Mark is broadcasting from a quiet booth at the Delta Sky Club in LAX, minutes before hopping terminals for a Fiji Airways flight, so we keep this travel podcast tight, practical, and packed with value. If you like a weekly travel briefing that helps you plan and book smarter, this is one to save.

We start with a cruise news update that matters for families and group travel: Carnival Cruise Line is tightening policies for minor guests. We explain what the new cabin distance rules mean for travelers ages 15 to 20, what changes for kids under 15, and why age requirements can create real booking headaches if you don’t map out cabins correctly.

Then we hit airline and loyalty news with two angles: time and flexibility. Southwest is leaning into “airplane mode” to help busy travelers reclaim downtime in the air, and we talk about why unplugging can be the best part of flying. On the rewards front, American Airlines now allows mixing miles and cash for redemptions, making it easier to book even when you’re a little short on points.

We wrap with cruise inspiration and a deal: Viking welcomes a new Nile River cruise ship in Egypt, and National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions is offering up to $2,000 per person in airfare credits on select voyages, including Japan and a Scotland-to-Portugal sailing. If you want help booking any of the trips we mention, subscribe for more travel deals, share this with a friend who needs a vacation, and leave us a review so more travelers can find the show.

Do you need new tires? Head to the experts at GrizzlyTires.com. Get name brand tires, get your brakes checked, wheel alignments, and oil changes. Grizzly Tire keeps you rolling. GrizzlyTires.com

Get $10 off your Disneyland vacation package when you use promo code VacationNerd10 at checkout on GetAwayToday.com

Get Away Today
Get Away Today sells discounted Disney and theme park vacation packages, tickets, hotels.

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...

Tahiti is a dream trip until you look at the flight map and realize how far it really is. We dig into a surprisingly practical workaround: a 35-day Holland America cruise sailing round trip from San Diego that strings together Hawaii, rare South Pacific stops, and French Polynesia favorites like Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea, and Papeete. If you’re a slow-travel fan who’d rather unpack once than hop airports, this itinerary flips the usual “you have to fly” assumption on its head, and the starting price might stop you in your tracks.

We also hit the biggest cruise industry headlines shaping what you’ll book next year and beyond. MSC Cruises is breaking ground on Sandy Cay, a luxury private island experience accessed from Ocean Cay, designed around multiple bays and a central hub that feels more curated than crowded. Then we explain Holland America’s move to 12 ships through a Carnival Corporation swap, why “same platform” ships matter for onboard feel, and how these brand shifts can change schedules and availability in ways travelers actually notice.

On the deal side, we walk through Royal Caribbean’s current promotion (including savings for additional guests) and share three picks that span a Mexican Riviera cruise from Los Angeles, a port-heavy Caribbean run from Fort Lauderdale, and a more exotic South Pacific sailing out of Sydney. Finally, Mark shares a travel tip that can save a vacation: some countries restrict even common medications, so we cover how to check rules, pack prescriptions, and avoid an airport disaster.

Subscribe, share this with your cruise-planning friend, and leave a review if our deals and tips help. What destination would you rather reach by sea than by plane?

Do you need new tires? Head to the experts at GrizzlyTires.com. Get name brand tires, get your brakes checked, wheel alignments, and oil changes. Grizzly Tire keeps you rolling. GrizzlyTires.com

Get $10 off your Disneyland vacation package when you use promo code VacationNerd10 at checkout on GetAwayToday.com

Get Away Today
Get Away Today sells discounted Disney and theme park vacation packages, tickets, hotels.

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...

Kilauea looks dramatic on social media, but what matters to travelers is what happens on the ground, and right now that includes real closures inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We talk through what’s being shut down, why park officials take preemptive action when the volcano is pressurized, and how to plan a Hawaii vacation with safety and flexibility in mind when conditions can change quickly.

From there, we get practical about airports. TSA is exploring faster TSA PreCheck lanes by combining tools like e-gates, advanced imaging, and AI supported luggage screening. We share why PreCheck lines sometimes feel slower than regular screening, what TSA hopes to fix, and how frequent flyers can think about Digital ID and other options that may reduce time spent in security lines at busy US airports.

We also dig into a passenger friendly policy shift: American Airlines says it is ending involuntary bumping. We discuss what that could mean in real life, why airlines still need volunteers on oversold flights, and how better compensation could turn a travel headache into a strategic choice if you have schedule flexibility.

Then we have some fun with a Halloween themed countdown: a Jack the Ripper walking tour in London, haunted New Orleans ghost stories, Edinburgh’s underground vaults, and Disneyland at Halloween. We finish with the Hot Travel Deal of the Week, Exotica’s Dracula and the Treasures of Transylvania tour in Romania, with a standout discount for travelers who want castles, folklore, and Carpathian scenery. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves spooky travel, and leave us a review. Which Halloween trip would you actually book?

Do you need new tires? Head to the experts at GrizzlyTires.com. Get name brand tires, get your brakes checked, wheel alignments, and oil changes. Grizzly Tire keeps you rolling. GrizzlyTires.com

Get $10 off your Disneyland vacation package when you use promo code VacationNerd10 at checkout on GetAwayToday.com

Get Away Today
Get Away Today sells discounted Disney and theme park vacation packages, tickets, hotels.

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...

A single policy change can completely reshape a family cruise plan and we start there with Carnival’s tighter cabin rules for minors. If you’ve ever tried to book adjoining rooms, split parents between cabins, or keep teens close but not too close, you’ll recognize how quickly cruise line age policies affect price, availability, and stress levels. We break down what changed, what stays the same for teens, and what it signals about how cruise companies think about supervision at sea.

Next, we zoom out to the bigger cruise industry arms race: private islands and onboard experiences. Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Key is finally getting a pier, which could mean fewer missed stops and easier access when weather kicks up. From there we talk entertainment and how MSC World America is positioning itself for the American traveler, including the headline-grabbing Dirty Dancing in Concert plus a lineup of new theater productions designed to make sea days feel like a main event.

Then we get into the fun part: five cruise deals worth your attention, including a prime-time Alaska cruise from Vancouver, Canada and New England at the start of fall, a port-heavy Norwegian Fjords sailing, a value-priced Caribbean itinerary on MSC Seashore, and an Iceland and UK route that packs a lot into 11 days. We also share practical travel safety guidance, including how to read a Mexico travel advisory the right way, why the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is worth using, and why travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage can protect you from worst-case costs.

If this helped you plan smarter, subscribe, share the show with a travel-loving friend, and leave a review so more travelers can find us. Where are you headed next?

This episode aired February 8, 2025.

Do you need new tires? Head to the experts at GrizzlyTires.com. Get name brand tires, get your brakes checked, wheel alignments, and oil changes. Grizzly Tire keeps you rolling. GrizzlyTires.com

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Get $10 off your Disneyland vacation package when you use promo code VacationNerd10 at checkout on GetAwayToday.com

Get Away Today
Get Away Today sells discounted Disney and theme park vacation packages, tickets, hotels.

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...

A destination can feel like a total reset without being complicated and that’s why we’re excited about the U.S. Virgin Islands right now. They just set a new tourism record, and we break down how to actually plan the trip: fly into St Thomas or St Croix, ferry over to St John, and pick the island vibe that matches your style. We talk beaches like Magens Bay and Trunk Bay, snorkeling that doesn’t have to be exhausting, and why St John’s national park footprint makes it one of the most special no-passport Caribbean vacations for U.S. travelers.

We also hit the travel news you’ll want on your radar. Celebrity Cruises is officially jumping into river cruising with 10 ships on order for 2027, which could reshape the premium river cruise market. United Airlines brings back a status match program for 2025, and we cover the simple but important fine print so you don’t miss the 90-day window. Plus, Los Angeles tourism leaders ask visitors not to cancel trips, reminding all of us how headlines can impact local jobs and local economies.

Then we go big: Australia. We spotlight a rare Los Angeles to Sydney airfare deal and map out what to do once you land, from the Sydney Explorer Pass and the Opera House to the Sydney Bridge Climb, harbor cruises, Bondi Beach, and a full-day Blue Mountains trip with Scenic World and kangaroo time. If you’re weighing a flight versus a cruise to Australia, this conversation will help you choose with confidence. Subscribe, share this with a travel buddy, and leave a review with the destination you want us to cover next.

This episode originally aired February 8, 2025.

Do you need new tires? Head to the experts at GrizzlyTires.com. Get name brand tires, get your brakes checked, wheel alignments, and oil changes. Grizzly Tire keeps you rolling. GrizzlyTires.com

Get $10 off your Disneyland vacation package when you use promo code VacationNerd10 at checkout on GetAwayToday.com

Get Away Today
Get Away Today sells discounted Disney and theme park vacation packages, tickets, hotels.

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...

One cruise headline can tell you where the entire travel market is going, and we connect several of them in a way that helps you plan smarter. Disney Cruise Line is doubling its presence in Alaska, and we talk through what that means for families looking at classic ports like Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, plus the timing around summer 2026 bookings. If Alaska is on your list, the “when” and “how” you book can matter as much as the itinerary itself.

Then we shift to the big buzzmaker: MSC World America. We’re joined by Laura Okanowski from MSC Cruises to unpack why this ship is being framed as a new kind of cruise vacation for the US market while keeping MSC’s European heritage front and center. We get into the “holiday vs vacation” idea, what guests actually feel onboard, and why food, comfort, and pacing are at the heart of the brand message. With a massive lineup of restaurants and bars, family spaces, and headline entertainment, this launch is one to watch if you’re comparing cruise lines for 2025 and beyond.

We also hit quick but important traveler topics: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise is heading into a major refurbishment, and Italy is proposing new rules that could force online travel reviews to include proof of stay. Both stories are reminders that the product can change fast and the internet is not always your friend when you’re trying to judge quality.

To wrap it up, we share a standout cruise deal of the week: Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong River with AMA Waterways, including how the promo works and why adding the land portion can make the whole trip smoother. If you enjoy cruise news, travel tips, and real-world pricing intel, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more travelers can find us.

This episode originally aired February 15, 2025.

This episode of The Vacation Nerd Podcast and Radio Show is presented by Rampage Rental & Repair!

Headed to St. George, Utah? Get out and RIDE! Rent or buy your Ebike at Rampage Rental & Repair—or get your own bike tuned up and trail-ready.

Cruise Snow Canyon, ride the Virgin River Trail, or explore Kayenta.

Reserve your ebike ride today! Call 435-767-2003 or book at RampageRentalRepair.com.

Rampage Rental & Repair—gear up, get out, and RIDE!

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...

Leaf-peeping from a cruise ship sounds dreamy until you try to pin down the exact week the colors explode. We get practical about it, sharing what we’ve seen year over year on Canada and New England cruises and how to choose dates when “peak foliage” is a moving target. If you’re deciding between late September, early October, or rolling the dice later in the month for a cheaper fare, we walk you through the trade-offs in plain language.

From there, we compare three smart ways to sail the region: round trip cruises out of Boston or New York, one way itineraries between Quebec City and the US, and repositioning cruises that stretch your vacation days without stretching your budget. We talk real numbers, why prices jump during prime weeks, and why a longer repositioning sailing can cost less than a shorter itinerary. If Quebec City and the St Lawrence have ever been on your list, you’ll hear why that route hits differently, especially in early October.

We also mix in timely travel news and trip planning wins: Norwegian Cruise Line’s huge new-ship order, Royal Caribbean’s push to reduce food waste using energy conversion and AI, and Hyatt’s move to acquire Playa Hotels and Resorts as the all-inclusive space keeps evolving. Then we head to Mexico, naming some of the most impressive pyramids to visit and how they vary by region, before landing on Cancun all-inclusive vacation packages with savings up to $300 and noticeable price drops at several five-star resorts.

If you’re ready to price out dates, compare itineraries, or lock in a fall sailing, subscribe to the podcast, share this with your favorite travel planner friend, and leave a quick review so more travelers can find us.

This episode originally aired February 15, 2025

This episode of The Vacation Nerd Podcast and Radio Show is presented by Rampage Rental & Repair!

Headed to St. George, Utah? Get out and RIDE! Rent or buy your Ebike at Rampage Rental & Repair—or get your own bike tuned up and trail-ready.

Cruise Snow Canyon, ride the Virgin River Trail, or explore Kayenta.

Reserve your ebike ride today! Call 435-767-2003 or book at RampageRentalRepair.com.

Rampage Rental & Repair—gear up, get out, and RIDE!

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...

Luxury camping in Antarctica. A brand-new river cruise brand entering the chat. A Mexican cruise port that wants to go from “stopover” to “homeport.” If you’ve felt like cruising is changing fast, you’re not imagining it, and we break down what these moves mean for real travelers trying to plan smarter trips.

We start with cruise news that spans the globe. AMA Waterways is expanding in Vietnam and Cambodia with a smaller Mekong river ship built around an immersive Indochina experience. Then we talk expedition cruising as Lindblad Expeditions (the National Geographic expeditions partner) acquires White Desert, opening the door to high-end Antarctica camping experiences, including flights on a restored DC-3 into remote camps. We also touch on Celebrity’s first river cruise ship reaching a major build milestone and why that matters if you’re tracking new ship launches and early sell-outs.

From there, we go practical with West Coast cruising and a big Puerto Vallarta cruise port expansion that could unlock new Mexico and Central America itineraries, plus more variety for San Diego and Los Angeles cruise routes. Finally, we dive into Viking cruise deals across ocean, river, and expedition categories, including the October sale with free or reduced airfare, low deposits, and a key choice: shipboard credit or a beverage package with gratuities. We highlight three standout itineraries, including Greece and Turkey in the Mediterranean, tulip season on the rivers of the Netherlands and Belgium, and an 81-day Arctic to Antarctic explorer voyage for travelers who want the ultimate bucket-list expedition.

If you love cruise planning, cruise news, and finding cruise deals that actually add value, hit play now. Subscribe, share this with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review, then tell us which perk you’d choose: shipboard credit or drinks and gratuities?

Do you need new tires? Head to the experts at GrizzlyTires.com. Get name brand tires, get your brakes checked, wheel alignments, and oil changes. Grizzly Tire keeps you rolling. GrizzlyTires.com

Get $10 off your Disneyland vacation package when you use promo code VacationNerd10 at checkout on GetAwayToday.com

Get Away Today
Get Away Today sells discounted Disney and theme park vacation packages, tickets, hotels.

Support the show

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. There are literally thousands of podcasts from which you can choose, yet you listened to this show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or give listeners ideas of where they might consider going on vacation next. Our goal is to help our listeners live their lives deliberately and intentionally. You only get one shot at life so you might as well make it count. Make memories with those that matter most to you.

TAKE ACTION: Quit talking about going on vacation, just do it. If you want more information about any of the destinations we discussed during the show, or have your own custom vacation in mind, I can help you. Please call, text, or email me.

Here's my contact information:

Patrick Wiscombe

Cell/Text: (801) 874-7717

Email: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com

The Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast): https://www.thevacationnerd.co/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombe

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@pa...