September 13, 2025 • 27 mins
Ready to save big on your dream vacation? The Inside Travel Talk podcast's anniversary episode delivers exciting opportunities you won't want to miss.
Discover how to cut $550 from your Fiji getaway with incredible packages starting at just $1,099 per person. These complete vacation deals include roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles for the surprisingly low price of $749, making this South Pacific paradise more affordable than you might think. Mark shares his firsthand experience of Fiji's welcoming culture and pristine beaches that offer a more authentic island atmosphere than many popular destinations.
Travel enthusiasts will be fascinated by Celebrity Cruises' spectacular entrance into river cruising. Their first ship sold out in an astonishing six minutes, demonstrating overwhelming demand for their unique approach to European river travel. Now named Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, these vessels bring the stunning Edge-class design to the Rhine and Danube, featuring innovative "Magic Edge" dining pods that elevate for panoramic views of Europe's riverside treasures.
For Alaska dreamers, we break down Princess Cruises' comprehensive land and sea packages with insider knowledge on choosing between their four tour types. Whether you prefer independence or full guidance, there's a perfect option to experience Denali and beyond. Take advantage of Princess's limited-time offer with 40% savings and free spots for third and fourth guests on 2026-2027 sailings when booked by October 15th.
The episode also covers American Airlines' new ultra-short route to Bimini, United's strategic moves against Spirit Airlines, and Frontier's surprising elimination of jet bridges to improve efficiency.
Two years of helping travelers explore the world has taught us one thing: life is unpredictable, so experience the destinations on your bucket list while you can. Contact Blue Planet Vacations at 888-718-7717 to turn these deals into your next unforgettable adventure.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:00):
It is time to talk travel.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast, a radio show
Coming up.
On today's show we will betalking about saving you $550 on
your next vacation in Fiji.
Celebrity fills an entire rivercruise ship in six minutes.
What to do when your flight isdelayed, getting charged for
(00:21):
being a no-show on RoyalCaribbean Alaska cruise and land
tours and 40% off PrincessCruises in Alaska.
Let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
(00:43):
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:53):
Helping you plan your next vacation.
This is the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show presented
by BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call us now 801-649-3700,801-649-3700, and check out the
podcast at insidetraveltalk.
(01:14):
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:16):
Here's Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo what a
joyous occasion it is to be onthe air celebrating two years of
(01:37):
bringing this radio show andpodcast to our listeners here in
the state of Utah and aroundthe world.
Happy birthday to this show.
Mark Been, doing this for twoyears yeah, it's pretty
incredible.
This is the award nominated andfrequently duplicated Inside
Travel Talk podcast and radioshow.
Hello there, I am PatrickWiscombe.
(02:00):
He is Mark Faldmo and if you arebrand new to the show, our job
is to help you plan and bookyour next vacation or give you
ideas of where you may want togo on vacation next, and we are
presented by BluePlanetVacations.
com.
If you're new to the show,thank you for subscribing.
If you've been with us for theentire two years, thank you so
much for allowing us to be partof your weekend each and every
(02:21):
Saturday and Sunday.
Just incredible that it's beena couple of years.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your weekend
each and every Saturday andSunday.
Just incredible that it's beena couple of years.
This week, we're going to helpyou save up to $550 when you
vacation in Fiji.
And, mark, we have the storythat Celebrity River Cruises a
brand new not a new cruisecompany but they're new to the
river cruise business that theyfilled their entire new ship in
(02:44):
six minutes.
We'll give you the detailsabout the ship, but let's first
get to the travel news headlines.
American Airlines is going tolaunch their first Miami to
Bimini route.
That's a short flight.
Mark Faldmo (02:57):
That is so.
We've talked about Bimini onthe show a few times.
I love the Bimini Beach Club.
Mainly the beach club.
Yeah, awesome.
It'll launch February 14th.
It'll fly Monday, Wednesdaysand Saturdays from Miami and it
will be American Airlines'shortest international route and
their shortest route overallit's 64 miles.
They do have another route, andI can't believe they even fly
(03:20):
this between Chicago andMilwaukee, which is 66 miles,
but this route to Bimini makessense because it is over water.
There is a ferry that people cantake from Miami.
This will make it quicker andeasier to get to Bimini and
those beautiful beaches.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:35):
United takes aim at Spirit with increases and
additions on 18 routes, which,by the way, I don't know if you
saw that news story a little bitearlier Was it this week, maybe
it was late last week thatspirit is pulling out of Salt
Lake City officially.
I think it was October 2nd ifmemory serves.
Mark Faldmo (03:53):
Yeah, they are pulling out.
I think eight, maybe 12 citiesthey're pulling out of.
So their strategy is shrink tosurvive.
They do vow to continueoperating, but they're going to
look at the routes verystrategically and less
profitable routes they are goingto cancel.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:09):
Just for competition purposes.
We hope that they make it truly.
Mark Faldmo (04:12):
Yes, this story.
United has announced going intothose places that Spirit has
left.
They're making increases on 16different routes beginning in
January.
So they're really putting thatpressure on Spirit, not only in
cities they already serve, butcities they're pulling out of.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:33):
Frontier Airlines says that they no
longer use jet bridges.
So, first of all, if peopledon't know what a jet bridge is,
let's explain that and let'sexplain why they're no longer
going to use them.
Mark Faldmo (04:44):
The jet bridge is what you walk onto the airplane
In the olden days and if you'reflying Frontier, you now walk
out across the tarmac area andboard the plane by stairs rather
than the jet bridge.
Frontier says jet bridges raisethe cost and weaken efficiency
(05:07):
and weaken efficiency Loading.
This way they're able to putstairs at the front and back of
the airplane and load from twodifferent parts of the airplane.
They've been doing this inDenver for quite a while, they
said to good success.
But I don't know, if you're ina blizzard in Denver, if you're
going to like boarding the planethat way, but they're going to
roll this out to more airports.
In fact, in Denver they built awhole new terminal just so they
could load their planes thisway and they're going to roll it
(05:29):
out to more airports over thenext year.
In a place like Denver they'vebeen doing it for almost two
years now.
So I guess it works and peopledon't complain about it.
But I've been in some prettynasty blizzards at the Denver
airport.
That's interesting.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:46):
Yeah, let's get to the travel deal of the
week, and this week we're goingto Fiji.
We are going to help you saveup to 550 when you vacation in
Fiji.
What are the details?
Mark?
Mark Faldmo (06:01):
Fiji Airways.
We've talked about this onoccasion.
They have some really goodlead-in fares to Fiji.
It's like $749 from Los Angeles.
So, I've looked how much $749round trip.
Show Voice (06:15):
Whoa.
Mark Faldmo (06:15):
So I've looked for complete vacation packages.
So this is airfare from LosAngeles.
We can help with your flightsfrom wherever you're coming from
Salt Lake or wherever to LosAngeles.
Middle of November, so beforeThanksgiving, four-star
adults-only hotel $1,099 perperson and then if we go up
(06:36):
where I stayed in May, theSheraton Fiji Golf and Spa
Resort, $1,349 per person.
That is amazing, it is.
And then I've got a few otheron the blueplanetvacations.
com website on the Fiji deal.
You can look at a few of theother deals Now with that
airfare.
These are kind of presetpackages.
Sure, we can help you with somemore customized packages and go
(07:00):
out to islands on the MamanukuIslands, which those island
stays are wonderful.
There's lots of different waysyou can do Fiji.
You can take one of thesepreset vacation packages where
you're in one hotel on the mainisland, or you can split your
time between the main island andsome of the outer islands.
I love that You're in a hotelthat's maybe anywhere between 20
(07:25):
and 40 rooms and it's the onlything on the island.
You have the whole beaches toyourself, or there's actually
some cruises that also go aroundthe island that you can do.
Take advantage of this FijiAirways special, oh yeah, which
they've had.
It's fluctuated between $7.49and $7.99.
It's a longer flight but thatmakes it comparable to Hawaii.
(07:46):
So if you've been to Hawaii alot, go to a different tropical
paradise and you love Fiji,you've said that for years.
The people are so nice.
It's not a highly visiteddestination.
There are lots of hotels there,but you still kind of feel that
island vibe that you don't getin some of the other
destinations.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:06):
Call Mark at the break and we're going to
take a break right now.
Just get the conversationstarted.
There's no obligation.
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
And you can also get thecontact information on the
website blueplanetvacations.
com.
(08:26):
When we come back.
It is time.
It is time.
It is time for the infamousJust Cruising segment, where
it's only about the cruise newsheadlines and it's only about
cruise deals.
This week we're talking Alaskaand we've got some significant
savings.
So stick around if you wouldplease, to help us celebrate
(08:50):
being on the air for two years.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your weekend.
We will be back in about 60seconds.
Show Voice (09:04):
If you have travel questions, they have the answers
.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo, presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
(09:24):
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (09:35):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Amar Waterways
.
From castles and capitals tovistas and villages.
Visit some of Europe's mostremarkable sites and cities To
set out on your own river cruisejourney.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Show Voice (10:01):
You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast
and radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
(10:22):
Here's Patrick and Mark Ahoymateys Ahoy.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:47):
Mateys Ahoy, you are listening to the Inside
Travel Talk podcast, a radioshow alongside Mark Faldmo.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you for allowing us to bepart of your weekend for the
last two years.
(11:07):
Whether you listen to us liveon the radio here in Salt Lake
City or around the country, youcan hear the show every Saturday
morning, every Sunday morningat 11 am on whatever radio
station you're listening to.
But if you're unable to catchus live, you can subscribe to
the podcast by going toinsidetraveltalk.
com.
(11:28):
We have links to all of thepodcast platforms.
Or, if you are not a podcaster,you can just stream the show
live at insidetraveltalk.
com.
This is the infamous JustCruising segment, this segment
that has helped us becomepopular worldwide.
But before we get to the cruisedeals of the week, let's get to
(11:49):
the cruise news headlines.
Madonna has a song called FourMinutes.
We are just going to changethat to six minutes.
Six minutes to save the world.
Celebrity.
They sold out their first everriver cruise ship.
They sold it out in six minutes, but in the process they have
now, since selling out the ship,which people didn't know where
(12:09):
they were going to go.
They didn't know what ship theywere going to be on.
They sold it out in six minutes.
Now they've revealed the lookand the name of their first ever
river cruise ship.
Mark has the details.
Mark Faldmo (12:21):
Last week we were supposed to talk about that.
They've opened up thosedeposits and about 40 minutes
before we went on air I got wordthat it sold out in six minutes
.
So people were putting down a$500 deposit, not knowing the
name of the ship, not knowingthe itinerary they could just
choose if it was on the Danubeor the Rhine.
Since then they've announcedsome information about the ships
(12:42):
, including their names, whichare the Celebrity Compass and
the Celebrity Seeker.
They will be modeled after thesame design as the Celebrity
Edge class ocean ships.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:54):
Love that idea .
Those Edge class ships arebeautiful.
Mark Faldmo (12:58):
Yeah, and they will have kind of a first on river
cruise.
They'll have a cantileverdining pod where you can eat in
a dining pod and be raised up soyou can get a 360 degree view
of wherever you're cruising Ilike it it's called the magic
edge dining pod and they'veannounced they're gonna have 33
seven night sailings on theRhine and the Danube.
(13:20):
State rooms will have a king bedwith balcony, complimentary
mini bar, destination inspiredamenities, and they say they'll
have the most in-room amenitiesand features when compared to
other river cruise lines.
Everyone will pick up theirgame to match this.
Oh yeah, and if you're in asuite, you'll have an on-demand
butler and you'll also haveaccess to an exclusive dining
(13:44):
room and room service.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:46):
I've never had a butler, but I've always
wanted to be buttled.
Yes, that just sounds awesome,Ferguson, you know, go get this
please.
Mark Faldmo (13:55):
I've had one a few times and never known how to use
them or what to do.
It just feels weird to asksomeone to do that when you
could go do it yourself.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:03):
I could do it myself.
So, yeah, someone to do that,when you could go do it yourself
so yeah, carnival cruise linegoes beyond soft drinks with
zero proof drink package.
So you know I'm a huge dietcoke fan.
But all I get when I'm onvacation are virgin pina coladas
.
I just love them.
This sounds like something upmy alley.
Mark Faldmo (14:23):
They have their package which is called
bottomless bubbles, which is thefull, complete drink package of
everything.
Bottomless, what Bubbles?
Oh, bubbles, bubbles, yeah.
And then they've had their softdrink package.
So now that they kind of havean in-between one which is their
cheers zero proof package,which is more than soft drinks,
(14:46):
you can get alcohol-freecocktails, mixed drinks, among
many other options.
So there's kind of thatin-between package.
You know me, I'll just go drinkthe virgin pina colada all day
long.
On that, yeah, I would tooThrow in a strawberry daiquiri
on occasion.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:03):
Yes, that sounds delightful.
Royal Caribbean is going tocharge guests a fee for
specialty dining.
That part is not new.
However, if you no-show, you'restill going to get charged.
Mark Faldmo (15:18):
And an additional fee.
An extra fee so if you don'tshow, there will be a fee on top
of what you already paid, whichis not refundable.
They've announced that fee attheir higher-end restaurants.
They've announced that fee attheir higher end restaurants.
So the Supper Club, royalRailway, the Teppanyaki and
Chef's Table is $50 per personfor those Per person.
At some of their regularrestaurants it's 50% of the base
(15:41):
cost of the reservation and atother venues it's $25 per person
.
So kind of varies by restaurantbut they are going to do a no
show fee.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:56):
We want you to be part of the show, so if you
have travel related questions,even if it's just trip specific,
vacation specific, you can getin touch with us during the week
and while we're on the air.
801-649-3700, 801-649-3700 ishow you get in touch with us so
we can answer your travelspecific question.
This text question came fromone of our listeners.
(16:17):
Last four digits are 1382.
We don't have a name on this,right Mark.
Mark Faldmo (16:21):
We don't Just the last four digits of that number.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:25):
Okay, so 1382.
Here we go.
Questions about Princess Alaskacruise and land tours is the
subject.
They are looking at the 2027schedule and want to do a
northbound cruise from Vancouver, Canada, with a land tour at
the end.
There seems to be lots ofoptions for land tours to
(16:47):
Princess Lodges.
I would like to do both Denaliand Mount McKinley lodges.
How many days do you recommendfor the land option and what are
some tour options in Fairbanks,Alaska and some in Anchorage?
Is one better than the other?
And why?
Man, there's a lot to coverthere.
So where do you want to start,mark?
Mark Faldmo (17:06):
First of all, let's just do an overview of what a
cruise tour or a land and cruisetour is.
These are very popular inAlaska and they combine a
seven-day north or southboundcruise with a three to 10-day
land tour.
In Alaska you can do the tourfirst and then the cruise, or
(17:28):
you can do the cruise first andthen the tour.
Personally, I recommend doingthe cruise first, doing a
northbound cruising, workingyour way into Alaska and
finishing with the highlightslike Denali, some of that
spectacular stuff you see on theland tour.
I think also the northboundcruises are typically not much,
(17:49):
but a little bit less than thesouthbound cruises.
Another thing to consider is doyou want to travel by bus or
rail?
For the land portion, some ofthe cruise tours are all rail,
some of the cruise tours are allbus and some combine both bus
and rail.
By bus you do get there a lotquicker and have more time in
(18:10):
places, but the rail is amazingin Alaska and Princess calls it
direct to wilderness, where youwalk off the cruise ship.
Just walk about 15 yards, geton the train and they take you
right up to Denali.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:25):
Did you say direct to wilderness?
Mark Faldmo (18:28):
Direct to the wilderness is the name of that
service that they offer, so yougo direct from the ship to the
wilderness.
Another thing to consider withAlaska cruise tours is do you
want to be on your own, so moreindependent, or do you want it
completely guided?
Princess offers four main typesof tours.
One is on your own, whichbasically includes the
(18:51):
transportation and lodging.
Only the on your own tours aretypically by bus, but there are
some that do have somecombination of rail.
These are ideal for people whowant to be more independent.
Arrange their tours, arrange thethings to do when you get there
.
I will say a lot of times someof the things like the Denali,
going into the Denali.
You have to do it by park buswhich can sell out.
(19:13):
So if you do on your own youmay not get to Denali.
The next way is called DenaliExplorer, least two and up to
four includes transportation,lodging and offers a deeper
immersion into Denali park andincludes that excursion into
(19:34):
Denali park.
So it does include some toursbut offers some time for leisure
to do your own thing.
And then princess offers theycall it off the beaten path,
which goes to some of their moreremote lodges.
You still still get the Denali,because Denali is what everyone
wants to do.
But then it goes to some oftheir other lodges and then they
(19:55):
offer Connoisseur, which iscompletely, 100% escorted.
It's like doing a bus tour, soyou have a professional host and
escort with you at full time.
It includes the most tours,most planned activities and also
includes most meals, where theother types don't include a lot
of meals.
So there's less planning, kindof more comfort in that
(20:17):
connoisseur type tour.
They do have a few others thatdive deeper into national parks
and things like that, but thoseare their four main tours that
they offer.
Princess also owns and operatesfive of their own lodges in
Alaska, which makes it nicebecause you're on a Princess
product the whole time of yourvacation.
The most famous one is thePrincess Denali Princess
(20:41):
Wilderness Lodge, which is justa mile from the entrance to
Denali National Park.
It's a prime home base toexplore that area.
The next most common one is theMount McKinley Princess
Wilderness Lodge.
It's about 40 miles from DenaliNational Park, but the one
thing that this offers is ifthere are no clouds I put that
(21:01):
caveat in there it offers thebest views of Denali.
They have a great room whereyou just sit there, and it has
Mount McKinley in its view.
Oh wow, amazing views of thepark.
They have Kenai PrincessWilderness Lodge, which is in
the Kenai Peninsula, and then myfavorite one is the Copper
River Princess Wilderness Lodge.
(21:22):
It's over by College Fjord andit's a remote lodge.
When I went there I don't knowif they've changed this you can
only get there by bus and it wasa dirt road by bus to get.
So that's how remote it is, noteven paved roads going in to
that, at least when I did it,and that's been about 10 years
ago.
So this is where you'd reallyvisit the wilderness in those
(21:43):
last two lodges, the CopperRiver and the Kenai Princess
Lodge.
And then they also have a lodgein Fairbanks, which a lot of
the cruise tours do end inFairbanks.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:55):
My word.
There is no short of optionshere.
Mark Faldmo (22:00):
No, there are probably 50 or 60 different tour
options you can choose oh mygoodness, between lengths of
stay and types and how they dothat.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:11):
The person texting us from 1382,.
Mark Faldmo (22:14):
this feels like you need to have a longer
conversation with Mark, I meanbased on the criteria and
questions that he asked, I havemy recommendation of what he
should do.
You know his first question wasend in Fairbanks or end in
Anchorage.
I would choose end in Fairbanks.
The tour that I would recommendI would recommend an 11 or 12
(22:35):
day Denali Explorer tour thatends in Fairbanks.
The one I recommend is Tor IA5is the number the princess uses
for that.
It includes Mount McKinleyLodge, Denali Lodge and
Fairbanks.
What you'll do is you do getthat direct to wilderness
service so you'll walk off theship, board a train up to
(22:56):
Talkeetna, which is where you'llspend two nights at Mount
McKinley Wilderness Lodge andthen after that you'll take a
bus to Denali PrincessWilderness Lodge, spend two
nights there and then it's ashort drive from the Denali
Princess Lodge up to Fairbanks.
On that drive is when you'll dothat paddle wheel ship on the
river, but then you'll spend onenight in Fairbanks and then
(23:18):
come home.
These cruise tours rangeanywhere from three to 10 days,
but I like the ones that includeat least a portion of your
activities and also a little bitmore assistance as you're going
, as compared to those on yourown ones.
That's what I would recommendfor our caller.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:35):
Just before we wrap up, let's hurry and get to
the cruise deal of the week,which is Princess Cruises up to
40% off and the third and fourthguests are free for 2026 and
2027.
But you need to book prettyquick.
Mark Faldmo (23:50):
Yeah, you do.
So it's booked by October 15thfor that 40% off and you know
this is good for sailingsanywhere in the world.
But we're talking about Alaskaand Alaska cruise tours, so that
40% off is off of the cruiseportion of that tour and also
the third and fourth guest isonly for the cruise portion.
You can do the cruise tour.
(24:11):
So, uh, you know just quickly.
Um, I looked May dates for thattour IA5 that I recommended.
So in 2026, the price starts at$2,099 per person.
In 2027, it starts at $2,559per person.
That's for the inside cabinsand it jumps up about $600 or
(24:31):
$700 per person if you go to thebalcony for that cruise tour.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:35):
So about $3,200 on the balcony stuff.
Mark Faldmo (24:39):
Correct.
I think a cruise tour is thebest way to see Alaska.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:43):
You will never be disappointed if you go to
Alaska Never.
There are two vacations thatare absolute, guaranteed hits
Alaska and Hawaii, and I'll eventhrow in Fiji, and Fiji, since
we talked about it, yep, andFiji, since we talked about it,
yep.
Take advantage of thisparticular offer 888-718-7717.
(25:08):
888-718-7717.
You can also see all of this onblueplanetvacations.
com.
You can listen to thisaward-nominated show again
tomorrow morning, Sunday, at 11am, right here on the radio
station that you're listening toaround the country, but also
(25:30):
right here in Salt Lake, and youcan stream, download and
subscribe to the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
We are on all of the majorpodcast platforms and you can
stream the show right oninsidetraveltalk.
com.
Okay, it's your turn now to getout and explore the world while
you can, because you never knowwhat curveball's life is going
(25:50):
to throw at you.
Live your life deliberately.
Live your life intentionally.
And a sincere thank you forlistening.
We don't have a business, wedon't have a show without you.
Thank you so much for listening.
We don't have a business, wedon't have a show without you.
Thank you so much for listening.
We'll talk to you next weekend.
Show Voice (26:12):
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 byBluePlanetVacation.
(26:37):
com.
Book your adventure.
Ad Voice (26:41):
right now.
This segment of Inside TravelTalk is sponsored by El Dorado
Spa Resorts.
Escape to Cancun's Riviera Mayawith authentic all-inclusive
luxury at an El Dorado SpaResort.
To book your romantic beachgetaway, contact Blue Planet
Vacations at 888-718-7717 orblueplanetvacations.
com.
It is time to talk travel.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast, a radio show
Coming up.
On today's show we will betalking about saving you $550 on
your next vacation in Fiji.
Celebrity fills an entire rivercruise ship in six minutes.
What to do when your flight isdelayed, getting charged for
(00:21):
being a no-show on RoyalCaribbean Alaska cruise and land
tours and 40% off PrincessCruises in Alaska.
Let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
(00:43):
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:53):
Helping you plan your next vacation.
This is the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show presented
by BluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call us now 801-649-3700,801-649-3700, and check out the
podcast at insidetraveltalk.
(01:14):
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:16):
Here's Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo what a
joyous occasion it is to be onthe air celebrating two years of
(01:37):
bringing this radio show andpodcast to our listeners here in
the state of Utah and aroundthe world.
Happy birthday to this show.
Mark Been, doing this for twoyears yeah, it's pretty
incredible.
This is the award nominated andfrequently duplicated Inside
Travel Talk podcast and radioshow.
Hello there, I am PatrickWiscombe.
(02:00):
He is Mark Faldmo and if you arebrand new to the show, our job
is to help you plan and bookyour next vacation or give you
ideas of where you may want togo on vacation next, and we are
presented by BluePlanetVacations.
com.
If you're new to the show,thank you for subscribing.
If you've been with us for theentire two years, thank you so
much for allowing us to be partof your weekend each and every
(02:21):
Saturday and Sunday.
Just incredible that it's beena couple of years.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your weekend
each and every Saturday andSunday.
Just incredible that it's beena couple of years.
This week, we're going to helpyou save up to $550 when you
vacation in Fiji.
And, mark, we have the storythat Celebrity River Cruises a
brand new not a new cruisecompany but they're new to the
river cruise business that theyfilled their entire new ship in
(02:44):
six minutes.
We'll give you the detailsabout the ship, but let's first
get to the travel news headlines.
American Airlines is going tolaunch their first Miami to
Bimini route.
That's a short flight.
Mark Faldmo (02:57):
That is so.
We've talked about Bimini onthe show a few times.
I love the Bimini Beach Club.
Mainly the beach club.
Yeah, awesome.
It'll launch February 14th.
It'll fly Monday, Wednesdaysand Saturdays from Miami and it
will be American Airlines'shortest international route and
their shortest route overallit's 64 miles.
They do have another route, andI can't believe they even fly
(03:20):
this between Chicago andMilwaukee, which is 66 miles,
but this route to Bimini makessense because it is over water.
There is a ferry that people cantake from Miami.
This will make it quicker andeasier to get to Bimini and
those beautiful beaches.
Patrick Wiscombe (03:35):
United takes aim at Spirit with increases and
additions on 18 routes, which,by the way, I don't know if you
saw that news story a little bitearlier Was it this week, maybe
it was late last week thatspirit is pulling out of Salt
Lake City officially.
I think it was October 2nd ifmemory serves.
Mark Faldmo (03:53):
Yeah, they are pulling out.
I think eight, maybe 12 citiesthey're pulling out of.
So their strategy is shrink tosurvive.
They do vow to continueoperating, but they're going to
look at the routes verystrategically and less
profitable routes they are goingto cancel.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:09):
Just for competition purposes.
We hope that they make it truly.
Mark Faldmo (04:12):
Yes, this story.
United has announced going intothose places that Spirit has
left.
They're making increases on 16different routes beginning in
January.
So they're really putting thatpressure on Spirit, not only in
cities they already serve, butcities they're pulling out of.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:33):
Frontier Airlines says that they no
longer use jet bridges.
So, first of all, if peopledon't know what a jet bridge is,
let's explain that and let'sexplain why they're no longer
going to use them.
Mark Faldmo (04:44):
The jet bridge is what you walk onto the airplane
In the olden days and if you'reflying Frontier, you now walk
out across the tarmac area andboard the plane by stairs rather
than the jet bridge.
Frontier says jet bridges raisethe cost and weaken efficiency
(05:07):
and weaken efficiency Loading.
This way they're able to putstairs at the front and back of
the airplane and load from twodifferent parts of the airplane.
They've been doing this inDenver for quite a while, they
said to good success.
But I don't know, if you're ina blizzard in Denver, if you're
going to like boarding the planethat way, but they're going to
roll this out to more airports.
In fact, in Denver they built awhole new terminal just so they
could load their planes thisway and they're going to roll it
(05:29):
out to more airports over thenext year.
In a place like Denver they'vebeen doing it for almost two
years now.
So I guess it works and peopledon't complain about it.
But I've been in some prettynasty blizzards at the Denver
airport.
That's interesting.
Patrick Wiscombe (05:46):
Yeah, let's get to the travel deal of the
week, and this week we're goingto Fiji.
We are going to help you saveup to 550 when you vacation in
Fiji.
What are the details?
Mark?
Mark Faldmo (06:01):
Fiji Airways.
We've talked about this onoccasion.
They have some really goodlead-in fares to Fiji.
It's like $749 from Los Angeles.
So, I've looked how much $749round trip.
Show Voice (06:15):
Whoa.
Mark Faldmo (06:15):
So I've looked for complete vacation packages.
So this is airfare from LosAngeles.
We can help with your flightsfrom wherever you're coming from
Salt Lake or wherever to LosAngeles.
Middle of November, so beforeThanksgiving, four-star
adults-only hotel $1,099 perperson and then if we go up
(06:36):
where I stayed in May, theSheraton Fiji Golf and Spa
Resort, $1,349 per person.
That is amazing, it is.
And then I've got a few otheron the blueplanetvacations.
com website on the Fiji deal.
You can look at a few of theother deals Now with that
airfare.
These are kind of presetpackages.
Sure, we can help you with somemore customized packages and go
(07:00):
out to islands on the MamanukuIslands, which those island
stays are wonderful.
There's lots of different waysyou can do Fiji.
You can take one of thesepreset vacation packages where
you're in one hotel on the mainisland, or you can split your
time between the main island andsome of the outer islands.
I love that You're in a hotelthat's maybe anywhere between 20
(07:25):
and 40 rooms and it's the onlything on the island.
You have the whole beaches toyourself, or there's actually
some cruises that also go aroundthe island that you can do.
Take advantage of this FijiAirways special, oh yeah, which
they've had.
It's fluctuated between $7.49and $7.99.
It's a longer flight but thatmakes it comparable to Hawaii.
(07:46):
So if you've been to Hawaii alot, go to a different tropical
paradise and you love Fiji,you've said that for years.
The people are so nice.
It's not a highly visiteddestination.
There are lots of hotels there,but you still kind of feel that
island vibe that you don't getin some of the other
destinations.
Patrick Wiscombe (08:06):
Call Mark at the break and we're going to
take a break right now.
Just get the conversationstarted.
There's no obligation.
888-718-7717.
888-718-7717.
And you can also get thecontact information on the
website blueplanetvacations.
com.
(08:26):
When we come back.
It is time.
It is time.
It is time for the infamousJust Cruising segment, where
it's only about the cruise newsheadlines and it's only about
cruise deals.
This week we're talking Alaskaand we've got some significant
savings.
So stick around if you wouldplease, to help us celebrate
(08:50):
being on the air for two years.
Thank you so much for allowingus to be part of your weekend.
We will be back in about 60seconds.
Show Voice (09:04):
If you have travel questions, they have the answers
.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show with Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo, presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com.
Call or text the show right now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
(09:24):
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (09:35):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Amar Waterways
.
From castles and capitals tovistas and villages.
Visit some of Europe's mostremarkable sites and cities To
set out on your own river cruisejourney.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
blueplanetvacations.
com.
Show Voice (10:01):
You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast
and radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
(10:22):
Here's Patrick and Mark Ahoymateys Ahoy.
Patrick Wiscombe (10:47):
Mateys Ahoy, you are listening to the Inside
Travel Talk podcast, a radioshow alongside Mark Faldmo.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you for allowing us to bepart of your weekend for the
last two years.
(11:07):
Whether you listen to us liveon the radio here in Salt Lake
City or around the country, youcan hear the show every Saturday
morning, every Sunday morningat 11 am on whatever radio
station you're listening to.
But if you're unable to catchus live, you can subscribe to
the podcast by going toinsidetraveltalk.
com.
(11:28):
We have links to all of thepodcast platforms.
Or, if you are not a podcaster,you can just stream the show
live at insidetraveltalk.
com.
This is the infamous JustCruising segment, this segment
that has helped us becomepopular worldwide.
But before we get to the cruisedeals of the week, let's get to
(11:49):
the cruise news headlines.
Madonna has a song called FourMinutes.
We are just going to changethat to six minutes.
Six minutes to save the world.
Celebrity.
They sold out their first everriver cruise ship.
They sold it out in six minutes, but in the process they have
now, since selling out the ship,which people didn't know where
(12:09):
they were going to go.
They didn't know what ship theywere going to be on.
They sold it out in six minutes.
Now they've revealed the lookand the name of their first ever
river cruise ship.
Mark has the details.
Mark Faldmo (12:21):
Last week we were supposed to talk about that.
They've opened up thosedeposits and about 40 minutes
before we went on air I got wordthat it sold out in six minutes
.
So people were putting down a$500 deposit, not knowing the
name of the ship, not knowingthe itinerary they could just
choose if it was on the Danubeor the Rhine.
Since then they've announcedsome information about the ships
(12:42):
, including their names, whichare the Celebrity Compass and
the Celebrity Seeker.
They will be modeled after thesame design as the Celebrity
Edge class ocean ships.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:54):
Love that idea .
Those Edge class ships arebeautiful.
Mark Faldmo (12:58):
Yeah, and they will have kind of a first on river
cruise.
They'll have a cantileverdining pod where you can eat in
a dining pod and be raised up soyou can get a 360 degree view
of wherever you're cruising Ilike it it's called the magic
edge dining pod and they'veannounced they're gonna have 33
seven night sailings on theRhine and the Danube.
(13:20):
State rooms will have a king bedwith balcony, complimentary
mini bar, destination inspiredamenities, and they say they'll
have the most in-room amenitiesand features when compared to
other river cruise lines.
Everyone will pick up theirgame to match this.
Oh yeah, and if you're in asuite, you'll have an on-demand
butler and you'll also haveaccess to an exclusive dining
(13:44):
room and room service.
Patrick Wiscombe (13:46):
I've never had a butler, but I've always
wanted to be buttled.
Yes, that just sounds awesome,Ferguson, you know, go get this
please.
Mark Faldmo (13:55):
I've had one a few times and never known how to use
them or what to do.
It just feels weird to asksomeone to do that when you
could go do it yourself.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:03):
I could do it myself.
So, yeah, someone to do that,when you could go do it yourself
so yeah, carnival cruise linegoes beyond soft drinks with
zero proof drink package.
So you know I'm a huge dietcoke fan.
But all I get when I'm onvacation are virgin pina coladas
.
I just love them.
This sounds like something upmy alley.
Mark Faldmo (14:23):
They have their package which is called
bottomless bubbles, which is thefull, complete drink package of
everything.
Bottomless, what Bubbles?
Oh, bubbles, bubbles, yeah.
And then they've had their softdrink package.
So now that they kind of havean in-between one which is their
cheers zero proof package,which is more than soft drinks,
(14:46):
you can get alcohol-freecocktails, mixed drinks, among
many other options.
So there's kind of thatin-between package.
You know me, I'll just go drinkthe virgin pina colada all day
long.
On that, yeah, I would tooThrow in a strawberry daiquiri
on occasion.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:03):
Yes, that sounds delightful.
Royal Caribbean is going tocharge guests a fee for
specialty dining.
That part is not new.
However, if you no-show, you'restill going to get charged.
Mark Faldmo (15:18):
And an additional fee.
An extra fee so if you don'tshow, there will be a fee on top
of what you already paid, whichis not refundable.
They've announced that fee attheir higher-end restaurants.
They've announced that fee attheir higher end restaurants.
So the Supper Club, royalRailway, the Teppanyaki and
Chef's Table is $50 per personfor those Per person.
At some of their regularrestaurants it's 50% of the base
(15:41):
cost of the reservation and atother venues it's $25 per person
.
So kind of varies by restaurantbut they are going to do a no
show fee.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:56):
We want you to be part of the show, so if you
have travel related questions,even if it's just trip specific,
vacation specific, you can getin touch with us during the week
and while we're on the air.
801-649-3700, 801-649-3700 ishow you get in touch with us so
we can answer your travelspecific question.
This text question came fromone of our listeners.
(16:17):
Last four digits are 1382.
We don't have a name on this,right Mark.
Mark Faldmo (16:21):
We don't Just the last four digits of that number.
Patrick Wiscombe (16:25):
Okay, so 1382.
Here we go.
Questions about Princess Alaskacruise and land tours is the
subject.
They are looking at the 2027schedule and want to do a
northbound cruise from Vancouver, Canada, with a land tour at
the end.
There seems to be lots ofoptions for land tours to
(16:47):
Princess Lodges.
I would like to do both Denaliand Mount McKinley lodges.
How many days do you recommendfor the land option and what are
some tour options in Fairbanks,Alaska and some in Anchorage?
Is one better than the other?
And why?
Man, there's a lot to coverthere.
So where do you want to start,mark?
Mark Faldmo (17:06):
First of all, let's just do an overview of what a
cruise tour or a land and cruisetour is.
These are very popular inAlaska and they combine a
seven-day north or southboundcruise with a three to 10-day
land tour.
In Alaska you can do the tourfirst and then the cruise, or
(17:28):
you can do the cruise first andthen the tour.
Personally, I recommend doingthe cruise first, doing a
northbound cruising, workingyour way into Alaska and
finishing with the highlightslike Denali, some of that
spectacular stuff you see on theland tour.
I think also the northboundcruises are typically not much,
(17:49):
but a little bit less than thesouthbound cruises.
Another thing to consider is doyou want to travel by bus or
rail?
For the land portion, some ofthe cruise tours are all rail,
some of the cruise tours are allbus and some combine both bus
and rail.
By bus you do get there a lotquicker and have more time in
(18:10):
places, but the rail is amazingin Alaska and Princess calls it
direct to wilderness, where youwalk off the cruise ship.
Just walk about 15 yards, geton the train and they take you
right up to Denali.
Patrick Wiscombe (18:25):
Did you say direct to wilderness?
Mark Faldmo (18:28):
Direct to the wilderness is the name of that
service that they offer, so yougo direct from the ship to the
wilderness.
Another thing to consider withAlaska cruise tours is do you
want to be on your own, so moreindependent, or do you want it
completely guided?
Princess offers four main typesof tours.
One is on your own, whichbasically includes the
(18:51):
transportation and lodging.
Only the on your own tours aretypically by bus, but there are
some that do have somecombination of rail.
These are ideal for people whowant to be more independent.
Arrange their tours, arrange thethings to do when you get there
.
I will say a lot of times someof the things like the Denali,
going into the Denali.
You have to do it by park buswhich can sell out.
(19:13):
So if you do on your own youmay not get to Denali.
The next way is called DenaliExplorer, least two and up to
four includes transportation,lodging and offers a deeper
immersion into Denali park andincludes that excursion into
(19:34):
Denali park.
So it does include some toursbut offers some time for leisure
to do your own thing.
And then princess offers theycall it off the beaten path,
which goes to some of their moreremote lodges.
You still still get the Denali,because Denali is what everyone
wants to do.
But then it goes to some oftheir other lodges and then they
(19:55):
offer Connoisseur, which iscompletely, 100% escorted.
It's like doing a bus tour, soyou have a professional host and
escort with you at full time.
It includes the most tours,most planned activities and also
includes most meals, where theother types don't include a lot
of meals.
So there's less planning, kindof more comfort in that
(20:17):
connoisseur type tour.
They do have a few others thatdive deeper into national parks
and things like that, but thoseare their four main tours that
they offer.
Princess also owns and operatesfive of their own lodges in
Alaska, which makes it nicebecause you're on a Princess
product the whole time of yourvacation.
The most famous one is thePrincess Denali Princess
(20:41):
Wilderness Lodge, which is justa mile from the entrance to
Denali National Park.
It's a prime home base toexplore that area.
The next most common one is theMount McKinley Princess
Wilderness Lodge.
It's about 40 miles from DenaliNational Park, but the one
thing that this offers is ifthere are no clouds I put that
(21:01):
caveat in there it offers thebest views of Denali.
They have a great room whereyou just sit there, and it has
Mount McKinley in its view.
Oh wow, amazing views of thepark.
They have Kenai PrincessWilderness Lodge, which is in
the Kenai Peninsula, and then myfavorite one is the Copper
River Princess Wilderness Lodge.
(21:22):
It's over by College Fjord andit's a remote lodge.
When I went there I don't knowif they've changed this you can
only get there by bus and it wasa dirt road by bus to get.
So that's how remote it is, noteven paved roads going in to
that, at least when I did it,and that's been about 10 years
ago.
So this is where you'd reallyvisit the wilderness in those
(21:43):
last two lodges, the CopperRiver and the Kenai Princess
Lodge.
And then they also have a lodgein Fairbanks, which a lot of
the cruise tours do end inFairbanks.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:55):
My word.
There is no short of optionshere.
Mark Faldmo (22:00):
No, there are probably 50 or 60 different tour
options you can choose oh mygoodness, between lengths of
stay and types and how they dothat.
Patrick Wiscombe (22:11):
The person texting us from 1382,.
Mark Faldmo (22:14):
this feels like you need to have a longer
conversation with Mark, I meanbased on the criteria and
questions that he asked, I havemy recommendation of what he
should do.
You know his first question wasend in Fairbanks or end in
Anchorage.
I would choose end in Fairbanks.
The tour that I would recommendI would recommend an 11 or 12
(22:35):
day Denali Explorer tour thatends in Fairbanks.
The one I recommend is Tor IA5is the number the princess uses
for that.
It includes Mount McKinleyLodge, Denali Lodge and
Fairbanks.
What you'll do is you do getthat direct to wilderness
service so you'll walk off theship, board a train up to
(22:56):
Talkeetna, which is where you'llspend two nights at Mount
McKinley Wilderness Lodge andthen after that you'll take a
bus to Denali PrincessWilderness Lodge, spend two
nights there and then it's ashort drive from the Denali
Princess Lodge up to Fairbanks.
On that drive is when you'll dothat paddle wheel ship on the
river, but then you'll spend onenight in Fairbanks and then
(23:18):
come home.
These cruise tours rangeanywhere from three to 10 days,
but I like the ones that includeat least a portion of your
activities and also a little bitmore assistance as you're going
, as compared to those on yourown ones.
That's what I would recommendfor our caller.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:35):
Just before we wrap up, let's hurry and get to
the cruise deal of the week,which is Princess Cruises up to
40% off and the third and fourthguests are free for 2026 and
2027.
But you need to book prettyquick.
Mark Faldmo (23:50):
Yeah, you do.
So it's booked by October 15thfor that 40% off and you know
this is good for sailingsanywhere in the world.
But we're talking about Alaskaand Alaska cruise tours, so that
40% off is off of the cruiseportion of that tour and also
the third and fourth guest isonly for the cruise portion.
You can do the cruise tour.
(24:11):
So, uh, you know just quickly.
Um, I looked May dates for thattour IA5 that I recommended.
So in 2026, the price starts at$2,099 per person.
In 2027, it starts at $2,559per person.
That's for the inside cabinsand it jumps up about $600 or
(24:31):
$700 per person if you go to thebalcony for that cruise tour.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:35):
So about $3,200 on the balcony stuff.
Mark Faldmo (24:39):
Correct.
I think a cruise tour is thebest way to see Alaska.
Patrick Wiscombe (24:43):
You will never be disappointed if you go to
Alaska Never.
There are two vacations thatare absolute, guaranteed hits
Alaska and Hawaii, and I'll eventhrow in Fiji, and Fiji, since
we talked about it, yep, andFiji, since we talked about it,
yep.
Take advantage of thisparticular offer 888-718-7717.
(25:08):
888-718-7717.
You can also see all of this onblueplanetvacations.
com.
You can listen to thisaward-nominated show again
tomorrow morning, Sunday, at 11am, right here on the radio
station that you're listening toaround the country, but also
(25:30):
right here in Salt Lake, and youcan stream, download and
subscribe to the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
We are on all of the majorpodcast platforms and you can
stream the show right oninsidetraveltalk.
com.
Okay, it's your turn now to getout and explore the world while
you can, because you never knowwhat curveball's life is going
(25:50):
to throw at you.
Live your life deliberately.
Live your life intentionally.
And a sincere thank you forlistening.
We don't have a business, wedon't have a show without you.
Thank you so much for listening.
We don't have a business, wedon't have a show without you.
Thank you so much for listening.
We'll talk to you next weekend.
Show Voice (26:12):
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 byBluePlanetVacation.
(26:37):
com.
Book your adventure.
Ad Voice (26:41):
right now.
This segment of Inside TravelTalk is sponsored by El Dorado
Spa Resorts.
Escape to Cancun's Riviera Mayawith authentic all-inclusive
luxury at an El Dorado SpaResort.
To book your romantic beachgetaway, contact Blue Planet
Vacations at 888-718-7717 orblueplanetvacations.
com.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.