SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

Port Canaveral just took the crown from Miami as the world’s busiest cruise port and that one stat says a lot about where cruising demand is headed. We unpack what changed, why Port Canaveral’s passenger numbers surged, and how that can affect your choices if you’re comparing Florida departure ports for your next sailing. Along the way, we also flag a money detail most travelers miss: American Airlines quietly nudged up short-haul international checked bag fees, another reminder to price the entire trip, not just the airfare. 

Then we jump to Cancun and the Riviera Maya, where Mark is fresh back from El Dorado Royale and brings home the Palm Award from Lomas Hospitality. We talk through what makes these resorts stand out, who each property fits best, and why “more inclusive” can be a real value upgrade. Think beyond the usual all-inclusive basics: airport transportation, signature experiences like snorkeling cruises and cenotes, Maroma Beach club access with excellent local food, and even a major water park option for families at Generations Riviera Maya. If you’re searching for Cancun all-inclusive deals, adults-only romance resorts, or a multi-generational Mexico vacation, you’ll leave with a clearer shortlist. 

The Just Cruising segment goes deep on loyalty and Alaska. Virgin Voyages is now status matching most cruise lines and even select Virgin airline status, and they’re rolling out a 30-day Alaska season pass for 2026 built on back-to-back sailings. Mark also announces AlaskaCruiseGuru.com, a dedicated hub for Alaska cruise planning, including small ship adventure cruises and Alaska cruise tours. We wrap with a listener question that turns into a timely warning: Christmas markets river cruises for 2026 are selling out early, so we share when to book, which cities to prioritize, and our top picks for AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways, plus current promotions. 

Subscribe, share this with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review if these weekly travel deals and cruise tips help you plan smarter.

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 my show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply 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:  [email protected]

Podcast:  https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/

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

SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

Flying has gotten so tense that the U.S. Department of Transportation is now running a civility campaign, and we have thoughts. We kick things off with practical air travel etiquette that actually works in the real world: how to treat flight attendants well, when to lend a hand with overhead bins, and why basic “please” and “thank you” still matter at 35,000 feet. If you have ever wondered why cabin moods feel so different post-2020, we connect the dots and share the simplest ways to make air travel courtesy the norm again.

Then we shift to travel planning you can use right away. We flag a rare Japan travel warning tied to bear attacks in northern Japan, with context on what areas it affects and how to think about local safety without overreacting. From there, we get into real value: how to save up to $500 per couple on select Cosmos Tours worldwide, including standout itineraries in Morocco, Prague to Vienna to Budapest, and the classic Rome to Florence to Venice route. We also talk honestly about trade-offs like staying outside city centers and why “Venice adjacent” can keep a tour affordable.

Our Just Cruising segment brings the deals home. MSC World Atlantic bookings are now open, and the early pricing on a brand-new ship is eye-opening, plus we explain why booking when cruises first drop can be the best time to lock in a low fare with a deposit. We also cover the surge in Japan cruises, Norwegian’s push to become the go-to family cruise line, and a listener question about Falkland Islands cruises, including a Celebrity Equinox 14-day sailing from Buenos Aires that hits Port Stanley and the best months to go.

If you like smart travel tips, cruise news, and money-saving strategies you can act on, subscribe, share the show with a travel buddy, and leave a review so more listeners can find us.

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 my show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply 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:  [email protected]

Podcast:  https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/

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

SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

One careless flex can wreck a whole vacation. We talk about a real-world travel mistake that keeps happening: posting boarding passes and booking details online, then acting surprised when someone uses that information to mess with the reservation. If you want practical travel safety and privacy tips that actually protect your money and your plans, we break down what to watch for and what to never share. 

From there, we hit destination updates worth knowing if you are planning a future trip. Disneyland Paris is rebranding Walt Disney Studios Park into Disney Adventure World, with major changes across the park, a big Frozen expansion that recreates Arendelle, and new entertainment that blends water projection with drone technology. If you track theme park travel, this is the kind of update that can influence when to visit, how many days to stay, and what to budget for. 

We also answer a listener question that turns into a full-on wildlife trip plan: where to see monkeys in the wild. Costa Rica takes the spotlight, including the best areas to stay, what you can see in Arenal and Manuel Antonio, and the best time of year depending on whether you want the dry season or the greener, rainier months. Then we shift into cruise news and cruise deals, including Carnival’s new Ensenada build-out and MSC’s new ship class designed to reach more ports worldwide. We wrap with Southern Caribbean cruise options for travelers who are tired of the same stops and want more unique ports and culture. 

Subscribe for weekly trip ideas and deals, share this with a friend who overshares travel screenshots, and leave a review so more travelers can find 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 my show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply 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:  [email protected]

Podcast:  https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/

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

SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

Delta is bringing 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners into the fleet, and that’s the kind of headline that actually matters when you’re the one stuck on a long flight. We talk through what makes the 787 such a traveler favorite, where Delta plans to use it, and why cabin quiet, layout, and comfort can be just as important as the fare you see on a screen. We also dig into United’s new economy meal policy on flights over 1,200 miles, where preordering in the app becomes the only way to get a meal, and what that means for planning ahead.

Then we slow things down on purpose with a look at some of the best new US train journeys to consider for 2026, from upgraded Amtrak experiences to true sightseeing routes that build in hotel overnights. After that, we answer a listener question with a practical three-night Copenhagen pre-cruise itinerary: Nyhavn, canal tours, Tivoli Gardens, classic landmarks, palace history, and the walkable streets that make the city so easy to love. We even cover Danish foods that are approachable if you want to try local flavor without getting too adventurous.

In our Just Cruising segment, we hit the big cruise headlines: a developing cruise port in remote Mayaguana, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aura coming in 2027, and Oceania’s move to an adults-only policy. We also break down a Princess Cruises offer featuring up to 40% off, extra instant savings, and onboard credit, then help a listener compare 2026 routes that include Iceland and Norway, plus an option that includes Greenland. If this helps you plan even one detail better, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review.

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 my show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply 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:  [email protected]

Podcast:  https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/

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

SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

Hawaii is one of the easiest “yes” vacations you can book, but choosing the right island can feel like a quiz you didn’t study for. We walk through a simple way to decide by matching the island to the experience you actually want, then we stack the conversation with specific, practical ideas you can plug straight into your itinerary.

We start with a few travel-planning updates that can save you time and headaches. TSA is expanding touchless ID to more airports, and we explain how TSA PreCheck, your passport profile, and airline enrollment work together to make security smoother. We also run through passport tips travelers still miss, like the six-month validity expectation, keeping your passport in good condition, and having enough blank pages for stamps and visas.

Then we answer a listener question head-on: what are the top things to do on each Hawaii island? Think Big Island volcano time, manta ray night snorkeling, Kona coffee, and black sand beaches. Kauai brings the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, and the start of the Kalalau Trail. Maui gets the full bucket-list treatment with Haleakala sunrise, the Road to Hana, Molokini Crater snorkeling, and Ka’anapali. Oahu rounds it out with Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and the North Shore. We also share a Hawaii deal that can save up to $250, plus a cruise corner update on Alaska price drops and Holland America’s limited $1 deposit window.

If this helps, subscribe to the podcast, share it with your favorite travel buddy, and leave a review so more listeners can find our Hawaii and cruise planning tips.

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 my show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply 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:  [email protected]

Podcast:  https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/

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

SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

Southwest Airlines with airport lounges? That headline stopped us in our tracks, because it signals a real shift in how Southwest wants to compete and how travelers might plan airport time, starting with a lounge planned for Honolulu. We also talk through a practical route update for Hawaii fans: Southwest flying from Las Vegas to Hilo, which makes the Big Island easier to reach if you’d rather land closer to waterfalls, rainforests, and Volcanoes National Park.

Then we jump to Europe, where Rome is experimenting with a two-euro fee to get close to the Trevi Fountain during peak hours. It’s a small price, but it raises a big travel question: how do you keep iconic places enjoyable when the crowds never stop? We share the simple planning mindset that helps, including when to visit so you can still get that “I can’t believe I’m here” moment.

A listener text takes us to Norway, one of our favorite destinations for fjords, towering cliffs, and waterfall-packed cruises. We break down the best time to go for fjords and long daylight, the best season for northern lights, and what to do in Oslo, including an easy “Norway in a Nutshell” route. Finally, the cruise headlines: Great Stirrup Key’s new pier, French Riviera cruise limits, and long Alaska cruises from 10 to 16 days, including an Alaska and Hawaii itinerary. If you like travel deals, cruise news, and real-world trip planning, subscribe, share this with a travel buddy, and leave us a review.

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 my show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply 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:  [email protected]

Podcast:  https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/

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

SEND US A VOICEMAIL! Be part of the show. Tap or click the link to ask your travel related question(s)...or just say hi. Tell us your name and where you live.

Europe travel is adding new layers of “permission to travel,” and the acronyms can feel like a prank until you are staring at an airport check-in counter. We break down what EES means for border control and biometric entry, what ETIAS is (and what it is not), and why the UK ETA is a separate requirement. If you’re planning Italy travel, a Rome vacation, or a multi-country Europe itinerary, this is the practical checklist talk that helps you avoid last-minute surprises.

Then we go from paperwork to daydreaming with a listener question we love: what to do when you’ve already seen Rome’s headline sights. We share five day trips from Rome that add real variety to your schedule, from Tivoli’s Villa d’Este and Hadrian’s Villa to the ruins of Ostia Antica, the hill town magic of Orvieto, a food-forward run to Naples (yes, pizza), and a taste of Tuscany in Cortona. If you have limited vacation time, we also touch on a growing trend toward shorter tours and compact itineraries that still deliver a full experience.

We round it out with deals and cruising: a Delta Vacations promotion with potential savings and bonus Delta SkyMiles, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Free at Sea Plus perks like premium beverages and upgraded Wi‑Fi, a Smithsonian-curated Grand Danube river cruise on AMA Waterways, and an MSC 115-night world cruise for the truly adventurous. If this helps you plan even one great trip, subscribe, share the show with a travel buddy, and leave a quick review so more travelers can find us.

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 my show.

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help people plan and book their next vacation or simply 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:  [email protected]

Podcast:  https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/

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