January 18, 2025 • 52 mins
Ever wondered how to explore Europe like a seasoned traveler or find the best deals for a Hawaii getaway? Tune into our latest episode for an insider’s guide to travel deals and exclusive destination insights. Broadcasting live from the stunning Sandals Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas, Mark shares thrilling experiences, including witnessing a Starlink rocket launch, and uncovers United Airlines’ upcoming in-flight connectivity upgrade with Starlink Internet. We dive deep into Europe’s enchanting landscapes, offering tips on navigating land tours versus river cruises and revealing a remarkable 69-day National Geographic Arctic expedition.
As we explore the allure of Hawaii, we discuss the effects of a looming tourism tax and offer budget-friendly alternatives to pricey overwater bungalows. Whether you're planning a last-minute cruise or seeking digital travel conveniences, our episode covers it all. From Princess Cruises’ new dining reservation system to Holland America’s island upgrades, the cruise industry updates are as captivating as our special travel deals to Hawaii’s Big Island. Plus, discover how Google Wallet’s latest feature makes storing US passport information seamless, enhancing your travel experience.
Finally, we invite you to embrace the world of travel with open arms. Life is unpredictable, and the opportunity to create unforgettable memories should be seized now. Reflecting on San Francisco’s tourism challenges and rejuvenation hopes, we encourage intentional travel, urging you to take advantage of the incredible experiences waiting for you. Join us next week for more exciting travel inspiration that will keep your wanderlust alive!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Patrick Wiscombe (00:00):
It is the weekend, which means it's time
for the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show Coming up
.
On today's show, Mark and Ihave travel deals galore, A deal
in every segment, from Europeand Hawaii to the Bahamas, and
Mark is broadcasting from theBahamas.
Let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
(00:23):
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:47):
Helping you plan your next vacation.
This is the inside travel talkpodcast and radio show presented
by Blue Planet Vacations.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:21):
It is time to talk travel.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you for taking the timeto stop and listen to the show,
and if you've never heard ourshow, the entire purpose of this
show is to help you plan andbook your next vacation.
(01:43):
And if you have no idea whereto go, well, that's what we're
going to talk about.
We're going to give you someideas of where you want to go on
your next vacation, and we arepresented by BluePlanetVacations
.
com, which is Mark's company,and he joins me from the Bahamas
, which I should just give you around of applause on that one,
(02:06):
I think you're at the Sandals,royal Bahamian right now.
Mark Faldmo (02:09):
I'm at the Sandals Royal Bahamian.
I've moved the little desk over.
I'm looking right out thebalcony window to the turquoise
blue water as I'm talking to youfrom the Bahamas.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:21):
You've got literal palm trees and turquoise
water.
It's absolutely beautiful.
Mark Faldmo (02:26):
This is a work trip for me.
I've been here for three daysof meetings.
I have a day off and then flyhome tomorrow.
Yeah, work meeting yeah, workyeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:38):
So I'm sorry, but it's hard to take that
seriously with work and Bahamaswhen those two words are used
together.
Take that seriously with workand Bahamas when those two words
are used together.
Mark Faldmo (02:46):
Yeah, what a great place to go to a few hours of
meetings and then go out andrelax on the beach, have some
good food, experience adifferent culture.
It's a great, great job I have.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:57):
Coming up in this segment of the show.
We've got the destination ofthe week and we're going to be
talking about Europe.
We'll be talking about thedifference between taking a land
tour or a river cruise.
We'll give you some optionsthere.
But let's first get to thetravel news headlines.
United airlines expects tostart Starlink in February,
(03:18):
which is starting to see a realtrend that Starlink is kind of
the internet provider of theworld at this point.
Mark Faldmo (03:27):
Internet is essential when traveling.
We couldn't be doing the showright now without good, stable
internet.
We probably wouldn't do theshow if one of us was on an
airplane, but we could now withStarlink.
I don't think that otherpassengers would like it, no.
So in February they're startingto roll this out and eventually
it'll be to their entire fleet.
(03:48):
They're starting out on theirregional aircraft, so their
Embraer E-175s in the springwill be the initial phase and
then they'll roll it out ontheir entire regional jet fleet
and then it's mainline aircraft.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:03):
One of the things that was really fun to
watch and this is aStarlink-related story is when
Nikki and I were in PortCanaveral.
We were looking off thestarboard side of the ship and
we had a crystal clear view ofStarlink, the rocket taking off.
In June of last year I think itwas June 23rd and it was
(04:23):
spectacular to watch a rocketlaunch.
I wish you could have seen it.
Mark Faldmo (04:27):
Me too.
That's something I've alwayswanted to do.
I've been in Port Canaveralfour times when there's supposed
to have been a rocket launch,but never seen it.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:35):
I don't know how much to believe.
This next story San Francisco,one of the great cities in the
United States, Not anymore justbecause of political conditions
and literal crap on thesidewalks.
After a rough and tough year,San Francisco prepares to
revitalize tourism.
I don't know how much tobelieve, but I want to believe.
Mark Faldmo (04:58):
I do.
San Francisco used to be one ofmy favorite places to visit.
All the reports of how downhillit's gone, all the economic
activity that they're losing Ireally hope they do turn that
around, because San Franciscodoes have some great places.
I love to go to GhirardelliSquare and get a banana split at
(05:18):
the Ghirardelli factory.
Go out to Muir Woods theRedwoods that are just on the
other side of the Golden GateBridge.
Alcatraz is fantastic.
But 2024 was San Francisco'sworst year on record for tourism
.
Their ADR, which is averagedaily rate for hotels, was only
(05:40):
$220.
And that takes into account allof the five-star hotels.
That used to be $300, $500,$600 a night.
They have not recovered since2019.
In 2019, their ADR was uparound $300.
That just shows that people arenot traveling or do not want to
travel to San Francisco.
(06:01):
But I hope they turn it around.
They've said they've made somethings on crime and some
initiatives to hopefully reducethe homelessness.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:09):
It's dangerous , frankly.
Mark Faldmo (06:10):
Yes.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:11):
I saw that there is a 69-day cruise that
sails across the Arctic Circlefrom Iceland to Japan.
I would do that in a minute Onthis show.
Mark Faldmo (06:23):
We're all about good travel deals, but we also
try and find those unique thingson occasion.
This is a pretty expensiveproduct 69-day cruise on
National Geographic ExpeditionsWe've talked about that.
I think they are perfect forthis.
This cruise leaves Greenland,or leaves Iceland, sails to a
(06:47):
few ports in Greenland, kind ofsails up the west coast of
Greenland and then cuts acrossto the Northwest Passage and
sails through the NorthwestPassage on the top side of
Canada over to Alaska, stops inNome, Alaska, Dutch Harbor,
Alaska, and then goes and getsseveral ports in Japan, ending
(07:08):
in Kyoto area.
Oh, wow, to see the placeswhere this goes in Greenland and
that far North Canada areamazing.
But then the highlight, ofcourse, is sailing through the
Northwest Passage.
I should probably ask how muchis it?
This price?
Again, 69 days?
It starts at $110,000 perperson.
(07:28):
It's pretty expensive, butNational Geographic is a
high-end small ship cruise line.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:36):
That is a unique experience.
Mark Faldmo (07:38):
Yes, it is.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:39):
How many people?
Mark Faldmo (07:39):
are on that ship.
That ship holds 138 guests and116 staff, so it's about a
one-to-one crew to guest ratio.
I think it would be an amazingexperience.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:53):
Always in this segment is the destination of
the week and you received a callfrom one of our listeners.
Let me just give out the textand the studio number.
You can call it 801 or text it801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Gwen is asking in her text I'venever been to Europe.
(08:15):
I would like to go to Europeand see several places.
I'm nervous because I'm notwell-traveled and I have no idea
what I'm doing.
On a big trip like this, whatis the best way for me to see
Europe?
There's a couple of things thatcome to mind either a land tour
or a cruise, and I'm assumingthat's probably where you're
going to go, that's exactlywhere I'm going Land tour or
(08:38):
river cruise.
Mark Faldmo (08:39):
The reason why, especially if you're nervous
about traveling or you just wantto get really good insight on
where you're going.
A land tour?
Basically, from the time youarrive at the airport you're met
by someone, they transfer youfrom the airport to your hotel,
you meet the tour group, thetour guide, and then you get all
the insight of where you'regoing.
Some of these tours get youinside places that you won't be
(09:02):
able to get on your own.
They have special localfeatures or exclusives that are
really hard to get.
The first three times I went toEurope I did it on a tour and I
loved it and I would do a tour,especially if it's your first
time.
The other way is river cruise.
We've talked quite a bit aboutriver cruising.
On the show, river cruising isvery similar in that they'll
(09:23):
meet you at the airport, you canstay in that first city for two
or three days before the cruisetake the cruise.
A river cruise you're kind oflocked into what's near the
river, but that's notnecessarily a bad thing, because
a lot of those cities aren'tvisited by a lot of people or
they're not visited by the toursand so you get to see kind of
(09:47):
unique out of the way places ona lot of the river cruises.
Now, yes, the rivers do stop insome of the big cities We've
talked about Budapest before,along the Rhine, Cologne,
Germany, Amsterdam.
You do get all of that, but youalso get those little out of
the way places.
So, either way, a tour or ariver cruise, and I've got two
(10:11):
deals right now.
Let's do the land tour first.
Yeah, so the land tour.
This is with Globus, who is myfavorite company to use for a
land tour.
They have a thousand dollarsoff select land tours.
One thing I like about Globusis they're all over Europe.
If you wanted to highlight justa country, they have like just
(10:31):
a UK tour, for instance, or theyhave just a Germany tour, or
they have multiple country tours.
The one I've done the most isone that starts in London, goes
Germany, Switzerland, Austriaand ends in France.
You can kind of pick what youwant to do.
They have all sorts ofdifferent itineraries, which is
great.
So, again with Globus, $1,000off select land tours.
(10:55):
Let's talk about the rivercruise.
So, on river cruise, the cruiseline we're highlighting today
is Avalon Waterways.
They're actually owned byGlobus, so I kind of kept it in
the same family there.
But their offer is free airfareor save up to $1,500 per person
on select river cruises.
The free airfare might be alittle bit better to use on that
(11:18):
, or they have kind of acombination of that.
They have another promotion andthis one is different sailings
but it may fit with when youwant to go.
They have $249 per personairfare combinable with save up
to $1,250 per person.
Okay, so double dipping, kindof Kind of double dipping there.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:37):
Yeah, what's your thoughts on Avalon for a
river cruise?
Mark Faldmo (11:41):
I really like Avalon, although I really like
all river cruising.
But one thing that's differentwith Avalon is how they do their
cabins.
Their beds, all face the bigsliding glass picture window oh
really, so you lay in bed andyou can look out and see.
Every other cruise line I'vebeen in puts the bed in the
other direction.
This way you just look out andcan see the river as you go by.
(12:04):
I really like Avalon.
If I had to choose, my twofavorites would be Alma
Waterways and Avalon Waterways.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:11):
As we go to break here.
So $1,000 off select land tours.
Just to recap or Avalon hasfree airfare or save up to
$1,500 a person on has freeairfare or save up to $1,500 a
person.
Or you can double dip.
(12:32):
Do $249 off on the air and saveup to $1,250 per person if you
choose to double dip.
If I've got that right, that'scorrect.
Yep, that's a good deal.
Take advantage of it.
Call Mark during the break Ifyou just want to start the
conversation 888-718-7717,888-718-7717.
(12:52):
And you can also get this dealon blueplanetvacations.
com when we come back.
It is the hot travel deal ofthe week.
This week we're going to Konaand Mark noticed a fairly large
price drop to Hawaii.
We'll detail that and we've gotthe travel news headlines.
That is next with the InsideTravel Talk podcast.
(13:15):
The radio show continues.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
He is Mark Faldmo.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (13:24):
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.
Ad Voice (13:58):
We'll be right back.
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Show Voice (14:32):
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.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
Here's Patrick and Mark.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:57):
I know that you're in the Bahamas right now,
mark.
It looks very island desk righthere.
So I'm looking at your camera,looking at you, looking at
sandals, royal Bahamian, whichis where you're broadcasting.
You're in a Nassau right now aswe do the radio show, but, wow,
(15:20):
does it have a similar vibe asthough we are actually in Hawaii
?
Yeah, oh, I love this.
There's something about themusic that always kind of lulls
me to sleep there, or at leastputs me in a relaxed state, so
I'm just going to have to turnit off because it is well.
Mark Faldmo (15:41):
It's amazing how music can affect your mood and
for me there's nothing likeHawaiian music so relaxing and
just puts you in that islandframe of mind.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:49):
You are listening to the Inside Travel
Talk podcast, a radio show.
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
In this segment, we're going totalk about Hawaii.
Which island are we going to?
We're going to go to Kona.
We'll get to that here in justa second.
We do have a promotion in everysingle segment of the show, but
let's continue with the travelnews headlines.
Let's talk about the Kilaueavolcano eruption, because that
(16:13):
is going on right now.
Is this a lava event?
How big of an issue is thisright now?
Mark Faldmo (16:18):
No, this is a lava event and we did talk about this
, I think, two weeks ago when itfirst started.
It's still going on.
I've received a lot ofquestions.
As of right now, the lava isstill going.
It's intermittent, but thevolcano can shut itself off at
any time.
If you're going in the next fewweeks, you may have a good
(16:39):
chance of seeing the lava, andthe thing that's unique about
this is it's all in the maincrater.
So where the visitor center is,there's a lookout.
You can look out right downinto that and see the lava.
There are several lookoutsaround Volcano National Park
where you can see it.
If you're staying at theVolcano House Hotel, it looks
(17:02):
right out to where the lava isat.
There is a live webcam of thecrater.
It's a USGS live camera of thecrater.
Right now I just clicked on itand it looks like it's just
steaming.
But one thing they do say is thebest time to go is prior to 5
am or after 9 pm, because thepark is getting very crowded
(17:24):
these days with people wantingto see that, or after 9 pm,
because the park is getting verycrowded these days with people
wanting to see that.
And also, I think if you gowhen it's dark, you might get a
whole different experience ofseeing the lava, especially if
it's erupting into spouts.
I wish I was there right now.
Me too.
Now, that's what that music didto me that you played.
I want to go to Hawaii.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:44):
You mean this music?
Mark Faldmo (17:47):
Yes, that music.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:51):
All right, I got turned off.
Let's continue on with thetravel news.
One of the things that who'sthe governor there?
Is it Josh, Josh Green.
He really wants to turn Hawaiiso they're not so dependent on
tourism.
Now, Hawaii will always betourism, but he wants to make
(18:12):
the island a little moresustainable.
I saw an interview with him ashort time ago.
The question was raised a whileago but is Hawaii going to
implement the new tourism tax in2025?
I don't know that.
Mark Faldmo (18:21):
he answered that question, so in a memorandum
last week, he's announcing plansto try and put an additional
tourist fee on.
This will be the third attemptat it.
When we very first started theshow I think in the first three
or four episodes, we talkedabout this he was trying to
(18:42):
implement a $50 flat fee for alltourists coming to the island.
That did not go through.
What is being proposed now isan additional depending on what
county you're visiting, but itcould be up to an additional 3%.
Currently, right now, thetourism tax is 10.25%, so they
(19:03):
want to raise that to as much as13.25%.
That doesn't sound quite as badas the $50 fee for tourists,
but I still think some of thesedestinations are just going to
price their way out of sometourists and it doesn't come to
that because there are stillsome really good deals to Hawaii
.
3% is not going to make thatbig of a deal, but it does start
(19:26):
adding up once you'reconsidering the cost of food and
all of that.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:30):
During the break, Mark and I got a question
from Heidi and let me just giveout the studio and text number.
You can call or text.
It's 801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
During the break, Heidi sentthis text 7700-801-649-3700.
(19:50):
During the break, Heidi sentthis text Is there an option for
an overwater bungalow in Mexicoor the Caribbean?
I want to say yes, but I can'tthink of the place that you're
going to say.
Mark Faldmo (19:54):
There are several options, the two that come right
to mind.
The first one is in the RivieraMaya area, and it's the
Palafitos by El Dorado Hotels so.
I've not stayed at this resort,but I've seen it several times.
I've stayed at the hotel thatit's kind of attached to, which
is El Dorado Maroma Beach.
This is a great option.
(20:14):
A lot of people want to go toTahiti and stay in the overwater
bungalows until they see theprice tag on that.
Now these are more expensivethan your typical hotel room,
sure, but you're in the water.
You're in the water, but they'revery similar to overwater
bungalows in Tahiti.
And it's small.
They're like 35 units, so it'sjust a small complex with its
(20:36):
own restaurant, its own spa.
It does have a really nicepresidential suite if you wanted
to stay in that, but it islocated on Maroma Beach, which
is consistently rated top fivebeach in the world.
And then the other place that Ican think of is in Jamaica.
It's at the Sandals, royalCaribbean, and I know that there
are a few others.
The Sandals one is going to bepretty pricey when compared to
(21:00):
the Palafitos, but both greatoptions if you're looking for
something a little bit closer, alittle bit less expensive than
the overwater bungalows whencompared to Tahiti.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:09):
Have you ever stayed in an overwater bungalow?
I?
Have in Tahiti oh you have, youhave done it.
Mark Faldmo (21:16):
I have.
I was lucky enough during COVIDto get invited stayed five
nights on Morea theintercontinental in an overwater
bungalow.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:28):
Hold on, I knew you during COVID.
Yes, do we need to have wordsafter the show?
We should.
All right, we'll have Okay.
Mark Faldmo (21:35):
That's a place we should make it our goal to go do
the podcast and radio show from.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:40):
That would not hurt my feelings.
Yeah, Heidi, I hope thatanswers your question.
Let me just invite listenersagain to call or text the show
while we're on the air.
801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
Let's get to the hot traveldeal of the week, which we are
going to the Big Island, Konaspecifically, and you found a
(22:05):
deal that had a big price dropfor Hawaii.
Mark Faldmo (22:08):
Since we talked about the Kilauea volcano
earlier, I thought we would addthis as the hot deal of the week
.
So right now this is save up to$200 on Hawaii vacation
packages.
I look for something fairlyclose in.
It's a March 5th departure butstaying at the Royal Kona, which
is a three and a half starresort, it's one of my favorite
(22:30):
places.
I like it because of how closeit is to the little town, little
village of Kona.
Yeah, Kona's nice, I like it.
Kona is nice, yeah, and so thisis five nights.
Round-trip air from Salt LakeCity and other cities are
available upon request.
But it starts at $1,069 perperson, which, when I looked at
this last week exact same date,exact same hotel it's a $200
(22:54):
total.
So $100 per person lower ratethan it was last week, and that
includes the airfare.
That's amazing, that includesthe airfare.
And then probably my overallfavorite place to stay is the
Hilton Waikoloa Village.
So four and a half star.
That one starts at $15.69 perperson About the same price
(23:15):
difference $100, $150 a personlower than it was last week.
This is close in and it couldall change.
We've seen travel priceschanging quite dramatically the
last week or two.
Usually it's been to the lowerside, but it can go in either
direction.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:32):
I said I wasn't going to play the
Hawaiian music anymore becauseit makes me sleepy, but let me
just paint the mood with musichere for a second.
Go to Hawaii.
If you've never been, go.
And if you've already been andnever gone to the big island, go
, book it.
This is March 5th, a hundreddollars off per person.
Call Mark in his office,888-718-7717, 888-718-7717.
(24:00):
And Mark will also post this onblueplanetvacations.
com.
Oh man, I love this music.
When we come back it is theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
We'll also have the cruise newsheadlines.
And what are we talking about?
Are we going to the Caribbeanon this one?
(24:22):
We will be going to theCaribbean.
We'll give you those detailswhen the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show continues.
Thank you so much for listening.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe, heis Mark Faldmo.
We will be right back.
Just enjoy the Hawaiian musicfor a minute.
Show Voice (24:45):
They've literally traveled millions of miles to
answer your travel-relatedquestions.
Yeah, they really have.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
America's best travel advisors,Patrick and Mark, will be back
after these messages.
Ad Voice (25:11):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Amar Waterways
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From castles and capitals tovistas and villages.
Visit some of Europe's mostremarkable sites and cities To
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Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
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Patrick Wiscombe (25:29):
Welcome back to the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show Coming up.
In the remaining 30 minutes ofthis hour we'll be talking about
a last-minute cruise deal tothe Caribbean, and when I say
last minute, it's February 15this your departure date.
Nassau, Bahamas, where Mark isliterally broadcasting from this
very moment, had a record yearfor cruise traffic and one of
(25:51):
the best travel deals Mark hasever seen.
So let's get back to the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
(26:13):
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (26:24):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
Hit us up right now,801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atinsidetraveltalk.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:45):
Here's Patrick and Mark all aboard for segment
number three of the insidetravel talk podcast and radio
show.
This is the infamous justcruising segment of the show
(27:06):
where we only talk about thecruise news and we only talk
about cruise deals.
And coming up up we've got alast minute Caribbean cruise
that is going to take off onFebruary 15th on MSC.
But before we get there, let'sget back to the travel news
headlines.
Mark, I saw a story thatPrincess is rolling out 24-7
(27:31):
dining reservations.
I don't know that the crew'sgoing to love that, but I know
that passengers probably will,and this actually is for before
your cruise.
Oh, it is.
Mark Faldmo (27:39):
It's like a concierge, so before your cruise
you can call this and makedining reservations at the
traditional restaurants, thespecialty restaurants and even
the higher end experientialrestaurants across the entire
fleet.
This is something I really like.
I've had several people sell onPrincess this year and dining
has been one of the moreconfusing things to do.
(28:01):
They've asked people to do itthrough the app and it's just
really confused a lot of guests,and so I really like this that
they have a 24-7 line thatpeople can call and someone can
walk them through all of theiroptions and help them make the
reservations.
Families want to eat together.
If you're traveling withsomeone else, you always want to
try and get together, which Ialways link those reservations
(28:24):
together, but then they have tomake the reservations for dining
separately, so this will reallyhelp that.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:30):
I know that making dining reservations not
necessarily just Princess, I'msingling out everyone it can be
time consuming and at timesconfusing because you can't
really talk to anybody using theapp.
Mark Faldmo (28:41):
Yeah.
So this is great.
And if you're a Captain Circle,platinum or Elite member or if
you're sailing in a suite, youcan call this number and start
making reservations the minuteyour reservation is made.
Everyone else, all othercategories you have to wait
until you've paid yourreservation in full to use the
Dyneline.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:01):
And that makes sense.
I mean it has to be paid for,because otherwise why are you
making reservation if youhaven't even paid for it yet?
Private Island Half Moon Caywill get upgrades and a new name
.
Where is Half Moon Cay?
Mark Faldmo (29:14):
Half Moon K is in the Bahamas.
This is the only cruise lineprivate island that I have not
been to.
They are renaming it Relax Awayat Half Moon K and they are
adding another pier.
Half Moon K is what HollandAmerica uses, so it's Holland
America's private island, butthey are adding another pier
(29:36):
that can accommodate CarnivalCruise Lines, Excel-class ships,
so the larger ships and theCarnival brand.
The north part of the island isgoing to be the Carnival and
then Holland America will keepits south part of the island and
they're connected by a bighalf-moon beach.
They're going to put a spa athalfmoon beach.
They're going to put a spa inthere, they're going to put a
(29:56):
beach club.
That seems to be the thingthese days is adding a beach
club and then also newrestaurants and food venues.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:05):
Nassau, which is literally where you are right
now.
Nassau Bahamas has experiencedanother record year for cruise
traffic has experienced anotherrecord year for cruise traffic.
Mark Faldmo (30:14):
Nassau is one of the biggest cruise ports in the
world.
Last year it welcomed 5.6million visitors, which was a
27% increase, or 1.2 millionguests that it welcomed last
year.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:27):
So Nikki and I were two of those.
Yes, I was one of those twiceMark times two.
Are you near the Atlantis?
I'm not near the Atlantis, I'mdown the road a little bit.
There is something aboutcruising out of that port right
there and Atlantis in thedistance when the golden hour is
(30:47):
.
The sun's going down, Atlantisin the distance, blue skies,
maybe a few clouds that is aspectacular view going out of
there.
It is just unbelievable.
So I can see why NASA has had arecord cruise year.
Mark Faldmo (31:02):
Yeah, it is, and honestly, the last six times
I've been to Nassau on a cruiseI haven't gotten off the ship.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:08):
Really.
Mark Faldmo (31:09):
Like I've done everything.
There's nothing here.
But this kind of was a Jamaicaexperience for me.
I didn't like Jamaica the firstfew times I went on cruise ship
.
Since I've been here, stayingon land, there seems to be more
things to do because you havemore time to do things if you
visit NASA on a land vacationversus a cruise vacation.
(31:29):
Now, cruise vacation is a greatway to see it, but it's a
different way to see it as well.
So what you're saying great wayto see it, but it's a different
way to see it as well.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:34):
So what you're saying is that maybe put down
some roots there for a few days.
Yes, okay.
Mark Faldmo (31:40):
And we'll go over a few things in segment four
about what there is to do inNassau.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:45):
Okay, let's talk about the cruise deal of
the week.
This is a last minute Caribbeanvacation on MSC.
Or is it Princess, or have wegot both?
Mark Faldmo (31:54):
Actually, I think it's both yeah we've got both.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:56):
Okay, let's go start with MSC first, and when
does it depart?
Mark Faldmo (32:00):
This is on MSC Seascape and it departs on
February 15th, that's less thana month away.
The reason why I chose this isbecause the balcony deals were
so good.
I'm not even going to give theinside rate, because it's not
that far different from abalcony.
Okay, so the balcony rate is$780 per person, are you serious
(32:24):
?
That's for the balcony rate.
That includes all taxes andfees.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:29):
As well, so MSC Seascape, February 15th $780
for a balcony on Seascape.
Mark Faldmo (32:37):
For a balcony cabin and that leaves from Miami
cruises to Porta Plata in theDominican Republic, San Juan,
Puerto Rico, and then you know,we just got done.
Finished talking about aprivate island.
This visits MSC's privateisland, Ocean Cay, MSC Marine
Reserve.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:54):
Oh yeah, it's such a great private island
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Oh yeah, it's such a greatprivate island Truly it is.
I still can't believe that I'mhearing that rate.
Mark Faldmo (33:01):
That's a great rate for a balcony.
If you look at other cruiselines going about the same time
or even a few weeks later,that's about the rate you're
going to get the inside cabinsat.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:10):
They must have to fill some ship space,
because I've never heard of arate quite like that.
They must.
Mark Faldmo (33:15):
Sometimes they might have a group that canceled
that was hard to sell and sothey have to lower the rates
something.
Or maybe it's just that date.
I've seen some days wherethere's just one particular date
that does not sell.
Yeah, and it actually lookedlike it's the date, because when
we move on to this next dealit's kind of similar.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:36):
Okay, so let's talk about the Princess deal.
What ship is this on?
Mark Faldmo (33:40):
So this is on the Regal Princess, which is one of
the newer ships.
It leaves from Galveston,visits Costa Maya, Cozumel and
Belize.
Now, this is only a six-daycruise and again, same thing.
I'm just going to give thebalcony rate because it's almost
what the inside rate is, whichis $8.99 per person, Not as good
(34:03):
as the MSC one, but still agreat rate for a balcony.
And that is February.
17th is when that leaves.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:14):
What are the ports on that one, the Regal
Princess?
Mark Faldmo (34:17):
Yeah it goes to Cozumel, costa Maya and Belize
City.
You can get two of my favoriteshore excursions.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:25):
Yeah, okay, and just remind people what your
favorite shore excursions were.
Mark Faldmo (34:28):
So in Costa Maya it's the Seven Color Lagoon.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:30):
Oh, that's right.
Mark Faldmo (34:31):
You can also combine that with one of the
Mayan ruins.
And then in Belize City it's aMayan ruin, it's called Labadi,
and it's one where you take abus into the jungle, then you
get on a speedboat, you go upthe boat for an hour and a half
oh that's right and you get tothis ruin that is only
accessible by the river.
I think it's one of the mostfascinating excursions I've
(34:55):
taken, just because of how youhave to get there, and the ruin
itself is actually prettyfascinating as well.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:00):
If you decide to go on the MSC Seascape on
February 15th for a balcony,unbelievable what were the stops
again?
Mark Faldmo (35:07):
It was Porta Plata in the Dominican Republic, San
Juan, Puerto Rico and then OceanCay, MSC Marine Reserve.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:13):
How many times have you been to San Juan,
Puerto Rico?
Mark Faldmo (35:16):
I've been to San Juan probably five times.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:20):
Nicky and I MSC their private island, Ocean
Cay Reserve, is trulyspectacular.
It is one of the most beautifulscenic places that either of us
have ever experienced.
Obviously, you've got the oceansurrounding the island.
They've got wave runner toursthat are an hour long.
Now, for the people who havenever done the ocean before,
(35:44):
you're going to hear an hour andgo.
That's it.
It's only an hour.
An hour is really all you cantake physically.
The ocean beat you up, but youwill see so many different
shades of blue, green, navy blue.
It is just unbelievable.
So that is what surrounds theisland.
There's so many beach chairs.
(36:04):
They have bonfires at night ifyou're lucky enough to stay
overnight, they've got thelighthouse show, laser show, and
in the middle of the islandthey have this lagoon that is
really not that deep I'd saywhat Mark?
Two feet deep, maybe, Maybe.
Mark Faldmo (36:20):
Probably, yeah, two feet deep yeah maybe three, and
it is warm.
Patrick Wiscombe (36:25):
It's like taking a bath, but it's not so
hot that it bakes you.
It is just so pleasant whenyou're in the water.
The wind is blowing, sometimesyou get chilled, the water is
just perfect to keep you warm.
And the Powder Sugar Sand Beachthere's umbrellas everywhere
they've got.
It is just such a a spectacularexperience.
(36:46):
It will be one of those thingsthat you will remember for the
rest of your life.
That's how great of anexperience it was.
You cannot go wrong.
It really is that breathtakingand it really is that special.
So take advantage of this offer.
Call mark in his office duringthe break.
Just get the conversationstarted.
You're not committing toanything, but it's one of those
things that you're going to go.
(37:06):
Oh man, maybe we should reallyconsider this.
Call Mark, 888-718-7717,888-718-7717.
And, of course, you will putthis on blueplanetvacations.
com, on blueplanetvacations.
com, correct?
Yes, okay, take advantage of it.
888-718-7717.
(37:30):
When we come back, finalsegment of the show Mark is
saying that this is one of thebest deals that he has ever seen
as a travel agent.
And how many years have youbeen doing this?
30 years.
This is worth sticking aroundfor for this alone.
That is next with the insidetravel talk podcast radio show
(37:50):
continues.
Alongside mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
We will be right back exploreyour world.
Show Voice (37:59):
You're listening to the inside travel talk podcast
and radio show presented by blueplanetlanetVacations.
com.
America's best travel advisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (38:25):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Anna.
Waterways, from castles andcapitals to vistas and villages.
Visit some of Europe's mostremarkable sites and cities To
set out on your own river cruisejourney.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
(39:06):
blueplanetvacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Show Voice (39:11):
Call or text the show now 801-649-3700,
801-649-3700.
And now here's Patrick Wiscombeand Mark Faldmo.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe and.
Patrick Wiscombe (39:25):
Mark Faldmo.
This is one of those segmentsthat should.
I wish we had some kind of adeal alert and maybe we just
need to find some kind of asignature deal alert, sound
effect, you know, some kind ofsiren, because this segment is a
(39:47):
segment that doesn't come alongtoo often and when it does, you
really want to jump all over it.
We've got significant deals.
Mark has been a travel agentfor basically 30 years.
He's traveled over, or justabout 4 million miles, done over
150 cruises.
So when he says that this is asignificant deal, it is a big,
(40:09):
big deal.
So we're going to talk aboutSouthwest vacations.
If you want to go on aninternational vacation or over
to Hawaii and we've talked aboutHawaii during this show.
By the way, welcome back, man.
I got right to business.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and this
show.
By the way, welcome back, man,I got right to business.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
(40:29):
show.
I am Patrick Wiscombe.
He is Mark Faldmo.
Let's just get right into this,mark.
Let's just start with theSouthwest vacations and we'll
get back to the digital passportstory here in just a second.
There is a Southwest vacationswhere you can save up to $500 on
international and Hawaiivacations.
(40:49):
Okay, that's a lot of money,yes, but this is one of the best
deals that Mark has ever seen,and I'll let him explain it.
Mark Faldmo (40:57):
And what they mean by international is anywhere
Southwest flies internationally,so that's mainly going to be
Mexico and the Caribbean.
So Mexico, Caribbean and Hawaii.
And yes, when you say $500,people might say well, I've
heard you talk about save up to$500 several times on the show,
because we do.
Now, this one is different.
A lot of those deals are $500.
(41:19):
They're tiered discounts andwhat's different about this one
is the tiers of it.
So the tier is save up to $300for trips between 500 and 999.
Ad Voice (41:30):
Now.
Mark Faldmo (41:31):
I don't think you'll find a trip for $510, but
if you could, they would giveyou $300 off of that.
So it's a $200 trip basically,If you could do it yeah, now the
next tier is, say, four hundreddollars, between a thousand and
fourteen, ninety nine.
You may be able to findsomething in that.
(41:52):
So if you find something that'sright up to that fourteen,
ninety nine rate, you're goingto be paying a thousand dollars
for the trip.
Basically, um, I suspect thatmost trips are going to fall in
the save up to $500, which isfor vacations, $1,500 or more.
And I did look at this.
I did price out a it was ashorter trip to Hawaii because
(42:13):
this just requires a three nightminimum.
So I did price out a Hawaiitrip that came out to, I think
it was like $1,700 and it didgive the full $500 off of that.
So, it really did then it did.
This, percentage-wise, isprobably one of the best sales
that I've seen in my 30 years.
(42:34):
I think it's significant.
What other details are there.
To get this, you have to bookby February 10th and travel by
September 30th, and obviouslyyou have to fly on Southwest
Airlines and get a hotel packagewith Southwest Vacations.
This is one of the better dealsthat I've seen in a long time.
Patrick Wiscombe (42:53):
Take advantage of this.
Let me just give out the phonenumber.
Normally I do it at the end ofthe segment, but 888-718-7717,
888-718-7717.
Since this is tied in withSouthwest Vacations, if memory
serves, I don't remember therebeing a first class section on
the plane.
Is that still the case?
Mark Faldmo (43:15):
That is still the case, although they are going to
upgrade to some more premiumseating and go to seat
assignments.
But that probably won't happenuntil first quarter of next year
.
So we're a year away from themadding those extra legroom seats
.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:30):
So nothing's really changed, but it will
start changing in about a year.
In about a year I saw a storythat Google Wallet now lets
users store US passportinformation digitally for
airport security.
That's one thing that I wishthat it would come to the iPhone
.
They keep promising it, but itnever seems to materialize, I'm
(43:51):
sure someday it will.
Mark Faldmo (43:53):
So when this just started less than a month ago,
middle of December is when thisstarted, where you can now store
your passport in Google Walletand you can get through TSA
checkpoints.
Right now it's good at 27different airports.
Our airport, Salt Lake, is oneof them.
You can get through TSA justlike you would pay at a
(44:13):
restaurant you just tap yourphone.
It's just another way to helpspeed you through the airport.
Patrick Wiscombe (44:19):
The more stuff that we can get into phones,
the better.
I'm half tempted to go buy acar where you use your phone as
your key, because I am so tiredof having bulging pockets full
of keys and phones and I'm likethe less stuff wallets, the less
stuff that we can put in ourpockets and just put on our
phones, and I realize that thatmakes our phone very, very
(44:41):
valuable to thieves.
But man, it would sure be niceto start your car.
Just put your phone down andfires up and go.
Mark Faldmo (44:49):
Fired up.
Yeah, We've talked about othersimilar programs to this, like
global entry, where youbasically can land in the US
from international flight andwalk straight through to the
baggage claim.
You just have to have thecamera scan your face almost as
you're walking.
And then we talked aboutDelta's digital ID that they
have at select airports.
(45:09):
Again, this was recentlyintroduced at our airport, Salt
Lake.
Same thing you can just walkthrough the TSA pre-check line.
You get to skip the pre-checkline and just have a facial scan
and walk through to thescreening area.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:23):
So okay, so let's talk about that for just a
second.
So there's TSA pre-check andthen there's digital ID.
Digital ID, if memory serves,is Delta specific, but it allows
you to just go the securityline very quickly.
Mark Faldmo (45:37):
Yeah, you have to have TSA pre-check to be
considered for digital ID.
Okay, it just skips you to thefront of the PreCheck line.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:47):
Okay, so digital ID, if you're flying
Delta, is actually more valuablethan PreCheck, correct?
It is?
Yes, all right, you arebroadcasting, literally.
You've got your camera on.
I'm looking at blue skies, palmtrees, white sand, beaches,
pools, ocean.
I'm looking at everythingbehind you and, honestly, it's
(46:08):
breathtaking.
You're staying at Sandals,royal Bahamian.
That is the hotel that you'reat this very moment.
You've been there for threedays worth of meetings.
I don't know how you gotanything done with that view,
but I do want to know.
What have you been doing inNassau for the last three days?
Oh, and I forgot to ask isHeather with you, heather?
Mark Faldmo (46:26):
is not with me.
Since this was a work, theysaid no spouses.
So earlier I talked about I'veonly really been to NASA on a
cruise ship.
I did stay in a hotel therewhen I was like nine or 10.
And I don't really rememberthat.
But since I've stayed a fewdays here I've really enjoyed it
.
There's.
Patrick Wiscombe (46:45):
Just being land-based instead of on a
cruise ship.
Mark Faldmo (46:47):
Just being land-based is a different
vacation.
Nasa I've probably been toNassau 30 times, but all on a
cruise ship.
Once you've done everything youcan do in the time you have on
a cruise, it's not really worthgetting off the boat anymore for
me there.
But the one thing I will sayNassau is a great beach
destination, as you can see fromwhat's behind me, there is a
(47:10):
great beach there.
One thing I like about thisresort is they have their own
private island, so there's apier you can't see it, it's just
off my camera.
There's a pier where they haveboat shuttles that take you out
to their private island andbeach club, and so it has a
restaurant out there.
It's just like two resorts inone there's a spa, beach club, a
restaurant where you can sitand relax, besides the beach.
(47:33):
You know, Nassau does have alot to offer.
There is a lot of history here.
It was a former British colony.
One of the things that I didthis time that I've never done
before is the Clifton HeritageNational Park.
This is a park that has theruins of a village that was
occupied by slaves in the 18thcentury.
(47:55):
It has a great house and theyjust go through all of that
history, part of history weshould all learn about.
I think I just mentioned theprivate island that this hotel
has, but there are also toursyou can just purchase and go
spend the day on a privateisland.
Some of them are a lot less,they're a lot more secluded and
some don't have any buildings onthem, so you can just go
(48:16):
explore a private island.
The one thing I do rememberwhen I did stay here.
It was my first glass bottomboat tour.
Ooh, that would be interesting.
Yep, I was fascinated by that,and so there are lots of water
things glass bottom boat tour,snorkeling, scuba diving that
you can do in the Bahamas, and Ithink a lot of people probably
think of this.
(48:36):
But go shopping.
The straw market is one of myfavorite places.
Personally, I hate to barter,so I don't buy anything there
because I'm not good atbartering.
I don't feel comfortable doingthat.
You feel like you're rippingpeople off.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:51):
Sometimes, yes , like you're not paying them
enough.
Mark Faldmo (48:53):
Yeah, it's kind of weird.
The straw market is a big fleamarket in downtown Nassau.
It's a lot of tourist trinketsand things like that.
I remember I bought a straw hatwhen I was younger here and I
used to wear that straw hat allaround.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:08):
Is that what you're wearing right now?
Mark Faldmo (49:11):
No, the other thing is the queen staircase.
I didn't do that this time, butI've done it before, if you
want to relax.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:19):
You should see what Mark is looking at.
Mark Faldmo (49:21):
Good grief, it's quite amazing.
And we actually, you know, andwe actually talked about the
Atlantis earlier yeah, you know,they have a water park there, a
good beach.
Personally, I think it'soverpriced, but you know, as you
mentioned, if you want a good,relaxing beach vacation, come to
the Sandals, royal Bahamas.
It's amazing.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:41):
Are you sad to go?
Are you ready to go or have youhad?
I'm sad to go.
Mark Faldmo (49:45):
Okay, I get real excited when I travel.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:48):
I again one of the weird ones.
Mark Faldmo (49:50):
I like airports and airplanes, so I'm excited to
get on an airplane tomorrow.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:55):
When you and I came down to Florida, when we
went to Fort Lauderdale and goton Margaritaville at sea, I even
mentioned to you as we wereflying I'm like man, I just like
getting on an airplane, flyingfrom Salt Lake to Atlanta and
then Atlanta to was it FortLauderdale?
I think it was Fort Lauderdale,and it was just fun to just get
(50:18):
up in the air and just move andjust there was such an energy
about traveling.
It was it really.
It was just kind of a lot offun.
Yes, traveling, it was really.
It was just kind of a lot offun.
Yes, Just Google search whilewhile you're not driving, but if
you're stopped at a light orsomething.
Sandals, Royal Bahamian, to getan idea of what Mark is looking
at.
It is.
I almost don't know how toclose out the radio show because
(50:41):
I'm looking at the scenerybehind him.
Out the radio show because I'mlooking at the scenery behind
him.
Get out, explore the world.
We love talking about traveland we love sharing this with
listeners.
We love giving you ideas.
Call Mark in his office,888-718-7717, 888-7181-7.
(51:06):
Such a great way to live is getout and explore the world.
You can listen to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show again tomorrow morning,Sunday, at 11, right here on
this radio station, and you canalso stream, download and
subscribe to the podcast atinsidetraveltalk.
com.
(51:26):
You can stream the show on thewebsite or you can subscribe to
it.
We're on all of the majorpodcast platforms.
Just do a search for InsideTravel Talk and you will find
the podcast.
We've done our job.
Now it's your turn to get outand explore the world while you
(51:46):
can, Because you never know whatcurveballs life is going to
throw at you.
Travel while you can.
I've heard too many times wherepeople try to get out and
explore the world and thensomething goes wrong with their
health.
Do it while you can.
Live your life deliberately,Live your life intentionally,
(52:09):
and thank you so much forlistening.
Have a great week, Mark, and Iwill talk to you next week.
Show Voice (52:16):
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.
(52:37):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
It is the weekend, which means it's time
for the Inside Travel Talkpodcast and radio show Coming up
.
On today's show, Mark and Ihave travel deals galore, A deal
in every segment, from Europeand Hawaii to the Bahamas, and
Mark is broadcasting from theBahamas.
Let's start the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
(00:23):
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (00:47):
Helping you plan your next vacation.
This is the inside travel talkpodcast and radio show presented
by Blue Planet Vacations.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe andMark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe (01:21):
It is time to talk travel.
Welcome to the Inside TravelTalk podcast and radio show.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
Thank you for taking the timeto stop and listen to the show,
and if you've never heard ourshow, the entire purpose of this
show is to help you plan andbook your next vacation.
(01:43):
And if you have no idea whereto go, well, that's what we're
going to talk about.
We're going to give you someideas of where you want to go on
your next vacation, and we arepresented by BluePlanetVacations
.
com, which is Mark's company,and he joins me from the Bahamas
, which I should just give you around of applause on that one,
(02:06):
I think you're at the Sandals,royal Bahamian right now.
Mark Faldmo (02:09):
I'm at the Sandals Royal Bahamian.
I've moved the little desk over.
I'm looking right out thebalcony window to the turquoise
blue water as I'm talking to youfrom the Bahamas.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:21):
You've got literal palm trees and turquoise
water.
It's absolutely beautiful.
Mark Faldmo (02:26):
This is a work trip for me.
I've been here for three daysof meetings.
I have a day off and then flyhome tomorrow.
Yeah, work meeting yeah, workyeah.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:38):
So I'm sorry, but it's hard to take that
seriously with work and Bahamaswhen those two words are used
together.
Take that seriously with workand Bahamas when those two words
are used together.
Mark Faldmo (02:46):
Yeah, what a great place to go to a few hours of
meetings and then go out andrelax on the beach, have some
good food, experience adifferent culture.
It's a great, great job I have.
Patrick Wiscombe (02:57):
Coming up in this segment of the show.
We've got the destination ofthe week and we're going to be
talking about Europe.
We'll be talking about thedifference between taking a land
tour or a river cruise.
We'll give you some optionsthere.
But let's first get to thetravel news headlines.
United airlines expects tostart Starlink in February,
(03:18):
which is starting to see a realtrend that Starlink is kind of
the internet provider of theworld at this point.
Mark Faldmo (03:27):
Internet is essential when traveling.
We couldn't be doing the showright now without good, stable
internet.
We probably wouldn't do theshow if one of us was on an
airplane, but we could now withStarlink.
I don't think that otherpassengers would like it, no.
So in February they're startingto roll this out and eventually
it'll be to their entire fleet.
(03:48):
They're starting out on theirregional aircraft, so their
Embraer E-175s in the springwill be the initial phase and
then they'll roll it out ontheir entire regional jet fleet
and then it's mainline aircraft.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:03):
One of the things that was really fun to
watch and this is aStarlink-related story is when
Nikki and I were in PortCanaveral.
We were looking off thestarboard side of the ship and
we had a crystal clear view ofStarlink, the rocket taking off.
In June of last year I think itwas June 23rd and it was
(04:23):
spectacular to watch a rocketlaunch.
I wish you could have seen it.
Mark Faldmo (04:27):
Me too.
That's something I've alwayswanted to do.
I've been in Port Canaveralfour times when there's supposed
to have been a rocket launch,but never seen it.
Patrick Wiscombe (04:35):
I don't know how much to believe.
This next story San Francisco,one of the great cities in the
United States, Not anymore justbecause of political conditions
and literal crap on thesidewalks.
After a rough and tough year,San Francisco prepares to
revitalize tourism.
I don't know how much tobelieve, but I want to believe.
Mark Faldmo (04:58):
I do.
San Francisco used to be one ofmy favorite places to visit.
All the reports of how downhillit's gone, all the economic
activity that they're losing Ireally hope they do turn that
around, because San Franciscodoes have some great places.
I love to go to GhirardelliSquare and get a banana split at
(05:18):
the Ghirardelli factory.
Go out to Muir Woods theRedwoods that are just on the
other side of the Golden GateBridge.
Alcatraz is fantastic.
But 2024 was San Francisco'sworst year on record for tourism
.
Their ADR, which is averagedaily rate for hotels, was only
(05:40):
$220.
And that takes into account allof the five-star hotels.
That used to be $300, $500,$600 a night.
They have not recovered since2019.
In 2019, their ADR was uparound $300.
That just shows that people arenot traveling or do not want to
travel to San Francisco.
(06:01):
But I hope they turn it around.
They've said they've made somethings on crime and some
initiatives to hopefully reducethe homelessness.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:09):
It's dangerous , frankly.
Mark Faldmo (06:10):
Yes.
Patrick Wiscombe (06:11):
I saw that there is a 69-day cruise that
sails across the Arctic Circlefrom Iceland to Japan.
I would do that in a minute Onthis show.
Mark Faldmo (06:23):
We're all about good travel deals, but we also
try and find those unique thingson occasion.
This is a pretty expensiveproduct 69-day cruise on
National Geographic ExpeditionsWe've talked about that.
I think they are perfect forthis.
This cruise leaves Greenland,or leaves Iceland, sails to a
(06:47):
few ports in Greenland, kind ofsails up the west coast of
Greenland and then cuts acrossto the Northwest Passage and
sails through the NorthwestPassage on the top side of
Canada over to Alaska, stops inNome, Alaska, Dutch Harbor,
Alaska, and then goes and getsseveral ports in Japan, ending
(07:08):
in Kyoto area.
Oh, wow, to see the placeswhere this goes in Greenland and
that far North Canada areamazing.
But then the highlight, ofcourse, is sailing through the
Northwest Passage.
I should probably ask how muchis it?
This price?
Again, 69 days?
It starts at $110,000 perperson.
(07:28):
It's pretty expensive, butNational Geographic is a
high-end small ship cruise line.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:36):
That is a unique experience.
Mark Faldmo (07:38):
Yes, it is.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:39):
How many people?
Mark Faldmo (07:39):
are on that ship.
That ship holds 138 guests and116 staff, so it's about a
one-to-one crew to guest ratio.
I think it would be an amazingexperience.
Patrick Wiscombe (07:53):
Always in this segment is the destination of
the week and you received a callfrom one of our listeners.
Let me just give out the textand the studio number.
You can call it 801 or text it801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
Gwen is asking in her text I'venever been to Europe.
(08:15):
I would like to go to Europeand see several places.
I'm nervous because I'm notwell-traveled and I have no idea
what I'm doing.
On a big trip like this, whatis the best way for me to see
Europe?
There's a couple of things thatcome to mind either a land tour
or a cruise, and I'm assumingthat's probably where you're
going to go, that's exactlywhere I'm going Land tour or
(08:38):
river cruise.
Mark Faldmo (08:39):
The reason why, especially if you're nervous
about traveling or you just wantto get really good insight on
where you're going.
A land tour?
Basically, from the time youarrive at the airport you're met
by someone, they transfer youfrom the airport to your hotel,
you meet the tour group, thetour guide, and then you get all
the insight of where you'regoing.
Some of these tours get youinside places that you won't be
(09:02):
able to get on your own.
They have special localfeatures or exclusives that are
really hard to get.
The first three times I went toEurope I did it on a tour and I
loved it and I would do a tour,especially if it's your first
time.
The other way is river cruise.
We've talked quite a bit aboutriver cruising.
On the show, river cruising isvery similar in that they'll
(09:23):
meet you at the airport, you canstay in that first city for two
or three days before the cruisetake the cruise.
A river cruise you're kind oflocked into what's near the
river, but that's notnecessarily a bad thing, because
a lot of those cities aren'tvisited by a lot of people or
they're not visited by the toursand so you get to see kind of
(09:47):
unique out of the way places ona lot of the river cruises.
Now, yes, the rivers do stop insome of the big cities We've
talked about Budapest before,along the Rhine, Cologne,
Germany, Amsterdam.
You do get all of that, but youalso get those little out of
the way places.
So, either way, a tour or ariver cruise, and I've got two
(10:11):
deals right now.
Let's do the land tour first.
Yeah, so the land tour.
This is with Globus, who is myfavorite company to use for a
land tour.
They have a thousand dollarsoff select land tours.
One thing I like about Globusis they're all over Europe.
If you wanted to highlight justa country, they have like just
(10:31):
a UK tour, for instance, or theyhave just a Germany tour, or
they have multiple country tours.
The one I've done the most isone that starts in London, goes
Germany, Switzerland, Austriaand ends in France.
You can kind of pick what youwant to do.
They have all sorts ofdifferent itineraries, which is
great.
So, again with Globus, $1,000off select land tours.
(10:55):
Let's talk about the rivercruise.
So, on river cruise, the cruiseline we're highlighting today
is Avalon Waterways.
They're actually owned byGlobus, so I kind of kept it in
the same family there.
But their offer is free airfareor save up to $1,500 per person
on select river cruises.
The free airfare might be alittle bit better to use on that
(11:18):
, or they have kind of acombination of that.
They have another promotion andthis one is different sailings
but it may fit with when youwant to go.
They have $249 per personairfare combinable with save up
to $1,250 per person.
Okay, so double dipping, kindof Kind of double dipping there.
Patrick Wiscombe (11:37):
Yeah, what's your thoughts on Avalon for a
river cruise?
Mark Faldmo (11:41):
I really like Avalon, although I really like
all river cruising.
But one thing that's differentwith Avalon is how they do their
cabins.
Their beds, all face the bigsliding glass picture window oh
really, so you lay in bed andyou can look out and see.
Every other cruise line I'vebeen in puts the bed in the
other direction.
This way you just look out andcan see the river as you go by.
(12:04):
I really like Avalon.
If I had to choose, my twofavorites would be Alma
Waterways and Avalon Waterways.
Patrick Wiscombe (12:11):
As we go to break here.
So $1,000 off select land tours.
Just to recap or Avalon hasfree airfare or save up to
$1,500 a person on has freeairfare or save up to $1,500 a
person.
Or you can double dip.
(12:32):
Do $249 off on the air and saveup to $1,250 per person if you
choose to double dip.
If I've got that right, that'scorrect.
Yep, that's a good deal.
Take advantage of it.
Call Mark during the break Ifyou just want to start the
conversation 888-718-7717,888-718-7717.
(12:52):
And you can also get this dealon blueplanetvacations.
com when we come back.
It is the hot travel deal ofthe week.
This week we're going to Konaand Mark noticed a fairly large
price drop to Hawaii.
We'll detail that and we've gotthe travel news headlines.
That is next with the InsideTravel Talk podcast.
(13:15):
The radio show continues.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe.
He is Mark Faldmo.
We will be right back.
Show Voice (13:24):
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.
Ad Voice (13:58):
We'll be right back.
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sailing experiences featuringcreative itineraries throughout
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To book your unique StarClipper sailing adventure,
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Show Voice (14:32):
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.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atInsideTravelTalk.
com.
Here's Patrick and Mark.
Patrick Wiscombe (14:57):
I know that you're in the Bahamas right now,
mark.
It looks very island desk righthere.
So I'm looking at your camera,looking at you, looking at
sandals, royal Bahamian, whichis where you're broadcasting.
You're in a Nassau right now aswe do the radio show, but, wow,
(15:20):
does it have a similar vibe asthough we are actually in Hawaii
?
Yeah, oh, I love this.
There's something about themusic that always kind of lulls
me to sleep there, or at leastputs me in a relaxed state, so
I'm just going to have to turnit off because it is well.
Mark Faldmo (15:41):
It's amazing how music can affect your mood and
for me there's nothing likeHawaiian music so relaxing and
just puts you in that islandframe of mind.
Patrick Wiscombe (15:49):
You are listening to the Inside Travel
Talk podcast, a radio show.
Alongside Mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
In this segment, we're going totalk about Hawaii.
Which island are we going to?
We're going to go to Kona.
We'll get to that here in justa second.
We do have a promotion in everysingle segment of the show, but
let's continue with the travelnews headlines.
Let's talk about the Kilaueavolcano eruption, because that
(16:13):
is going on right now.
Is this a lava event?
How big of an issue is thisright now?
Mark Faldmo (16:18):
No, this is a lava event and we did talk about this
, I think, two weeks ago when itfirst started.
It's still going on.
I've received a lot ofquestions.
As of right now, the lava isstill going.
It's intermittent, but thevolcano can shut itself off at
any time.
If you're going in the next fewweeks, you may have a good
(16:39):
chance of seeing the lava, andthe thing that's unique about
this is it's all in the maincrater.
So where the visitor center is,there's a lookout.
You can look out right downinto that and see the lava.
There are several lookoutsaround Volcano National Park
where you can see it.
If you're staying at theVolcano House Hotel, it looks
(17:02):
right out to where the lava isat.
There is a live webcam of thecrater.
It's a USGS live camera of thecrater.
Right now I just clicked on itand it looks like it's just
steaming.
But one thing they do say is thebest time to go is prior to 5
am or after 9 pm, because thepark is getting very crowded
(17:24):
these days with people wantingto see that, or after 9 pm,
because the park is getting verycrowded these days with people
wanting to see that.
And also, I think if you gowhen it's dark, you might get a
whole different experience ofseeing the lava, especially if
it's erupting into spouts.
I wish I was there right now.
Me too.
Now, that's what that music didto me that you played.
I want to go to Hawaii.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:44):
You mean this music?
Mark Faldmo (17:47):
Yes, that music.
Patrick Wiscombe (17:51):
All right, I got turned off.
Let's continue on with thetravel news.
One of the things that who'sthe governor there?
Is it Josh, Josh Green.
He really wants to turn Hawaiiso they're not so dependent on
tourism.
Now, Hawaii will always betourism, but he wants to make
(18:12):
the island a little moresustainable.
I saw an interview with him ashort time ago.
The question was raised a whileago but is Hawaii going to
implement the new tourism tax in2025?
I don't know that.
Mark Faldmo (18:21):
he answered that question, so in a memorandum
last week, he's announcing plansto try and put an additional
tourist fee on.
This will be the third attemptat it.
When we very first started theshow I think in the first three
or four episodes, we talkedabout this he was trying to
(18:42):
implement a $50 flat fee for alltourists coming to the island.
That did not go through.
What is being proposed now isan additional depending on what
county you're visiting, but itcould be up to an additional 3%.
Currently, right now, thetourism tax is 10.25%, so they
(19:03):
want to raise that to as much as13.25%.
That doesn't sound quite as badas the $50 fee for tourists,
but I still think some of thesedestinations are just going to
price their way out of sometourists and it doesn't come to
that because there are stillsome really good deals to Hawaii
.
3% is not going to make thatbig of a deal, but it does start
(19:26):
adding up once you'reconsidering the cost of food and
all of that.
Patrick Wiscombe (19:30):
During the break, Mark and I got a question
from Heidi and let me just giveout the studio and text number.
You can call or text.
It's 801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
During the break, Heidi sentthis text 7700-801-649-3700.
(19:50):
During the break, Heidi sentthis text Is there an option for
an overwater bungalow in Mexicoor the Caribbean?
I want to say yes, but I can'tthink of the place that you're
going to say.
Mark Faldmo (19:54):
There are several options, the two that come right
to mind.
The first one is in the RivieraMaya area, and it's the
Palafitos by El Dorado Hotels so.
I've not stayed at this resort,but I've seen it several times.
I've stayed at the hotel thatit's kind of attached to, which
is El Dorado Maroma Beach.
This is a great option.
(20:14):
A lot of people want to go toTahiti and stay in the overwater
bungalows until they see theprice tag on that.
Now these are more expensivethan your typical hotel room,
sure, but you're in the water.
You're in the water, but they'revery similar to overwater
bungalows in Tahiti.
And it's small.
They're like 35 units, so it'sjust a small complex with its
(20:36):
own restaurant, its own spa.
It does have a really nicepresidential suite if you wanted
to stay in that, but it islocated on Maroma Beach, which
is consistently rated top fivebeach in the world.
And then the other place that Ican think of is in Jamaica.
It's at the Sandals, royalCaribbean, and I know that there
are a few others.
The Sandals one is going to bepretty pricey when compared to
(21:00):
the Palafitos, but both greatoptions if you're looking for
something a little bit closer, alittle bit less expensive than
the overwater bungalows whencompared to Tahiti.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:09):
Have you ever stayed in an overwater bungalow?
I?
Have in Tahiti oh you have, youhave done it.
Mark Faldmo (21:16):
I have.
I was lucky enough during COVIDto get invited stayed five
nights on Morea theintercontinental in an overwater
bungalow.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:28):
Hold on, I knew you during COVID.
Yes, do we need to have wordsafter the show?
We should.
All right, we'll have Okay.
Mark Faldmo (21:35):
That's a place we should make it our goal to go do
the podcast and radio show from.
Patrick Wiscombe (21:40):
That would not hurt my feelings.
Yeah, Heidi, I hope thatanswers your question.
Let me just invite listenersagain to call or text the show
while we're on the air.
801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
Let's get to the hot traveldeal of the week, which we are
going to the Big Island, Konaspecifically, and you found a
(22:05):
deal that had a big price dropfor Hawaii.
Mark Faldmo (22:08):
Since we talked about the Kilauea volcano
earlier, I thought we would addthis as the hot deal of the week
.
So right now this is save up to$200 on Hawaii vacation
packages.
I look for something fairlyclose in.
It's a March 5th departure butstaying at the Royal Kona, which
is a three and a half starresort, it's one of my favorite
(22:30):
places.
I like it because of how closeit is to the little town, little
village of Kona.
Yeah, Kona's nice, I like it.
Kona is nice, yeah, and so thisis five nights.
Round-trip air from Salt LakeCity and other cities are
available upon request.
But it starts at $1,069 perperson, which, when I looked at
this last week exact same date,exact same hotel it's a $200
(22:54):
total.
So $100 per person lower ratethan it was last week, and that
includes the airfare.
That's amazing, that includesthe airfare.
And then probably my overallfavorite place to stay is the
Hilton Waikoloa Village.
So four and a half star.
That one starts at $15.69 perperson About the same price
(23:15):
difference $100, $150 a personlower than it was last week.
This is close in and it couldall change.
We've seen travel priceschanging quite dramatically the
last week or two.
Usually it's been to the lowerside, but it can go in either
direction.
Patrick Wiscombe (23:32):
I said I wasn't going to play the
Hawaiian music anymore becauseit makes me sleepy, but let me
just paint the mood with musichere for a second.
Go to Hawaii.
If you've never been, go.
And if you've already been andnever gone to the big island, go
, book it.
This is March 5th, a hundreddollars off per person.
Call Mark in his office,888-718-7717, 888-718-7717.
(24:00):
And Mark will also post this onblueplanetvacations.
com.
Oh man, I love this music.
When we come back it is theinfamous Just Cruising segment.
We'll also have the cruise newsheadlines.
And what are we talking about?
Are we going to the Caribbeanon this one?
(24:22):
We will be going to theCaribbean.
We'll give you those detailswhen the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show continues.
Thank you so much for listening.
My name is Patrick Wiscombe, heis Mark Faldmo.
We will be right back.
Just enjoy the Hawaiian musicfor a minute.
Show Voice (24:45):
They've literally traveled millions of miles to
answer your travel-relatedquestions.
Yeah, they really have.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com.
America's best travel advisors,Patrick and Mark, will be back
after these messages.
Ad Voice (25:11):
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.
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Patrick Wiscombe (25:29):
Welcome back to the Inside Travel Talk
podcast and radio show Coming up.
In the remaining 30 minutes ofthis hour we'll be talking about
a last-minute cruise deal tothe Caribbean, and when I say
last minute, it's February 15this your departure date.
Nassau, Bahamas, where Mark isliterally broadcasting from this
very moment, had a record yearfor cruise traffic and one of
(25:51):
the best travel deals Mark hasever seen.
So let's get back to the show.
The Inside Travel Talk podcastand radio show presented by
BluePlanetVacations.
com contains travel deals,promotions and offers that may
be time-sensitive.
All offers and information wereaccurate when the show aired.
Travel deals and offers changeconstantly and are capacity
(26:13):
controlled and subject to changewithout notice.
Show Voice (26:24):
Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and
radio show presented byBluePlanetVacations.
com America's best traveladvisors.
Hit us up right now,801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
And check out the podcast atinsidetraveltalk.
com.
Patrick Wiscombe (26:45):
Here's Patrick and Mark all aboard for segment
number three of the insidetravel talk podcast and radio
show.
This is the infamous justcruising segment of the show
(27:06):
where we only talk about thecruise news and we only talk
about cruise deals.
And coming up up we've got alast minute Caribbean cruise
that is going to take off onFebruary 15th on MSC.
But before we get there, let'sget back to the travel news
headlines.
Mark, I saw a story thatPrincess is rolling out 24-7
(27:31):
dining reservations.
I don't know that the crew'sgoing to love that, but I know
that passengers probably will,and this actually is for before
your cruise.
Oh, it is.
Mark Faldmo (27:39):
It's like a concierge, so before your cruise
you can call this and makedining reservations at the
traditional restaurants, thespecialty restaurants and even
the higher end experientialrestaurants across the entire
fleet.
This is something I really like.
I've had several people sell onPrincess this year and dining
has been one of the moreconfusing things to do.
(28:01):
They've asked people to do itthrough the app and it's just
really confused a lot of guests,and so I really like this that
they have a 24-7 line thatpeople can call and someone can
walk them through all of theiroptions and help them make the
reservations.
Families want to eat together.
If you're traveling withsomeone else, you always want to
try and get together, which Ialways link those reservations
(28:24):
together, but then they have tomake the reservations for dining
separately, so this will reallyhelp that.
Patrick Wiscombe (28:30):
I know that making dining reservations not
necessarily just Princess, I'msingling out everyone it can be
time consuming and at timesconfusing because you can't
really talk to anybody using theapp.
Mark Faldmo (28:41):
Yeah.
So this is great.
And if you're a Captain Circle,platinum or Elite member or if
you're sailing in a suite, youcan call this number and start
making reservations the minuteyour reservation is made.
Everyone else, all othercategories you have to wait
until you've paid yourreservation in full to use the
Dyneline.
Patrick Wiscombe (29:01):
And that makes sense.
I mean it has to be paid for,because otherwise why are you
making reservation if youhaven't even paid for it yet?
Private Island Half Moon Caywill get upgrades and a new name
.
Where is Half Moon Cay?
Mark Faldmo (29:14):
Half Moon K is in the Bahamas.
This is the only cruise lineprivate island that I have not
been to.
They are renaming it Relax Awayat Half Moon K and they are
adding another pier.
Half Moon K is what HollandAmerica uses, so it's Holland
America's private island, butthey are adding another pier
(29:36):
that can accommodate CarnivalCruise Lines, Excel-class ships,
so the larger ships and theCarnival brand.
The north part of the island isgoing to be the Carnival and
then Holland America will keepits south part of the island and
they're connected by a bighalf-moon beach.
They're going to put a spa athalfmoon beach.
They're going to put a spa inthere, they're going to put a
(29:56):
beach club.
That seems to be the thingthese days is adding a beach
club and then also newrestaurants and food venues.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:05):
Nassau, which is literally where you are right
now.
Nassau Bahamas has experiencedanother record year for cruise
traffic has experienced anotherrecord year for cruise traffic.
Mark Faldmo (30:14):
Nassau is one of the biggest cruise ports in the
world.
Last year it welcomed 5.6million visitors, which was a
27% increase, or 1.2 millionguests that it welcomed last
year.
Patrick Wiscombe (30:27):
So Nikki and I were two of those.
Yes, I was one of those twiceMark times two.
Are you near the Atlantis?
I'm not near the Atlantis, I'mdown the road a little bit.
There is something aboutcruising out of that port right
there and Atlantis in thedistance when the golden hour is
(30:47):
.
The sun's going down, Atlantisin the distance, blue skies,
maybe a few clouds that is aspectacular view going out of
there.
It is just unbelievable.
So I can see why NASA has had arecord cruise year.
Mark Faldmo (31:02):
Yeah, it is, and honestly, the last six times
I've been to Nassau on a cruiseI haven't gotten off the ship.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:08):
Really.
Mark Faldmo (31:09):
Like I've done everything.
There's nothing here.
But this kind of was a Jamaicaexperience for me.
I didn't like Jamaica the firstfew times I went on cruise ship
.
Since I've been here, stayingon land, there seems to be more
things to do because you havemore time to do things if you
visit NASA on a land vacationversus a cruise vacation.
(31:29):
Now, cruise vacation is a greatway to see it, but it's a
different way to see it as well.
So what you're saying great wayto see it, but it's a different
way to see it as well.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:34):
So what you're saying is that maybe put down
some roots there for a few days.
Yes, okay.
Mark Faldmo (31:40):
And we'll go over a few things in segment four
about what there is to do inNassau.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:45):
Okay, let's talk about the cruise deal of
the week.
This is a last minute Caribbeanvacation on MSC.
Or is it Princess, or have wegot both?
Mark Faldmo (31:54):
Actually, I think it's both yeah we've got both.
Patrick Wiscombe (31:56):
Okay, let's go start with MSC first, and when
does it depart?
Mark Faldmo (32:00):
This is on MSC Seascape and it departs on
February 15th, that's less thana month away.
The reason why I chose this isbecause the balcony deals were
so good.
I'm not even going to give theinside rate, because it's not
that far different from abalcony.
Okay, so the balcony rate is$780 per person, are you serious
(32:24):
?
That's for the balcony rate.
That includes all taxes andfees.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:29):
As well, so MSC Seascape, February 15th $780
for a balcony on Seascape.
Mark Faldmo (32:37):
For a balcony cabin and that leaves from Miami
cruises to Porta Plata in theDominican Republic, San Juan,
Puerto Rico, and then you know,we just got done.
Finished talking about aprivate island.
This visits MSC's privateisland, Ocean Cay, MSC Marine
Reserve.
Patrick Wiscombe (32:54):
Oh yeah, it's such a great private island
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Oh yeah, it's such a greatprivate island Truly it is.
I still can't believe that I'mhearing that rate.
Mark Faldmo (33:01):
That's a great rate for a balcony.
If you look at other cruiselines going about the same time
or even a few weeks later,that's about the rate you're
going to get the inside cabinsat.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:10):
They must have to fill some ship space,
because I've never heard of arate quite like that.
They must.
Mark Faldmo (33:15):
Sometimes they might have a group that canceled
that was hard to sell and sothey have to lower the rates
something.
Or maybe it's just that date.
I've seen some days wherethere's just one particular date
that does not sell.
Yeah, and it actually lookedlike it's the date, because when
we move on to this next dealit's kind of similar.
Patrick Wiscombe (33:36):
Okay, so let's talk about the Princess deal.
What ship is this on?
Mark Faldmo (33:40):
So this is on the Regal Princess, which is one of
the newer ships.
It leaves from Galveston,visits Costa Maya, Cozumel and
Belize.
Now, this is only a six-daycruise and again, same thing.
I'm just going to give thebalcony rate because it's almost
what the inside rate is, whichis $8.99 per person, Not as good
(34:03):
as the MSC one, but still agreat rate for a balcony.
And that is February.
17th is when that leaves.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:14):
What are the ports on that one, the Regal
Princess?
Mark Faldmo (34:17):
Yeah it goes to Cozumel, costa Maya and Belize
City.
You can get two of my favoriteshore excursions.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:25):
Yeah, okay, and just remind people what your
favorite shore excursions were.
Mark Faldmo (34:28):
So in Costa Maya it's the Seven Color Lagoon.
Patrick Wiscombe (34:30):
Oh, that's right.
Mark Faldmo (34:31):
You can also combine that with one of the
Mayan ruins.
And then in Belize City it's aMayan ruin, it's called Labadi,
and it's one where you take abus into the jungle, then you
get on a speedboat, you go upthe boat for an hour and a half
oh that's right and you get tothis ruin that is only
accessible by the river.
I think it's one of the mostfascinating excursions I've
(34:55):
taken, just because of how youhave to get there, and the ruin
itself is actually prettyfascinating as well.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:00):
If you decide to go on the MSC Seascape on
February 15th for a balcony,unbelievable what were the stops
again?
Mark Faldmo (35:07):
It was Porta Plata in the Dominican Republic, San
Juan, Puerto Rico and then OceanCay, MSC Marine Reserve.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:13):
How many times have you been to San Juan,
Puerto Rico?
Mark Faldmo (35:16):
I've been to San Juan probably five times.
Patrick Wiscombe (35:20):
Nicky and I MSC their private island, Ocean
Cay Reserve, is trulyspectacular.
It is one of the most beautifulscenic places that either of us
have ever experienced.
Obviously, you've got the oceansurrounding the island.
They've got wave runner toursthat are an hour long.
Now, for the people who havenever done the ocean before,
(35:44):
you're going to hear an hour andgo.
That's it.
It's only an hour.
An hour is really all you cantake physically.
The ocean beat you up, but youwill see so many different
shades of blue, green, navy blue.
It is just unbelievable.
So that is what surrounds theisland.
There's so many beach chairs.
(36:04):
They have bonfires at night ifyou're lucky enough to stay
overnight, they've got thelighthouse show, laser show, and
in the middle of the islandthey have this lagoon that is
really not that deep I'd saywhat Mark?
Two feet deep, maybe, Maybe.
Mark Faldmo (36:20):
Probably, yeah, two feet deep yeah maybe three, and
it is warm.
Patrick Wiscombe (36:25):
It's like taking a bath, but it's not so
hot that it bakes you.
It is just so pleasant whenyou're in the water.
The wind is blowing, sometimesyou get chilled, the water is
just perfect to keep you warm.
And the Powder Sugar Sand Beachthere's umbrellas everywhere
they've got.
It is just such a a spectacularexperience.
(36:46):
It will be one of those thingsthat you will remember for the
rest of your life.
That's how great of anexperience it was.
You cannot go wrong.
It really is that breathtakingand it really is that special.
So take advantage of this offer.
Call mark in his office duringthe break.
Just get the conversationstarted.
You're not committing toanything, but it's one of those
things that you're going to go.
(37:06):
Oh man, maybe we should reallyconsider this.
Call Mark, 888-718-7717,888-718-7717.
And, of course, you will putthis on blueplanetvacations.
com, on blueplanetvacations.
com, correct?
Yes, okay, take advantage of it.
888-718-7717.
(37:30):
When we come back, finalsegment of the show Mark is
saying that this is one of thebest deals that he has ever seen
as a travel agent.
And how many years have youbeen doing this?
30 years.
This is worth sticking aroundfor for this alone.
That is next with the insidetravel talk podcast radio show
(37:50):
continues.
Alongside mark Faldmo, my nameis Patrick Wiscombe.
We will be right back exploreyour world.
Show Voice (37:59):
You're listening to the inside travel talk podcast
and radio show presented by blueplanetlanetVacations.
com.
America's best travel advisors.
Call or text the show now801-649-3700.
801-649-3700.
We'll be right back.
Ad Voice (38:25):
Inside Travel Talk is brought to you by Anna.
Waterways, from castles andcapitals to vistas and villages.
Visit some of Europe's mostremarkable sites and cities To
set out on your own river cruisejourney.
Contact Blue Planet Vacationsat 888-718-7717 or
(39:06):
blueplanetvacations.
com, America's best traveladvisors.
Show Voice (39:11):
Call or text the show now 801-649-3700,
801-649-3700.
And now here's Patrick Wiscombeand Mark Faldmo.
Here's Patrick Wiscombe and.
Patrick Wiscombe (39:25):
Mark Faldmo.
This is one of those segmentsthat should.
I wish we had some kind of adeal alert and maybe we just
need to find some kind of asignature deal alert, sound
effect, you know, some kind ofsiren, because this segment is a
(39:47):
segment that doesn't come alongtoo often and when it does, you
really want to jump all over it.
We've got significant deals.
Mark has been a travel agentfor basically 30 years.
He's traveled over, or justabout 4 million miles, done over
150 cruises.
So when he says that this is asignificant deal, it is a big,
(40:09):
big deal.
So we're going to talk aboutSouthwest vacations.
If you want to go on aninternational vacation or over
to Hawaii and we've talked aboutHawaii during this show.
By the way, welcome back, man.
I got right to business.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and this
show.
By the way, welcome back, man,I got right to business.
You're listening to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
(40:29):
show.
I am Patrick Wiscombe.
He is Mark Faldmo.
Let's just get right into this,mark.
Let's just start with theSouthwest vacations and we'll
get back to the digital passportstory here in just a second.
There is a Southwest vacationswhere you can save up to $500 on
international and Hawaiivacations.
(40:49):
Okay, that's a lot of money,yes, but this is one of the best
deals that Mark has ever seen,and I'll let him explain it.
Mark Faldmo (40:57):
And what they mean by international is anywhere
Southwest flies internationally,so that's mainly going to be
Mexico and the Caribbean.
So Mexico, Caribbean and Hawaii.
And yes, when you say $500,people might say well, I've
heard you talk about save up to$500 several times on the show,
because we do.
Now, this one is different.
A lot of those deals are $500.
(41:19):
They're tiered discounts andwhat's different about this one
is the tiers of it.
So the tier is save up to $300for trips between 500 and 999.
Ad Voice (41:30):
Now.
Mark Faldmo (41:31):
I don't think you'll find a trip for $510, but
if you could, they would giveyou $300 off of that.
So it's a $200 trip basically,If you could do it yeah, now the
next tier is, say, four hundreddollars, between a thousand and
fourteen, ninety nine.
You may be able to findsomething in that.
(41:52):
So if you find something that'sright up to that fourteen,
ninety nine rate, you're goingto be paying a thousand dollars
for the trip.
Basically, um, I suspect thatmost trips are going to fall in
the save up to $500, which isfor vacations, $1,500 or more.
And I did look at this.
I did price out a it was ashorter trip to Hawaii because
(42:13):
this just requires a three nightminimum.
So I did price out a Hawaiitrip that came out to, I think
it was like $1,700 and it didgive the full $500 off of that.
So, it really did then it did.
This, percentage-wise, isprobably one of the best sales
that I've seen in my 30 years.
(42:34):
I think it's significant.
What other details are there.
To get this, you have to bookby February 10th and travel by
September 30th, and obviouslyyou have to fly on Southwest
Airlines and get a hotel packagewith Southwest Vacations.
This is one of the better dealsthat I've seen in a long time.
Patrick Wiscombe (42:53):
Take advantage of this.
Let me just give out the phonenumber.
Normally I do it at the end ofthe segment, but 888-718-7717,
888-718-7717.
Since this is tied in withSouthwest Vacations, if memory
serves, I don't remember therebeing a first class section on
the plane.
Is that still the case?
Mark Faldmo (43:15):
That is still the case, although they are going to
upgrade to some more premiumseating and go to seat
assignments.
But that probably won't happenuntil first quarter of next year
.
So we're a year away from themadding those extra legroom seats
.
Patrick Wiscombe (43:30):
So nothing's really changed, but it will
start changing in about a year.
In about a year I saw a storythat Google Wallet now lets
users store US passportinformation digitally for
airport security.
That's one thing that I wishthat it would come to the iPhone
.
They keep promising it, but itnever seems to materialize, I'm
(43:51):
sure someday it will.
Mark Faldmo (43:53):
So when this just started less than a month ago,
middle of December is when thisstarted, where you can now store
your passport in Google Walletand you can get through TSA
checkpoints.
Right now it's good at 27different airports.
Our airport, Salt Lake, is oneof them.
You can get through TSA justlike you would pay at a
(44:13):
restaurant you just tap yourphone.
It's just another way to helpspeed you through the airport.
Patrick Wiscombe (44:19):
The more stuff that we can get into phones,
the better.
I'm half tempted to go buy acar where you use your phone as
your key, because I am so tiredof having bulging pockets full
of keys and phones and I'm likethe less stuff wallets, the less
stuff that we can put in ourpockets and just put on our
phones, and I realize that thatmakes our phone very, very
(44:41):
valuable to thieves.
But man, it would sure be niceto start your car.
Just put your phone down andfires up and go.
Mark Faldmo (44:49):
Fired up.
Yeah, We've talked about othersimilar programs to this, like
global entry, where youbasically can land in the US
from international flight andwalk straight through to the
baggage claim.
You just have to have thecamera scan your face almost as
you're walking.
And then we talked aboutDelta's digital ID that they
have at select airports.
(45:09):
Again, this was recentlyintroduced at our airport, Salt
Lake.
Same thing you can just walkthrough the TSA pre-check line.
You get to skip the pre-checkline and just have a facial scan
and walk through to thescreening area.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:23):
So okay, so let's talk about that for just a
second.
So there's TSA pre-check andthen there's digital ID.
Digital ID, if memory serves,is Delta specific, but it allows
you to just go the securityline very quickly.
Mark Faldmo (45:37):
Yeah, you have to have TSA pre-check to be
considered for digital ID.
Okay, it just skips you to thefront of the PreCheck line.
Patrick Wiscombe (45:47):
Okay, so digital ID, if you're flying
Delta, is actually more valuablethan PreCheck, correct?
It is?
Yes, all right, you arebroadcasting, literally.
You've got your camera on.
I'm looking at blue skies, palmtrees, white sand, beaches,
pools, ocean.
I'm looking at everythingbehind you and, honestly, it's
(46:08):
breathtaking.
You're staying at Sandals,royal Bahamian.
That is the hotel that you'reat this very moment.
You've been there for threedays worth of meetings.
I don't know how you gotanything done with that view,
but I do want to know.
What have you been doing inNassau for the last three days?
Oh, and I forgot to ask isHeather with you, heather?
Mark Faldmo (46:26):
is not with me.
Since this was a work, theysaid no spouses.
So earlier I talked about I'veonly really been to NASA on a
cruise ship.
I did stay in a hotel therewhen I was like nine or 10.
And I don't really rememberthat.
But since I've stayed a fewdays here I've really enjoyed it
.
There's.
Patrick Wiscombe (46:45):
Just being land-based instead of on a
cruise ship.
Mark Faldmo (46:47):
Just being land-based is a different
vacation.
Nasa I've probably been toNassau 30 times, but all on a
cruise ship.
Once you've done everything youcan do in the time you have on
a cruise, it's not really worthgetting off the boat anymore for
me there.
But the one thing I will sayNassau is a great beach
destination, as you can see fromwhat's behind me, there is a
(47:10):
great beach there.
One thing I like about thisresort is they have their own
private island, so there's apier you can't see it, it's just
off my camera.
There's a pier where they haveboat shuttles that take you out
to their private island andbeach club, and so it has a
restaurant out there.
It's just like two resorts inone there's a spa, beach club, a
restaurant where you can sitand relax, besides the beach.
(47:33):
You know, Nassau does have alot to offer.
There is a lot of history here.
It was a former British colony.
One of the things that I didthis time that I've never done
before is the Clifton HeritageNational Park.
This is a park that has theruins of a village that was
occupied by slaves in the 18thcentury.
(47:55):
It has a great house and theyjust go through all of that
history, part of history weshould all learn about.
I think I just mentioned theprivate island that this hotel
has, but there are also toursyou can just purchase and go
spend the day on a privateisland.
Some of them are a lot less,they're a lot more secluded and
some don't have any buildings onthem, so you can just go
(48:16):
explore a private island.
The one thing I do rememberwhen I did stay here.
It was my first glass bottomboat tour.
Ooh, that would be interesting.
Yep, I was fascinated by that,and so there are lots of water
things glass bottom boat tour,snorkeling, scuba diving that
you can do in the Bahamas, and Ithink a lot of people probably
think of this.
(48:36):
But go shopping.
The straw market is one of myfavorite places.
Personally, I hate to barter,so I don't buy anything there
because I'm not good atbartering.
I don't feel comfortable doingthat.
You feel like you're rippingpeople off.
Patrick Wiscombe (48:51):
Sometimes, yes , like you're not paying them
enough.
Mark Faldmo (48:53):
Yeah, it's kind of weird.
The straw market is a big fleamarket in downtown Nassau.
It's a lot of tourist trinketsand things like that.
I remember I bought a straw hatwhen I was younger here and I
used to wear that straw hat allaround.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:08):
Is that what you're wearing right now?
Mark Faldmo (49:11):
No, the other thing is the queen staircase.
I didn't do that this time, butI've done it before, if you
want to relax.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:19):
You should see what Mark is looking at.
Mark Faldmo (49:21):
Good grief, it's quite amazing.
And we actually, you know, andwe actually talked about the
Atlantis earlier yeah, you know,they have a water park there, a
good beach.
Personally, I think it'soverpriced, but you know, as you
mentioned, if you want a good,relaxing beach vacation, come to
the Sandals, royal Bahamas.
It's amazing.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:41):
Are you sad to go?
Are you ready to go or have youhad?
I'm sad to go.
Mark Faldmo (49:45):
Okay, I get real excited when I travel.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:48):
I again one of the weird ones.
Mark Faldmo (49:50):
I like airports and airplanes, so I'm excited to
get on an airplane tomorrow.
Patrick Wiscombe (49:55):
When you and I came down to Florida, when we
went to Fort Lauderdale and goton Margaritaville at sea, I even
mentioned to you as we wereflying I'm like man, I just like
getting on an airplane, flyingfrom Salt Lake to Atlanta and
then Atlanta to was it FortLauderdale?
I think it was Fort Lauderdale,and it was just fun to just get
(50:18):
up in the air and just move andjust there was such an energy
about traveling.
It was it really.
It was just kind of a lot offun.
Yes, traveling, it was really.
It was just kind of a lot offun.
Yes, Just Google search whilewhile you're not driving, but if
you're stopped at a light orsomething.
Sandals, Royal Bahamian, to getan idea of what Mark is looking
at.
It is.
I almost don't know how toclose out the radio show because
(50:41):
I'm looking at the scenerybehind him.
Out the radio show because I'mlooking at the scenery behind
him.
Get out, explore the world.
We love talking about traveland we love sharing this with
listeners.
We love giving you ideas.
Call Mark in his office,888-718-7717, 888-7181-7.
(51:06):
Such a great way to live is getout and explore the world.
You can listen to the InsideTravel Talk podcast and radio
show again tomorrow morning,Sunday, at 11, right here on
this radio station, and you canalso stream, download and
subscribe to the podcast atinsidetraveltalk.
com.
(51:26):
You can stream the show on thewebsite or you can subscribe to
it.
We're on all of the majorpodcast platforms.
Just do a search for InsideTravel Talk and you will find
the podcast.
We've done our job.
Now it's your turn to get outand explore the world while you
(51:46):
can, Because you never know whatcurveballs life is going to
throw at you.
Travel while you can.
I've heard too many times wherepeople try to get out and
explore the world and thensomething goes wrong with their
health.
Do it while you can.
Live your life deliberately,Live your life intentionally,
(52:09):
and thank you so much forlistening.
Have a great week, Mark, and Iwill talk to you next week.
Show Voice (52:16):
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.
(52:37):
Thanks for listening.
Have a great week.
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