Inside Travel Talk

Exploring Unique Destinations: Galapagos Adventures to Greek Isles Small Ship Cruises


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The travel landscape is changing in ways that might surprise you. Airlines are now leveraging sophisticated AI technology to analyze your browsing history and past purchasing behavior to potentially charge you higher fares. Delta Airlines recently announced plans to deploy an AI pricing tool for 20% of their domestic fares, raising significant concerns among travelers. While some carriers deny using personalized pricing, the trend points to a future where what you pay could depend on who you are—and your digital footprint.

This shift highlights the renewed value of travel advisors who can access reservation systems where customer identity isn't linked to fare offerings. When booking through an advisor, you're more likely to receive standardized pricing based on contracted bulk fares rather than algorithmically determined rates targeting your specific profile. As Mark explains, "These are set contracted fares, usually based on a 12-month contract, so I know that's always going to be my fare as long as there are seats available."

Beyond airline pricing, we explore two distinctive ways to experience the Galapagos Islands—expedition cruises with companies like Celebrity Expeditions, or land-based tours utilizing smaller catamarans and local lodges. For those dreaming of Greek Island adventures, we highlight alternatives to mainstream cruise lines, including Celestial Cruises with their immersive cultural experiences and extended port times, and Star Clippers' romantic tall ships offering unique sailing itineraries with up to 65% savings on 2026-2027 voyages. We also discuss Princess Cruise Lines' massive expansion into Japan with 78 departures planned for 2027, and the surprising trend of Generation X travelers embracing guided tours after years of independent travel.

For our listeners in Sale Lake City we discuss on offer for 20% Off Airport Parking with Park n Jet. This offer can be found on Blue Planet Vacations website.

We also discuss AmaWaterways plans for several new ships by 2030 and possibly some smaller charter only River cruise options.

Ready to explore these destinations without overpaying? Visit BluePlanetVacations.com or call 888-718-7717 to work with travel advisors who can navigate these changing systems and secure the best value for your next adventure.

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Inside Travel TalkBy Mark Faldmo & Patrick Wiscombe

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