the travelnews headlines.
American Airlines is ever soquietly.
(02:47):
Did you hear that?
Raising some international bagfees.
Mark Faldmo (02:53):
Yeah, they are their short haul international
flights were $35.
They are raising them to $5.
There's no major announcementon this.
They just kind of raised it by$5 to $40.
Which is interesting becausedomestic flights, they already
charge $40.
So these international shorthaul flights, they had not
(03:15):
raised.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:16):
I mentioned at the very top of the show that
you're back from beautifulCancun, Mexico.
And that is going to be thetravel deal of the week.
Where did you stay down there?
I think it was the El DoradoResort, but I don't remember
which one it was.
Mark Faldmo (03:34):
I stayed at the El Dorado Royale.
I love all of the El Doradoresorts.
They're kind of known fortheir, they like to say, Mexican
luxury.
It's a luxury hotel, but it'svery steeped in Mexican
tradition and the Mexicanculture.
They're owned by a local familythere for 40 years or so.
(03:54):
Um they've had theirtransportation company and
hotels.
And so just a really goodfamily to work with and really
good resorts and services thatthey offer.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:04):
Let's do a quick overview of what your trip
was and the announcement.
It's the major award, theannouncement of the Palm Award.
What is the Palm Award?
Mark Faldmo (04:13):
I was there for a meeting, and it's kind of their
sales meeting, you know, wherethey talk about the upcoming
year, what they want to do, kindof review the past.
But they do have an awardceremony, and I was honored to
win the Palm Award, which is forone of the top travel advisors
uh that they have.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:31):
Really?
Mark Faldmo (04:31):
They they give out one a year, and I was honored to
receive it this year.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:37):
Wow.
Mark Faldmo (04:38):
So um you know, it was an honor.
And you know, coming from JoanDolores, who are the owners,
they're icons in the Mexicantourism industry, and so that
was a real honor to get thataward.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:50):
Was it a black tie affair?
And should I have been therefor it?
Mark Faldmo (04:54):
Something tells me I I should have been there for
that one.
It was a black tie affair,although I will say getting
dressed up in a suit in Mexicois kind of hard.
Um after the award ceremony anddinner outside, they have a a
taco cart, which is the bestpart of the meeting.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:12):
So here's the major award, here's your Emmy,
here's your Oscar, here's yourtaco cart.
Yep.
Mark Faldmo (05:21):
Congratulations.
I didn't know you were goingdown for that.
I didn't know I was going downfor that either.
I know I was going for themeeting, but and it's an honor
for me and for Blue PlanetVacations to have won that
award.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:32):
If I've got this straight, they're more of a
uh what is called a moreinclusive type resort.
Let's talk about a what themore inclusive resort does and
is.
Mark Faldmo (05:42):
Lomas hospitality, I came out with their more
inclusive concept.
You know, we always talk aboutall inclusive.
And so Lomas Hospitality wantsto be more than all inclusive.
And so it goes beyond thestandard all-inclusive.
They add in to the typicalall-inclusive, which is usually
food and drinks andnon-motorized water sports, they
(06:04):
add a lot to it.
So they add transportation, soround trip transportation from
the airport to any of theirresorts is included.
So you don't have to payadditional for that.
And then you have access tosignature experiences, so
included in your stay.
They have a catamaran cruise,which includes snorkeling on the
reef, they have wave runners,they have kayaking and paddle
(06:28):
boarding, they have an uh cenoteexperience, which is
underground cave or river.
Um and this one is actually ata place called Octuchen Nature
Park.
I've done cenote's a few timesand I absolutely love it.
If you've not done a cenote, goto the Yucatan Peninsula and
experience a cenote.
(06:49):
It is an experience.
And then they also includetheir eco ranch with wildlife
encounters, and it's an animalrescue, mainly horses that have
been abused in the area.
So it's an animal rescue thatyou can go experience that.
They include beach club accessto the Maroma Beach Beach Club.
And we've talked about beachclubs on a few shows.
(07:09):
Oh yeah.
One of your favorites being onuh Bimini and the Bahamas.
Oh yeah.
They have a beach club onMaroma Beach, which is the often
ranked as the in the top fiveor ten beaches in the world.
It's a phenomenal beach, MaromaBeach.
And at that beach club, theyhave a brunch that goes from 10
(07:30):
to 5, which is some of the bestfood I've had in Mexico, mainly
local things like tacos,empanadas, tortilla soup, lots
of things like that.
So that's all included at thebeach club.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:43):
I'm hearing a lot of value, Mark.
Good quiz.
Mark Faldmo (07:45):
Yeah, yeah, as well as it's all inclusive.
So you have all the food anddrinks, ocean loungers,
oceanfront loungers, chairs,just lots of interesting things
to do there.
And then it also includesaccess to their water park,
which is the largest water parkfor kids and families that like
water parks.
It includes that.
(08:06):
All of this is included if youstay at an El Dorado resort.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:10):
This feels bigger than it has been.
Have they increased theofferings?
Kind of sounds like they have.
Mark Faldmo (08:16):
They have, they've enhanced what's included at the
beach club.
They added Aktun Chen to it.
The water park's always beenthere because they own it and
it's adjacent to most of theirhotels.
They really have tried toenhance that and give a lot of
value, and there is a lot ofvalue in that.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:34):
Oh, yeah.
Which resort did you stay outagain?
I stayed at El Dorado Royale.
Okay.
So let's talk about thedifferent resorts then.
Let's start with El DoradoRoyale.
Let's go over all theirproperties and who they're aimed
at.
Mark Faldmo (08:46):
El Dorado Royale is an adult's only, and they
really focus on romance.
And it's very culinary driven.
One of their restaurants thereis Campai, which is a an Asian
Thai food.
One of my favorite restaurantsin all of Mexico.
That seems weird because when Igo to Mexico, I really want the
Mexican food.
They do really good at their umAsian food.
(09:09):
Of course.
Um and El Dorado Royale isreally good for honeymooners or
those that want to do adestination wedding.
When we were there, the fivedays we were there, I think
there were four weddings goingon at the hotel.
So they're really good at that.
What's the next property?
The next property is theCasitas Royale.
This is right next to the ElDorado Royale.
(09:33):
In fact, it used to be part ofthe same hotel, but they grew it
so much that it's nowconsidered its own hotel space.
Adults only, they have kind ofmore private casitas.
They have buildings that havefour rooms in them, and there's
eight to sixteen rooms aroundyour own private pool.
Patrick Wiscombe (09:51):
Oh wow.
Mark Faldmo (09:51):
For for just your casita section, you have your
own pool and bar all right atthe beach front.
They have my favorite perk,which is the outdoor shower.
Um, I absolutely love that.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:03):
There's something different about
showering outside than it's justlike it's a shower.
But it's not.
It's a totally differentexperience.
It is, yeah.
All right, what's the nextproperty?
Mark Faldmo (10:15):
Uh next one is the El Dorado Seaside Suites.
You've stayed there a fewtimes.
I have, and I really like thisone.
Again, adults only has a moderndesign, quiet beaches.
But what I like is all roomshave an infinity pool, even all
the way up to the uh, I thinksixth floor.
Oh, that's right.
They were all built with aninfinity pool.
(10:38):
Um, so you have pool accessright from every room in the
property.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:43):
Oh I'm afraid I'd never get out of the water.
And it's shaded too, if memoryserves.
Mark Faldmo (10:48):
Yeah, it is shaded, and I love to just go sit there
and look at the ocean.
Oh, yeah.
Get a higher floor room.
Yeah.
All right, what's the next one?
Uh the next one is the ElDorado Maroma, which is again
adults-only beach front.
It's on the famous MaromaBeach.
It's adjacent to the beach clubthat we talked about earlier.
(11:09):
What I like about this one isit's smaller.
It has about 160 rooms, almostboutique-ish, but it has been
ranked as the most romantichotel in Mexico.
So this one is perfect forhoneymoons, anniversaries.
They also do weddings there.
This is actually the resortthat I honeymooned at.
(11:30):
They do have a section thatdoes have outdoor showers and
private infinity pools as wellon every level of one of the
buildings.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:40):
So oh, just one of the buildings.
Just one of the buildings.
Okay, so the seaside suite hasall of the rooms.
Maroma just in a building.
Mark Faldmo (11:48):
In one of the buildings, uh, which makes up
about half of the rooms onproperty.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:52):
So far, I'm just hearing adults only.
Is there a family-friendlyplace?
Mark Faldmo (11:58):
Yeah, so the the family-friendly place is uh
Generations Riviera Maya.
It's an all-suite family andmulti-generational friendly
resort.
It's oceanfront.
It's kind of like the seasidesuites where almost every room
except for the very top levelhas an infinity pool or pool
access.
You can do one to three bedroomsuites there.
(12:20):
So you can get the family.
I remember I went with Heatherand myself, my parents, two of
my nephews, and we were in athree-bedroom suite.
What a great experience.
Oh, yeah.
You know, every room comes withbutler service, you know, as
we've often talked about.
We don't know what to do withbutler service, but but they
have butler service.
Those are the resorts of LomasHospitality in El Dorado with
(12:43):
that more inclusive program.
Patrick Wiscomb (12:45):
Congratulations on the award, seriously.
Before we go to break, is therea promotion?
I'm assuming you came back withsomething.
Mark Faldmo (12:51):
Yeah, there is.
And this is to Mexico and theCaribbean.
Save up to five hundred andfifty dollars when you pay in
full and book by December 31st.
So about two weeks left on thispromotion.
Um, and then travel is I thinkafter March 1st on this.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:08):
A little bit of a about a 90, 120 day wait on
that one.
Window, yeah.
Okay.
Take advantage of that.
Congratulations on the award.
Really.
Thank you.
Especially if you weren'texpecting it.
Although I am a little upsetthat we couldn't do the show
from down there.
Mark Faldmo (13:24):
Yes.
Well, we'll we will do it soon,so they will invite us down.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:31):
You'll have to send the show to them so they
can hear what we talked about.
Take advantage of that offer.
Call Mark in the office, justget the conversation started.
No obligation.
888-718-7717-888-718-7717.
And he'll also post this onBluePlanetVacations.com.
(13:54):
When we come back, it is timefor the infamous Just Cruising
segment.
The segment of the show thathas made us famous around the
country and around the world.
This week we're talkingcruising out of Port Canaveral,
Miami.
Virgin Voyages is getting intothe status match game, and we'll
(14:14):
be talking about cruising inAlaska.
And of course, we've got thecruise deal of the week.
That is next.
When the Inside Travel TalkPodcast or radio show continues,
alongside my very tan friend,Mark Faldmo.
I am Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much forlistening.
Give us about 60 seconds.
We'll be right back.
Show Voice (14:36):
Taking you to destinations around the world.
The Inside Travel Talk Podcastand Radio Show is presented by
Blue PlanetVacations.com.
America's best travel advisors.
Call or text the show now.
801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Thanks for listening.
(14:57):
We'll be right back.
This segment of Inside TravelTalk is sponsored by El Dorado
Spa Resorts.
Escape to Cancun's RivieraMayer with authentic,
all-inclusive luxury at an ElDorado Spa Resort.
To book your romantic beachgetaway, contact Blue Planet
(15:19):
Vacations at 888-718-7717 orBlue Planet Vacations.com now
back to the Insight Travel TalkPodcast and Radio Show.
Presented by Blue PlanetVacations.com.
(15:40):
America's best travel advisors.
Call or text the show right nowat 801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsightTravel Talk.com.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:25):
Hello there, I am Patrick Whiskey alongside
Mark Faldmo of BluePlanetVacations.com.
Coming up in this segment ofthe show, it is the infamous
Just Cruising segment where it'sonly about the cruise news and
only about cruise deals.
If you want to go on a cruise,listen up and thank you for
listening.
(16:46):
And to all boarding the showright now, may I just say, Ahoy,
mate?
Ahoy.
Let's get right into the cruisenews headlines.
Let's get to Port Canaveralversus Miami.
This feels like one of thoseMMA bouts.
In this corner, Port Canaveralversus Miami.
(17:08):
In the other corner, what newsdo we have on this?
Mark Faldmo (17:11):
Port Canaveral has edged out Miami to be the
world's busiest cruise port.
Really?
Miami's crazy busy.
That is saying a lot.
It is, yeah.
So Port Canaveral recorded arecord 8.6 million passenger
movements in the fiscal year2025.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:31):
Nikki and I were four of them.
Mark Faldmo (17:33):
Yes.
Yeah.
And compare that to the port ofMiami, which was 8.5 and a half
million.
Um, so Port Canaveral had a 13%year-over-year increase in ship
calls.
One thing that Port Canaveralhas over Miami is there are some
cruise lines that leave fromNew York that actually call on
Port Canaveral as a port ofcall.
(17:55):
That's why so that gives someof that midweek when you might
not find a ship in Miami.
You'll find a ship or two inPort Canaveral because cruises
coming from New York use that asa port of call.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:08):
I think Miami visually still more spectacular.
What's the famous island?
Mark Faldmo (18:12):
Star Island.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:13):
Yeah, Star Island.
Downtown Miami.
Man, that's special down there.
That's beautiful area of thecountry.
Virgin Voyages is getting intothe status match game.
What's this about?
Mark Faldmo (18:25):
Yeah, so Virgin Voyages will match um your
status with any other cruiseline.
So if you have a higher statuswith a cruise line, they will
match it.
Also, if you happen to have aVirgin Atlantic or Virgin
Australia airline status,they'll match that status as
(18:45):
well.
Oh, interesting.
Uh so Virgin will match everycruise line except for MSc.
The reason is because MSC has asimilar status match program
already, which allows you tostatus match with hotels.
And so I guess they don't wantyou to status match with hotels.
(19:05):
That's why MSc is left outbecause MSC's is a pretty broad
status match where Virgin's ismainly related to cruise lines
and other Virgin products.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:17):
Okay.
Let's stick with Virgin Voyageshere for a minute.
Virgin Voyages debuts a newAlaska summer season pass for
2026.
So coming up next year, what isthe season pass?
Mark Faldmo (19:30):
Virgin is new to the Alaska market, so 2026 will
be their first season in Alaska,and they now have a season pass
which will allow you to spend30 days on board ship exploring
Alaska.
Whoa.
And so they have four departuredates May twenty eighth, June
twenty third, July thirtieth,and August twenty seventh that
(19:53):
you can purchase for the thirtyday season pass for Alaska.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:58):
How many ports do you?
Go to or do you just visit thesame ports over and over?
I can't imagine they do that.
Mark Faldmo (20:04):
It's just back-to-back seven-day cruises.
Oh, okay.
But Virgins, since they'renewer into the market, not every
itinerary is the same.
You'll visit lots of the sameports, but it's still a good way
to really if you like Alaska.
I would do that.
Oh, yeah.
I did I did back-to-back Alaskasame itinerary two years ago.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:25):
Yeah.
Mark Faldmo (20:25):
And I loved it.
So I think I could do that fourtimes in a row.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:29):
Yeah, I think so too.
When Nikki and I were onNorwegian's Bliss, we went for
seven days.
I'm like, it's over?
Man, I could do this for atleast another week easily.
Mark Faldmo (20:40):
So Virgin is allowing you to do that.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:42):
You're the owner of Blue Planet
Vacations.com, who's the sponsorof this show.
But you just came out withanother website.
Yeah.
Mark Faldmo (20:50):
So since we're talking about Alaska, I thought
now is a good time to announcethis.
I just launched a website,which is Alaska Cruise Guru.com.
So AlaskaCruiseguru.com.
And it specializes in AlaskaCruises.
You know, that's one of mypassion cruise destinations.
(21:10):
I love Alaska's.
I just said before I could doseveral back-to-backs and do
that.
So this website is alldedicated to everything Alaska
Cruise.
There's a section for smallship adventure and luxury
cruises, you know, which wedon't talk a lot about on this
show, but there is a wholesection that just focuses on
those small ships and adventurecruises.
(21:32):
There's a section that justfocuses on Alaska Cruise tours.
So if you want to see theinterior of Alaska, and then
just lots of good informationabout Alaska cruising, Alaska
specials and promotions on thatwebsite.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:45):
There's probably two things that you're
guaranteed to enjoy cruising inAlaska and probably going to the
Caribbean.
Alaska is special.
If you're looking for a goodfirst cruise, you cannot go
wrong with Alaska.
You will absolutely enjoy it.
You will.
Yeah.
Let's get to the cruise deal ofthe week.
And we did receive a text fromCharlotte during the break.
(22:07):
So let me give out the studioand the text number.
801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Now, if you have travel relatedquestions during the week or
while we're on the air, text us,call us.
All of these go to Mark801-649-3700.
Charlotte was asking during thebreak, I want to go on a
(22:30):
Christmas markets cruise nextyear.
So I guess that'd be what 2026?
Yeah, I guess.
2026.
She's asking, when should Ireserve the cruise?
The short answer is as soon aspossible because they sell out
very quickly.
What is the best itinerary andcruise line?
Is her question.
Mark Faldmo (22:46):
Reserve it asap.
Yeah, really.
Um there are several departuresI was looking at for 2026 that
are already sold out.
So most of the river cruiselines are reporting their
Christmas season for 2026 isanywhere from 40 to 60 percent
sold out.
So so if you want to go in2026, reserve it as soon as you
(23:08):
can.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:08):
We're not telling you to for sales
purposes, they really do sellout that fast.
Mark Faldmo (23:13):
They do, yeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:14):
They're one of the most popular itineraries.
Who would you choose?
Alma or Avalon or both?
Mark Faldmo (23:20):
Yeah, I would choose both of those.
Those are my two favorite rivercruise lines.
I've been on four other rivercruise lines, and I prefer AMA
waterways or Avalon waterways.
As far as the Christmasmarkets, when you're choosing a
cruise, I would try and choose ariver cruise that includes
Nuremberg, Heidelberg, orCologne.
(23:41):
So Nuremberg's on the DanubeRiver, Heidelberg on the Rhine,
and uh Cologne is also on theRhine River.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:48):
I still want to go to Cologne just for the uh
cathedral.
Mark Faldmo (23:51):
Yeah, it it's amazing.
And then as far as the rivers,you know, if you're looking at
the Rhine, it's a little bitquieter, more kind of story
brook type towns, castles,vineyards, more of like
Christmas village vibes.
The Danube has more capitalcities, bigger cities, diverse
(24:11):
cultures, sightseeing, and lotsof different Christmas markets
to choose from.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:16):
If you only could do this once in your
lifetime, which one would youchoose?
Mark Faldmo (24:19):
I probably would choose the Danube.
That's my favorite.
Although I've not done theRhine enough to really
experience that and and say, youknow, I think the castles on
the Rhine and also Heidelberg,whether it's Christmas markets
or not.
Heidelberg's one of my favoritecities in that area to visit.
So it would be really hard tochoose if I had to only choose
(24:43):
one.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:43):
Um okay.
Well, then what are your picksfor cruises?
Meaning the Danube or theRhine.
Who would you use?
Mark Faldmo (24:49):
So I would use Alma Waterways on the Danube.
The Christmas markets cruise Iwould choose is the iconic
Christmas markets, and it runsbetween uh Budapest and
Nuremberg.
One of the highlights on thatis the Christmas market in
Salzburg and also the nightChristmas market in Vienna.
Part of this cruise, you arrivein Vienna a little bit later,
(25:12):
and so you go right off afterdark to the Christmas market.
So that'd be cool.
So that's one of thehighlights.
Patrick Wiscombe (25:19):
Because you're already amped up.
You're like, yes, I'm soexcited to be here.
And then to just head off intothe night.
That'd be cool.
Mark Faldmo (25:26):
Yeah, and then um I would choose the Avalon
Waterways, Christmas on theRomantic Rhine, and this one
runs between Amsterdam and Baselin Switzerland.
This one includes Cologne,Rudesheim, Strasburg.
Strasbourg also has a prettygood Christmas market, but then
it does include Heidelberg andthe Christmas market in
(25:47):
Heidelberg, which is myfavorite.
If you're into Hallmark movies,my wife is, so I watch them on
occasion.
There is a movie, I think,called Christmas in Heidelberg.
It's a little town square, andit's a perfect place, I think,
for a Christmas market.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:01):
There's something about plaid and women
in Hallmark movies that just isa magic combination.
unknown (26:07):
Yeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:08):
Let's get to the uh the cruise deal of the
week.
What are the promotions that wehave?
Mark Faldmo (26:12):
Avalon Waterways has free or reduced airfare.
And this is for all cruises,not just Christmas market
cruises.
Most of the Christmas marketshave a discounted air and they
aren't part of that free airfarepromotion, but it's still an
overall really good deal.
And then AMA Waterways is saveup to $2,500 per stateroom.
And this is on most cruisesthat AMA offers.
(26:35):
Most of the Christmas marketsare anywhere from uh $500 per
person to a thousand per person.
They don't really have todiscount the Christmas Mark
cruises as much.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
No.
Mark Faldmo (26:45):
And again, a couple of the early December Christmas
market cruises for both ofthese and other cruise lines are
already sold out.
So if you're wanting to go onChristmas market cruises, book
it right away.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:56):
Yeah.
Charlotte, I'm just going togive you the number right now.
888-718-7717-888-718-7717.
You can also get the contactinformation at
BluePlanetvacations.com.
You can listen to thisaward-nominated podcast or radio
(27:18):
show, even though we haven'twon, each and every Saturday and
Sunday morning right here onthis radio station and all radio
stations around the countrystarting at 11 a.m.
local time.
And you can listen to this showagain by streaming it right on
the website or subscribing tothe podcast on
(27:40):
insidetraveltalk.com.
All podcast platform links forthe show can be found on
insightraveltalk.com.
Well, we've done our job.
It is now your turn to get outand travel and see the world
while you can because you neverknow what curveballs life is
going to throw at you.
We say it every week.
Live your life deliberately,live your life intentionally,
(28:03):
live the life that you want tolive.
And a sincere thank you, agenuine sincere thank you for
listening.
We don't have a business, wedon't have a show without you.
So thank you.
Make it a great week.
We will talk to you nextweekend.
Show Voice (28:22):
That's it.
That's the end of the show.
You've been listening to theInside Travel Talk Podcast and
Radio Show with Patrick Whiskeyand Mark Faldmo.
Presented by Blue PlanetVacations.com.
Book your adventure right now.
Call 888-718-7717.
That's 888-718-7717.
(28:44):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
(29:08):
BluePlanetvacations.com.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.