June 28, 2025 • 52 mins
The world of travel is constantly evolving, and this episode takes you behind the scenes of some extraordinary opportunities you won't want to miss. We kick things off with a jaw-dropping MSC Cruises promotion offering 40% off ALL cruises—not just select sailings—plus kids sail free through their limited-time 4th of July sale. For families looking to escape winter, a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston starts at just $469 per person, with a family of four sailing for a total of $1,389 including taxes and fees.
For those seeking unique land experiences, we explore Australia's magnificent train journeys that showcase the continent's diverse beauty. The Indian Pacific route connecting Sydney to Perth reveals Australia's stunning coastline, while The Ghan train takes adventurers through the country's heart from Adelaide to Darwin, stopping at Alice Springs—gateway to the iconic Ayers Rock. These luxury train adventures feature sleeper accommodations, dining cars, and five-star service throughout your journey, with current savings of up to $1,400 per couple.
The Dominican Republic steals the spotlight as our featured destination, with its pristine beaches and vibrant culture. We break down the three main tourist areas—Punta Cana, La Romana, and Puerto Plata—and highlight unforgettable experiences from chocolate making at local family farms to exploring the nature reserve of Saona Island. Current vacation packages through Delta offer significant savings with five-night packages including airfare from Salt Lake City starting at $1,249 per person.
American Cruise Lines presents an exceptional opportunity to explore America's iconic waterways with their all-inclusive river cruises. From the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge to the historically rich Lower Mississippi, these intimate vessels carrying just 90-150 guests provide unparalleled access to America's nautical heritage with free airfare and savings up to $1,200 per person on select voyages.
Looking to plan your next adventure? Reach out to us at 888-718-7717 or visit blueplanetvacations.com to unlock these exclusive deals before they sail away!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:00):
It is just after 11 o'clock.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast, a radio show
Coming up.
On today's show we will betalking about 40% off all MSC
Cruises, plus kids sale free andmore good news they're
introducing specialty diningpackages and we'll be traveling
by train in Australia.
(00:20):
Delta is expanding service inthe Caribbean and vacations in
the Dominican Republic Abeautiful place.
Let's start 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.
(00:41):
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:51):
Helping you plan your next vacation.
This is the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show presented
by BluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
Call us now 801-649-3700,801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
(01:11):
com.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Fulton Woo.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:28):
It is just after 11 o'clock.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast, a radio show.
Hello there, I'm PatrickWiscombe, alongside Mark Faldmo.
Thank you so much for takingthe time to stop and listen to
this awesome podcast and radioshow about travel and travel
ideas.
And if you have no idea whereyou want to go on your next
(01:50):
vacation, we are going to giveyou ideas of where to consider
next, and this show is presentedby blueplanetvacations.
com.
Coming up on today's show.
We will be talking about 40%off all MSC Cruises I didn't say
some, I said all MSC Cruisesand they're introducing some
(02:10):
specialty dining packages thatare fixed price.
We'll get to that in theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
And if you've always wanted togo to Australia, we're going to
tell you how to do it by trainand someplace that was really
unexpectedly pleasant theDominican Republic.
We were there in April and itwas such a beautiful place to
(02:32):
visit.
If you've always thought aboutgoing there, whether it be by
air or by cruise, do it.
It's a great place to go.
Hello Mark Faldmo, hey Patrick,let's get right to the travel
headlines.
July 4th obviously coming upand a record number of Americans
are expected to travel for theJuly 4th holiday.
Mark Faldmo (02:54):
This is an annual report that AAA releases every
4th of July, and they areexpecting just over 72 million
people to travel at least 50miles from their home by any
mode of transportation.
The vast majority of that is bycar, but almost 6 million
Americans will fly this yearover the 4th of July, which is
(03:15):
up about 10% compared to lastyear, so there'll be busy skies
this week.
Are you going anywhere?
Patrick Wiscombe (03:21):
this weekend I'm not going anywhere.
Mark Faldmo (03:23):
I'm going to Fort Lauderdale the following week.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:26):
Got it.
What's going on in FortLauderdale?
Anything listeners would beinterested in?
Not really.
It's a travel meeting.
Mark Faldmo (03:32):
Oh okay, it's called Global Travel Marketplace
and that's just to go meet withsuppliers worldwide, learn
about their products and getsome travel ideas.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:42):
Well, you can't go wrong going to Fort
Lauderdale.
Mark Faldmo (03:44):
So beautiful down there, yeah, I love that area
Southwest may be planningtransatlantic flights.
When is that going to takeplace?
So they are just looking at it.
The speculation is they aregoing to fly to Reykjavik,
Iceland, because that's as faras their planes can make it.
So they couldn't make it allthe way to Europe, but from
(04:05):
their hubs like in Baltimorethey could fly to Reykjavik and
with their recently signedpartnership with Iceland Air
that is a pretty good fit forthem so they can fly their
mainland service to Reykjavikand then passengers connect
onward from there.
So could open up Europe to alot of Southwest market.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:25):
Both you and I got an email this past week
that Delta has some kind ofpromotion.
It's actually pretty easy tobook this promotion If you're
traveling on Delta.
Listen up.
Mark Faldmo (04:37):
For their 100th year anniversary, they're giving
people all the opportunity toearn up to $100 e-certificate on
Delta.
So how you do this is you signin to your SkyMiles account.
When you're in your profilethere is a link for promotions
and you can just click register.
It's just a one click andyou're registered and for every
(04:57):
flight that you fly in DeltaComfort between now and November
20th you'll get $25 per flightup to $100.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:07):
And all you have to do is just go to the
Delta app and basically enrolland if you fly, then you get the
credit.
Mark Faldmo (05:14):
You fly, then you get the credit.
So, on all the programs I'mpart of, I always enroll in
every promotion, whether I'mgoing to use it or not, because
you never know In your case.
Yes, yeah, you know.
Marriott has a lot ofpromotions as well.
I enroll in all of those and Iend up getting three or four
free nights at Marriottthroughout the year just by
(05:34):
enrolling in their promotions.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:36):
So it is worthwhile.
Even though you may not takeadvantage of it, it could.
If something happens, you wouldbe automatically enrolled in it
.
Correct Always in the openingsegment of the show we've got
the destination of the week, andthis week we're going to
Australia.
But instead of I mean,obviously we have to get over to
Australia, have to fly there,but instead of doing the
(05:58):
traditional touristy things.
The reason we're going here isbecause you received a call in
your office, blueplanetvacations.
com, from Ginger who wanted togo to Australia, and you guys
had a fairly lengthyconversation about how to go see
Australia by train.
So let's share that with ourlisteners.
Mark Faldmo (06:18):
I've never had a request for Australia by train
until this past week and, doingthe research, there's four
different kind of tourist linesthat are in Australia, so I'll
just go over those differentfour routes that they have.
The first line is called theIndian Pacific and it goes from
Sydney to Perth.
(06:39):
There are stops in the BlueMountains, Adelaide and then
across to Perth with a few otherstops, and that's probably the
most popular train.
But the train that reallypiqued my interest is called the
Gann train and it goes fromAdelaide, which is in the south,
to Darwin in the north, and soit goes right through the center
(07:03):
of Australia.
One of the stops there is AliceSprings, which is anyone that
I've ever sold to Australiawants to try and figure out how
to get to Alice Springs.
That's the train that would getyou to Alice Springs and you'd
get to see, you know, that wholeinterior of the country.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:22):
You mentioned traveling from Adelaide to Alice
Springs.
If someone doesn't know what'sin Alice Springs, Australia,
what is there?
Mark Faldmo (07:30):
The thing that everyone likes to see that's in
that area of Australia is AyersRock, the big rock that's just
out in the middle of the kind ofoutback there, and so from that
area is where you would get offto see Ayers Rock.
That's why everyone wants to goto Alice Springs.
There's lots of otherinteresting things to do and see
(07:51):
in Alice Springs.
It's about close to right inthe middle of the country.
And what's the last train?
The next train is a trainbetween Brisbane and Adelaide,
so it kind of goes down thesoutheast coast of Australia,
and so those are the touristtrains that you can experience
in Australia.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:10):
You just rattled off the four trains.
Are these sleeper trains?
Or is this like RockyMountaineer, where you travel
during the day and then you goin a hotel at night.
Mark Faldmo (08:20):
Australia is a pretty big country and so these
are all sleeper trains.
They do have different servicelevels that you can get all the
way to full suites, which is afull train car.
They do have your dining cars,your sleeping cars, and it's
five star service on the wholeadventure.
(08:40):
You can do just a one nighttrip, but the average train is
three to six nights that you cango and experience Australia.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:49):
Price-wise.
What are listeners looking atif they want to travel by train
in Australia?
Mark Faldmo (08:55):
That depends on the length of the train travel.
But they do have right now saveup to $1,400 per couple.
That's on their package deals,which includes some off-train
experiences.
It is a great way to see partsof Australia that you probably
wouldn't see otherwise Justbecause Australia is so sparsely
(09:18):
populated and the interior.
There's not a lot ofcivilization there in the
interior or the outback.
Patrick Wiscombe (09:26):
Big spiders, too, Enormous spiders.
Yes, Patrick does not likespiders.
Ginger, I'm certain you'regoing to have some additional
questions.
Call Mark at his office, inyour case the conversation
888-718-7717, 888-718-7717.
(09:50):
And you can also find hisnumber on blueplanetvacations.
com.
When we come back time for thehot travel deal of the week and
we are going to the DominicanRepublic, we're going to talk
about what the main touristareas are, what there is to do
in Punta Cana.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast or radio
show continues.
(10:10):
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your weekend.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (10:21):
If you have travel questions, they have the answers
.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo, presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(10:41):
We'll be right back 3700.
Ad Voice (11:14):
We'll be right back.
Caribbean and Central.
Show Voice (11:16):
America To book your unique Star Clipper sailing
adventure.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
blueplanetvacations.
com.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(11:37):
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
Here's Patrick and Mark.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:53):
Welcome back to the Inside Travel Talk
podcast, a radio show.
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
You are listening to the bestand most informative travel show
on the radio and in podcastform.
Coming up in this segment ofthe show, always in this segment
, is the hot travel deal of theweek and we are going to the
Dominican Republic.
Nikki and I were there in Apriland it is awesome.
(12:18):
It is a beautiful, beautifulisland, Mark.
I think it's completelyunderrated.
Dominican Republic I love theDominican Republic Some of the
most beautiful beaches.
Mark Faldmo (12:23):
I've ever's completely underrated Dominican
Republic.
I love the Dominican Republic.
Some of the most beautifulbeaches I've ever seen have been
in the Dominican Republic.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:30):
Let's get back to the travel news headlines.
I saw this news story that TestTrack, one of the rides at
Epcot Center in Orlando, iscoming off a tune-up and it's
set to reopen.
What are the details?
Mark Faldmo (12:43):
It's actually probably one of my favorite
things to do at Epcot.
It's going to reopen July 22ndwith new music.
I like Test Track because it'skind of like a supposedly a you
know race car going aroundcourse.
It's one of the moreadventuresome rides at Epcot.
Growing up I always thoughtEpcot was kind of boring, but as
(13:03):
an adult I love Epcot.
Thank you, you know, but thisis, you know, one of the things
that gives you a little bit ofadventure and speed.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:13):
Because you and I travel a lot on Delta.
I saw this news story thatthey're expanding service to the
Caribbean.
Mark Faldmo (13:20):
Starting December 20th, is adding two new
Caribbean destinations, bothfrom Atlanta.
They're adding St Vincent andGrenada.
So these are two brand newdestinations for Delta.
Some of these Caribbean islandsin that eastern, more southern
Caribbean are just so beautifuland interesting to visit.
(13:41):
Interesting to visit If you'relooking to kind of get away to a
more relaxed, less touristyarea in the Caribbean.
These are probably two reallygood options.
Have you been to Grenada?
I have, and I've been to StVincent as well.
Now, the one thing I reallylike about these is their
colonial history.
St Vincent has been owned byboth France and Britain, so you
(14:05):
get a little bit of that culturethere.
Grenada is French.
One of my favorite storiesthere is we had a group and it
came with lunch and they hadsalads with French dressing and
it tasted so good.
That's probably because I'm ina French territory that this
(14:26):
French dressing tastes so good.
And then I look behind thecurtain and it was Kraft French
dressing, and I know Frenchdressing doesn't necessarily
really come from France, butthat's my food story for the day
.
It was such a good salad andsuch good French dressing, but
(14:48):
it ended up being Kraft.
Delta also has announcedadditional expanded service to
other places Cancun, Punta Cana,which we'll talk about in a
little bit.
A few weeks ago we talked aboutthe Puerto Vallarta from Salt
Lake.
They are adding a seasonalextra flight to Puerto Vallarta
over the holidays, but theyreally are kind of going all in
(15:11):
to that.
Caribbean, Latin America,central America destinations.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:16):
Tracy, who is one of our listeners, wants to
go to the Dominican Republic.
She called your office.
Let me just give the number out888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
Or if you don't remember thenumber, just go to
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Tracy is asking I want to go tothe Dominican Republic.
(15:38):
What advice do you have for me?
Mark Faldmo (15:41):
First, of all, there are three main areas
tourist areas of DominicanRepublic.
There are a few more than this,but these are kind of the main
ones.
So the first one is Punta Cana.
That's the one where mostpeople fly into for a vacation.
Punta Cana is on the veryeastern tip of the island.
(16:03):
And then the next area is LaRomana.
This one you actually fly intoPunta Cana and it's about an
hour or so drive.
La Romana is on the south sideof the island, kind of in
between Santo Domingo and PuntaCana.
And then the other area isPorto Plata, which is on the
north side of the island and itdoes have its own airport that's
(16:27):
serviced by Delta.
American United.
JetBlue Frontier, I believe,also flies to Porto Plata.
So those are the three kind ofareas that you would fly into.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:40):
Of those three areas.
What's your favorite area?
My?
Mark Faldmo (16:42):
favorite of those is La Romana.
I like it because it's a littlebit quieter, but you're still
close enough to a lot of theactivities when you're only an
hour or so away from theactivities in Punta Cana, you
can still get to those fairlyeasily.
But I like La Romana becauseit's quieter.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:03):
Since Punta Cana is kind of the main area
there, what are some of theactivities to do there?
Mark Faldmo (17:09):
The first thing in Punta Cana is the beach.
Punta Cana, and DominicanRepublic, has some of the most
beautiful beaches I've evervisited the way the palm trees
sit on the beach, the water, thewhite sand.
But if you're interested inculture or a little bit more
adventure, Punta Cana also hasplenty of things to do.
(17:30):
My favorite thing to do isvisit a local family farm and on
this activity you go up intothe mountains and they show you
all of the different plants thatthey grow on the farm.
For me, the most interestingone is chocolate.
So they take you through thewhole process of making
chocolate, from picking it toroasting it, to you know
(17:53):
everything it takes to makechocolate.
And then you do get to drinkkind of some hot chocolate, I
guess, but it's basically freshmade right there.
That's probably one of myfavorite things to do because it
does get you some of theculture.
You get to see how the peoplelive.
They invite you into their homeand you have a meal there and
(18:14):
just a really good activity tolearn about Dominican Republic
and, again, learn aboutchocolate, which is great.
Every time I go to DominicanRepublic I come back with a
brick of chocolate and you justshred it into some hot water,
and it makes really good hotchocolate.
So the next thing to do in thearea is Siona Island, which is
(18:39):
an island just off of Punta Cana, and it's known for its crystal
clear waters, white sandbeaches, but it's a nature
reserve and so, just with itsnatural beauty and its marine
life, there you can snorkel,relax on the beach.
It's just a nice little getaway, and it's about an hour and a
(19:00):
half boat ride from Punta Cana.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:02):
Isn't Monkey Land there as well, or am I
thinking of a different?
Mark Faldmo (19:06):
area.
Monkey Land is one of theactivities where you get to go
and interact with the differentmonkeys that live on the island.
It's kind of a reserve wherethey have monkeys that can't
really be in the wild becausethey've been domesticated.
So they take these monkeys inthat you know they might've been
injured or something and theyrehab them, but they all stay
(19:28):
there and you get to reallyinteract with the monkeys.
You know something that peoplealways ask me about in
destinations like this are ziplines.
Oh yeah, you know somethingthat people always ask me about
in destinations like this arezip lines.
Oh yeah, you know, zip lines arethat's kind of a staple.
It is a staple in a lot ofplaces and behind the one that
we've talked about a few timesin Puerto Vallarta, I think this
one in Punta Cana is a veryclose second place to that
(19:52):
awesome one in Puerto Vallartaand that's by a company called
Runners Adventures.
I think by far it's the best.
It has 12 zip lines, it's wayup in the mountains and it
includes lunch, and just theviews from when you're eating
lunch are amazing.
Oh, absolutely the one thingthat I thought was interesting
there, that I learned there thatI hadn't heard before in these
(20:14):
tropical destinations there'strees.
In the morning they were green,but by the time we were leaving
the leaves have kind of rolledin on themselves and it was
silver.
And the guy says those are ourrain predictors.
When those leaves roll up andyou see silver, that means rain
is coming within 24 hours.
And it was accurate.
I always find it interesting tofind those kind of little gems
(20:36):
of destinations just how thingswork in the world that are
pretty interesting.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:40):
You know what I thought was interesting?
My knee works the same way.
Mark Faldmo (20:43):
Yes, Both of my knees work that way too.
I want to get your opinion onvisiting Dominican Republic you
know, for us in the WesternUnited States it can be a little
bit harder to get to.
You generally have to take anovernight flight or fly
somewhere, stay in a hotel andtake a morning flight out.
(21:04):
That is kind of one drawback.
But I always tell people youknow you go to Hawaii and you
take an overnight flight backfrom Hawaii, so you're just
adding the overnight flight onthe front end of your trip
instead of the back end of yourtrip.
So that really shouldn't bemuch of a hindrance for people
on the West.
To go to Dominican Republic.
(21:25):
You know, as far as the resortsgo, everywhere I've stayed has
been great.
I pretty much would recommendfour star or higher.
There are some destinationswhere if it's a three-star,
there's some pretty goodthree-stars out there, but in
Dominican Republic I would stickwith the four or five-star
hotels.
Food for the most part hasalways been pretty good in
(21:46):
Dominican Republic.
A lot of those hotels rely onbuffets and I'm not a buffet fan
.
So if there's a hotel that isjust buffet I'm not as happy.
The food for the most part hasbeen good.
There's been rice and beans.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:00):
So rice and beans, just rice and beans, and
plantanos, oh my goodness.
So good.
Mark Faldmo (22:06):
You know that's one thing to look out for when
you're choosing a hotel.
If you're not a buffet fan, Iknow there are some people that
love buffets, so that might begood.
I do think you get better foodin just the a la carte
restaurants than you do in thebuffet.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:21):
What deal do you have for listeners this week
going to Dominican Republic?
Mark Faldmo (22:25):
This is a deal that it's good for most of the
Caribbean.
So that deal is save up to $250plus get bonus Delta SkyMiles.
This is a package with DeltaVacations that we can help with
Blue Planet Vacations.
I did look for September dates,so this is September 19th and
(22:48):
this package includes round tripairfare from Salt Lake City,
five nights hotel.
The total length of the trip issix nights because you have
that overnight flight in thereand transfers from the airport
to the hotel.
The very kind of first hotel isan adults only hotel and it's
the Bahia Principape GrandAquamarine Again four star,
(23:10):
adults only, starting at $1249per person.
The next one, and this is oneof my favorite hotel brands in
the Caribbean, it's calledRoyalton Royalton Punta Cana,
four star, starts at $1299.
And Royalton does have someadults only and some family
friendly, and their familyfriendly hotels are great.
(23:33):
They have lots to do for thekids.
So if you're interested in afamily vacation, the Royalton is
one to look at and then if youwant to go, step up to a
five-star hotel, my favorite inthe area is the Secrets Cap Cana
, a five-star hotel from $1749per person.
When I think of that SecretsCap Cana, I did a hard hat tour
(23:56):
of it.
Before it opened, you know allthe buildings were under
construction, but when we walkedout to their beach I was just
amazed.
That is probably one of themost beautiful beaches you'll
see in all of the Caribbean,where the Secrets Cap Cana sits.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:12):
I'm just looking at it online right now.
You're right, you are not wrong.
That is a beautiful property.
It is Wow.
Okay, Tracy, if you have anyfurther questions and I'm sure
you probably have some follow-upquestions call Mark in his
office.
Take advantage of those offers.
Save up to $250.
Plus, you get the Delta SkyMiles.
(24:34):
Call Mark in his office duringthe break, just get the
conversation started888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
And you can also go toblueplanetvacations.
com.
When we come back, it is timefor the infamous Just Cruising
(24:55):
segment, where it's only aboutthe cruise news and it's only
about cruise deals, and we'vegot some really good ones this
week.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast, a radio
show, continues alongside MarkFaldmo.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much for listening.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (25:14):
They've literally traveled millions of miles to
answer your travel relatedquestions.
Yeah, they really have.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors, Patrick and Mark, will
(25:48):
be back after these messages.
Ad Voice (25:50):
El Dorado Spa Resort To book your romantic beach
getaway.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:00):
Welcome back to the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show Coming up.
In the next 30 minutes, Markand I will be talking about 40%
off all MSC cruises, not justselect cruises, all cruises plus
kids sail free, and they'reintroducing specialty dining
packages.
This is kind of an interestingtwist, A good twist.
(26:22):
Royal Caribbean is set to openSouth Pacific destinations and
the weekly cruise deal of theweek and American Airlines is
set to open touchless ID lanes.
Sounds very sanitary.
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
(26:45):
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are
capacity-controlled and subjectto change without notice.
Show Voice (27:01):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Hit us up right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (27:49):
Here's Patrick and Mark that is the beautiful
ship horn on Norwegian's brandnew ship called aqua.
A beautiful ship, awesome ship.
Nikki and I were on it in Aprilfor a five-day cruise where we
went to Bimini.
We also went to their privateisland and I'm blanking on it.
What's the name of their island?
Is it Ocean Key?
Mark Faldmo (28:05):
No, no, no, that's MSC.
There's Great Stirrup.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:09):
Key.
Oh, thank you.
I was like I don't think it's.
As soon as I said Ocean Key,I'm like no, no, that's MSC's
private island.
Mark Faldmo (28:19):
When you do four cruises and four private islands
, it's probably all hard to keepthem on track.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:22):
For anyone just listening to the radio show
and podcast.
For the first time, Niki and Iliterally spent the month of
April in the Caribbean and theBahamas.
That is an experience.
I let's get right to the cruisenews, mark, let's do it.
And I think this is a big dealfor MSC.
(28:46):
Msc has their 4th of July salegoing on right now.
Do we know when it ends?
Yeah, it will end next.
Mark Faldmo (28:53):
Wednesday.
Okay, so act quickly, actquickly.
They may extend it, but youdon't want to risk that.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:00):
No, no, no.
Their promotion that they'remaking for our listeners is save
40% off all cruises.
Now, that's a big deal, becausesometimes what select cruises
are slower times of the year.
This is 40% off on all cruises,plus kids sail free and Nikki
and I, as I mentioned, we wereon MSC's World America in April.
(29:21):
Beautiful ship, by the way.
Just take my word for it it isbeautiful, definitely worth
going.
What would be your cruise pick,mark?
Mark Faldmo (29:28):
So, to take advantage of this sale, my
cruise pick would be CaribbeanCruise from Galveston, and the
reason why is probably purelybecause of the price.
If you're looking for a greatcruise deal, this is the
itinerary for you.
So it's Western Caribbean.
Goes from Galveston, which isclose to Houston, goes to Costa
Maya, Roatan in Honduras andCozumel in Mexico, and then back
(29:52):
to Galveston.
Is that a seven-day?
Patrick Wiscombe (29:55):
That is a seven-day cruise that feels
fairly port-intensive for sevendays.
Mark Faldmo (30:00):
It is, yeah, three ports in the seven days with
three days at sea.
Okay, yeah, all right, um onthat.
And I think the best part ofthis is the price.
So this is January 4th, soright when it's cold here.
But an inside cabin starts at$469 per person.
Oh, wow, now let's throw in thekids.
(30:31):
Sell free part of that.
That first lead in insidecategory does not accommodate
two people, so you have to go toa higher cabin category price.
But right now, when I look atit, a cabin for four, the total
price with two adults, two kidsand all taxes and fees is $1,389
total for the whole family.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:51):
Okay, so hold on.
The leading category does notaccommodate two people.
That's what you said Does notaccommodate four people.
Mark Faldmo (30:57):
Okay, got it.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:58):
Okay, it was like it's a small cabin if it
can't accommodate two people.
Mark Faldmo (31:03):
If I misspoke I apologize.
It can't accommodate two people.
If I misspoke I apologize.
It can only accommodate twopeople, cannot accommodate four.
So you do have to go up to ahigher cabin category to get the
kids cell free that's a goodpromotion.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:15):
Do we know what ship that one's on?
Which msc ship that is?
Mark Faldmo (31:18):
yeah, that's on the msc seascape.
Oh, oh, so they moving Seascapeto Galveston.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:24):
now To Galveston, yeah.
Mark Faldmo (31:26):
Oh, okay, and then again, that was January 4th.
They do have similar dealslater in January, but you're $50
to $80 more per person on laterdates in January.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:38):
By the way, if you can go after the holidays,
if your schedule allows you todo that, go after the holidays
you will save a boatload ofmoney.
No pun intended.
Mark Faldmo (31:49):
Yeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:50):
MSC Cruises is changing to a fixed fee
specialty dining plan and isalso introducing dining packages
.
I think this is a good move ontheir part.
Mark Faldmo (32:01):
It is their specialty restaurants.
Right now it's all a la cartepricing.
So, like a restaurant, ifyou're getting a restaurant on
land, go to the restaurant, yourappetizers $8, your main
courses $18, whatever, and nowthey're just going to a fixed
rate on those.
So if you want to go to thesteakhouse, you'll pay whatever
(32:23):
that fixed rate is whether $25,$35, and you'll get an appetizer
or a starter, a main course anda dessert for that, and so
you'll have access to the fullmenu without that a la carte
pricing.
By doing that, it then allowsthem to do the dining packages,
so you can just buy a diningpackage for the full week that
(32:46):
might include three specialtyrestaurants.
So that helps them price that alittle bit better if you do
want to buy that upgradedspecialty meal package region
seven seas, which is a very toplevel cruise line.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:03):
Who's that owned by region?
Is owned by who?
Uh, Norwegian, oh, that's right.
Okay, they've announced thatthey are introducing a new level
of service.
Mark Faldmo (33:12):
Let's tell listeners about that I could
never afford this suite on theirnew ship but it's interesting
to talk about.
On their newest ship it willhave a two-level suite that
measures 8,800 square feet.
It is two levels.
It's called the Skyview Suite,located on front of the ship.
It has two bedrooms, two and ahalf baths, a private sauna and
(33:36):
a private gym for that cabin.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:38):
Hold on.
Did you say 8,800 square feet?
8,800 square feet?
Mark Faldmo (33:43):
Yeah, I don't even know what to do with that much
room, yeah Well, and only twobedrooms, so well.
And and part of that 8,800square feet is the private
balcony.
That's 3,800 square feet thereyou go Twice the size of my
house, but just just the balcony.
It has a private bar, it has aprivate dining area that will
(34:07):
seat 12 people and only thatsuite gets that private dining
venue.
That will debut on the RegentSeven Seas Prestige, which is
the name of the ship, inDecember of 2026.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:21):
You know that I do real estate investment for
a living.
I love big, beautiful houses.
That's the most amount ofsquare footage I've ever heard
on a ship.
Mark Faldmo (34:28):
So your average inside cabin is about 200 square
feet.
That's a lot more than theaverage cabin on a cruise ship.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:36):
What is that 40 times more.
Yeah, royal Caribbean isexpected to open their brand new
South Pacific destinations inearly 2027.
This feels like something outof a movie.
Mark Faldmo (34:51):
This is another private destination, private
island that they are going toopen.
It will be on Laleppa, which isan island in the Vanuatu
archipelago, and so it's goingto be like perfect day at Coco
Cay.
It looks like it's going to bemore of along the lines of their
beach clubs.
(35:11):
They haven't set a name for ityet, but they've purchased the
island and they've startedbuilding this private
destination, which is about athousand miles west of Australia
.
Whoa, so really out there,really out there, yeah, and by
looking at the artist renderings, looks like it's going to be an
(35:32):
amazing beach destination.
Oh yeah, so look forward to thatRoyal Caribbean's long line of
private destinations, whetherit's islands or beach clubs.
This will be someplace.
No other cruise line in theworld has a private destination.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:46):
They're taking investor money right now.
I think they're really puttingit to good use right now.
Yeah, here in the infamous justcruising segment, we always
have the cruise deal of the weekand that is where we are right
now.
Who is the cruise deal of theweek and what promotions do we
have for listeners this week?
Mark Faldmo (36:03):
This is on American Cruise Lines.
They sail the American River,so the main ones being
Mississippi and Columbia, butthey sell some others.
They also have products in theGreat Lakes, products that are a
little bit more ocean going,that sell the East Coast and
Gulf of Mexico.
It's a great way to experiencethe American rivers.
(36:26):
On the Mississippi and on theColumbia I believe they have
some paddle wheel boats, butthey also have some more
traditional river cruise lines.
Their promotion right now isfree airfare plus save up to a
thousand dollars on voyages.
But I did want to just kind ofgo over a profile of American
(36:46):
Cruise Lines, because a lot ofour listeners may have heard the
name American Cruise Line butnot really known what they're
about.
So their ships carry anywherefrom 90 to 150 guests.
On the Columbia River they'resmaller, those are around 9,200
guests.
The Mississippi they're alittle bit larger.
(37:06):
But one thing I like aboutAmerican Cruise Line is it is
truly an all-inclusiveexperience.
So all meals and all drinks24-7 are included on American
Cruise Lines.
Onshore excursions in each portthey'll include at least one
excursion, but in certain portsthey might have some additional
(37:27):
optional excursions that are atadditional cost.
They also do really good withtheir guest speakers and nightly
entertainment.
For instance, on theMississippi they have Civil War
guides.
Come on and do enrichment talksabout the different places
you'll see on the Mississippiand same on the Columbia River.
(37:47):
With most itineraries they doinclude a pre-cruise stay and
the transportation to the ship,so you're not paying for that.
If a pre-cruise hotel is neededand then also all tips,
gratuities, port charges are allincluded.
So really the price you seewith American Cruise Line is the
price you pay.
Yeah, that is nice, A lot of theother ocean cruise lines and
(38:11):
some of the other river cruiselines.
Gratuities would be additional.
Pre-cruise hotel would beadditional.
So they really do includeeverything.
Patrick Wiscombe (38:20):
What are some of the cruise itineraries?
Mark Faldmo (38:22):
We'll first start out on the West Coast, the
Columbia River and Snake RiversWith this free airfare plus,
save up to $100,.
They have an eight-night cruisewhich goes from Portland to
Clarkston Washington and thatprice is $4,700 per person.
Patrick Wiscombe (38:42):
And that is with the $1,000 savings, that's
with $1,000 savings and the freeairfare.
Mark Faldmo (38:47):
Oh, okay, again, Portland, Oregon.
It kind of goes a little bitbackwards for a bit.
But Astoria then comes up.
They have an activity to MountSt Helens, Moltlomath Falls,
mount Hood, Pendleton, and thento Clarkston.
I love that area of the country, especially on the Columbia
River.
That Columbia River Gorge isjust beautiful.
(39:10):
And then they do have a shorter, six-night cruise which is just
round-trip Portland and it'sbasically the Columbia River
Gorge and that one starts at$3,500 per person, again with
the free airfare, and that oneis actually save up to $1,200
(39:30):
per person, a little bit morethan their standard offer.
And then, moving to theMississippi, which is something
I want to figure out, how to dothis that get on the Mississippi
and get on one of their paddlewheels, that get on the
Mississippi and get on one oftheir paddle wheels.
The cruise that I think is mostinteresting is the Lower
Mississippi.
It sells between Memphis,Tennessee and New Orleans and it
(39:52):
starts at $3795 per person,again free airfare and the extra
discount, but it does fromMemphis to Vicksburg, which I
love Vicksburg, Natchez, BatonRouge.
It does stop right in front ofOak Alley Plantation, so you get
off the ship and you're rightat Oak Alley.
For those that don't know OakAlley, it's on a whole bunch of
(40:16):
movies and TV shows and it's theplantation house with the big
row of live oaks that you walkdown.
It's one of my favorite placesto visit in all of the US.
I love Ocali.
And then ending in New Orleans,you love New Orleans, I love
New Orleans.
I hate the French Quarter, butI love New Orleans.
(40:37):
Well, I love the French Quarter.
I should say I hate BourbonStreet.
Patrick Wiscombe (40:42):
Okay, there we go.
Mark Faldmo (40:43):
Avoid Bourbon Street, the rest of the French
Quarter.
I should say I hate BourbonStreet.
Okay, there we go.
Avoid Bourbon Street, the restof the French Quarter is nice.
And then just some other quickthings.
They have Mark Twain themedcruises to Upper Mississippi, St
Louis, to St Paul, Minnesota,so they really immerse you into
that southern culture, thatriver culture, some Mark Twain
(41:05):
Civil War and some otherinteresting themed cruises.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:09):
They don't trick you into painting the boat
white?
Mark Faldmo (41:13):
I hope not.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:17):
Take advantage of those offers.
Call Mark at his office, getthe conversation started.
Call mark in his office, getthe conversation started.
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
He'll also have this posted onblueplanetvacations.
com when we come back.
(41:38):
We've got more travel newsheadlines that we need to get to
.
We've got mark's travel tipsand we've got a TikTok trend
that just needs to go away.
Anything TikTok trend, anythingthat has those three words just
stay away from it.
Not good.
We'll talk about that next whenthe Inside Travel Talk podcast
or radio show continues.
(41:58):
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much for listening.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (42:05):
Explore your world.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
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Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
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com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(43:15):
And now here's Patrick Wiscombeand Mark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:24):
We really do want to help you plan and book
your next vacation and give youideas where to go.
The way you get a hold of theshow during the week is
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
Every time I give out thatphone number.
I almost give out my cellnumber every time, because the
(43:47):
last four digits of my cellnumber are 7717.
All right, let's get back tothe travel news headlines as we
wrap up for this week.
I saw this on the news that abunch of European over-tourism
backlash.
Basically, a bunch of hippiesare protesting in Europe because
they're tired of Americanover-tourism or just
(44:08):
over-tourism in general.
Mark Faldmo (44:10):
Yeah, just over-tourism in general and we
talked about this last year inBarcelona, but similar story
they went out to tourist sitesand squirted tourists with water
guns.
Of course they did Just to tryand make their trip a little bit
measurable.
But something else that'sinteresting the Louvre Museum in
Paris.
The workers have gone on strikein the morning time, just kind
(44:34):
of protest, saying the Louvrecan't handle the foot traffic it
gets day in and day out.
Now they have announced theLouvre is going to get an
overhaul.
Most notably they're going tomove the Mona Lisa to its own
room and establish time tickets.
So right now if you want to seethe Mona Lisa you just stand in
a line and go through until yousee it, but now you'll have to
(44:55):
have a time ticket to see theMona Lisa, which will help out
in that museum.
Patrick Wiscombe (44:59):
It's kind of bad.
You see that line and you'rejust like, oh, that's a small
painting for that much waiting.
Mark Faldmo (45:07):
Yeah, one of the themes we've had in this show is
just be respectful when youtravel.
If you're walking through aneighborhood, don't be loud.
People do live where you'revisiting, so be respectful and
courteous to those people.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:20):
This is kind of a funny thought that I had
earlier this week that Iwouldn't want to go to any of
the demonstrations because theyprobably smell.
They probably don't weardeodorant.
Yeah, American Airlines islaunching their first touchless
ID lanes.
Sounds very sanitary, soundsvery COVID, like.
Mark Faldmo (45:39):
Yeah, it is so, and this is actually like the
digital ID that we've talkedabout with Delta.
Yeah, and so it'll be where youdon't have to pull out your ID
or your boarding pass.
There's just a camera takesyour picture and it lets you
through security.
American has announced they'regoing to have these lanes in
(46:00):
Atlanta, LaGuardia, salt LakeDallas Fort Worth, Chicago,
O'Hare and Miami.
Atlanta, salt Lake andLaGuardia are not a hub for
American, but they're going tohave them as well, so they're
probably piggybacking on whatDelta's already put in place in
those three cities.
Patrick Wiscombe (46:19):
It feels like there's some real separation
between Delta and other airlines.
Mark Faldmo (46:22):
Yes, and and other airlines, yes, and the other
airlines are trying to catch upDelta's been kind of one of the
innovators in that space and,you know, been able to really
separate themselves as a premiumairline.
Alaska Airlines is launchingtheir first ever flights to
Europe.
In about eight months they aregoing to start flying Seattle to
(46:44):
Rome.
For us here in Salt Lake,flying to Seattle might seem
backwards, but since you flynorth from Seattle, it's
actually not that much furtherand about the same distance.
So this just adds an extraoption for us to get to Rome,
and Rome has been so popular, Ithink we needed that extra
(47:04):
flight to be added.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:05):
Doesn't Salt Lake International have a flight
from Salt Lake to Rome?
A direct?
No, we don't.
Mark Faldmo (47:12):
Oh, okay, oh, I'm thinking of Paris yeah, we have
Paris, Amsterdam and London, andjust last week we started Seoul
.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:20):
Korea.
Oh, that's right.
Okay, this was part of thatmerger where they had the 787s,
the Dreamliner's that they havefinally decided their long haul
will be from Seattle to Rome, orat least one of them.
Mark Faldmo (47:33):
One of them.
Yeah, so they have thoseHawaiian Airlines flights that
can now make that, so they'reusing it for international
purposes.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:40):
I've only flown Alaska Airlines once, but
I really enjoyed the service onthat particular airline.
Mark Faldmo (47:46):
Yeah, Alaska does a good job and they still kind of
operate like a hometown airline, yeah, even though their
hometown is Seattle.
But they, you know, they stillkind of operate in that good
service.
I've only flown on Alaska twice, but it was a good experience.
Yeah, I agree.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:03):
I thought it was interesting that Southwest
Airlines is exploring apartnership with China Airlines.
Mark Faldmo (48:09):
I actually, in looking at it, think it makes a
lot of sense.
So China Airlines is based inTaiwan, so Taipei, Taiwan, but
from Taipei they fly to Seattle,san Francisco, Los Angeles, new
York, JFK and Ontario,California.
All of those, with theexception of, probably, JFK, are
heavy Southwest markets, soit's a partnership that would
(48:35):
make sense.
We talked a few months agoabout Southwest, started an
agreement with Iceland Air forEurope connections and now, if
this comes through, they'll havean Asia connection with China
Airlines.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:47):
Don't do this as a baggage hack.
Where'd you find this story so?
Mark Faldmo (48:53):
this is a TikTok hack that's going around.
I do not know why people woulddo this with all of the TikTok
trends we've talked about.
I don't know why anyone woulddo any of them, but you know, as
everyone knows, a lot ofairlines now actually do weigh
carry-on bags.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:11):
Oh, I didn't know that.
Mark Faldmo (49:13):
In the size-wise especially.
A lot of international carrierswill weigh your carry-on bag.
What this person says arriveearly, have another little bag,
take all your heavy stuff outand just leave it on a seat or
something and then go check in,get your tag and then put your
heavy stuff back in the bag.
Ad Voice (49:32):
Oh boy.
Mark Faldmo (49:32):
So first of all you're kind of cheating the
system there.
They have those bag limits fora reason for weight and balance
of the plane.
You don't want too many peopleto do something stupid like this
and cause the plane to be outof balance.
But the next thing is why wouldanyone say leave a bag
somewhere unattended in anairport.
Exactly.
We all know where that goes, oh, my heavens.
So there's been a lot ofproblems at international
(49:55):
airports with this bag hack,with unattended bags, and then
some airlines have startedreweighing stuff.
When people get on the airplaneand find that it's 10 pounds
overweight, don't do it.
Don't do any trend you see onTikTok.
Patrick Wiscombe (50:09):
There are two things that are certain in life
Don't make decisions when you'reintoxicated.
I've never heard anyone say Imade the best decision of my
life while I was intoxicated.
And the second one TikToktrends, yeah, they just don't
end well ever.
They don't Well.
That's going to do it.
(50:29):
If you want to take advantageof any of the specials that we
have talked about during thisepisode of the show, call Mark
in his office, 888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
And you can also visit him onblueplanetvacations.
com.
Take advantage of that.
(50:51):
Msc 4th of July sale 40% offall cruises, plus kids sale free
.
And they're introducing theirfixed fee specialty dining and
dining packages.
Definitely worth takingadvantage of those.
You can listen to this showagain tomorrow morning, at
Sunday and just a little bitafter 11 o'clock, right here on
(51:13):
this radio station and aroundthe country, and you can stream,
download and subscribe to thepodcast at InsideTravelTalk.
com.
And we're on all of the majorpodcast platforms Plus.
If you don't like subscribingto podcasts or you're not a
podcaster, you can just streamthe show at InsideTravelTalk.
com.
(51:33):
Well, now it's your turn to getout and explore the world while
you can, because you never knowwhat curveballs life is going
to throw at you.
Live your life deliberately,live your life intentionally.
And thanks for listening Really, thank you.
We don't have a show, we don'thave a business without you.
Thank you for allowing us to bepart of your weekly listening
(51:55):
habits.
Have a terrific week.
We'll talk to you again nextweek.
Show Voice (52:00):
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.
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Book your adventure right now.
Call 888-718-7717.
That's 888-718-7717.
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It is just after 11 o'clock.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast, a radio show
Coming up.
On today's show we will betalking about 40% off all MSC
Cruises, plus kids sale free andmore good news they're
introducing specialty diningpackages and we'll be traveling
by train in Australia.
(00:20):
Delta is expanding service inthe Caribbean and vacations in
the Dominican Republic Abeautiful place.
Let's start 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.
(00:41):
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:51):
Helping you plan your next vacation.
This is the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show presented
by BluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
Call us now 801-649-3700,801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
(01:11):
com.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Fulton Woo.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:28):
It is just after 11 o'clock.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast, a radio show.
Hello there, I'm PatrickWiscombe, alongside Mark Faldmo.
Thank you so much for takingthe time to stop and listen to
this awesome podcast and radioshow about travel and travel
ideas.
And if you have no idea whereyou want to go on your next
(01:50):
vacation, we are going to giveyou ideas of where to consider
next, and this show is presentedby blueplanetvacations.
com.
Coming up on today's show.
We will be talking about 40%off all MSC Cruises I didn't say
some, I said all MSC Cruisesand they're introducing some
(02:10):
specialty dining packages thatare fixed price.
We'll get to that in theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
And if you've always wanted togo to Australia, we're going to
tell you how to do it by trainand someplace that was really
unexpectedly pleasant theDominican Republic.
We were there in April and itwas such a beautiful place to
(02:32):
visit.
If you've always thought aboutgoing there, whether it be by
air or by cruise, do it.
It's a great place to go.
Hello Mark Faldmo, hey Patrick,let's get right to the travel
headlines.
July 4th obviously coming upand a record number of Americans
are expected to travel for theJuly 4th holiday.
Mark Faldmo (02:54):
This is an annual report that AAA releases every
4th of July, and they areexpecting just over 72 million
people to travel at least 50miles from their home by any
mode of transportation.
The vast majority of that is bycar, but almost 6 million
Americans will fly this yearover the 4th of July, which is
(03:15):
up about 10% compared to lastyear, so there'll be busy skies
this week.
Are you going anywhere?
Patrick Wiscombe (03:21):
this weekend I'm not going anywhere.
Mark Faldmo (03:23):
I'm going to Fort Lauderdale the following week.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:26):
Got it.
What's going on in FortLauderdale?
Anything listeners would beinterested in?
Not really.
It's a travel meeting.
Mark Faldmo (03:32):
Oh okay, it's called Global Travel Marketplace
and that's just to go meet withsuppliers worldwide, learn
about their products and getsome travel ideas.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:42):
Well, you can't go wrong going to Fort
Lauderdale.
Mark Faldmo (03:44):
So beautiful down there, yeah, I love that area
Southwest may be planningtransatlantic flights.
When is that going to takeplace?
So they are just looking at it.
The speculation is they aregoing to fly to Reykjavik,
Iceland, because that's as faras their planes can make it.
So they couldn't make it allthe way to Europe, but from
(04:05):
their hubs like in Baltimorethey could fly to Reykjavik and
with their recently signedpartnership with Iceland Air
that is a pretty good fit forthem so they can fly their
mainland service to Reykjavikand then passengers connect
onward from there.
So could open up Europe to alot of Southwest market.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:25):
Both you and I got an email this past week
that Delta has some kind ofpromotion.
It's actually pretty easy tobook this promotion If you're
traveling on Delta.
Listen up.
Mark Faldmo (04:37):
For their 100th year anniversary, they're giving
people all the opportunity toearn up to $100 e-certificate on
Delta.
So how you do this is you signin to your SkyMiles account.
When you're in your profilethere is a link for promotions
and you can just click register.
It's just a one click andyou're registered and for every
(04:57):
flight that you fly in DeltaComfort between now and November
20th you'll get $25 per flightup to $100.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:07):
And all you have to do is just go to the
Delta app and basically enrolland if you fly, then you get the
credit.
Mark Faldmo (05:14):
You fly, then you get the credit.
So, on all the programs I'mpart of, I always enroll in
every promotion, whether I'mgoing to use it or not, because
you never know In your case.
Yes, yeah, you know.
Marriott has a lot ofpromotions as well.
I enroll in all of those and Iend up getting three or four
free nights at Marriottthroughout the year just by
(05:34):
enrolling in their promotions.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:36):
So it is worthwhile.
Even though you may not takeadvantage of it, it could.
If something happens, you wouldbe automatically enrolled in it
.
Correct Always in the openingsegment of the show we've got
the destination of the week, andthis week we're going to
Australia.
But instead of I mean,obviously we have to get over to
Australia, have to fly there,but instead of doing the
(05:58):
traditional touristy things.
The reason we're going here isbecause you received a call in
your office, blueplanetvacations.
com, from Ginger who wanted togo to Australia, and you guys
had a fairly lengthyconversation about how to go see
Australia by train.
So let's share that with ourlisteners.
Mark Faldmo (06:18):
I've never had a request for Australia by train
until this past week and, doingthe research, there's four
different kind of tourist linesthat are in Australia, so I'll
just go over those differentfour routes that they have.
The first line is called theIndian Pacific and it goes from
Sydney to Perth.
(06:39):
There are stops in the BlueMountains, Adelaide and then
across to Perth with a few otherstops, and that's probably the
most popular train.
But the train that reallypiqued my interest is called the
Gann train and it goes fromAdelaide, which is in the south,
to Darwin in the north, and soit goes right through the center
(07:03):
of Australia.
One of the stops there is AliceSprings, which is anyone that
I've ever sold to Australiawants to try and figure out how
to get to Alice Springs.
That's the train that would getyou to Alice Springs and you'd
get to see, you know, that wholeinterior of the country.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:22):
You mentioned traveling from Adelaide to Alice
Springs.
If someone doesn't know what'sin Alice Springs, Australia,
what is there?
Mark Faldmo (07:30):
The thing that everyone likes to see that's in
that area of Australia is AyersRock, the big rock that's just
out in the middle of the kind ofoutback there, and so from that
area is where you would get offto see Ayers Rock.
That's why everyone wants to goto Alice Springs.
There's lots of otherinteresting things to do and see
(07:51):
in Alice Springs.
It's about close to right inthe middle of the country.
And what's the last train?
The next train is a trainbetween Brisbane and Adelaide,
so it kind of goes down thesoutheast coast of Australia,
and so those are the touristtrains that you can experience
in Australia.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:10):
You just rattled off the four trains.
Are these sleeper trains?
Or is this like RockyMountaineer, where you travel
during the day and then you goin a hotel at night.
Mark Faldmo (08:20):
Australia is a pretty big country and so these
are all sleeper trains.
They do have different servicelevels that you can get all the
way to full suites, which is afull train car.
They do have your dining cars,your sleeping cars, and it's
five star service on the wholeadventure.
(08:40):
You can do just a one nighttrip, but the average train is
three to six nights that you cango and experience Australia.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:49):
Price-wise.
What are listeners looking atif they want to travel by train
in Australia?
Mark Faldmo (08:55):
That depends on the length of the train travel.
But they do have right now saveup to $1,400 per couple.
That's on their package deals,which includes some off-train
experiences.
It is a great way to see partsof Australia that you probably
wouldn't see otherwise Justbecause Australia is so sparsely
(09:18):
populated and the interior.
There's not a lot ofcivilization there in the
interior or the outback.
Patrick Wiscombe (09:26):
Big spiders, too, Enormous spiders.
Yes, Patrick does not likespiders.
Ginger, I'm certain you'regoing to have some additional
questions.
Call Mark at his office, inyour case the conversation
888-718-7717, 888-718-7717.
(09:50):
And you can also find hisnumber on blueplanetvacations.
com.
When we come back time for thehot travel deal of the week and
we are going to the DominicanRepublic, we're going to talk
about what the main touristareas are, what there is to do
in Punta Cana.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast or radio
show continues.
(10:10):
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your weekend.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (10:21):
If you have travel questions, they have the answers
.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo, presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(10:41):
We'll be right back 3700.
Ad Voice (11:14):
We'll be right back.
Caribbean and Central.
Show Voice (11:16):
America To book your unique Star Clipper sailing
adventure.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
blueplanetvacations.
com.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(11:37):
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
Here's Patrick and Mark.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:53):
Welcome back to the Inside Travel Talk
podcast, a radio show.
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
You are listening to the bestand most informative travel show
on the radio and in podcastform.
Coming up in this segment ofthe show, always in this segment
, is the hot travel deal of theweek and we are going to the
Dominican Republic.
Nikki and I were there in Apriland it is awesome.
(12:18):
It is a beautiful, beautifulisland, Mark.
I think it's completelyunderrated.
Dominican Republic I love theDominican Republic Some of the
most beautiful beaches.
Mark Faldmo (12:23):
I've ever's completely underrated Dominican
Republic.
I love the Dominican Republic.
Some of the most beautifulbeaches I've ever seen have been
in the Dominican Republic.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:30):
Let's get back to the travel news headlines.
I saw this news story that TestTrack, one of the rides at
Epcot Center in Orlando, iscoming off a tune-up and it's
set to reopen.
What are the details?
Mark Faldmo (12:43):
It's actually probably one of my favorite
things to do at Epcot.
It's going to reopen July 22ndwith new music.
I like Test Track because it'skind of like a supposedly a you
know race car going aroundcourse.
It's one of the moreadventuresome rides at Epcot.
Growing up I always thoughtEpcot was kind of boring, but as
(13:03):
an adult I love Epcot.
Thank you, you know, but thisis, you know, one of the things
that gives you a little bit ofadventure and speed.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:13):
Because you and I travel a lot on Delta.
I saw this news story thatthey're expanding service to the
Caribbean.
Mark Faldmo (13:20):
Starting December 20th, is adding two new
Caribbean destinations, bothfrom Atlanta.
They're adding St Vincent andGrenada.
So these are two brand newdestinations for Delta.
Some of these Caribbean islandsin that eastern, more southern
Caribbean are just so beautifuland interesting to visit.
(13:41):
Interesting to visit If you'relooking to kind of get away to a
more relaxed, less touristyarea in the Caribbean.
These are probably two reallygood options.
Have you been to Grenada?
I have, and I've been to StVincent as well.
Now, the one thing I reallylike about these is their
colonial history.
St Vincent has been owned byboth France and Britain, so you
(14:05):
get a little bit of that culturethere.
Grenada is French.
One of my favorite storiesthere is we had a group and it
came with lunch and they hadsalads with French dressing and
it tasted so good.
That's probably because I'm ina French territory that this
(14:26):
French dressing tastes so good.
And then I look behind thecurtain and it was Kraft French
dressing, and I know Frenchdressing doesn't necessarily
really come from France, butthat's my food story for the day
.
It was such a good salad andsuch good French dressing, but
(14:48):
it ended up being Kraft.
Delta also has announcedadditional expanded service to
other places Cancun, Punta Cana,which we'll talk about in a
little bit.
A few weeks ago we talked aboutthe Puerto Vallarta from Salt
Lake.
They are adding a seasonalextra flight to Puerto Vallarta
over the holidays, but theyreally are kind of going all in
(15:11):
to that.
Caribbean, Latin America,central America destinations.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:16):
Tracy, who is one of our listeners, wants to
go to the Dominican Republic.
She called your office.
Let me just give the number out888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
Or if you don't remember thenumber, just go to
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Tracy is asking I want to go tothe Dominican Republic.
(15:38):
What advice do you have for me?
Mark Faldmo (15:41):
First, of all, there are three main areas
tourist areas of DominicanRepublic.
There are a few more than this,but these are kind of the main
ones.
So the first one is Punta Cana.
That's the one where mostpeople fly into for a vacation.
Punta Cana is on the veryeastern tip of the island.
(16:03):
And then the next area is LaRomana.
This one you actually fly intoPunta Cana and it's about an
hour or so drive.
La Romana is on the south sideof the island, kind of in
between Santo Domingo and PuntaCana.
And then the other area isPorto Plata, which is on the
north side of the island and itdoes have its own airport that's
(16:27):
serviced by Delta.
American United.
JetBlue Frontier, I believe,also flies to Porto Plata.
So those are the three kind ofareas that you would fly into.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:40):
Of those three areas.
What's your favorite area?
My?
Mark Faldmo (16:42):
favorite of those is La Romana.
I like it because it's a littlebit quieter, but you're still
close enough to a lot of theactivities when you're only an
hour or so away from theactivities in Punta Cana, you
can still get to those fairlyeasily.
But I like La Romana becauseit's quieter.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:03):
Since Punta Cana is kind of the main area
there, what are some of theactivities to do there?
Mark Faldmo (17:09):
The first thing in Punta Cana is the beach.
Punta Cana, and DominicanRepublic, has some of the most
beautiful beaches I've evervisited the way the palm trees
sit on the beach, the water, thewhite sand.
But if you're interested inculture or a little bit more
adventure, Punta Cana also hasplenty of things to do.
(17:30):
My favorite thing to do isvisit a local family farm and on
this activity you go up intothe mountains and they show you
all of the different plants thatthey grow on the farm.
For me, the most interestingone is chocolate.
So they take you through thewhole process of making
chocolate, from picking it toroasting it, to you know
(17:53):
everything it takes to makechocolate.
And then you do get to drinkkind of some hot chocolate, I
guess, but it's basically freshmade right there.
That's probably one of myfavorite things to do because it
does get you some of theculture.
You get to see how the peoplelive.
They invite you into their homeand you have a meal there and
(18:14):
just a really good activity tolearn about Dominican Republic
and, again, learn aboutchocolate, which is great.
Every time I go to DominicanRepublic I come back with a
brick of chocolate and you justshred it into some hot water,
and it makes really good hotchocolate.
So the next thing to do in thearea is Siona Island, which is
(18:39):
an island just off of Punta Cana, and it's known for its crystal
clear waters, white sandbeaches, but it's a nature
reserve and so, just with itsnatural beauty and its marine
life, there you can snorkel,relax on the beach.
It's just a nice little getaway, and it's about an hour and a
(19:00):
half boat ride from Punta Cana.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:02):
Isn't Monkey Land there as well, or am I
thinking of a different?
Mark Faldmo (19:06):
area.
Monkey Land is one of theactivities where you get to go
and interact with the differentmonkeys that live on the island.
It's kind of a reserve wherethey have monkeys that can't
really be in the wild becausethey've been domesticated.
So they take these monkeys inthat you know they might've been
injured or something and theyrehab them, but they all stay
(19:28):
there and you get to reallyinteract with the monkeys.
You know something that peoplealways ask me about in
destinations like this are ziplines.
Oh yeah, you know somethingthat people always ask me about
in destinations like this arezip lines.
Oh yeah, you know, zip lines arethat's kind of a staple.
It is a staple in a lot ofplaces and behind the one that
we've talked about a few timesin Puerto Vallarta, I think this
one in Punta Cana is a veryclose second place to that
(19:52):
awesome one in Puerto Vallartaand that's by a company called
Runners Adventures.
I think by far it's the best.
It has 12 zip lines, it's wayup in the mountains and it
includes lunch, and just theviews from when you're eating
lunch are amazing.
Oh, absolutely the one thingthat I thought was interesting
there, that I learned there thatI hadn't heard before in these
(20:14):
tropical destinations there'strees.
In the morning they were green,but by the time we were leaving
the leaves have kind of rolledin on themselves and it was
silver.
And the guy says those are ourrain predictors.
When those leaves roll up andyou see silver, that means rain
is coming within 24 hours.
And it was accurate.
I always find it interesting tofind those kind of little gems
(20:36):
of destinations just how thingswork in the world that are
pretty interesting.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:40):
You know what I thought was interesting?
My knee works the same way.
Mark Faldmo (20:43):
Yes, Both of my knees work that way too.
I want to get your opinion onvisiting Dominican Republic you
know, for us in the WesternUnited States it can be a little
bit harder to get to.
You generally have to take anovernight flight or fly
somewhere, stay in a hotel andtake a morning flight out.
(21:04):
That is kind of one drawback.
But I always tell people youknow you go to Hawaii and you
take an overnight flight backfrom Hawaii, so you're just
adding the overnight flight onthe front end of your trip
instead of the back end of yourtrip.
So that really shouldn't bemuch of a hindrance for people
on the West.
To go to Dominican Republic.
(21:25):
You know, as far as the resortsgo, everywhere I've stayed has
been great.
I pretty much would recommendfour star or higher.
There are some destinationswhere if it's a three-star,
there's some pretty goodthree-stars out there, but in
Dominican Republic I would stickwith the four or five-star
hotels.
Food for the most part hasalways been pretty good in
(21:46):
Dominican Republic.
A lot of those hotels rely onbuffets and I'm not a buffet fan
.
So if there's a hotel that isjust buffet I'm not as happy.
The food for the most part hasbeen good.
There's been rice and beans.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:00):
So rice and beans, just rice and beans, and
plantanos, oh my goodness.
So good.
Mark Faldmo (22:06):
You know that's one thing to look out for when
you're choosing a hotel.
If you're not a buffet fan, Iknow there are some people that
love buffets, so that might begood.
I do think you get better foodin just the a la carte
restaurants than you do in thebuffet.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:21):
What deal do you have for listeners this week
going to Dominican Republic?
Mark Faldmo (22:25):
This is a deal that it's good for most of the
Caribbean.
So that deal is save up to $250plus get bonus Delta SkyMiles.
This is a package with DeltaVacations that we can help with
Blue Planet Vacations.
I did look for September dates,so this is September 19th and
(22:48):
this package includes round tripairfare from Salt Lake City,
five nights hotel.
The total length of the trip issix nights because you have
that overnight flight in thereand transfers from the airport
to the hotel.
The very kind of first hotel isan adults only hotel and it's
the Bahia Principape GrandAquamarine Again four star,
(23:10):
adults only, starting at $1249per person.
The next one, and this is oneof my favorite hotel brands in
the Caribbean, it's calledRoyalton Royalton Punta Cana,
four star, starts at $1299.
And Royalton does have someadults only and some family
friendly, and their familyfriendly hotels are great.
(23:33):
They have lots to do for thekids.
So if you're interested in afamily vacation, the Royalton is
one to look at and then if youwant to go, step up to a
five-star hotel, my favorite inthe area is the Secrets Cap Cana
, a five-star hotel from $1749per person.
When I think of that SecretsCap Cana, I did a hard hat tour
(23:56):
of it.
Before it opened, you know allthe buildings were under
construction, but when we walkedout to their beach I was just
amazed.
That is probably one of themost beautiful beaches you'll
see in all of the Caribbean,where the Secrets Cap Cana sits.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:12):
I'm just looking at it online right now.
You're right, you are not wrong.
That is a beautiful property.
It is Wow.
Okay, Tracy, if you have anyfurther questions and I'm sure
you probably have some follow-upquestions call Mark in his
office.
Take advantage of those offers.
Save up to $250.
Plus, you get the Delta SkyMiles.
(24:34):
Call Mark in his office duringthe break, just get the
conversation started888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
And you can also go toblueplanetvacations.
com.
When we come back, it is timefor the infamous Just Cruising
(24:55):
segment, where it's only aboutthe cruise news and it's only
about cruise deals, and we'vegot some really good ones this
week.
That is next when the InsideTravel Talk podcast, a radio
show, continues alongside MarkFaldmo.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much for listening.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (25:14):
They've literally traveled millions of miles to
answer your travel relatedquestions.
Yeah, they really have.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors, Patrick and Mark, will
(25:48):
be back after these messages.
Ad Voice (25:50):
El Dorado Spa Resort To book your romantic beach
getaway.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:00):
Welcome back to the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show Coming up.
In the next 30 minutes, Markand I will be talking about 40%
off all MSC cruises, not justselect cruises, all cruises plus
kids sail free, and they'reintroducing specialty dining
packages.
This is kind of an interestingtwist, A good twist.
(26:22):
Royal Caribbean is set to openSouth Pacific destinations and
the weekly cruise deal of theweek and American Airlines is
set to open touchless ID lanes.
Sounds very sanitary.
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
(26:45):
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are
capacity-controlled and subjectto change without notice.
Show Voice (27:01):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Hit us up right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (27:49):
Here's Patrick and Mark that is the beautiful
ship horn on Norwegian's brandnew ship called aqua.
A beautiful ship, awesome ship.
Nikki and I were on it in Aprilfor a five-day cruise where we
went to Bimini.
We also went to their privateisland and I'm blanking on it.
What's the name of their island?
Is it Ocean Key?
Mark Faldmo (28:05):
No, no, no, that's MSC.
There's Great Stirrup.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:09):
Key.
Oh, thank you.
I was like I don't think it's.
As soon as I said Ocean Key,I'm like no, no, that's MSC's
private island.
Mark Faldmo (28:19):
When you do four cruises and four private islands
, it's probably all hard to keepthem on track.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:22):
For anyone just listening to the radio show
and podcast.
For the first time, Niki and Iliterally spent the month of
April in the Caribbean and theBahamas.
That is an experience.
I let's get right to the cruisenews, mark, let's do it.
And I think this is a big dealfor MSC.
(28:46):
Msc has their 4th of July salegoing on right now.
Do we know when it ends?
Yeah, it will end next.
Mark Faldmo (28:53):
Wednesday.
Okay, so act quickly, actquickly.
They may extend it, but youdon't want to risk that.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:00):
No, no, no.
Their promotion that they'remaking for our listeners is save
40% off all cruises.
Now, that's a big deal, becausesometimes what select cruises
are slower times of the year.
This is 40% off on all cruises,plus kids sail free and Nikki
and I, as I mentioned, we wereon MSC's World America in April.
(29:21):
Beautiful ship, by the way.
Just take my word for it it isbeautiful, definitely worth
going.
What would be your cruise pick,mark?
Mark Faldmo (29:28):
So, to take advantage of this sale, my
cruise pick would be CaribbeanCruise from Galveston, and the
reason why is probably purelybecause of the price.
If you're looking for a greatcruise deal, this is the
itinerary for you.
So it's Western Caribbean.
Goes from Galveston, which isclose to Houston, goes to Costa
Maya, Roatan in Honduras andCozumel in Mexico, and then back
(29:52):
to Galveston.
Is that a seven-day?
Patrick Wiscombe (29:55):
That is a seven-day cruise that feels
fairly port-intensive for sevendays.
Mark Faldmo (30:00):
It is, yeah, three ports in the seven days with
three days at sea.
Okay, yeah, all right, um onthat.
And I think the best part ofthis is the price.
So this is January 4th, soright when it's cold here.
But an inside cabin starts at$469 per person.
Oh, wow, now let's throw in thekids.
(30:31):
Sell free part of that.
That first lead in insidecategory does not accommodate
two people, so you have to go toa higher cabin category price.
But right now, when I look atit, a cabin for four, the total
price with two adults, two kidsand all taxes and fees is $1,389
total for the whole family.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:51):
Okay, so hold on.
The leading category does notaccommodate two people.
That's what you said Does notaccommodate four people.
Mark Faldmo (30:57):
Okay, got it.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:58):
Okay, it was like it's a small cabin if it
can't accommodate two people.
Mark Faldmo (31:03):
If I misspoke I apologize.
It can't accommodate two people.
If I misspoke I apologize.
It can only accommodate twopeople, cannot accommodate four.
So you do have to go up to ahigher cabin category to get the
kids cell free that's a goodpromotion.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:15):
Do we know what ship that one's on?
Which msc ship that is?
Mark Faldmo (31:18):
yeah, that's on the msc seascape.
Oh, oh, so they moving Seascapeto Galveston.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:24):
now To Galveston, yeah.
Mark Faldmo (31:26):
Oh, okay, and then again, that was January 4th.
They do have similar dealslater in January, but you're $50
to $80 more per person on laterdates in January.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:38):
By the way, if you can go after the holidays,
if your schedule allows you todo that, go after the holidays
you will save a boatload ofmoney.
No pun intended.
Mark Faldmo (31:49):
Yeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:50):
MSC Cruises is changing to a fixed fee
specialty dining plan and isalso introducing dining packages
.
I think this is a good move ontheir part.
Mark Faldmo (32:01):
It is their specialty restaurants.
Right now it's all a la cartepricing.
So, like a restaurant, ifyou're getting a restaurant on
land, go to the restaurant, yourappetizers $8, your main
courses $18, whatever, and nowthey're just going to a fixed
rate on those.
So if you want to go to thesteakhouse, you'll pay whatever
(32:23):
that fixed rate is whether $25,$35, and you'll get an appetizer
or a starter, a main course anda dessert for that, and so
you'll have access to the fullmenu without that a la carte
pricing.
By doing that, it then allowsthem to do the dining packages,
so you can just buy a diningpackage for the full week that
(32:46):
might include three specialtyrestaurants.
So that helps them price that alittle bit better if you do
want to buy that upgradedspecialty meal package region
seven seas, which is a very toplevel cruise line.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:03):
Who's that owned by region?
Is owned by who?
Uh, Norwegian, oh, that's right.
Okay, they've announced thatthey are introducing a new level
of service.
Mark Faldmo (33:12):
Let's tell listeners about that I could
never afford this suite on theirnew ship but it's interesting
to talk about.
On their newest ship it willhave a two-level suite that
measures 8,800 square feet.
It is two levels.
It's called the Skyview Suite,located on front of the ship.
It has two bedrooms, two and ahalf baths, a private sauna and
(33:36):
a private gym for that cabin.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:38):
Hold on.
Did you say 8,800 square feet?
8,800 square feet?
Mark Faldmo (33:43):
Yeah, I don't even know what to do with that much
room, yeah Well, and only twobedrooms, so well.
And and part of that 8,800square feet is the private
balcony.
That's 3,800 square feet thereyou go Twice the size of my
house, but just just the balcony.
It has a private bar, it has aprivate dining area that will
(34:07):
seat 12 people and only thatsuite gets that private dining
venue.
That will debut on the RegentSeven Seas Prestige, which is
the name of the ship, inDecember of 2026.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:21):
You know that I do real estate investment for
a living.
I love big, beautiful houses.
That's the most amount ofsquare footage I've ever heard
on a ship.
Mark Faldmo (34:28):
So your average inside cabin is about 200 square
feet.
That's a lot more than theaverage cabin on a cruise ship.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:36):
What is that 40 times more.
Yeah, royal Caribbean isexpected to open their brand new
South Pacific destinations inearly 2027.
This feels like something outof a movie.
Mark Faldmo (34:51):
This is another private destination, private
island that they are going toopen.
It will be on Laleppa, which isan island in the Vanuatu
archipelago, and so it's goingto be like perfect day at Coco
Cay.
It looks like it's going to bemore of along the lines of their
beach clubs.
(35:11):
They haven't set a name for ityet, but they've purchased the
island and they've startedbuilding this private
destination, which is about athousand miles west of Australia
.
Whoa, so really out there,really out there, yeah, and by
looking at the artist renderings, looks like it's going to be an
(35:32):
amazing beach destination.
Oh yeah, so look forward to thatRoyal Caribbean's long line of
private destinations, whetherit's islands or beach clubs.
This will be someplace.
No other cruise line in theworld has a private destination.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:46):
They're taking investor money right now.
I think they're really puttingit to good use right now.
Yeah, here in the infamous justcruising segment, we always
have the cruise deal of the weekand that is where we are right
now.
Who is the cruise deal of theweek and what promotions do we
have for listeners this week?
Mark Faldmo (36:03):
This is on American Cruise Lines.
They sail the American River,so the main ones being
Mississippi and Columbia, butthey sell some others.
They also have products in theGreat Lakes, products that are a
little bit more ocean going,that sell the East Coast and
Gulf of Mexico.
It's a great way to experiencethe American rivers.
(36:26):
On the Mississippi and on theColumbia I believe they have
some paddle wheel boats, butthey also have some more
traditional river cruise lines.
Their promotion right now isfree airfare plus save up to a
thousand dollars on voyages.
But I did want to just kind ofgo over a profile of American
(36:46):
Cruise Lines, because a lot ofour listeners may have heard the
name American Cruise Line butnot really known what they're
about.
So their ships carry anywherefrom 90 to 150 guests.
On the Columbia River they'resmaller, those are around 9,200
guests.
The Mississippi they're alittle bit larger.
(37:06):
But one thing I like aboutAmerican Cruise Line is it is
truly an all-inclusiveexperience.
So all meals and all drinks24-7 are included on American
Cruise Lines.
Onshore excursions in each portthey'll include at least one
excursion, but in certain portsthey might have some additional
(37:27):
optional excursions that are atadditional cost.
They also do really good withtheir guest speakers and nightly
entertainment.
For instance, on theMississippi they have Civil War
guides.
Come on and do enrichment talksabout the different places
you'll see on the Mississippiand same on the Columbia River.
(37:47):
With most itineraries they doinclude a pre-cruise stay and
the transportation to the ship,so you're not paying for that.
If a pre-cruise hotel is neededand then also all tips,
gratuities, port charges are allincluded.
So really the price you seewith American Cruise Line is the
price you pay.
Yeah, that is nice, A lot of theother ocean cruise lines and
(38:11):
some of the other river cruiselines.
Gratuities would be additional.
Pre-cruise hotel would beadditional.
So they really do includeeverything.
Patrick Wiscombe (38:20):
What are some of the cruise itineraries?
Mark Faldmo (38:22):
We'll first start out on the West Coast, the
Columbia River and Snake RiversWith this free airfare plus,
save up to $100,.
They have an eight-night cruisewhich goes from Portland to
Clarkston Washington and thatprice is $4,700 per person.
Patrick Wiscombe (38:42):
And that is with the $1,000 savings, that's
with $1,000 savings and the freeairfare.
Mark Faldmo (38:47):
Oh, okay, again, Portland, Oregon.
It kind of goes a little bitbackwards for a bit.
But Astoria then comes up.
They have an activity to MountSt Helens, Moltlomath Falls,
mount Hood, Pendleton, and thento Clarkston.
I love that area of the country, especially on the Columbia
River.
That Columbia River Gorge isjust beautiful.
(39:10):
And then they do have a shorter, six-night cruise which is just
round-trip Portland and it'sbasically the Columbia River
Gorge and that one starts at$3,500 per person, again with
the free airfare, and that oneis actually save up to $1,200
(39:30):
per person, a little bit morethan their standard offer.
And then, moving to theMississippi, which is something
I want to figure out, how to dothis that get on the Mississippi
and get on one of their paddlewheels, that get on the
Mississippi and get on one oftheir paddle wheels.
The cruise that I think is mostinteresting is the Lower
Mississippi.
It sells between Memphis,Tennessee and New Orleans and it
(39:52):
starts at $3795 per person,again free airfare and the extra
discount, but it does fromMemphis to Vicksburg, which I
love Vicksburg, Natchez, BatonRouge.
It does stop right in front ofOak Alley Plantation, so you get
off the ship and you're rightat Oak Alley.
For those that don't know OakAlley, it's on a whole bunch of
(40:16):
movies and TV shows and it's theplantation house with the big
row of live oaks that you walkdown.
It's one of my favorite placesto visit in all of the US.
I love Ocali.
And then ending in New Orleans,you love New Orleans, I love
New Orleans.
I hate the French Quarter, butI love New Orleans.
(40:37):
Well, I love the French Quarter.
I should say I hate BourbonStreet.
Patrick Wiscombe (40:42):
Okay, there we go.
Mark Faldmo (40:43):
Avoid Bourbon Street, the rest of the French
Quarter.
I should say I hate BourbonStreet.
Okay, there we go.
Avoid Bourbon Street, the restof the French Quarter is nice.
And then just some other quickthings.
They have Mark Twain themedcruises to Upper Mississippi, St
Louis, to St Paul, Minnesota,so they really immerse you into
that southern culture, thatriver culture, some Mark Twain
(41:05):
Civil War and some otherinteresting themed cruises.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:09):
They don't trick you into painting the boat
white?
Mark Faldmo (41:13):
I hope not.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:17):
Take advantage of those offers.
Call Mark at his office, getthe conversation started.
Call mark in his office, getthe conversation started.
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
He'll also have this posted onblueplanetvacations.
com when we come back.
(41:38):
We've got more travel newsheadlines that we need to get to
.
We've got mark's travel tipsand we've got a TikTok trend
that just needs to go away.
Anything TikTok trend, anythingthat has those three words just
stay away from it.
Not good.
We'll talk about that next whenthe Inside Travel Talk podcast
or radio show continues.
(41:58):
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you so much for listening.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (42:05):
Explore your world.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (42:30):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Anna.
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Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
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Show Voice (42:54):
They'll help you plan and book your next vacation
.
Yeah, really, you're listeningto the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show presentedby bluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(43:15):
And now here's Patrick Wiscombeand Mark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:24):
We really do want to help you plan and book
your next vacation and give youideas where to go.
The way you get a hold of theshow during the week is
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
Every time I give out thatphone number.
I almost give out my cellnumber every time, because the
(43:47):
last four digits of my cellnumber are 7717.
All right, let's get back tothe travel news headlines as we
wrap up for this week.
I saw this on the news that abunch of European over-tourism
backlash.
Basically, a bunch of hippiesare protesting in Europe because
they're tired of Americanover-tourism or just
(44:08):
over-tourism in general.
Mark Faldmo (44:10):
Yeah, just over-tourism in general and we
talked about this last year inBarcelona, but similar story
they went out to tourist sitesand squirted tourists with water
guns.
Of course they did Just to tryand make their trip a little bit
measurable.
But something else that'sinteresting the Louvre Museum in
Paris.
The workers have gone on strikein the morning time, just kind
(44:34):
of protest, saying the Louvrecan't handle the foot traffic it
gets day in and day out.
Now they have announced theLouvre is going to get an
overhaul.
Most notably they're going tomove the Mona Lisa to its own
room and establish time tickets.
So right now if you want to seethe Mona Lisa you just stand in
a line and go through until yousee it, but now you'll have to
(44:55):
have a time ticket to see theMona Lisa, which will help out
in that museum.
Patrick Wiscombe (44:59):
It's kind of bad.
You see that line and you'rejust like, oh, that's a small
painting for that much waiting.
Mark Faldmo (45:07):
Yeah, one of the themes we've had in this show is
just be respectful when youtravel.
If you're walking through aneighborhood, don't be loud.
People do live where you'revisiting, so be respectful and
courteous to those people.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:20):
This is kind of a funny thought that I had
earlier this week that Iwouldn't want to go to any of
the demonstrations because theyprobably smell.
They probably don't weardeodorant.
Yeah, American Airlines islaunching their first touchless
ID lanes.
Sounds very sanitary, soundsvery COVID, like.
Mark Faldmo (45:39):
Yeah, it is so, and this is actually like the
digital ID that we've talkedabout with Delta.
Yeah, and so it'll be where youdon't have to pull out your ID
or your boarding pass.
There's just a camera takesyour picture and it lets you
through security.
American has announced they'regoing to have these lanes in
(46:00):
Atlanta, LaGuardia, salt LakeDallas Fort Worth, Chicago,
O'Hare and Miami.
Atlanta, salt Lake andLaGuardia are not a hub for
American, but they're going tohave them as well, so they're
probably piggybacking on whatDelta's already put in place in
those three cities.
Patrick Wiscombe (46:19):
It feels like there's some real separation
between Delta and other airlines.
Mark Faldmo (46:22):
Yes, and and other airlines, yes, and the other
airlines are trying to catch upDelta's been kind of one of the
innovators in that space and,you know, been able to really
separate themselves as a premiumairline.
Alaska Airlines is launchingtheir first ever flights to
Europe.
In about eight months they aregoing to start flying Seattle to
(46:44):
Rome.
For us here in Salt Lake,flying to Seattle might seem
backwards, but since you flynorth from Seattle, it's
actually not that much furtherand about the same distance.
So this just adds an extraoption for us to get to Rome,
and Rome has been so popular, Ithink we needed that extra
(47:04):
flight to be added.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:05):
Doesn't Salt Lake International have a flight
from Salt Lake to Rome?
A direct?
No, we don't.
Mark Faldmo (47:12):
Oh, okay, oh, I'm thinking of Paris yeah, we have
Paris, Amsterdam and London, andjust last week we started Seoul
.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:20):
Korea.
Oh, that's right.
Okay, this was part of thatmerger where they had the 787s,
the Dreamliner's that they havefinally decided their long haul
will be from Seattle to Rome, orat least one of them.
Mark Faldmo (47:33):
One of them.
Yeah, so they have thoseHawaiian Airlines flights that
can now make that, so they'reusing it for international
purposes.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:40):
I've only flown Alaska Airlines once, but
I really enjoyed the service onthat particular airline.
Mark Faldmo (47:46):
Yeah, Alaska does a good job and they still kind of
operate like a hometown airline, yeah, even though their
hometown is Seattle.
But they, you know, they stillkind of operate in that good
service.
I've only flown on Alaska twice, but it was a good experience.
Yeah, I agree.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:03):
I thought it was interesting that Southwest
Airlines is exploring apartnership with China Airlines.
Mark Faldmo (48:09):
I actually, in looking at it, think it makes a
lot of sense.
So China Airlines is based inTaiwan, so Taipei, Taiwan, but
from Taipei they fly to Seattle,san Francisco, Los Angeles, new
York, JFK and Ontario,California.
All of those, with theexception of, probably, JFK, are
heavy Southwest markets, soit's a partnership that would
(48:35):
make sense.
We talked a few months agoabout Southwest, started an
agreement with Iceland Air forEurope connections and now, if
this comes through, they'll havean Asia connection with China
Airlines.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:47):
Don't do this as a baggage hack.
Where'd you find this story so?
Mark Faldmo (48:53):
this is a TikTok hack that's going around.
I do not know why people woulddo this with all of the TikTok
trends we've talked about.
I don't know why anyone woulddo any of them, but you know, as
everyone knows, a lot ofairlines now actually do weigh
carry-on bags.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:11):
Oh, I didn't know that.
Mark Faldmo (49:13):
In the size-wise especially.
A lot of international carrierswill weigh your carry-on bag.
What this person says arriveearly, have another little bag,
take all your heavy stuff outand just leave it on a seat or
something and then go check in,get your tag and then put your
heavy stuff back in the bag.
Ad Voice (49:32):
Oh boy.
Mark Faldmo (49:32):
So first of all you're kind of cheating the
system there.
They have those bag limits fora reason for weight and balance
of the plane.
You don't want too many peopleto do something stupid like this
and cause the plane to be outof balance.
But the next thing is why wouldanyone say leave a bag
somewhere unattended in anairport.
Exactly.
We all know where that goes, oh, my heavens.
So there's been a lot ofproblems at international
(49:55):
airports with this bag hack,with unattended bags, and then
some airlines have startedreweighing stuff.
When people get on the airplaneand find that it's 10 pounds
overweight, don't do it.
Don't do any trend you see onTikTok.
Patrick Wiscombe (50:09):
There are two things that are certain in life
Don't make decisions when you'reintoxicated.
I've never heard anyone say Imade the best decision of my
life while I was intoxicated.
And the second one TikToktrends, yeah, they just don't
end well ever.
They don't Well.
That's going to do it.
(50:29):
If you want to take advantageof any of the specials that we
have talked about during thisepisode of the show, call Mark
in his office, 888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
And you can also visit him onblueplanetvacations.
com.
Take advantage of that.
(50:51):
Msc 4th of July sale 40% offall cruises, plus kids sale free
.
And they're introducing theirfixed fee specialty dining and
dining packages.
Definitely worth takingadvantage of those.
You can listen to this showagain tomorrow morning, at
Sunday and just a little bitafter 11 o'clock, right here on
(51:13):
this radio station and aroundthe country, and you can stream,
download and subscribe to thepodcast at InsideTravelTalk.
com.
And we're on all of the majorpodcast platforms Plus.
If you don't like subscribingto podcasts or you're not a
podcaster, you can just streamthe show at InsideTravelTalk.
com.
(51:33):
Well, now it's your turn to getout and explore the world while
you can, because you never knowwhat curveballs life is going
to throw at you.
Live your life deliberately,live your life intentionally.
And thanks for listening Really, thank you.
We don't have a show, we don'thave a business without you.
Thank you for allowing us to bepart of your weekly listening
(51:55):
habits.
Have a terrific week.
We'll talk to you again nextweek.
Show Voice (52:00):
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.
Ad Voice (52:37):
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Have a great week.
For their award-winningcustomer service and high claims
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