Inside Travel Talk
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Inside Travel Talk
Wanderlust Wonders: European Enchantments, Bahamas Bliss & Hawaii Travel Tips
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!
It is the weekend, which means it's time for the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show Coming up. On today's show, Mark and I have travel deals galore, A deal in every segment, from Europe and Hawaii to the Bahamas, and Mark is broadcasting from the Bahamas. Let's start the show. The Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show presented by BluePlanetVacations. com contains travel deals, promotions and offers that may be time sensitive. All offers and information were accurate when the show aired. Travel deals and offers change constantly and are capacity controlled and subject to change without notice.
Show Voice:Helping you plan your next vacation. This is the inside travel talk podcast and radio show presented by Blue Planet Vacations. Here's Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo.
Patrick Wiscombe:It is time to talk travel. Welcome to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show. My name is Patrick Wiscombe. Thank you for taking the time to stop and listen to the show, and if you've never heard our show, the entire purpose of this show is to help you plan and book your next vacation. And if you have no idea where to go, well, that's what we're going to talk about. We're going to give you some ideas of where you want to go on your next vacation, and we are presented by BluePlanetVacations. com, which is Mark's company, and he joins me from the Bahamas, which I should just give you a round of applause on that one, I think you're at the Sandals, royal Bahamian right now.
Mark Faldmo:I'm at the Sandals Royal Bahamian. I've moved the little desk over. I'm looking right out the balcony window to the turquoise blue water as I'm talking to you from the Bahamas.
Patrick Wiscombe:You've got literal palm trees and turquoise water. It's absolutely beautiful.
Mark Faldmo:This is a work trip for me. I've been here for three days of meetings. I have a day off and then fly home tomorrow. Yeah, work meeting yeah, work yeah.
Patrick Wiscombe:So I'm sorry, but it's hard to take that seriously with work and Bahamas when those two words are used together. Take that seriously with work and Bahamas when those two words are used together.
Mark Faldmo:Yeah, what a great place to go to a few hours of meetings and then go out and relax on the beach, have some good food, experience a different culture. It's a great, great job I have.
Patrick Wiscombe:Coming up in this segment of the show. We've got the destination of the week and we're going to be talking about Europe. We'll be talking about the difference between taking a land tour or a river cruise. We'll give you some options there. But let's first get to the travel news headlines. United airlines expects to start Starlink in February, which is starting to see a real trend that Starlink is kind of the internet provider of the world at this point.
Mark Faldmo:Internet is essential when traveling. We couldn't be doing the show right now without good, stable internet. We probably wouldn't do the show if one of us was on an airplane, but we could now with Starlink. I don't think that other passengers would like it, no. So in February they're starting to roll this out and eventually it'll be to their entire fleet. They're starting out on their regional aircraft, so their Embraer E-175s in the spring will be the initial phase and then they'll roll it out on their entire regional jet fleet and then it's mainline aircraft.
Patrick Wiscombe:One of the things that was really fun to watch and this is a Starlink-related story is when Nikki and I were in Port Canaveral. We were looking off the starboard side of the ship and we had a crystal clear view of Starlink, the rocket taking off. In June of last year I think it was June 23rd and it was spectacular to watch a rocket launch. I wish you could have seen it.
Mark Faldmo:Me too. That's something I've always wanted to do. I've been in Port Canaveral four times when there's supposed to have been a rocket launch, but never seen it.
Patrick Wiscombe:I don't know how much to believe. This next story San Francisco, one of the great cities in the United States, Not anymore just because of political conditions and literal crap on the sidewalks. After a rough and tough year, San Francisco prepares to revitalize tourism. I don't know how much to believe, but I want to believe.
Mark Faldmo:I do. San Francisco used to be one of my favorite places to visit. All the reports of how downhill it's gone, all the economic activity that they're losing I really hope they do turn that around, because San Francisco does have some great places. I love to go to Ghirardelli Square and get a banana split at the Ghirardelli factory. Go out to Muir Woods the Redwoods that are just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Alcatraz is fantastic. But 2024 was San Francisco's worst year on record for tourism. Their ADR, which is average daily rate for hotels, was only $220. And that takes into account all of the five-star hotels. That used to be $300, $500, $600 a night. They have not recovered since 2019. In 2019, their ADR was up around $300. That just shows that people are not traveling or do not want to travel to San Francisco. But I hope they turn it around. They've said they've made some things on crime and some initiatives to hopefully reduce the homelessness.
Patrick Wiscombe:It's dangerous, frankly.
Mark Faldmo:Yes.
Patrick Wiscombe:I saw that there is a 69-day cruise that sails across the Arctic Circle from Iceland to Japan. I would do that in a minute On this show.
Mark Faldmo:We're all about good travel deals, but we also try and find those unique things on occasion. This is a pretty expensive product 69-day cruise on National Geographic Expeditions We've talked about that. I think they are perfect for this. This cruise leaves Greenland, or leaves Iceland, sails to a few ports in Greenland, kind of sails up the west coast of Greenland and then cuts across to the Northwest Passage and sails through the Northwest Passage on the top side of Canada over to Alaska, stops in Nome, Alaska, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and then goes and gets several ports in Japan, ending in Kyoto area. Oh, wow, to see the places where this goes in Greenland and that far North Canada are amazing. But then the highlight, of course, is sailing through the Northwest Passage. I should probably ask how much is it? This price? Again, 69 days? It starts at $110,000 per person. It's pretty expensive, but National Geographic is a high-end small ship cruise line.
Patrick Wiscombe:That is a unique experience.
Mark Faldmo:Yes, it is.
Patrick Wiscombe:How many people?
Mark Faldmo:are on that ship. That ship holds 138 guests and 116 staff, so it's about a one-to-one crew to guest ratio. I think it would be an amazing experience.
Patrick Wiscombe:Always in this segment is the destination of the week and you received a call from one of our listeners. Let me just give out the text and the studio number. You can call it 801 or text it 801-649-3700. 801-649-3700. Gwen is asking in her text I've never been to Europe. I would like to go to Europe and see several places. I'm nervous because I'm not well-traveled and I have no idea what I'm doing. On a big trip like this, what is the best way for me to see Europe? There's a couple of things that come to mind either a land tour or a cruise, and I'm assuming that's probably where you're going to go, that's exactly where I'm going Land tour or river cruise.
Mark Faldmo:The reason why, especially if you're nervous about traveling or you just want to get really good insight on where you're going. A land tour? Basically, from the time you arrive at the airport you're met by someone, they transfer you from the airport to your hotel, you meet the tour group, the tour guide, and then you get all the insight of where you're going. Some of these tours get you inside places that you won't be able to get on your own. They have special local features or exclusives that are really hard to get. The first three times I went to Europe 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 about river cruising. On the show, river cruising is very similar in that they'll meet you at the airport, you can stay in that first city for two or three days before the cruise take the cruise. A river cruise you're kind of locked into what's near the river, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, because a lot of those cities aren't visited by a lot of people or they're not visited by the tours and so you get to see kind of unique out of the way places on a lot of the river cruises. Now, yes, the rivers do stop in some of the big cities We've talked about Budapest before, along the Rhine, Cologne, Germany, Amsterdam. You do get all of that, but you also get those little out of the way places. So, either way, a tour or a river cruise, and I've got two deals right now.
Mark Faldmo:Let's do the land tour first. Yeah, so the land tour. This is with Globus, who is my favorite company to use for a land tour. They have a thousand dollars off select land tours. One thing I like about Globus is they're all over Europe. If you wanted to highlight just a country, they have like just a UK tour, for instance, or they have just a Germany tour, or they have multiple country tours. The one I've done the most is one that starts in London, goes Germany, Switzerland, Austria and ends in France. You can kind of pick what you want to do. They have all sorts of different itineraries, which is great. So, again with Globus, $1,000 off select land tours.
Mark Faldmo:Let's talk about the river cruise. So, on river cruise, the cruise line we're highlighting today is Avalon Waterways. They're actually owned by Globus, so I kind of kept it in the same family there. But their offer is free airfare or save up to $1,500 per person on select river cruises. The free airfare might be a little bit better to use on that, or they have kind of a combination of that. They have another promotion and this one is different sailings but it may fit with when you want to go. They have $249 per person airfare combinable with save up to $1,250 per person. Okay, so double dipping, kind of Kind of double dipping there.
Patrick Wiscombe:Yeah, what's your thoughts on Avalon for a river cruise?
Mark Faldmo:I really like Avalon, although I really like all river cruising. But one thing that's different with Avalon is how they do their cabins. Their beds, all face the big sliding glass picture window oh really, so you lay in bed and you can look out and see. Every other cruise line I've been in puts the bed in the other direction. This way you just look out and can see the river as you go by. I really like Avalon. If I had to choose, my two favorites would be Alma Waterways and Avalon Waterways.
Patrick Wiscombe:As we go to break here. So $1,000 off select land tours. Just to recap or Avalon has free airfare or save up to $1,500 a person on has free airfare or save up to $1,500 a person. Or you can double dip. Do $249 off on the air and save up to $1,250 per person if you choose to double dip. If I've got that right, that's correct. Yep, that's a good deal. Take advantage of it. Call Mark during the break If you just want to start the conversation 888-718-7717, 888-718-7717. And you can also get this deal on blueplanetvacations. com when we come back. It is the hot travel deal of the week. This week we're going to Kona and Mark noticed a fairly large price drop to Hawaii. We'll detail that and we've got the travel news headlines. That is next with the Inside Travel Talk podcast. The radio show continues. My name is Patrick Wiscombe. He is Mark Faldmo. We will be right back.
Show Voice:If you have travel questions, they have the answers. You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show with Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo, presented by BluePlanetVacations. com. Call or text the show right now 801-649-3700, 801-649-3700.
Ad Voice:We'll be right back. Star Clippers has offered unique, authentic tall ship sailing experiences featuring creative itineraries throughout the Mediterranean Caribbean and Central America. To book your unique Star Clipper sailing adventure, contact Blue Planet Vacations at 888-718-7717 or blueplanetvacations. com.
Show Voice:You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show presented by BluePlanetVacations. com, America's best travel advisors. Call or text the show now 801-649-3700, 801-649-3700. 801-649-3700. And check out the podcast at InsideTravelTalk. com. Here's Patrick and Mark.
Patrick Wiscombe:I know that you're in the Bahamas right now, mark. It looks very island desk right here. So I'm looking at your camera, looking at you, looking at sandals, royal Bahamian, which is where you're broadcasting. You're in a Nassau right now as we do the radio show, but, wow, does it have a similar vibe as though we are actually in Hawaii? Yeah, oh, I love this. There's something about the music that always kind of lulls me to sleep there, or at least puts me in a relaxed state, so I'm just going to have to turn it off because it is well.
Mark Faldmo:It's amazing how music can affect your mood and for me there's nothing like Hawaiian music so relaxing and just puts you in that island frame of mind.
Patrick Wiscombe:You are listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast, a radio show. Alongside Mark Faldmo, my name is Patrick Wiscombe. In this segment, we're going to talk about Hawaii. Which island are we going to? We're going to go to Kona. We'll get to that here in just a second. We do have a promotion in every single segment of the show, but let's continue with the travel news headlines. Let's talk about the Kilauea volcano eruption, because that is going on right now. Is this a lava event? How big of an issue is this right now?
Mark Faldmo:No, this is a lava event and we did talk about this, I think, two weeks ago when it first started. It's still going on. I've received a lot of questions. As of right now, the lava is still going. It's intermittent, but the volcano can shut itself off at any time.
Mark Faldmo:If you're going in the next few weeks, you may have a good chance of seeing the lava, and the thing that's unique about this is it's all in the main crater. So where the visitor center is, there's a lookout. You can look out right down into that and see the lava. There are several lookouts around Volcano National Park where you can see it. If you're staying at the Volcano House Hotel, it looks right out to where the lava is at. There is a live webcam of the crater. It's a USGS live camera of the crater. Right now I just clicked on it and it looks like it's just steaming.
Mark Faldmo:But one thing they do say is the best time to go is prior to 5 am or after 9 pm, because the park is getting very crowded these days with people wanting to see that, or after 9 pm, because the park is getting very crowded these days with people wanting to see that. And also, I think if you go when it's dark, you might get a whole different experience of seeing the lava, especially if it's erupting into spouts. I wish I was there right now. Me too. Now, that's what that music did to me that you played. I want to go to Hawaii.
Patrick Wiscombe:You mean this music?
Mark Faldmo:Yes, that music.
Patrick Wiscombe:All right, I got turned off. Let's continue on with the travel news. One of the things that who's the governor there? Is it Josh, Josh Green. He really wants to turn Hawaii so they're not so dependent on tourism. Now, Hawaii will always be tourism, but he wants to make the island a little more sustainable. I saw an interview with him a short time ago. The question was raised a while ago but is Hawaii going to implement the new tourism tax in 2025? I don't know that.
Mark Faldmo:he answered that question, so in a memorandum last week, he's announcing plans to try and put an additional tourist fee on. This will be the third attempt at it. When we very first started the show I think in the first three or four episodes, we talked about this he was trying to implement a $50 flat fee for all tourists coming to the island. That did not go through. What is being proposed now is an additional depending on what county you're visiting, but it could be up to an additional 3%. Currently, right now, the tourism tax is 10.25%, so they want to raise that to as much as 13.25%. That doesn't sound quite as bad as the $50 fee for tourists, but I still think some of these destinations are just going to price their way out of some tourists and it doesn't come to that because there are still some really good deals to Hawaii. 3% is not going to make that big of a deal, but it does start adding up once you're considering the cost of food and all of that.
Patrick Wiscombe:During the break, Mark and I got a question from Heidi and let me just give out the studio and text number. You can call or text. It's 801-649-3700. 801-649-3700. During the break, Heidi sent this text 7700-801-649-3700. During the break, Heidi sent this text Is there an option for an overwater bungalow in Mexico or the Caribbean? I want to say yes, but I can't think of the place that you're going to say.
Mark Faldmo:There are several options, the two that come right to mind. The first one is in the Riviera Maya 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 that it's kind of attached to, which is El Dorado Maroma Beach. This is a great option. A lot of people want to go to Tahiti and stay in the overwater bungalows until they see the price tag on that.
Mark Faldmo:Now these are more expensive than your typical hotel room, sure, but you're in the water.
Mark Faldmo:You're in the water, but they're very similar to overwater bungalows in Tahiti. And it's small. They're like 35 units, so it's just a small complex with its own restaurant, its own spa. It does have a really nice presidential suite if you wanted to stay in that, but it is located on Maroma Beach, which is consistently rated top five beach in the world. And then the other place that I can think of is in Jamaica. It's at the Sandals, royal Caribbean, and I know that there are a few others. The Sandals one is going to be pretty pricey when compared to the Palafitos, but both great options if you're looking for something a little bit closer, a little bit less expensive than the overwater bungalows when compared to Tahiti.
Patrick Wiscombe:Have you ever stayed in an overwater bungalow? I? Have in Tahiti oh you have, you have done it.
Mark Faldmo:I have. I was lucky enough during COVID to get invited stayed five nights on Morea the intercontinental in an overwater bungalow.
Patrick Wiscombe:Hold on, I knew you during COVID. Yes, do we need to have words after the show? We should. All right, we'll have Okay.
Mark Faldmo:That's a place we should make it our goal to go do the podcast and radio show from.
Patrick Wiscombe:That would not hurt my feelings. Yeah, Heidi, I hope that answers your question. Let me just invite listeners again to call or text the show while we're on the air. 801-649-3700, 801-649-3700. Let's get to the hot travel deal of the week, which we are going to the Big Island, Kona specifically, and you found a deal that had a big price drop for Hawaii.
Mark Faldmo:Since we talked about the Kilauea volcano earlier, I thought we would add this as the hot deal of the week. So right now this is save up to $200 on Hawaii vacation packages. I look for something fairly close in. It's a March 5th departure but staying at the Royal Kona, which is a three and a half star resort, it's one of my favorite places. I like it because of how close it is to the little town, little village of Kona. Yeah, Kona's nice, I like it. Kona is nice, yeah, and so this is five nights.
Mark Faldmo:Round-trip air from Salt Lake City and other cities are available upon request. But it starts at $1,069 per person, which, when I looked at this last week exact same date, exact same hotel it's a $200 total. So $100 per person lower rate than it was last week, and that includes the airfare. That's amazing, that includes the airfare. And then probably my overall favorite place to stay is the Hilton Waikoloa Village. So four and a half star. That one starts at $15.69 per person About the same price difference $100, $150 a person lower than it was last week. This is close in and it could all change. We've seen travel prices changing quite dramatically the last week or two. Usually it's been to the lower side, but it can go in either direction.
Patrick Wiscombe:I said I wasn't going to play the Hawaiian music anymore because it makes me sleepy, but let me just paint the mood with music here for a second. Go to Hawaii. If you've never been, go. And if you've already been and never gone to the big island, go, book it. This is March 5th, a hundred dollars off per person. Call Mark in his office, 888-718-7717, 888-718-7717. And Mark will also post this on blueplanetvacations. com. Oh man, I love this music. When we come back it is the infamous Just Cruising segment. We'll also have the cruise news headlines. And what are we talking about? Are we going to the Caribbean on this one? We will be going to the Caribbean. We'll give you those details when the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show continues. Thank you so much for listening. My name is Patrick Wiscombe, he is Mark Faldmo. We will be right back. Just enjoy the Hawaiian music for a minute.
Show Voice:They've literally traveled millions of miles to answer your travel-related questions. Yeah, they really have. You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show presented by BluePlanetVacations. com. America's best travel advisors, Patrick and Mark, will be back after these messages.
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Patrick Wiscombe:Welcome back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show Coming up. In the remaining 30 minutes of this hour we'll be talking about a last-minute cruise deal to the Caribbean, and when I say last minute, it's February 15th is your departure date. Nassau, Bahamas, where Mark is literally broadcasting from this very moment, had a record year for cruise traffic and one of the best travel deals Mark has ever seen. So let's get back to the show. The Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show presented by BluePlanetVacations. com contains travel deals, promotions and offers that may be time-sensitive. All offers and information were accurate when the show aired. Travel deals and offers change constantly and are capacity controlled and subject to change without notice.
Show Voice:Now back to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show presented by BluePlanetVacations. com America's best travel advisors. Hit us up right now, 801-649-3700. 801-649-3700. And check out the podcast at insidetraveltalk. com.
Patrick Wiscombe:Here's Patrick and Mark all aboard for segment number three of the inside travel talk podcast and radio show. This is the infamous just cruising segment of the show where we only talk about the cruise news and we only talk about cruise deals. And coming up up we've got a last minute Caribbean cruise that is going to take off on February 15th on MSC. But before we get there, let's get back to the travel news headlines. Mark, I saw a story that Princess is rolling out 24-7 dining reservations. I don't know that the crew's going to love that, but I know that passengers probably will, and this actually is for before your cruise.
Patrick Wiscombe:Oh, it is.
Mark Faldmo:It's like a concierge, so before your cruise you can call this and make dining reservations at the traditional restaurants, the specialty restaurants and even the higher end experiential restaurants across the entire fleet. This is something I really like. I've had several people sell on Princess this year and dining has been one of the more confusing things to do. They've asked people to do it through 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 that people can call and someone can walk them through all of their options and help them make the reservations. Families want to eat together. If you're traveling with someone else, you always want to try and get together, which I always link those reservations together, but then they have to make the reservations for dining separately, so this will really help that.
Patrick Wiscombe:I know that making dining reservations not necessarily just Princess, I'm singling out everyone it can be time consuming and at times confusing because you can't really talk to anybody using the app.
Mark Faldmo:Yeah. So this is great. And if you're a Captain Circle, platinum or Elite member or if you're sailing in a suite, you can call this number and start making reservations the minute your reservation is made. Everyone else, all other categories you have to wait until you've paid your reservation in full to use the Dyneline.
Patrick Wiscombe:And that makes sense. I mean it has to be paid for, because otherwise why are you making reservation if you haven't even paid for it yet? Private Island Half Moon Cay will get upgrades and a new name. Where is Half Moon Cay?
Mark Faldmo:Half Moon K is in the Bahamas. This is the only cruise line private island that I have not been to. They are renaming it Relax Away at Half Moon K and they are adding another pier. Half Moon K is what Holland America uses, so it's Holland America's private island, but they are adding another pier that can accommodate Carnival Cruise Lines, Excel-class ships, so the larger ships and the Carnival brand. The north part of the island is going to be the Carnival and then Holland America will keep its south part of the island and they're connected by a big half-moon beach. They're going to put a spa at halfmoon beach. They're going to put a spa in there, they're going to put a beach club. That seems to be the thing these days is adding a beach club and then also new restaurants and food venues.
Patrick Wiscombe:Nassau, which is literally where you are right now. Nassau Bahamas has experienced another record year for cruise traffic has experienced another record year for cruise traffic.
Mark Faldmo:Nassau is one of the biggest cruise ports in the world. Last year it welcomed 5.6 million visitors, which was a 27% increase, or 1.2 million guests that it welcomed last year.
Patrick Wiscombe:So Nikki and I were two of those. Yes, I was one of those twice Mark times two. Are you near the Atlantis? I'm not near the Atlantis, I'm down the road a little bit. There is something about cruising out of that port right there and Atlantis in the distance when the golden hour is. The sun's going down, Atlantis in the distance, blue skies, maybe a few clouds that is a spectacular view going out of there. It is just unbelievable. So I can see why NASA has had a record cruise year.
Mark Faldmo:Yeah, it is, and honestly, the last six times I've been to Nassau on a cruise I haven't gotten off the ship.
Patrick Wiscombe:Really.
Mark Faldmo:Like I've done everything. There's nothing here. But this kind of was a Jamaica experience for me. I didn't like Jamaica the first few times I went on cruise ship. Since I've been here, staying on land, there seems to be more things to do because you have more time to do things if you visit NASA on a land vacation versus a cruise vacation.
Mark Faldmo:Now, cruise vacation is a great way to see it, but it's a different way to see it as well. So what you're saying great way to see it, but it's a different way to see it as well.
Patrick Wiscombe:So what you're saying is that maybe put down some roots there for a few days. Yes, okay.
Mark Faldmo:And we'll go over a few things in segment four about what there is to do in Nassau.
Patrick Wiscombe:Okay, let's talk about the cruise deal of the week. This is a last minute Caribbean vacation on MSC. Or is it Princess, or have we got both?
Mark Faldmo:Actually, I think it's both yeah we've got both.
Patrick Wiscombe:Okay, let's go start with MSC first, and when does it depart?
Mark Faldmo:This is on MSC Seascape and it departs on February 15th, that's less than a month away. The reason why I chose this is because the balcony deals were so good. I'm not even going to give the inside rate, because it's not that far different from a balcony. Okay, so the balcony rate is $780 per person, are you serious? That's for the balcony rate. That includes all taxes and fees.
Patrick Wiscombe:As well, so MSC Seascape, February 15th $780 for a balcony on Seascape.
Mark Faldmo:For a balcony cabin and that leaves from Miami cruises to Porta Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and then you know, we just got done. Finished talking about a private island. This visits MSC's private island, Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve.
Patrick Wiscombe:Oh yeah, it's such a great private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Oh yeah, it's such a great private island Truly it is. I still can't believe that I'm hearing that rate.
Mark Faldmo:That's a great rate for a balcony. If you look at other cruise lines going about the same time or even a few weeks later, that's about the rate you're going to get the inside cabins at.
Patrick Wiscombe:They must have to fill some ship space, because I've never heard of a rate quite like that. They must.
Mark Faldmo:Sometimes they might have a group that canceled that was hard to sell and so they have to lower the rates something. Or maybe it's just that date. I've seen some days where there's just one particular date that does not sell. Yeah, and it actually looked like it's the date, because when we move on to this next deal it's kind of similar.
Patrick Wiscombe:Okay, so let's talk about the Princess deal. What ship is this on?
Mark Faldmo: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-day cruise and again, same thing. I'm just going to give the balcony rate because it's almost what the inside rate is, which is $8.99 per person, Not as good as the MSC one, but still a great rate for a balcony. And that is February. 17th is when that leaves.
Patrick Wiscombe:What are the ports on that one, the Regal Princess?
Mark Faldmo:Yeah it goes to Cozumel, costa Maya and Belize City. You can get two of my favorite shore excursions.
Patrick Wiscombe:Yeah, okay, and just remind people what your favorite shore excursions were.
Mark Faldmo:So in Costa Maya it's the Seven Color Lagoon.
Patrick Wiscombe:Oh, that's right.
Mark Faldmo:You can also combine that with one of the Mayan ruins. And then in Belize City it's a Mayan ruin, it's called Labadi, and it's one where you take a bus into the jungle, then you get on a speedboat, you go up the boat for an hour and a half oh that's right and you get to this ruin that is only accessible by the river. I think it's one of the most fascinating excursions I've taken, just because of how you have to get there, and the ruin itself is actually pretty fascinating as well.
Patrick Wiscombe:If you decide to go on the MSC Seascape on February 15th for a balcony, unbelievable what were the stops again?
Mark Faldmo:It was Porta Plata in the Dominican Republic, San Juan, Puerto Rico and then Ocean Cay, MSC Marine Reserve.
Patrick Wiscombe:How many times have you been to San Juan, Puerto Rico?
Mark Faldmo:I've been to San Juan probably five times.
Patrick Wiscombe:Nicky and I MSC their private island, Ocean Cay Reserve, is truly spectacular. It is one of the most beautiful scenic places that either of us have ever experienced. Obviously, you've got the ocean surrounding the island. They've got wave runner tours that are an hour long. Now, for the people who have never done the ocean before, you're going to hear an hour and go. That's it. It's only an hour. An hour is really all you can take physically. The ocean beat you up, but you will see so many different shades of blue, green, navy blue. It is just unbelievable. So that is what surrounds the island. There's so many beach chairs. They have bonfires at night if you're lucky enough to stay overnight, they've got the lighthouse show, laser show, and in the middle of the island they have this lagoon that is really not that deep I'd say what Mark? Two feet deep, maybe, Maybe.
Mark Faldmo:Probably, yeah, two feet deep yeah maybe three, and it is warm.
Patrick Wiscombe:It's like taking a bath, but it's not so hot that it bakes you. It is just so pleasant when you're in the water. The wind is blowing, sometimes you get chilled, the water is just perfect to keep you warm. And the Powder Sugar Sand Beach there's umbrellas everywhere they've got. It is just such a a spectacular experience. It will be one of those things that you will remember for the rest of your life. That's how great of an experience it was. You cannot go wrong. It really is that breathtaking and it really is that special.
Patrick Wiscombe:So take advantage of this offer. Call mark in his office during the break. Just get the conversation started. You're not committing to anything, but it's one of those things that you're going to go. Oh man, maybe we should really consider this. Call Mark, 888-718-7717, 888-718-7717. And, of course, you will put this on blueplanetvacations. com, on blueplanetvacations. com, correct? Yes, okay, take advantage of it. 888-718-7717. When we come back, final segment of the show Mark is saying that this is one of the best deals that he has ever seen as a travel agent. And how many years have you been doing this? 30 years. This is worth sticking around for for this alone. That is next with the inside travel talk podcast radio show continues. Alongside mark Faldmo, my name is Patrick Wiscombe. We will be right back explore your world.
Show Voice:You're listening to the inside travel talk podcast and radio show presented by blue planetlanetVacations. com. America's best travel advisors. Call or text the show now 801-649-3700. 801-649-3700. We'll be right back.
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Show Voice:Call or text the show now 801-649-3700, 801-649-3700. And now here's Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo. Here's Patrick Wiscombe and.
Patrick Wiscombe:Mark Faldmo. This is one of those segments that should. I wish we had some kind of a deal alert and maybe we just need to find some kind of a signature deal alert, sound effect, you know, some kind of siren, because this segment is a segment that doesn't come along too often and when it does, you really want to jump all over it. We've got significant deals. Mark has been a travel agent for basically 30 years. He's traveled over, or just about 4 million miles, done over 150 cruises. So when he says that this is a significant deal, it is a big, big deal. So we're going to talk about Southwest vacations. If you want to go on an international vacation or over to Hawaii and we've talked about Hawaii during this show.
Patrick Wiscombe:By the way, welcome back, man. I got right to business. You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and this show. By the way, welcome back, man, I got right to business. You're listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show. I am Patrick Wiscombe. He is Mark Faldmo. Let's just get right into this, mark. Let's just start with the Southwest vacations and we'll get back to the digital passport story here in just a second. There is a Southwest vacations where you can save up to $500 on international and Hawaii vacations. 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: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. They're tiered discounts and what's different about this one is the tiers of it. So the tier is save up to $300 for trips between 500 and 999.
Ad Voice:Now.
Mark Faldmo:I don't think you'll find a trip for $510, but if you could, they would give you $300 off of that.
Mark Faldmo:So it's a $200 trip basically, If you could do it yeah, now the next tier is, say, four hundred dollars, between a thousand and fourteen, ninety nine. You may be able to find something in that. So if you find something that's right up to that fourteen, ninety nine rate, you're going to be paying a thousand dollars for the trip. Basically, um, I suspect that most trips are going to fall in the save up to $500, which is for vacations, $1,500 or more. And I did look at this. I did price out a it was a shorter trip to Hawaii because this just requires a three night minimum. So I did price out a Hawaii trip that came out to, I think it was like $1,700 and it did give the full $500 off of that.
Mark Faldmo:So, it really did then it did. This, percentage-wise, is probably one of the best sales that I've seen in my 30 years. I think it's significant. What other details are there. To get this, you have to book by February 10th and travel by September 30th, and obviously you have to fly on Southwest Airlines and get a hotel package with Southwest Vacations. This is one of the better deals that I've seen in a long time.
Patrick Wiscombe:Take advantage of this. Let me just give out the phone number. Normally I do it at the end of the segment, but 888-718-7717, 888-718-7717. Since this is tied in with Southwest Vacations, if memory serves, I don't remember there being a first class section on the plane. Is that still the case?
Mark Faldmo:That is still the case, although they are going to upgrade to some more premium seating and go to seat assignments. But that probably won't happen until first quarter of next year. So we're a year away from them adding those extra legroom seats.
Patrick Wiscombe:So nothing's really changed, but it will start changing in about a year. In about a year I saw a story that Google Wallet now lets users store US passport information digitally for airport security. That's one thing that I wish that it would come to the iPhone. They keep promising it, but it never seems to materialize, I'm sure someday it will.
Mark Faldmo:So when this just started less than a month ago, middle of December is when this started, where you can now store your passport in Google Wallet and you can get through TSA checkpoints. Right now it's good at 27 different airports. Our airport, Salt Lake, is one of them. You can get through TSA just like you would pay at a restaurant you just tap your phone. It's just another way to help speed you through the airport.
Patrick Wiscombe:The more stuff that we can get into phones, the better. I'm half tempted to go buy a car where you use your phone as your key, because I am so tired of having bulging pockets full of keys and phones and I'm like the less stuff wallets, the less stuff that we can put in our pockets and just put on our phones, and I realize that that makes our phone very, very valuable to thieves. But man, it would sure be nice to start your car. Just put your phone down and fires up and go.
Mark Faldmo:Fired up. Yeah, We've talked about other similar programs to this, like global entry, where you basically can land in the US from international flight and walk straight through to the baggage claim. You just have to have the camera scan your face almost as you're walking. And then we talked about Delta's digital ID that they have at select airports. Again, this was recently introduced at our airport, Salt Lake. Same thing you can just walk through the TSA pre-check line. You get to skip the pre-check line and just have a facial scan and walk through to the screening area.
Patrick Wiscombe:So okay, so let's talk about that for just a second. So there's TSA pre-check and then there's digital ID. Digital ID, if memory serves, is Delta specific, but it allows you to just go the security line very quickly.
Mark Faldmo:Yeah, you have to have TSA pre-check to be considered for digital ID. Okay, it just skips you to the front of the PreCheck line.
Patrick Wiscombe:Okay, so digital ID, if you're flying Delta, is actually more valuable than PreCheck, correct? It is? Yes, all right, you are broadcasting, literally. You've got your camera on. I'm looking at blue skies, palm trees, white sand, beaches, pools, ocean. I'm looking at everything behind you and, honestly, it's breathtaking. You're staying at Sandals, royal Bahamian. That is the hotel that you're at this very moment. You've been there for three days worth of meetings. I don't know how you got anything done with that view, but I do want to know. What have you been doing in Nassau for the last three days? Oh, and I forgot to ask is Heather with you, heather?
Mark Faldmo:is not with me. Since this was a work, they said no spouses. So earlier I talked about I've only really been to NASA on a cruise ship. I did stay in a hotel there when I was like nine or 10. And I don't really remember that. But since I've stayed a few days here I've really enjoyed it. There's.
Patrick Wiscombe:Just being land-based instead of on a cruise ship.
Mark Faldmo:Just being land-based is a different vacation. Nasa I've probably been to Nassau 30 times, but all on a cruise ship. Once you've done everything you can do in the time you have on a cruise, it's not really worth getting off the boat anymore for me there. But the one thing I will say Nassau is a great beach destination, as you can see from what's behind me, there is a great beach there.
Mark Faldmo:One thing I like about this resort is they have their own private island, so there's a pier you can't see it, it's just off my camera. There's a pier where they have boat shuttles that take you out to their private island and beach club, and so it has a restaurant out there. It's just like two resorts in one there's a spa, beach club, a restaurant where you can sit and relax, besides the beach. You know, Nassau does have a lot to offer. There is a lot of history here. It was a former British colony. One of the things that I did this time that I've never done before is the Clifton Heritage National Park. This is a park that has the ruins of a village that was occupied by slaves in the 18th century. It has a great house and they just go through all of that history, part of history we should all learn about.
Mark Faldmo:I think I just mentioned the private island that this hotel has, but there are also tours you can just purchase and go spend the day on a private island. Some of them are a lot less, they're a lot more secluded and some don't have any buildings on them, so you can just go explore a private island. The one thing I do remember when I did stay here. It was my first glass bottom boat 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 I think a lot of people probably think of this. But go shopping. The straw market is one of my favorite places. Personally, I hate to barter, so I don't buy anything there because I'm not good at bartering. I don't feel comfortable doing that. You feel like you're ripping people off.
Patrick Wiscombe:Sometimes, yes, like you're not paying them enough.
Mark Faldmo:Yeah, it's kind of weird. The straw market is a big flea market in downtown Nassau. It's a lot of tourist trinkets and things like that. I remember I bought a straw hat when I was younger here and I used to wear that straw hat all around.
Patrick Wiscombe:Is that what you're wearing right now?
Mark Faldmo:No, the other thing is the queen staircase. I didn't do that this time, but I've done it before, if you want to relax.
Patrick Wiscombe:You should see what Mark is looking at.
Mark Faldmo:Good grief, it's quite amazing. And we actually, you know, and we actually talked about the Atlantis earlier yeah, you know, they have a water park there, a good beach. Personally, I think it's overpriced, 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:Are you sad to go? Are you ready to go or have you had? I'm sad to go.
Mark Faldmo:Okay, I get real excited when I travel.
Patrick Wiscombe:I again one of the weird ones.
Mark Faldmo:I like airports and airplanes, so I'm excited to get on an airplane tomorrow.
Patrick Wiscombe:When you and I came down to Florida, when we went to Fort Lauderdale and got on Margaritaville at sea, I even mentioned to you as we were flying I'm like man, I just like getting on an airplane, flying from Salt Lake to Atlanta and then Atlanta to was it Fort Lauderdale? I think it was Fort Lauderdale, and it was just fun to just get up in the air and just move and just there was such an energy about traveling. It was it really. It was just kind of a lot of fun. Yes, traveling, it was really. It was just kind of a lot of fun. Yes, Just Google search while while you're not driving, but if you're stopped at a light or something. Sandals, Royal Bahamian, to get an idea of what Mark is looking at. It is. I almost don't know how to close out the radio show because I'm looking at the scenery behind him. Out the radio show because I'm looking at the scenery behind him. Get out, explore the world. We love talking about travel and we love sharing this with listeners. We love giving you ideas. Call Mark in his office, 888-718-7717, 888-7181-7. Such a great way to live is get out and explore the world.
Patrick Wiscombe:You can listen to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show again tomorrow morning, Sunday, at 11, right here on this radio station, and you can also stream, download and subscribe to the podcast at insidetraveltalk. com. You can stream the show on the website or you can subscribe to it. We're on all of the major podcast platforms. Just do a search for Inside Travel Talk and you will find the podcast. We've done our job. Now it's your turn to get out and explore the world while you can, Because you never know what curveballs life is going to throw at you. Travel while you can. I've heard too many times where people try to get out and explore the world and then something goes wrong with their health. Do it while you can. Live your life deliberately, Live your life intentionally, and thank you so much for listening. Have a great week, Mark, and I will talk to you next week.
Show Voice:That's it. That's the end of the show You've been listening to the Inside Travel Talk podcast and radio show with Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo, presented by BluePlanetVacations. com. Book your adventure right now. Call 888-718-7717. That's 888-718-7717. Thanks for listening. Have a great week.