September 28, 2024 • 54 mins
Ever wondered if your airline rewards are truly rewarding? Discover the latest investigation by the Department of Transportation into major airline rewards programs, and learn how you might be affected by the potential devaluation and market dominance issues. Plus, we'll reveal a game-changing update for globetrotters—renewing your passport online has never been easier. And for those dreaming of a Hawaiian getaway, find out what Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines means for your next island adventure. We’ll also transport you to the breathtaking fall foliage, offering the best tips to savor this seasonal spectacle.
With unruly passenger fines soaring past $20 million since 2020, we unpack the frustrations of air travel and stress the importance of staying calm under turbulence. But it's not all stormy skies; we've got some sunny news, too. Imagine lounging at a luxurious five-star hotel in Cancun for a steal! We spotlight unbeatable all-inclusive deals for early December and recommend must-see excursions to the ancient archaeological wonders of Coba and Ekbalam.
Ready to set sail on the high seas? Get the scoop on the Norwegian Luna, launching in 2026, complete with cutting-edge features like a slide coaster and three-bedroom duplexes in the Haven. Explore new Scandinavian cruise itineraries and stay updated on the latest travel news, including a new cruise tax for visits to Santorini and Mykonos. Finally, we journey to Kansas City to uncover its rich tapestry of culture and history, from jazz and barbecue to museums and sports. Plus, we’ll discuss ongoing delays in Real ID enforcement and the critical role travel plays in connecting us to diverse communities. Tune in for an episode packed with valuable insights and travel inspiration!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:00):
The Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are
capacity-controlled and subjectto change without notice.
Show Voice (00:31):
Explore your world.
It's the inside travel talkpodcast and radio show presented
by blue planet vacations.
com.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700 and
check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
And now here are your hosts,Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:57):
He is back from the great state of Missouri
.
Mark Faldmo, good to have youback.
You are listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your Saturday
and Sunday mornings.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and, if
(01:22):
you are brand new to the show,the entire purpose of this show
is to allow us to help you planand book your next vacation, and
we are on the air everySaturday and Sunday mornings
right here in Salt Lake Cityfrom 860 KKAT at 11 o'clock in
(01:44):
the morning, mountain time.
This show is presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
Coming up on this segment ofthe show, we will be putting the
travel spotlight.
It's my favorite time of year,the best ways to see the fall
foliage, and we also have thehot travel deal of the week,
(02:07):
regardless of the destination,the cruise deal of the week
coming up in segment numberthree and, of course, we always
have the travel news of the week.
That is the rundown for thisweek's show for September 28th,
2024 and September 29th.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your Saturday
and Sunday mornings and invitingus into your ears, regardless
(02:29):
of what you're doing.
Let's start with the travelnews of the week.
The Department ofTransportation is investigating
airline rewards programs.
Anytime you start havinginvestigations into programs,
I'm kind of holding my breath.
What's this about, mark?
Mark Faldmo (02:46):
There's kind of two angles.
The first one is some of thesmaller airlines, like Spirit
Air, have been complaining thatthe larger airlines have too
much of a hold on their mainmarkets because of frequent
flyer miles.
They can't break in to marketsbecause all of the passengers
are so loyal to the dominantairline in the market.
(03:09):
That's one angle.
I think the main reason why theDepartment of Transportation
launched this is because they'relooking at the devaluation of
the programs, especially in thelast couple of years, which
we've talked about thatregularly, about how Delta
Airlines has devalued theirprogram.
(03:29):
Other airlines have donesimilar things on that.
I heard someone on one of thefinancial shows I was watching
saying that frequent flyer milesnow are part of people's
retirement plans because theybuild them up and they want to
use those in retirement.
And so the Department ofTransportation has requested
(03:50):
records from American Delta,Southwest and United, trying to
see if the devaluation in thepast couple of years has been,
if there's been too many changesin those.
It used to be a long time agoyou would get your miles and a
domestic ticket was 25,000 miles, a ticket to Mexico was 35, a
(04:11):
ticket to Europe was 50,000.
And now there are all of thesedifferent pricing schemes that
it does make it harder to redeemmiles.
You know Southwest kind oflocked in their redemption based
on the current price.
So it was just each frequentflyer point you have is worth X
amount of dollars.
(04:32):
So if the ticket was $300, theywould convert that into point.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:37):
The Delta Sky miles.
They've made massive, massivechanges just in the year that
we've been doing this show.
Clearly, we're going to haveupdates to this story as it
unfolds and, like usual,anything the government does,
it's going to take years to undo.
So stay tuned.
Over the course of a year, theState Department, their online
passport renewal is fullyoperational.
(04:59):
This is so good for travelers.
Mark Faldmo (05:01):
It is.
You know, if you were renewinga passport that had been expired
in years past, you'd have tobasically apply for a new
passport, and now, through thisonline program, there's always
been some version of being ableto renew your passport online,
(05:22):
but I think this is fully onlinewhere you don't have to send
your passport back in, so it'sgoing to make it a lot easier
and you can renew.
If you've had an adult 10-yearpassport that has expired in the
past five years, you can renewit, so you don't have to start
over again, as long as you havethat information on your old
(05:42):
passport and it has not beenexpired for more than five years
.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:46):
Alaska Air has officially closed on their
acquisition I think it was anacquisition, not a merger of
Hawaiian Airlines.
Mark Faldmo (05:56):
Yeah, so this is a story that we have been
following because the mergerwith JetBlue and Spirit was
denied by the Department ofTransportation.
So this is one that theyannounced it.
They have to get the DOTapproval and they actually did
get the approval for that mergera few weeks ago.
I think this will be good fortravel to the state of Hawaii.
(06:17):
It opens up a lot more marketsand feeder markets to what
Hawaiian Airlines route systemwas.
So they are going to operate asseparate airlines.
So there still will be anAlaska Airlines.
There still will be a HawaiianAirlines.
For the time being they'regoing to operate two different
websites, but you will be ableto book Alaska on Hawaiian's
(06:41):
site and, vice versa, bookHawaiian on Alaska's site.
They still need to go throughsome other FAA approvals to get
a single operating certificate,but once that's done they'll
start merging their systems moreand more.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:57):
It is time for the destination of the week and
we're just featuring America,just the whole thing we are.
This is my favorite time ofyear this weekend literally here
in Salt Lake anyway is peakcolors when it comes to the
trees changing colors.
It is bright, it is beautiful,it is truly magnificent.
(07:21):
As I look at my office to theeast, mount Timpanogos is
absolutely on fire, not literalfire, but just color fire.
We want to talk about thedifferent ways to see the fall
foliage, whether it be by car,driving up American Fort Canyon,
in my case, bus, cruise ship,which some people just don't
(07:42):
even think about and, of course,a train Rocky Mountaineer would
be spectacular right now.
So let's talk about the bestfall foliage train rides here in
the United States for 2024.
Mark Faldmo (07:55):
My grandmother started off doing bus tours
around the country, and a bigone that they had was the fall
colors tour.
The problem with that is youhave to plan these trips several
months in advance and you don'tknow when the peak season is.
So now most of these are fallfoliage and you just have to
hope you hit it at the righttime when you do these, so
(08:17):
probably the way most people seeit is by car.
There are lots of places incommunities where you know you
can go up, like you mentioned,American Fork Canyon, heather
and I did that this past weekend.
We actually also didGuardsman's Pass the following
day Heather loves the fallcolors.
So, we usually take some fulldays and drive around and see
(08:39):
that.
But there are some companieslike Globus We've talked about
Globus in the past that doessome northeastern US tours.
Oh yeah, oh Maine.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:49):
Fulage.
I've been in Connecticut,Greenwich, New Haven, when the
leaves are starting to change.
Mark Faldmo (08:56):
the northeast is amazing because it's just so
lush up there, yeah, and thenyou know, as you mentioned, a
lot of people don't even thinkabout cruise ships,
(09:25):
no-transcript.
The country Mount WashingtonCog Rail Train, which is in New
Hampshire this was actually theworld's first mountain climbing
cog railway and it goes up thathistoric Mount Washington and
when you're at the top therethere's an hour layover.
(09:46):
At the top of the summit youcan explore the observatory,
which you have views of fivestates plus Canada and the
Atlantic Ocean, from the top ofthat.
Wow, that's spectacular.
The Rocky Mountaineer, a rockeast of the Red Rocks, it runs
through mid to the end ofOctober and you know that's the
one I mentioned.
I did just a few weeks ago.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:08):
Yeah, wasn't that the start of September?
Mark Faldmo (10:10):
It was the start of September, yeah, and so you
know, I can only imagine that,in the colors you know, climbing
up through the Rocky Mountains,going through the Aspens, it's
probably a blaze of yellow.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:23):
I don't know how to describe fall in New
England.
It is just different.
It's beautiful.
Here in Salt Lake it is just asbeautiful.
It's even more beautiful in theEast.
There's something about falland I realize that I'm saying
that it's my favorite time ofyear, but there's I just don't
get tired of looking at thetrees change colors and I
(10:43):
realize that there's basicallyfour colors that leaves become.
But when you see nature paintit and I'm going to sound like a
total rock licker when I saythis you just don't get tired of
seeing it.
The way nature just paints ispretty spectacular.
Mark Faldmo (10:59):
It is.
Yeah, on our Heather and I'sdrive this past weekend there
are some brilliant reds which wehaven't seen in a few years
around here.
Yeah, on our Heather and I'sdrive this past weekend there
are some brilliant reds which wehaven't seen in a few years
around here.
Yeah, it's amazing what natureis giving us.
There are two kind of lasttrains that I'd throw in there.
One is the 1880 train, which isin the Black Hills of South
(11:21):
Dakota, and then theDurango-Silverton train in
Southern Colorado.
They'll probably have somereally good fall colors as well,
and I've been lucky enough I'vedone most of these trains that
we talked about.
I didn't know that I enjoytrain rides, but I've never done
them in the fall.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:39):
You've been saying that for the past year I
love trains, and maybe we shouldjust say it this way I love
trains.
Yeah, all right, we're going totake a break here.
When we come back, we've gotthe hot travel deal of the week.
That is regardless of thedestination.
And where are we going thisweek?
Are we going to Mexico, Cancun?
Mark Faldmo (12:01):
We're going to go to Cancun, Mexico.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:03):
Awesome, One of my favorite places?
Yes, it is.
If you haven't experienced fallon a train, the gentle incline,
the gentle decline of a train2% incline or decline, it is
something special.
Book it with Mark.
(12:24):
Call his office.
It's open Monday through Friday.
His office number is888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
Cancun is next.
Mark and I will be right back.
Show Voice (12:50):
Taking you to destinations around the world.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show is presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Thanks for listening.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (13:29):
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Show Voice (14:21):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
(14:41):
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:47):
We are helping you get out and explore your
world.
You are listening to the insidetravel talk podcast and radio
show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, the owner
of blue planet vacations.
com, alongside Mark Faldmo, theowner of blueplanetvacations.
com, and if you're just joiningus in this segment, the entire
(15:09):
purpose of this show is to helpyou plan and book your next
vacation, whether that's one ofthe vacations that he and I talk
about on the show or you justwant to go out and explore the
world on your own.
But you need a little guidance.
You have found the right place.
(15:33):
Every Saturday and Sundaymornings at 11 am Mountain Time
on 860 KKAT, coming up in thissegment of the show, we have the
hot travel deal of the week.
We are talking about going toCancun, Mexico.
We'll get to that here in justa second, but before we do, we
always have the travel news ofthe week right at the very top
of each segment, and I thoughtthat this was come on people.
(15:54):
It's one of those stories whereTikTok first of all, all I have
to say is TikTok and TikTokchallenge TikTok.
Tourists are causing realproblems with the Temple Run,
which, by the way, is a fun andfantastic game, but they're
pulling some kind of a stunt atthe ancient Angkor Wat in
Cambodia.
(16:14):
What's that about?
Mark Faldmo (16:15):
This story kind of goes back to things we've talked
about in the past is why do wetravel?
My version of why we travel isto explore different lands,
explore different cultures, andsome of these TikTok trends are
really causing some issues withlocal people and also just other
tourists that are trying toenjoy the site.
(16:36):
What this TikTok challenge ispeople are running around
filming themselves jumping overthings and trying to recreate
scenes from that game Slideunder trees, jump over rocks
Angkor.
Wat is a spiritual site forthose in Cambodia.
You wouldn't do the same thingand say St Peter's in Vatican
(17:00):
City.
A lot of these other places anda lot of the locals just fear
that people are disrespectingtheir cultural sites.
It is a UNESCO World HeritageSite and it has huge spiritual
significance to Cambodians.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:15):
This next story kind of ties into what we
just talked about unrulypassenger fines, and we're
talking about passengers plural,not just a passenger.
Unruly passenger fines top $20million.
Mark Faldmo (17:30):
What is going on?
We've probably all seen thenews stories about passengers
disrupting flights, but theFederal Aviation Administration
has fined unruly passengers morethan $20 million for bad
behavior since 2020.
Just to give you an idea of howbad it's become in 2019, the
(17:52):
agency fined about $400,000 intotal fines In 2020, despite not
very many people traveling in2020, because of the pandemic,
that had jumped to the $600,000.
But in 2021, it shot up to $5million.
Oh boy, In 2022, it was $8million and in 2023, it remained
(18:17):
about that same $8 million.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:19):
One of the things that people don't know
about you is that you'vetraveled basically.
Is it 4 million miles?
Now I'm probably past 4 millionmiles.
Okay, have you ever had anyoneget deplaned?
Mark Faldmo (18:30):
before.
I've never seen anyone deplaned.
I have seen incidents whereflight attendants have to
deescalate situations betweenpassengers, but I've never seen
anyone de-planed.
Apparently, it is happening tosome pretty hefty fines fairly
regularly.
I know the airport can besometimes a little frustrating
(18:53):
for people getting through theairport.
Flights can be delayed.
There's frustrations in travel.
Although I look at it as I'mgoing somewhere fun, yeah, and I
personally love the airport andI love airplanes.
I'm probably one of those weirdpeople that I don't think you
are.
I'm excited to show up to theairport, despite what could
(19:13):
happen with delays and lostluggage, all of that.
I just think people need tocalm down a little.
Just realize they're goingsomewhere fun, I guess, unless
you're going for business, butthen you're going to make money.
So either way it's a great placeto be.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:31):
Let's get to the hot travel deal of the week.
Let me reset the mood with the,the South American music here.
We are going to Cancun, Mexico,and we've got some terrific
(19:54):
deals to Cancun.
So stay tuned here for the nextfew minutes.
And if you've ever thoughtabout going, this is one of
Mark's favorite places to go andhe knows everything there is to
know about Cancun.
And but let's start kind ofbasic on this one, let's talk
about what all-inclusive meanswhen it comes to traveling to
Cancun.
Mark Faldmo (20:15):
A lot of people think all-inclusive means flight
and hotel.
It actually means much morethan that.
All-inclusive also includes allof your meals and drinks at the
resorts you're going to, and itthink all-inclusive is the way
to go All your drinks, all yourbeverages and some activities at
(20:44):
the hotels.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:45):
What about transportation?
Does that include that as well?
Mark Faldmo (20:48):
These also include transportation from the airport
to the hotel.
Really, you could buy one ofthese all-inclusive packages and
not spend another dime there.
We go.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:59):
I would rather have that than just the
continual nickel and diming.
Mark Faldmo (21:04):
I chose the December 11th departure date and
we're kind of taking a littledifferent angle on this.
Those first two weeks ofDecember after Thanksgiving are
really some of the best times totravel and this week we're
focusing all on five-star onlyhotels.
There we go Now.
When we talk about Mexico, wegenerally say three-star and
(21:25):
above, or even lately we've beensaying four-star and above.
But if you travel these firsttwo weeks of December you can
get those five-star hotels downaround what the three-star
hotels are going for other timesof the year.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:40):
And what some people don't know is that the
first two weeks of December andyou've been saying this for over
a year is that the first twoweeks of December is the time to
travel.
It's one of the best times ofthe entire year to go someplace.
Mark Faldmo (21:53):
It is.
That's when you find really thebest cruise rates, the best
travel rates, best airfare rates, because not a lot of people
are traveling during that time,so there's some really good
prices there.
These packages that we're goingto talk about are Five Nights
Hotel, round Trip Airfare fromSalt Lake City If you're
listening on the podcast fromother cities we can price this
(22:15):
out for you Transportationbetween the airport and hotel
and includes all taxes and fees,and this is per person, based
on double occupancy.
The first hotel is a relativelynew hotel.
It's called the Hyatt ZivaRiviera Cancun.
Beautiful property it is, andfive-star price out at $1,099
(22:37):
per person Wow.
That stayed at this hotel.
I enjoy this hotel.
The next hotel is and thisone's a little bit different
it's the Park Royale Beach Clubfive-star hotel.
Again, it's $1,099 per person.
Now, this one is actually inthe hotel zone of Cancun, so
it's in a little bit differentlocation than the rest of these.
(23:00):
And then the last two hotelsthat we'll talk about are
probably close to my favoritetwo hotels in the area.
One is the MargaritavilleIsland Reserve, oh yeah, which
starts at $1319 per person.
If you like that Jimmy Buffettkind of relaxed, high-end beach
experience, but it's relaxed atthe same time.
Margaritaville is the place foryou.
(23:23):
And then El Dorado SeasidePalms five-star resort, $1399
per person.
We've talked about El Doradoresorts.
The reason why I like theSeaside Palms is it's just
really relaxed Mexican luxury.
This just really relaxedMexican luxury.
The resort is called theSeaside Palms because it's by
the sea and there are palm treeseverywhere.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:46):
Your top three excursions in Cancun.
What do you recommend?
Mark Faldmo (23:51):
The first is to visit an archaeological site.
My favorite two places are Cobaand Ekbalam.
Coba I like because it's kindof in the jungle and the best
way to get back to see the ruinsis to either rent a bike or
hire a pedicab to take you backthere.
And Ekbalam is a newer one forme that I just first went to
this year, but it has actuallyparts of the pyramids that you
(24:15):
can go into or that have beenuncovered, so you can see what
it's like inside the pyramidsand you can still climb on
Ekbalam, where Koba.
they closed that last year,maybe the year before, so
Ekbalam you can still walk upbecause a good part of the
display that they want you tosee is halfway up one of the
main pyramids.
I think one of the most uniquethings I've done is called Rio
(24:38):
Secreto, which is a cenote or anunderground cave.
So you get in a wetsuit, you godown through this little hole I
barely fit into, but then youkind of wade or swim through
this cave with stalactites,stalagmites.
Cancun has some of the bestsnorkeling in the world.
It has the second largest coralreef.
(25:01):
I like some of the smallerplaces, like taking catamaran
snorkel from Maroma Beach.
There's some smaller boats youcan take and have more of a
personalized experience nearPorto Morales or Tulum.
Those are the ones I like.
There's also some big snorkelparks.
Patrick Wiscombe (25:17):
Well, there's something you don't hear very
often a snorkel park.
A snorkel park, yeah yeah.
Mark Faldmo (25:20):
So big snorkel parks, well, there's something
you don't hear very often asnorkel park, a snorkel park,
yeah yeah.
So those snorkel parks areShelha, which is amazing,
although for me it's a littlebit too commercial nowadays.
I remember I went there when Iwas a young, young child, and
there was not very many peoplethere, so I like the other
places like Maroma very manypeople there, so I like the
(25:41):
other places like Maroma.
Xelha has some pretty goodsnorkeling, and also Xcaret has
some pretty good snorkeling,which are more of snorkel parks.
Patrick Wiscombe (25:46):
If you've always wanted to go to Cancun,
Mexico, and you want to stay ata five-star resort, especially
the first two weeks of December,we've got the departure date
December 11th December.
We've got the departure dateDecember 11th here in 2024,
we've got the five-star HyattZiva Riviera, Cancun for $1,099
per person, the Park RoyaleBeach Club for $1,099 per person
(26:10):
, Margaritaville Island Reserve,also a five-star resort, for
$1,319 per person, and the ElDorado Seaside Palms, which is a
five-star resort for $1,399.
All of this is all-inclusivefive-nights hotel, round-trip
air from Salt Lake City.
If you're flying out of adifferent city, we can get those
(26:31):
rates for you as well.
It includes transportationbetween the airport and hotel
and this includes all of thetaxes and fees.
And it is all of the taxes andfees and it is based on double
occupancy.
Call Mark in his office.
They are open Monday throughFriday 888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
(26:55):
When we come back, it is theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
We've got the cruise news ofthe week and we are headed to
Scandinavia.
We've got a couple of reallygreat deals that you need to
listen to on NCL and MSC cruiselines.
Show Voice (27:14):
That is next when the Inside Travel Talk podcast
and radio show continues, markand I will be right back you're
listening to the inside traveltalk podcast and radio show with
Patrick Wiscombe and MarkFaldmo, presented by blue planet
vacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
(27:36):
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com you by Ammo Waterways.
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Patrick Wiscombe (28:50):
The Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byblueplanetvacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are
capacity-controlled and subjectto change without notice.
Show Voice (29:18):
This is the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(29:42):
And now here are your hostsPatrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:49):
All aboard for segment number three, the
infamous Just Cruising segment,right here on the Inside Travel
Talk podcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and, if
you are just joining us here atthe bottom of the hour after the
(30:09):
Fox News update, the entirepurpose of this show is to help
you plan and book your nextvacation and we are on the air
every Saturday and Sundaymornings at 11 am Mountain Time
and we are presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
Mark is the owner of thecompany and at the bottom of
(30:30):
every hour, each and every week,we've got the cruise deal of
the week and coming up in thissegment, we are going to talk
about Scandinavian cruises with.
The best time is to cruise toScandinavia and probably one of
the more unique 12-day NCLcruises.
I've seen where we go fromCopenhagen, Denmark, to
Reykjavik, Iceland, very cool.
(30:52):
And then we've got a seven-daycruise on one of MSC's ships
which is round trip fromCopenhagen.
We'll get to that here in thissegment, but before we get there
, let's start with the cruisenews of the week.
I said this to you this weekthat NCL's new brand new for
2026,.
(31:13):
Their ship is going to becalled the Norwegian Luna.
First of all it just visuallylooks amazing.
I think it's the fourth ship inthe Prima class that is coming
out, but anyway, my point being,it is a beautiful ship and
they're now starting to sellsome of these vacations on the
Norwegian Luna.
Mark Faldmo (31:29):
It's actually the second ship in what they're
calling Prima Plus, because itis 10% larger than the original
Norwegian Prima.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:38):
So they're supersizing it.
Mark Faldmo (31:39):
They're supersizing it.
So the Norwegian Prima and theNorwegian Viva each have about
3,200 guests.
These ones will have almost3,600 guests on board, so
they're a little bit bigger inpassenger size and in ship size.
I've sailed on the NorwegianPrima.
The technology that's goinginto these new ships is amazing.
(32:04):
The guest experience, the showsthat they're putting in them.
It just makes me excited towant to cruise, looking at all
of the things that they put intothese cruise ships.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:14):
And you can't say that you have not been on a
cruise, because what many peopledo not know about you is that
you've been on over 150 cruises.
So if you're saying I'm readyto jump on another boat, that's
saying a lot.
Mark Faldmo (32:25):
I know a lot of people like cruising but I can
do either at the drop of a hat.
If someone says want to go on acruise tomorrow, I'll do
whatever I can to make it thereand go on the cruise.
That is true, yeah, and so someof the features of this new
cruise they're going to havewhat's called a slide coaster.
It's a hybrid roller coasterand water slide, which they're
(32:47):
also going to have on the Aqua,which is a sister ship, and the
attraction that's a three-storyquest around the ship's funnel
and one of the unique thingsthat Norwegian is adding to
these newer ships.
The Luna talked about the Haven, which is kind of a keyed entry
, kind of luxury, high end.
Oh yeah, they are nowintroducing a three bedroom
(33:11):
duplex in the Haven.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:13):
Yes, I saw that and I was like this is like
the perfect family suite onthis ship.
Mark Faldmo (33:18):
It is, and I think it's aft-facing yeah, so they're
going to have two of those, andwhere they're in the haven,
those also come with their ownrestaurants in the haven.
They have special perks forhaven guests.
But the rooms themselves aregoing to have separate living
areas, separate dining areas,three bathrooms, balcony and
(33:38):
then the three bedrooms in thosethree bedroom duplets rooms
Very comfortable.
This ship again comes out in, Ithink, late April of 2026.
The main places that will besailing is the Western and
Eastern Caribbean.
You'll be doing sailings toRoatan, Honduras, costa Maya,
Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, andthen Norwegian has a private
(34:03):
island in Belize called HarvestCay and that'll be seven-day
Eastern Caribbean's, which willhave Puerto Plata and the
Dominican Republic, St Thomasand Great Stirrup Cay, which is
their private island in theBahamas.
You can't go wrong.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:20):
We'll just put it that way If you've never
been to the Bahamas, but even ifyou have, and you know how
great it is go again, especiallyon a new ship.
Yes, I saw this news story thata cruise tax of 20 euro was
announced if you're going to theGreek islands.
Mark Faldmo (34:37):
Yep.
So if your ship is visitingeither Santorini or Mykonos
during the high summer seasonmonths, the government is adding
a 20 euro fee per person foreach passenger visiting those
islands.
These two islands are reallykind of trying to fight over
(34:58):
tourism.
They need money for someinfrastructure.
If you've ever been toSantorini, it's a volcanic
island perched high and youeither need to take a tram up to
the top or walk up a cliff toget up to the main town, and
they really need some bettertourist infrastructure because
they can't handle the number ofguests they get per day.
(35:19):
In fact, I think I've told youthis story.
When my wife and I were inSantorini, we were in the
village of Oai, which is thefamous village with the blue
domed and whitewashed buildings.
There were so many people there.
She just said I can't do this.
So we went and found a rooftopcafé and had olives and Coke.
(35:40):
And now, whenever my wife and Iare in a situation like that,
she says I think this is anolive and Coke situation.
So no one likes to pay more,but I do think this will
eventually help in someadditional tourism
infrastructure and may actuallykeep a few cruise ships from
(36:00):
going there.
So if you do go there, it'll bea more enjoyable experience.
Patrick Wiscombe (36:06):
There was also another news story that Oceana
Cruises is adding gratuities toinclusive pricing.
Mark Faldmo (36:13):
A lot of people may not know who Oceana is.
I like to call them the countryclub cruise.
So there are really kind ofthree types of cruising.
There's the contemporary cruiselines, which is your Carnival,
your Norwegian, your Princess,and then there's premium cruise
lines and then there's luxurycruise lines.
So Oceana would be in kind ofthe high-end, premium category.
(36:36):
They're not quite luxury, butthey're just right there on that
cusp of being luxury.
So that's what type of cruiseline they are and they are
adding gratuities to theirinclusive pricing.
They've always hadall-inclusive pricing but they
haven't included that gratuityyet.
So now you'll have thegratuities which they're
(36:59):
currently charging between $18and $23 per person.
So when this package comes intobeing, those will now be
included in the cruise fare andthat comes along with a shore
excursion credit and a beveragepackage which is just sodas and
juices.
You're basically going to havean all-inclusive cruise minus
(37:21):
alcohol.
Patrick Wiscombe (37:22):
It is time for the cruise deal of the week and
we are headed to Scandinavia.
One of the first questions Iwanted to ask you is when is the
best time to cruise toScandinavia?
Mark Faldmo (37:34):
So Scandinavia kind of a lot like Alaska in those
northern climates.
A lot of people think themiddle of summer.
Now if you're purely lookingfor temperatures, yes, July is
probably the best time to go.
My favorite time to go toScandinavia is middle of May to
(37:54):
the first part of June.
The reason why is becausethere's still snow melt from the
higher elevations and there areso many waterfalls,
particularly in the Norwegianfjords.
The later in the season you get, the less water is coming into
those waterfalls and so I thinkyou just get better scenery.
In that mid-May to first weekor so of June you will obviously
(38:18):
have a little bit coolertemperatures, but I think that's
an okay trade-off to see thescenery for cooler temperatures.
On that it's called a jacket,jackets and sweaters, dress in
layers.
Patrick Wiscombe (38:30):
Let's talk about the 12-day cruise
Copenhagen to Reykjavik.
Let's fill in some of thedetails for listeners.
Mark Faldmo (38:38):
This was one of the more unique cruises I've seen
and for sure one of the moreunique ones that does
Scandinavia.
It sells from Copenhagen,Denmark, to Reykjavik, Iceland,
and the ports it visits isKristiansand.
Again, I told you I'm a trainguy.
They have an old steam trainguy.
(39:02):
They have an old steam trainthat just you know.
A wonderful experience inChristian sand goes to a port
called Malloy, and Malloy is acoastal town right at the
entrance of the Nord FjordBeautiful scenery.
And then it visits one of myfavorite ports, which is
Allisand, which is, again it'sright at the entrance of the
Grainger Fjord.
What I like about this one isit's a fishing village and so
(39:26):
you know, as you're sailing in,you're sailing in with all of
the other fishermen that arecoming in.
And one of the most beautifulpoints in the world, I think, is
it's called the Troll Road andthat is near Allisand.
That's a switchback road thatgoes up to the top of a mountain
, some of the best sceneryyou'll ever see.
And then what I think makesthis interesting is the next two
(39:49):
ports.
It goes to Honingstav, which isthe far north of mainland
Norway.
It is the furthest north cityon the European continent.
And then the next port isLongyearbarn, and I'm probably
not saying that correct, butit's an island owned by Norway
(40:11):
and it is the furthest northsettlement in the world.
Patrick Wiscombe (40:16):
Oh really.
Mark Faldmo (40:18):
It only has a population of about 1,100 people
, so there's probably not a lotto do there, but to get to that
furthest north settlement in theworld, so again those last two
ports furthest north in Europe,then furthest north in the world
, and then you cruise down toIceland, with three stops in
(40:38):
Iceland and ending in Reykjavik.
Patrick Wiscombe (40:41):
That is spectacular Wow.
Mark Faldmo (40:43):
That's why I think that's the most unique, and that
again is a 12-day cruise.
Inside cabins start at $1458per person and balcony cabins at
$2,538 per person.
Those do include all of thetaxes and fees, so that's
everything all in for the cruisefare.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:04):
Let's quickly talk about the seven-day cruise
round-trip Copenhagen on MSC'sships.
Mark Faldmo (41:11):
So this one is a May 4, so it's early, and that
starts at $1,048 per person or$1,378 per person for a balcony.
I chose this one because it hasmy two favorite ports.
So it leaves from Copenhagenand then visits Geiringer Fjord
and the town of Geiringer,Alisund, which we just talked
(41:32):
about, and then probably myfavorite port in Norway is Flam.
Then it goes to Kiel in Germanyand ends back in Copenhagen on
that.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:41):
All right, we're going to take a break here
.
We're up against a hard break.
If you are interested in any ofthose cruises, or a cruise that
you just want to go on byyourself something that we
haven't even talked about CallMark in his office.
He's open Monday through Friday, but write down the number
(42:01):
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
When we come back, I mentionedat the very top of the show that
Mark is back from Kansas City.
What a great, great place.
He was able to go see abaseball game, because I was
(42:24):
watching the same game with him,not in the stadium, but here at
the house.
Talk about Kansas City andwe'll recap everything that
we've talked about on the showand we've got some additional
travel news that will be ofinterest to our listeners.
That is next.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (42:44):
Explore your world.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (43:16):
This segment of Inside Travel Talk is sponsored by
Star Clippers.
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Show Voice (44:10):
This is the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo, presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call the show right now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
(44:31):
And now your hosts, PatrickWiscombe and Mark Faldmo.
Your hosts, Patrick Wiscombeand Mark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (44:38):
You are listening to the Inside Travel
Talk podcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and, if
you are just joining us for thisfinal segment of the show, all
we do is talk travel and all wedo all week long, professionally
speaking, is help you get outand explore the world, and we
(45:00):
want to help you plan and bookyour next vacation, if you're
just joining us.
Mark has flown over 4 millionmiles, he's been on over 150
cruises, he's basically spenthis entire life traveling and he
is the owner ofblueplanetvacations.
com and I am just his humblesidekick.
(45:21):
If you are ready to travel, youhave found the right show
Coming up in this segment.
We're going to talk about someof the things to do while you're
in Kansas City, if if you'reheaded that direction or if
you've even thought about going.
But let's first start thissegment with the travel news of
(45:42):
the week, and I saw that Rome isconsidering a new entrance fee
if you want to go see the TreviFountain.
Mark Faldmo (45:49):
So this is part of that ever-growing list of
attractions and destinationsthat are starting to charge
tourism fees.
They are hoping that this willmake the experience of visiting
Trevi Fountain a little bit.
better Problems that they haveare people that just linger and
stay.
They eat on the steps, theyfeed the pigeons.
(46:10):
We talked a few months agoabout a tourist that got
arrested for jumping into thefountain and they were thinking
of closing the site down totourists.
After that, Trevi found in Romeone of my favorite places to
visit.
It's not a lot.
It's two euros, so about $2.25at the current conversion rate
(46:34):
there.
Now, if you've ever been there,there are roads, mostly
pedestrianized, that run aroundthe fountain.
Those would still be open.
It's just the area.
There's steps where you can sitand look at the fountain, where
they're thinking about chargingto go in to see that.
So you get the best view of thefountain from there.
Just be respectful to theplaces you're visiting.
(46:56):
That's why a lot of these feesare taming into being.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:00):
Just as a general observation, TSA is now
saying that they want to delayfull real ID.
That's basically the yellowstar or the yellow symbol that's
on your driver's license.
They are delaying, or they'reasking to delay, enforcement of
Real ID.
Mark Faldmo (47:17):
If you don't know what Real ID is.
This is something that came outof the 9-11 commission.
How many years ago was that?
Patrick Wiscombe (47:24):
That was what 20?
No, it was over 23 years ago.
Mark Faldmo (47:28):
Yeah, 23 years ago.
Well, the commission was a fewyears after oh, that's true, on
9-11.
I think this was supposed to befirst implemented in 2015.
And this is probably theseventh announcement where
they're bumping it back.
And it's because Utah, wherewe're at, if you get a new
driver's license, it's Real IDcompliant.
(47:49):
Apparently, in other statesyou've been able to choose, Only
56% of driver's licensescurrently in circulation are
Real ID compliant and thatnumber is below 40% in 22 of the
states.
This was going to go into effectwhere, to get through the
airport, you needed that Real IDor passport, and passports have
(48:12):
always been Real ID compliantsince about 10 years ago.
They're going to kind of do asoft launch on this that they
want you to have Real ID, butthey'll still let you through if
you don't have a Real ID, whichkind of defeats the whole
purpose of the Real ID.
But they don't say when they'regoing to push back that
(48:33):
implementation.
The deadline was going to beMay 7th, 2025.
They're now pushing that backeven further.
So I hear you laughing aboutthat, and it is can't believe
how many times we've reported onthis story.
We've actually done it twice inthe past year since we've been
on air.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:50):
But, again.
Mark Faldmo (48:51):
Like I mentioned earlier, there's been several
other times when they've pushedthis back.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:56):
You just got back from Kansas City.
Let's talk about Kansas City,some of the things to do there.
I'm just going to throw one inthere for you Barbecue.
Mark Faldmo (49:05):
Yeah, barbecue is definitely on the list.
I was with the Utah StateAlumni Association.
We had a Kansas City tour thatwe did with one of the history
professors and I just kind ofwant to set the story here
because when they proposed thatI was like Kansas City, who
wants to go to Kansas City, youknow?
And it was a harder sale tomake to the people because a lot
(49:30):
of people have that same whowants to go to Kansas City?
But this kind of goes alongwith a lot of the destinations
we've talked about.
Like New Orleans is one thatwould fall in this.
Probably San Antonio, Texaswould fall in with this.
I heard this quote a long timeago and I think it really
relates good to tourism is everyperson has a story and every
(49:50):
community has a story and that'swhy we travel to learn about
new places, and Kansas Cityactually has a lot to offer.
I'm not too big of a museumperson but the Nelson Atkins
Museum of Art in Kansas City Ithink rivals some of the museums
I've seen around the world.
Patrick Wiscombe (50:09):
Really.
Mark Faldmo (50:10):
I think it's as good as most of the European art
museums that I've visited.
They had a medieval sectionthat had knights and things like
that.
They had an Egyptian sectionthat actually had a mummy.
Also in Independence is theTruman Library All the things
that President Truman had todeal with post-World War II.
The vice president at that timedidn't sit in on any of the
(50:31):
meetings.
He knew none of the operationalthings happening pertaining to
World War II.
He vice president at that timedidn't sit in on any of the
meetings.
He knew none of the operationalthings happening pertaining to
World War II.
He didn't even know about theManhattan Project until 12 days
into his presidency.
So another place that wevisited was Liberty.
There's actually a lot of CivilWar history in Liberty.
(50:52):
We don't think about theWestern US during the Civil War
because it was the western edgeof the US.
There was a big military depotwith lots of munitions that was
constantly fought over duringthe Civil War.
Also in Liberty is the JesseJames Bank Museum, the first
successful daylight bank robberyin the US.
(51:14):
One of my favorite parts on thewhole tour that we did was a
visit to the Negro League Museum.
Patrick Wiscombe (51:19):
Yeah, that would be interesting.
Mark Faldmo (51:21):
Right next door to that is the American Jazz Museum
.
Kansas City, with the riverboattraffic and all of that was
kind of a center point betweenNew Orleans and Chicago, kind of
the two places that most peoplethink of when they think of
jazz music, probably that andMemphis as well, but the
American Jazz museum is there.
And then, as you talked aboutbarbecue best barbecue I've ever
(51:44):
had- that's saying a lotthere's over 120 independent
barbecue restaurants in theKansas city area.
We went to a place called JackStack's Barbecue.
It was probably the bestbarbecue baked beans I've ever
had, but good.
And then you know, there's alsothe sports aspect of Kansas
(52:06):
City the Chiefs Royals andNASCAR track there.
There's a lot to do in KansasCity and in a lot of these
communities.
Again, you know, going back tothat, every community has a
story.
That's why I travel to learnabout new places.
I would have never consideredKansas City if it hadn't been
for this tour.
And now there are things I wantto do to go back and see.
(52:28):
A lot happened in Kansas Cityto develop our country.
Well, that's it.
Patrick Wiscombe (52:33):
We got to go up our country.
Well, that's it, we got to go.
If you're interested inplanning a vacation to any of
the destinations that we talkedabout during the show going on
the Rocky Mountaineer, thefoliage train ride you're going
to have to jump on that onepretty quick.
We've also got the hot traveldeal of the week the five-star
(52:55):
resorts to Cancun.
We've also got the 12-daycruise and the seven-day cruise
leaving out of Copenhagen and,of course, visit Kansas City.
Call Mark in his office, Mondaythrough Friday, 888-718-7717,
888-718-7717.
(53:16):
717-888-718-7717.
You can listen to this showagain tomorrow morning, Sunday,
at 11 am Mountain Time here onthis particular radio station,
860 KKAT.
If you want to need or listento the show again, you can
download and subscribe to theshow at InsideTravelTalk.
com.
We are on all of the majorpodcast platforms and, while
(53:40):
you're at it, may I ask you tosubscribe and leave us a
five-star review.
It really does help us gettraction with the podcast
platforms.
So, thank you.
Get out, explore your worldwhile you can, because you never
know what curveballs life isgoing to throw at you, and you
know what I'm talking about.
Live your life deliberately,live your life intentionally and
(54:02):
just remember today's a goodday for a good day.
Have a great week everyone.
We'll talk to you again nextSaturday morning.
Show Voice (54:14):
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.
(54:35):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
The Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are
capacity-controlled and subjectto change without notice.
Show Voice (00:31):
Explore your world.
It's the inside travel talkpodcast and radio show presented
by blue planet vacations.
com.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700 and
check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
And now here are your hosts,Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:57):
He is back from the great state of Missouri
.
Mark Faldmo, good to have youback.
You are listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your Saturday
and Sunday mornings.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and, if
(01:22):
you are brand new to the show,the entire purpose of this show
is to allow us to help you planand book your next vacation, and
we are on the air everySaturday and Sunday mornings
right here in Salt Lake Cityfrom 860 KKAT at 11 o'clock in
(01:44):
the morning, mountain time.
This show is presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
Coming up on this segment ofthe show, we will be putting the
travel spotlight.
It's my favorite time of year,the best ways to see the fall
foliage, and we also have thehot travel deal of the week,
(02:07):
regardless of the destination,the cruise deal of the week
coming up in segment numberthree and, of course, we always
have the travel news of the week.
That is the rundown for thisweek's show for September 28th,
2024 and September 29th.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your Saturday
and Sunday mornings and invitingus into your ears, regardless
(02:29):
of what you're doing.
Let's start with the travelnews of the week.
The Department ofTransportation is investigating
airline rewards programs.
Anytime you start havinginvestigations into programs,
I'm kind of holding my breath.
What's this about, mark?
Mark Faldmo (02:46):
There's kind of two angles.
The first one is some of thesmaller airlines, like Spirit
Air, have been complaining thatthe larger airlines have too
much of a hold on their mainmarkets because of frequent
flyer miles.
They can't break in to marketsbecause all of the passengers
are so loyal to the dominantairline in the market.
(03:09):
That's one angle.
I think the main reason why theDepartment of Transportation
launched this is because they'relooking at the devaluation of
the programs, especially in thelast couple of years, which
we've talked about thatregularly, about how Delta
Airlines has devalued theirprogram.
(03:29):
Other airlines have donesimilar things on that.
I heard someone on one of thefinancial shows I was watching
saying that frequent flyer milesnow are part of people's
retirement plans because theybuild them up and they want to
use those in retirement.
And so the Department ofTransportation has requested
(03:50):
records from American Delta,Southwest and United, trying to
see if the devaluation in thepast couple of years has been,
if there's been too many changesin those.
It used to be a long time agoyou would get your miles and a
domestic ticket was 25,000 miles, a ticket to Mexico was 35, a
(04:11):
ticket to Europe was 50,000.
And now there are all of thesedifferent pricing schemes that
it does make it harder to redeemmiles.
You know Southwest kind oflocked in their redemption based
on the current price.
So it was just each frequentflyer point you have is worth X
amount of dollars.
(04:32):
So if the ticket was $300, theywould convert that into point.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:37):
The Delta Sky miles.
They've made massive, massivechanges just in the year that
we've been doing this show.
Clearly, we're going to haveupdates to this story as it
unfolds and, like usual,anything the government does,
it's going to take years to undo.
So stay tuned.
Over the course of a year, theState Department, their online
passport renewal is fullyoperational.
(04:59):
This is so good for travelers.
Mark Faldmo (05:01):
It is.
You know, if you were renewinga passport that had been expired
in years past, you'd have tobasically apply for a new
passport, and now, through thisonline program, there's always
been some version of being ableto renew your passport online,
(05:22):
but I think this is fully onlinewhere you don't have to send
your passport back in, so it'sgoing to make it a lot easier
and you can renew.
If you've had an adult 10-yearpassport that has expired in the
past five years, you can renewit, so you don't have to start
over again, as long as you havethat information on your old
(05:42):
passport and it has not beenexpired for more than five years
.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:46):
Alaska Air has officially closed on their
acquisition I think it was anacquisition, not a merger of
Hawaiian Airlines.
Mark Faldmo (05:56):
Yeah, so this is a story that we have been
following because the mergerwith JetBlue and Spirit was
denied by the Department ofTransportation.
So this is one that theyannounced it.
They have to get the DOTapproval and they actually did
get the approval for that mergera few weeks ago.
I think this will be good fortravel to the state of Hawaii.
(06:17):
It opens up a lot more marketsand feeder markets to what
Hawaiian Airlines route systemwas.
So they are going to operate asseparate airlines.
So there still will be anAlaska Airlines.
There still will be a HawaiianAirlines.
For the time being they'regoing to operate two different
websites, but you will be ableto book Alaska on Hawaiian's
(06:41):
site and, vice versa, bookHawaiian on Alaska's site.
They still need to go throughsome other FAA approvals to get
a single operating certificate,but once that's done they'll
start merging their systems moreand more.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:57):
It is time for the destination of the week and
we're just featuring America,just the whole thing we are.
This is my favorite time ofyear this weekend literally here
in Salt Lake anyway is peakcolors when it comes to the
trees changing colors.
It is bright, it is beautiful,it is truly magnificent.
(07:21):
As I look at my office to theeast, mount Timpanogos is
absolutely on fire, not literalfire, but just color fire.
We want to talk about thedifferent ways to see the fall
foliage, whether it be by car,driving up American Fort Canyon,
in my case, bus, cruise ship,which some people just don't
(07:42):
even think about and, of course,a train Rocky Mountaineer would
be spectacular right now.
So let's talk about the bestfall foliage train rides here in
the United States for 2024.
Mark Faldmo (07:55):
My grandmother started off doing bus tours
around the country, and a bigone that they had was the fall
colors tour.
The problem with that is youhave to plan these trips several
months in advance and you don'tknow when the peak season is.
So now most of these are fallfoliage and you just have to
hope you hit it at the righttime when you do these, so
(08:17):
probably the way most people seeit is by car.
There are lots of places incommunities where you know you
can go up, like you mentioned,American Fork Canyon, heather
and I did that this past weekend.
We actually also didGuardsman's Pass the following
day Heather loves the fallcolors.
So, we usually take some fulldays and drive around and see
(08:39):
that.
But there are some companieslike Globus We've talked about
Globus in the past that doessome northeastern US tours.
Oh yeah, oh Maine.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:49):
Fulage.
I've been in Connecticut,Greenwich, New Haven, when the
leaves are starting to change.
Mark Faldmo (08:56):
the northeast is amazing because it's just so
lush up there, yeah, and thenyou know, as you mentioned, a
lot of people don't even thinkabout cruise ships,
(09:25):
no-transcript.
The country Mount WashingtonCog Rail Train, which is in New
Hampshire this was actually theworld's first mountain climbing
cog railway and it goes up thathistoric Mount Washington and
when you're at the top therethere's an hour layover.
(09:46):
At the top of the summit youcan explore the observatory,
which you have views of fivestates plus Canada and the
Atlantic Ocean, from the top ofthat.
Wow, that's spectacular.
The Rocky Mountaineer, a rockeast of the Red Rocks, it runs
through mid to the end ofOctober and you know that's the
one I mentioned.
I did just a few weeks ago.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:08):
Yeah, wasn't that the start of September?
Mark Faldmo (10:10):
It was the start of September, yeah, and so you
know, I can only imagine that,in the colors you know, climbing
up through the Rocky Mountains,going through the Aspens, it's
probably a blaze of yellow.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:23):
I don't know how to describe fall in New
England.
It is just different.
It's beautiful.
Here in Salt Lake it is just asbeautiful.
It's even more beautiful in theEast.
There's something about falland I realize that I'm saying
that it's my favorite time ofyear, but there's I just don't
get tired of looking at thetrees change colors and I
(10:43):
realize that there's basicallyfour colors that leaves become.
But when you see nature paintit and I'm going to sound like a
total rock licker when I saythis you just don't get tired of
seeing it.
The way nature just paints ispretty spectacular.
Mark Faldmo (10:59):
It is.
Yeah, on our Heather and I'sdrive this past weekend there
are some brilliant reds which wehaven't seen in a few years
around here.
Yeah, on our Heather and I'sdrive this past weekend there
are some brilliant reds which wehaven't seen in a few years
around here.
Yeah, it's amazing what natureis giving us.
There are two kind of lasttrains that I'd throw in there.
One is the 1880 train, which isin the Black Hills of South
(11:21):
Dakota, and then theDurango-Silverton train in
Southern Colorado.
They'll probably have somereally good fall colors as well,
and I've been lucky enough I'vedone most of these trains that
we talked about.
I didn't know that I enjoytrain rides, but I've never done
them in the fall.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:39):
You've been saying that for the past year I
love trains, and maybe we shouldjust say it this way I love
trains.
Yeah, all right, we're going totake a break here.
When we come back, we've gotthe hot travel deal of the week.
That is regardless of thedestination.
And where are we going thisweek?
Are we going to Mexico, Cancun?
Mark Faldmo (12:01):
We're going to go to Cancun, Mexico.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:03):
Awesome, One of my favorite places?
Yes, it is.
If you haven't experienced fallon a train, the gentle incline,
the gentle decline of a train2% incline or decline, it is
something special.
Book it with Mark.
(12:24):
Call his office.
It's open Monday through Friday.
His office number is888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
Cancun is next.
Mark and I will be right back.
Show Voice (12:50):
Taking you to destinations around the world.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show is presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Thanks for listening.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (13:29):
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Show Voice (14:21):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
(14:41):
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:47):
We are helping you get out and explore your
world.
You are listening to the insidetravel talk podcast and radio
show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, the owner
of blue planet vacations.
com, alongside Mark Faldmo, theowner of blueplanetvacations.
com, and if you're just joiningus in this segment, the entire
(15:09):
purpose of this show is to helpyou plan and book your next
vacation, whether that's one ofthe vacations that he and I talk
about on the show or you justwant to go out and explore the
world on your own.
But you need a little guidance.
You have found the right place.
(15:33):
Every Saturday and Sundaymornings at 11 am Mountain Time
on 860 KKAT, coming up in thissegment of the show, we have the
hot travel deal of the week.
We are talking about going toCancun, Mexico.
We'll get to that here in justa second, but before we do, we
always have the travel news ofthe week right at the very top
of each segment, and I thoughtthat this was come on people.
(15:54):
It's one of those stories whereTikTok first of all, all I have
to say is TikTok and TikTokchallenge TikTok.
Tourists are causing realproblems with the Temple Run,
which, by the way, is a fun andfantastic game, but they're
pulling some kind of a stunt atthe ancient Angkor Wat in
Cambodia.
(16:14):
What's that about?
Mark Faldmo (16:15):
This story kind of goes back to things we've talked
about in the past is why do wetravel?
My version of why we travel isto explore different lands,
explore different cultures, andsome of these TikTok trends are
really causing some issues withlocal people and also just other
tourists that are trying toenjoy the site.
(16:36):
What this TikTok challenge ispeople are running around
filming themselves jumping overthings and trying to recreate
scenes from that game Slideunder trees, jump over rocks
Angkor.
Wat is a spiritual site forthose in Cambodia.
You wouldn't do the same thingand say St Peter's in Vatican
(17:00):
City.
A lot of these other places anda lot of the locals just fear
that people are disrespectingtheir cultural sites.
It is a UNESCO World HeritageSite and it has huge spiritual
significance to Cambodians.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:15):
This next story kind of ties into what we
just talked about unrulypassenger fines, and we're
talking about passengers plural,not just a passenger.
Unruly passenger fines top $20million.
Mark Faldmo (17:30):
What is going on?
We've probably all seen thenews stories about passengers
disrupting flights, but theFederal Aviation Administration
has fined unruly passengers morethan $20 million for bad
behavior since 2020.
Just to give you an idea of howbad it's become in 2019, the
(17:52):
agency fined about $400,000 intotal fines In 2020, despite not
very many people traveling in2020, because of the pandemic,
that had jumped to the $600,000.
But in 2021, it shot up to $5million.
Oh boy, In 2022, it was $8million and in 2023, it remained
(18:17):
about that same $8 million.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:19):
One of the things that people don't know
about you is that you'vetraveled basically.
Is it 4 million miles?
Now I'm probably past 4 millionmiles.
Okay, have you ever had anyoneget deplaned?
Mark Faldmo (18:30):
before.
I've never seen anyone deplaned.
I have seen incidents whereflight attendants have to
deescalate situations betweenpassengers, but I've never seen
anyone de-planed.
Apparently, it is happening tosome pretty hefty fines fairly
regularly.
I know the airport can besometimes a little frustrating
(18:53):
for people getting through theairport.
Flights can be delayed.
There's frustrations in travel.
Although I look at it as I'mgoing somewhere fun, yeah, and I
personally love the airport andI love airplanes.
I'm probably one of those weirdpeople that I don't think you
are.
I'm excited to show up to theairport, despite what could
(19:13):
happen with delays and lostluggage, all of that.
I just think people need tocalm down a little.
Just realize they're goingsomewhere fun, I guess, unless
you're going for business, butthen you're going to make money.
So either way it's a great placeto be.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:31):
Let's get to the hot travel deal of the week.
Let me reset the mood with the,the South American music here.
We are going to Cancun, Mexico,and we've got some terrific
(19:54):
deals to Cancun.
So stay tuned here for the nextfew minutes.
And if you've ever thoughtabout going, this is one of
Mark's favorite places to go andhe knows everything there is to
know about Cancun.
And but let's start kind ofbasic on this one, let's talk
about what all-inclusive meanswhen it comes to traveling to
Cancun.
Mark Faldmo (20:15):
A lot of people think all-inclusive means flight
and hotel.
It actually means much morethan that.
All-inclusive also includes allof your meals and drinks at the
resorts you're going to, and itthink all-inclusive is the way
to go All your drinks, all yourbeverages and some activities at
(20:44):
the hotels.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:45):
What about transportation?
Does that include that as well?
Mark Faldmo (20:48):
These also include transportation from the airport
to the hotel.
Really, you could buy one ofthese all-inclusive packages and
not spend another dime there.
We go.
Patrick Wiscombe (20:59):
I would rather have that than just the
continual nickel and diming.
Mark Faldmo (21:04):
I chose the December 11th departure date and
we're kind of taking a littledifferent angle on this.
Those first two weeks ofDecember after Thanksgiving are
really some of the best times totravel and this week we're
focusing all on five-star onlyhotels.
There we go Now.
When we talk about Mexico, wegenerally say three-star and
(21:25):
above, or even lately we've beensaying four-star and above.
But if you travel these firsttwo weeks of December you can
get those five-star hotels downaround what the three-star
hotels are going for other timesof the year.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:40):
And what some people don't know is that the
first two weeks of December andyou've been saying this for over
a year is that the first twoweeks of December is the time to
travel.
It's one of the best times ofthe entire year to go someplace.
Mark Faldmo (21:53):
It is.
That's when you find really thebest cruise rates, the best
travel rates, best airfare rates, because not a lot of people
are traveling during that time,so there's some really good
prices there.
These packages that we're goingto talk about are Five Nights
Hotel, round Trip Airfare fromSalt Lake City If you're
listening on the podcast fromother cities we can price this
(22:15):
out for you Transportationbetween the airport and hotel
and includes all taxes and fees,and this is per person, based
on double occupancy.
The first hotel is a relativelynew hotel.
It's called the Hyatt ZivaRiviera Cancun.
Beautiful property it is, andfive-star price out at $1,099
(22:37):
per person Wow.
That stayed at this hotel.
I enjoy this hotel.
The next hotel is and thisone's a little bit different
it's the Park Royale Beach Clubfive-star hotel.
Again, it's $1,099 per person.
Now, this one is actually inthe hotel zone of Cancun, so
it's in a little bit differentlocation than the rest of these.
(23:00):
And then the last two hotelsthat we'll talk about are
probably close to my favoritetwo hotels in the area.
One is the MargaritavilleIsland Reserve, oh yeah, which
starts at $1319 per person.
If you like that Jimmy Buffettkind of relaxed, high-end beach
experience, but it's relaxed atthe same time.
Margaritaville is the place foryou.
(23:23):
And then El Dorado SeasidePalms five-star resort, $1399
per person.
We've talked about El Doradoresorts.
The reason why I like theSeaside Palms is it's just
really relaxed Mexican luxury.
This just really relaxedMexican luxury.
The resort is called theSeaside Palms because it's by
the sea and there are palm treeseverywhere.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:46):
Your top three excursions in Cancun.
What do you recommend?
Mark Faldmo (23:51):
The first is to visit an archaeological site.
My favorite two places are Cobaand Ekbalam.
Coba I like because it's kindof in the jungle and the best
way to get back to see the ruinsis to either rent a bike or
hire a pedicab to take you backthere.
And Ekbalam is a newer one forme that I just first went to
this year, but it has actuallyparts of the pyramids that you
(24:15):
can go into or that have beenuncovered, so you can see what
it's like inside the pyramidsand you can still climb on
Ekbalam, where Koba.
they closed that last year,maybe the year before, so
Ekbalam you can still walk upbecause a good part of the
display that they want you tosee is halfway up one of the
main pyramids.
I think one of the most uniquethings I've done is called Rio
(24:38):
Secreto, which is a cenote or anunderground cave.
So you get in a wetsuit, you godown through this little hole I
barely fit into, but then youkind of wade or swim through
this cave with stalactites,stalagmites.
Cancun has some of the bestsnorkeling in the world.
It has the second largest coralreef.
(25:01):
I like some of the smallerplaces, like taking catamaran
snorkel from Maroma Beach.
There's some smaller boats youcan take and have more of a
personalized experience nearPorto Morales or Tulum.
Those are the ones I like.
There's also some big snorkelparks.
Patrick Wiscombe (25:17):
Well, there's something you don't hear very
often a snorkel park.
A snorkel park, yeah yeah.
Mark Faldmo (25:20):
So big snorkel parks, well, there's something
you don't hear very often asnorkel park, a snorkel park,
yeah yeah.
So those snorkel parks areShelha, which is amazing,
although for me it's a littlebit too commercial nowadays.
I remember I went there when Iwas a young, young child, and
there was not very many peoplethere, so I like the other
places like Maroma very manypeople there, so I like the
(25:41):
other places like Maroma.
Xelha has some pretty goodsnorkeling, and also Xcaret has
some pretty good snorkeling,which are more of snorkel parks.
Patrick Wiscombe (25:46):
If you've always wanted to go to Cancun,
Mexico, and you want to stay ata five-star resort, especially
the first two weeks of December,we've got the departure date
December 11th December.
We've got the departure dateDecember 11th here in 2024,
we've got the five-star HyattZiva Riviera, Cancun for $1,099
per person, the Park RoyaleBeach Club for $1,099 per person
(26:10):
, Margaritaville Island Reserve,also a five-star resort, for
$1,319 per person, and the ElDorado Seaside Palms, which is a
five-star resort for $1,399.
All of this is all-inclusivefive-nights hotel, round-trip
air from Salt Lake City.
If you're flying out of adifferent city, we can get those
(26:31):
rates for you as well.
It includes transportationbetween the airport and hotel
and this includes all of thetaxes and fees.
And it is all of the taxes andfees and it is based on double
occupancy.
Call Mark in his office.
They are open Monday throughFriday 888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
(26:55):
When we come back, it is theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
We've got the cruise news ofthe week and we are headed to
Scandinavia.
We've got a couple of reallygreat deals that you need to
listen to on NCL and MSC cruiselines.
Show Voice (27:14):
That is next when the Inside Travel Talk podcast
and radio show continues, markand I will be right back you're
listening to the inside traveltalk podcast and radio show with
Patrick Wiscombe and MarkFaldmo, presented by blue planet
vacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
(27:36):
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com you by Ammo Waterways.
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Patrick Wiscombe (28:50):
The Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byblueplanetvacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are
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Show Voice (29:18):
This is the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
(29:42):
And now here are your hostsPatrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo
.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:49):
All aboard for segment number three, the
infamous Just Cruising segment,right here on the Inside Travel
Talk podcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and, if
you are just joining us here atthe bottom of the hour after the
(30:09):
Fox News update, the entirepurpose of this show is to help
you plan and book your nextvacation and we are on the air
every Saturday and Sundaymornings at 11 am Mountain Time
and we are presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
Mark is the owner of thecompany and at the bottom of
(30:30):
every hour, each and every week,we've got the cruise deal of
the week and coming up in thissegment, we are going to talk
about Scandinavian cruises with.
The best time is to cruise toScandinavia and probably one of
the more unique 12-day NCLcruises.
I've seen where we go fromCopenhagen, Denmark, to
Reykjavik, Iceland, very cool.
(30:52):
And then we've got a seven-daycruise on one of MSC's ships
which is round trip fromCopenhagen.
We'll get to that here in thissegment, but before we get there
, let's start with the cruisenews of the week.
I said this to you this weekthat NCL's new brand new for
2026,.
(31:13):
Their ship is going to becalled the Norwegian Luna.
First of all it just visuallylooks amazing.
I think it's the fourth ship inthe Prima class that is coming
out, but anyway, my point being,it is a beautiful ship and
they're now starting to sellsome of these vacations on the
Norwegian Luna.
Mark Faldmo (31:29):
It's actually the second ship in what they're
calling Prima Plus, because itis 10% larger than the original
Norwegian Prima.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:38):
So they're supersizing it.
Mark Faldmo (31:39):
They're supersizing it.
So the Norwegian Prima and theNorwegian Viva each have about
3,200 guests.
These ones will have almost3,600 guests on board, so
they're a little bit bigger inpassenger size and in ship size.
I've sailed on the NorwegianPrima.
The technology that's goinginto these new ships is amazing.
(32:04):
The guest experience, the showsthat they're putting in them.
It just makes me excited towant to cruise, looking at all
of the things that they put intothese cruise ships.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:14):
And you can't say that you have not been on a
cruise, because what many peopledo not know about you is that
you've been on over 150 cruises.
So if you're saying I'm readyto jump on another boat, that's
saying a lot.
Mark Faldmo (32:25):
I know a lot of people like cruising but I can
do either at the drop of a hat.
If someone says want to go on acruise tomorrow, I'll do
whatever I can to make it thereand go on the cruise.
That is true, yeah, and so someof the features of this new
cruise they're going to havewhat's called a slide coaster.
It's a hybrid roller coasterand water slide, which they're
(32:47):
also going to have on the Aqua,which is a sister ship, and the
attraction that's a three-storyquest around the ship's funnel
and one of the unique thingsthat Norwegian is adding to
these newer ships.
The Luna talked about the Haven, which is kind of a keyed entry
, kind of luxury, high end.
Oh yeah, they are nowintroducing a three bedroom
(33:11):
duplex in the Haven.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:13):
Yes, I saw that and I was like this is like
the perfect family suite onthis ship.
Mark Faldmo (33:18):
It is, and I think it's aft-facing yeah, so they're
going to have two of those, andwhere they're in the haven,
those also come with their ownrestaurants in the haven.
They have special perks forhaven guests.
But the rooms themselves aregoing to have separate living
areas, separate dining areas,three bathrooms, balcony and
(33:38):
then the three bedrooms in thosethree bedroom duplets rooms
Very comfortable.
This ship again comes out in, Ithink, late April of 2026.
The main places that will besailing is the Western and
Eastern Caribbean.
You'll be doing sailings toRoatan, Honduras, costa Maya,
Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, andthen Norwegian has a private
(34:03):
island in Belize called HarvestCay and that'll be seven-day
Eastern Caribbean's, which willhave Puerto Plata and the
Dominican Republic, St Thomasand Great Stirrup Cay, which is
their private island in theBahamas.
You can't go wrong.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:20):
We'll just put it that way If you've never
been to the Bahamas, but even ifyou have, and you know how
great it is go again, especiallyon a new ship.
Yes, I saw this news story thata cruise tax of 20 euro was
announced if you're going to theGreek islands.
Mark Faldmo (34:37):
Yep.
So if your ship is visitingeither Santorini or Mykonos
during the high summer seasonmonths, the government is adding
a 20 euro fee per person foreach passenger visiting those
islands.
These two islands are reallykind of trying to fight over
(34:58):
tourism.
They need money for someinfrastructure.
If you've ever been toSantorini, it's a volcanic
island perched high and youeither need to take a tram up to
the top or walk up a cliff toget up to the main town, and
they really need some bettertourist infrastructure because
they can't handle the number ofguests they get per day.
(35:19):
In fact, I think I've told youthis story.
When my wife and I were inSantorini, we were in the
village of Oai, which is thefamous village with the blue
domed and whitewashed buildings.
There were so many people there.
She just said I can't do this.
So we went and found a rooftopcafé and had olives and Coke.
(35:40):
And now, whenever my wife and Iare in a situation like that,
she says I think this is anolive and Coke situation.
So no one likes to pay more,but I do think this will
eventually help in someadditional tourism
infrastructure and may actuallykeep a few cruise ships from
(36:00):
going there.
So if you do go there, it'll bea more enjoyable experience.
Patrick Wiscombe (36:06):
There was also another news story that Oceana
Cruises is adding gratuities toinclusive pricing.
Mark Faldmo (36:13):
A lot of people may not know who Oceana is.
I like to call them the countryclub cruise.
So there are really kind ofthree types of cruising.
There's the contemporary cruiselines, which is your Carnival,
your Norwegian, your Princess,and then there's premium cruise
lines and then there's luxurycruise lines.
So Oceana would be in kind ofthe high-end, premium category.
(36:36):
They're not quite luxury, butthey're just right there on that
cusp of being luxury.
So that's what type of cruiseline they are and they are
adding gratuities to theirinclusive pricing.
They've always hadall-inclusive pricing but they
haven't included that gratuityyet.
So now you'll have thegratuities which they're
(36:59):
currently charging between $18and $23 per person.
So when this package comes intobeing, those will now be
included in the cruise fare andthat comes along with a shore
excursion credit and a beveragepackage which is just sodas and
juices.
You're basically going to havean all-inclusive cruise minus
(37:21):
alcohol.
Patrick Wiscombe (37:22):
It is time for the cruise deal of the week and
we are headed to Scandinavia.
One of the first questions Iwanted to ask you is when is the
best time to cruise toScandinavia?
Mark Faldmo (37:34):
So Scandinavia kind of a lot like Alaska in those
northern climates.
A lot of people think themiddle of summer.
Now if you're purely lookingfor temperatures, yes, July is
probably the best time to go.
My favorite time to go toScandinavia is middle of May to
(37:54):
the first part of June.
The reason why is becausethere's still snow melt from the
higher elevations and there areso many waterfalls,
particularly in the Norwegianfjords.
The later in the season you get, the less water is coming into
those waterfalls and so I thinkyou just get better scenery.
In that mid-May to first weekor so of June you will obviously
(38:18):
have a little bit coolertemperatures, but I think that's
an okay trade-off to see thescenery for cooler temperatures.
On that it's called a jacket,jackets and sweaters, dress in
layers.
Patrick Wiscombe (38:30):
Let's talk about the 12-day cruise
Copenhagen to Reykjavik.
Let's fill in some of thedetails for listeners.
Mark Faldmo (38:38):
This was one of the more unique cruises I've seen
and for sure one of the moreunique ones that does
Scandinavia.
It sells from Copenhagen,Denmark, to Reykjavik, Iceland,
and the ports it visits isKristiansand.
Again, I told you I'm a trainguy.
They have an old steam trainguy.
(39:02):
They have an old steam trainthat just you know.
A wonderful experience inChristian sand goes to a port
called Malloy, and Malloy is acoastal town right at the
entrance of the Nord FjordBeautiful scenery.
And then it visits one of myfavorite ports, which is
Allisand, which is, again it'sright at the entrance of the
Grainger Fjord.
What I like about this one isit's a fishing village and so
(39:26):
you know, as you're sailing in,you're sailing in with all of
the other fishermen that arecoming in.
And one of the most beautifulpoints in the world, I think, is
it's called the Troll Road andthat is near Allisand.
That's a switchback road thatgoes up to the top of a mountain
, some of the best sceneryyou'll ever see.
And then what I think makesthis interesting is the next two
(39:49):
ports.
It goes to Honingstav, which isthe far north of mainland
Norway.
It is the furthest north cityon the European continent.
And then the next port isLongyearbarn, and I'm probably
not saying that correct, butit's an island owned by Norway
(40:11):
and it is the furthest northsettlement in the world.
Patrick Wiscombe (40:16):
Oh really.
Mark Faldmo (40:18):
It only has a population of about 1,100 people
, so there's probably not a lotto do there, but to get to that
furthest north settlement in theworld, so again those last two
ports furthest north in Europe,then furthest north in the world
, and then you cruise down toIceland, with three stops in
(40:38):
Iceland and ending in Reykjavik.
Patrick Wiscombe (40:41):
That is spectacular Wow.
Mark Faldmo (40:43):
That's why I think that's the most unique, and that
again is a 12-day cruise.
Inside cabins start at $1458per person and balcony cabins at
$2,538 per person.
Those do include all of thetaxes and fees, so that's
everything all in for the cruisefare.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:04):
Let's quickly talk about the seven-day cruise
round-trip Copenhagen on MSC'sships.
Mark Faldmo (41:11):
So this one is a May 4, so it's early, and that
starts at $1,048 per person or$1,378 per person for a balcony.
I chose this one because it hasmy two favorite ports.
So it leaves from Copenhagenand then visits Geiringer Fjord
and the town of Geiringer,Alisund, which we just talked
(41:32):
about, and then probably myfavorite port in Norway is Flam.
Then it goes to Kiel in Germanyand ends back in Copenhagen on
that.
Patrick Wiscombe (41:41):
All right, we're going to take a break here
.
We're up against a hard break.
If you are interested in any ofthose cruises, or a cruise that
you just want to go on byyourself something that we
haven't even talked about CallMark in his office.
He's open Monday through Friday, but write down the number
(42:01):
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
When we come back, I mentionedat the very top of the show that
Mark is back from Kansas City.
What a great, great place.
He was able to go see abaseball game, because I was
(42:24):
watching the same game with him,not in the stadium, but here at
the house.
Talk about Kansas City andwe'll recap everything that
we've talked about on the showand we've got some additional
travel news that will be ofinterest to our listeners.
That is next.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (42:44):
Explore your world.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
That's 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (43:16):
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Show Voice (44:10):
This is the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo, presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call the show right now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
(44:31):
And now your hosts, PatrickWiscombe and Mark Faldmo.
Your hosts, Patrick Wiscombeand Mark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (44:38):
You are listening to the Inside Travel
Talk podcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe,alongside Mark Faldmo, and, if
you are just joining us for thisfinal segment of the show, all
we do is talk travel and all wedo all week long, professionally
speaking, is help you get outand explore the world, and we
(45:00):
want to help you plan and bookyour next vacation, if you're
just joining us.
Mark has flown over 4 millionmiles, he's been on over 150
cruises, he's basically spenthis entire life traveling and he
is the owner ofblueplanetvacations.
com and I am just his humblesidekick.
(45:21):
If you are ready to travel, youhave found the right show
Coming up in this segment.
We're going to talk about someof the things to do while you're
in Kansas City, if if you'reheaded that direction or if
you've even thought about going.
But let's first start thissegment with the travel news of
(45:42):
the week, and I saw that Rome isconsidering a new entrance fee
if you want to go see the TreviFountain.
Mark Faldmo (45:49):
So this is part of that ever-growing list of
attractions and destinationsthat are starting to charge
tourism fees.
They are hoping that this willmake the experience of visiting
Trevi Fountain a little bit.
better Problems that they haveare people that just linger and
stay.
They eat on the steps, theyfeed the pigeons.
(46:10):
We talked a few months agoabout a tourist that got
arrested for jumping into thefountain and they were thinking
of closing the site down totourists.
After that, Trevi found in Romeone of my favorite places to
visit.
It's not a lot.
It's two euros, so about $2.25at the current conversion rate
(46:34):
there.
Now, if you've ever been there,there are roads, mostly
pedestrianized, that run aroundthe fountain.
Those would still be open.
It's just the area.
There's steps where you can sitand look at the fountain, where
they're thinking about chargingto go in to see that.
So you get the best view of thefountain from there.
Just be respectful to theplaces you're visiting.
(46:56):
That's why a lot of these feesare taming into being.
Patrick Wiscombe (47:00):
Just as a general observation, TSA is now
saying that they want to delayfull real ID.
That's basically the yellowstar or the yellow symbol that's
on your driver's license.
They are delaying, or they'reasking to delay, enforcement of
Real ID.
Mark Faldmo (47:17):
If you don't know what Real ID is.
This is something that came outof the 9-11 commission.
How many years ago was that?
Patrick Wiscombe (47:24):
That was what 20?
No, it was over 23 years ago.
Mark Faldmo (47:28):
Yeah, 23 years ago.
Well, the commission was a fewyears after oh, that's true, on
9-11.
I think this was supposed to befirst implemented in 2015.
And this is probably theseventh announcement where
they're bumping it back.
And it's because Utah, wherewe're at, if you get a new
driver's license, it's Real IDcompliant.
(47:49):
Apparently, in other statesyou've been able to choose, Only
56% of driver's licensescurrently in circulation are
Real ID compliant and thatnumber is below 40% in 22 of the
states.
This was going to go into effectwhere, to get through the
airport, you needed that Real IDor passport, and passports have
(48:12):
always been Real ID compliantsince about 10 years ago.
They're going to kind of do asoft launch on this that they
want you to have Real ID, butthey'll still let you through if
you don't have a Real ID, whichkind of defeats the whole
purpose of the Real ID.
But they don't say when they'regoing to push back that
(48:33):
implementation.
The deadline was going to beMay 7th, 2025.
They're now pushing that backeven further.
So I hear you laughing aboutthat, and it is can't believe
how many times we've reported onthis story.
We've actually done it twice inthe past year since we've been
on air.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:50):
But, again.
Mark Faldmo (48:51):
Like I mentioned earlier, there's been several
other times when they've pushedthis back.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:56):
You just got back from Kansas City.
Let's talk about Kansas City,some of the things to do there.
I'm just going to throw one inthere for you Barbecue.
Mark Faldmo (49:05):
Yeah, barbecue is definitely on the list.
I was with the Utah StateAlumni Association.
We had a Kansas City tour thatwe did with one of the history
professors and I just kind ofwant to set the story here
because when they proposed thatI was like Kansas City, who
wants to go to Kansas City, youknow?
And it was a harder sale tomake to the people because a lot
(49:30):
of people have that same whowants to go to Kansas City?
But this kind of goes alongwith a lot of the destinations
we've talked about.
Like New Orleans is one thatwould fall in this.
Probably San Antonio, Texaswould fall in with this.
I heard this quote a long timeago and I think it really
relates good to tourism is everyperson has a story and every
(49:50):
community has a story and that'swhy we travel to learn about
new places, and Kansas Cityactually has a lot to offer.
I'm not too big of a museumperson but the Nelson Atkins
Museum of Art in Kansas City Ithink rivals some of the museums
I've seen around the world.
Patrick Wiscombe (50:09):
Really.
Mark Faldmo (50:10):
I think it's as good as most of the European art
museums that I've visited.
They had a medieval sectionthat had knights and things like
that.
They had an Egyptian sectionthat actually had a mummy.
Also in Independence is theTruman Library All the things
that President Truman had todeal with post-World War II.
The vice president at that timedidn't sit in on any of the
(50:31):
meetings.
He knew none of the operationalthings happening pertaining to
World War II.
He vice president at that timedidn't sit in on any of the
meetings.
He knew none of the operationalthings happening pertaining to
World War II.
He didn't even know about theManhattan Project until 12 days
into his presidency.
So another place that wevisited was Liberty.
There's actually a lot of CivilWar history in Liberty.
(50:52):
We don't think about theWestern US during the Civil War
because it was the western edgeof the US.
There was a big military depotwith lots of munitions that was
constantly fought over duringthe Civil War.
Also in Liberty is the JesseJames Bank Museum, the first
successful daylight bank robberyin the US.
(51:14):
One of my favorite parts on thewhole tour that we did was a
visit to the Negro League Museum.
Patrick Wiscombe (51:19):
Yeah, that would be interesting.
Mark Faldmo (51:21):
Right next door to that is the American Jazz Museum
.
Kansas City, with the riverboattraffic and all of that was
kind of a center point betweenNew Orleans and Chicago, kind of
the two places that most peoplethink of when they think of
jazz music, probably that andMemphis as well, but the
American Jazz museum is there.
And then, as you talked aboutbarbecue best barbecue I've ever
(51:44):
had- that's saying a lotthere's over 120 independent
barbecue restaurants in theKansas city area.
We went to a place called JackStack's Barbecue.
It was probably the bestbarbecue baked beans I've ever
had, but good.
And then you know, there's alsothe sports aspect of Kansas
(52:06):
City the Chiefs Royals andNASCAR track there.
There's a lot to do in KansasCity and in a lot of these
communities.
Again, you know, going back tothat, every community has a
story.
That's why I travel to learnabout new places.
I would have never consideredKansas City if it hadn't been
for this tour.
And now there are things I wantto do to go back and see.
(52:28):
A lot happened in Kansas Cityto develop our country.
Well, that's it.
Patrick Wiscombe (52:33):
We got to go up our country.
Well, that's it, we got to go.
If you're interested inplanning a vacation to any of
the destinations that we talkedabout during the show going on
the Rocky Mountaineer, thefoliage train ride you're going
to have to jump on that onepretty quick.
We've also got the hot traveldeal of the week the five-star
(52:55):
resorts to Cancun.
We've also got the 12-daycruise and the seven-day cruise
leaving out of Copenhagen and,of course, visit Kansas City.
Call Mark in his office, Mondaythrough Friday, 888-718-7717,
888-718-7717.
(53:16):
717-888-718-7717.
You can listen to this showagain tomorrow morning, Sunday,
at 11 am Mountain Time here onthis particular radio station,
860 KKAT.
If you want to need or listento the show again, you can
download and subscribe to theshow at InsideTravelTalk.
com.
We are on all of the majorpodcast platforms and, while
(53:40):
you're at it, may I ask you tosubscribe and leave us a
five-star review.
It really does help us gettraction with the podcast
platforms.
So, thank you.
Get out, explore your worldwhile you can, because you never
know what curveballs life isgoing to throw at you, and you
know what I'm talking about.
Live your life deliberately,live your life intentionally and
(54:02):
just remember today's a goodday for a good day.
Have a great week everyone.
We'll talk to you again nextSaturday morning.
Show Voice (54:14):
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.
(54:35):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
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