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.

Three-hour lines to enter Europe sounds like a rumor until you’re standing in it. We dig into the EU’s new Entry and Exit System, why the first rollout created major airport delays, and what you can do right now to protect your itinerary. If you’re planning a Europe trip, a holiday connection, or a cruise that depends on tight timing, this border change is the kind of detail that can make or break a travel day. 

We also talk about Jamaica after a direct hit from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, including the early signals of what’s reopening and the island’s aggressive plan to get tourism operations back on track. It’s an honest look at how to plan responsibly after a major storm: what to confirm before you go, how to stay flexible, and how travel can help recovery when the timing is right. 

From there we shift to travel inspiration and value, including Germany’s Christmas markets (Nuremberg vs Cologne, plus a strong case for Heidelberg) and a Frommer’s-style list of standout 2026 destinations like Jasper in the Canadian Rockies, Fiji, Oulu in Finland, Adelaide, and Vienna. Then it’s full cruise mode: MSC possibly building ships even bigger than today’s mega-vessels, Royal Caribbean expanding beach clubs to places like Santorini, and Viking reaching a massive 100-ship milestone. We wrap with timely deals, including Fiji airfare options and Viking river cruise promotions with free airfare on select sailings. 

If this helped you plan, subscribe to the show, share it with a travel buddy, and leave a review so more travelers can find us. What trip are you planning next, Europe, the South Pacific, or a river cruise?

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

Black Friday travel deals can either save you real money or lure you into the kind of fine print that ruins a trip. We sort the signal from the noise, starting with airline changes that hit your wallet fast, like Delta’s new Comfort Basic fares. You still get extra legroom and some Comfort perks, but the restrictions look a lot like Basic Economy, including uncertain seat assignment and no redeemable miles. We also talk about Southwest’s hints toward airport lounges, premium seating, and more long-haul flying, plus a practical Hawaii travel update for anyone trying to get into Hanauma Bay on Oahu without the stress of full parking lots and early-morning lines.

Then we get into the Black Friday vacation deals you can actually plan around. If guided tours are your style, we lay out Globus and Cosmos discounts for select 2026 departures and explain what separates a more budget-friendly tour from a more inclusive one. For travelers who love earning perks while they travel, Delta Vacations is a standout because bundling airfare and hotel can unlock better package pricing, SkyMiles member savings, bonus miles, and MQDs that help you reach Medallion status faster.

The second half is all cruise news and cruise Black Friday sales. We cover Norwegian’s new Jacksonville homeport itineraries, what people are saying about Disney’s upcoming Disney Adventure and its Groot Galaxy Spin ride, and Margaritaville at Sea’s newest ship with a Zach Brown Band designed concert venue. We also highlight Avalon Waterways river cruise promos and a rapid rundown of the biggest cruise line offers from Azamara, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages.

If you want to book smarter this Black Friday season, subscribe, share this with a travel buddy, and leave us a review so more travelers can find the deals that are actually worth it.

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

Supersonic passenger flights sound like a throwback, but the next wave may be closer than most travelers realize. We dig into the FAA’s steps toward allowing supersonic flight and why the biggest breakthrough isn’t just speed, it’s noise. With companies like Boom Supersonic and NASA testing designs meant to reduce the sonic boom on the ground, we talk through what “Mach 1.4” really means for travel time, comfort, and cost, and why a two-hour New York to Los Angeles trip could reshape premium air travel.

Europe is the other big headline, and the story is less glamorous but far more likely to impact your next trip. We unpack ETIAS, the electronic travel authorization that keeps getting delayed, and we explain how the newer EES entry/exit biometric process is already changing airport lines in real time. If you’re planning EU travel, we share what to expect at passport control, how to budget time for arrivals and departures, and how to avoid confusion between EU requirements and the UK’s separate system.

From there, we get practical about Caribbean hurricane season travel planning. We cover the real peak-risk window, why “hurricane season” doesn’t mean constant storms, how cruise lines handle itinerary changes, and why travel insurance only works when you buy it before a named storm. We also spotlight Fiji with two resort recommendations, plus a limited-time Fiji vacation savings offer and the international date line detail that surprises first-timers.

If you found this helpful, subscribe for weekly travel news and deals, share the show with a friend planning a trip, and leave us a quick review so more travelers can find us.

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

Cruises for $199 per person. A quiet, luxury corner of Cancun that feels like a private beach. And a pile of Black Friday travel deals that can actually move the needle on your total trip cost. We’re bringing our annual Black Friday edition with real numbers, real deadlines, and the simple question we all ask this time of year: what’s the smartest way to book travel before the best promos disappear?

First, we get boots-on-the-ground with Mark’s fresh return from Playa Mujeres, the master-planned resort area north of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. We talk about the vibe difference compared with the Hotel Zone and Riviera Maya, why the beach matters so much, and what impressed us at SLS Playa Mujeres, from spacious rooms and balconies to attentive service and food that feels more high-end all-inclusive than “mass market.”

Then we shift into deal mode: Delta Vacations savings and bonus SkyMiles, deep discounts from G Adventures and Globus tours, and a headline airfare offer from Fiji Airways that makes the South Pacific feel suddenly possible. If you’re searching for Black Friday travel deals, tour discounts, or cheap flights with big value, this is the roadmap we’d use.

Finally, our “Just Cruising” segment features Laura Okanowski from MSC Cruises, including what’s new with MSC Seascape sailing from Galveston and the Black Friday promos with potential onboard credit and kids sail free options on select sailings. If you’ve been thinking about a family cruise, a quick 3 to 4 night getaway, or a longer seven-night itinerary, this is the week to price it out. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves a deal, and leave a review with the trip you want to book next.

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

Airlines are getting sued for selling “window seats” that don’t actually have a window, and honestly, we get it. We kick things off with a practical fix: how to verify your seat before you pay extra, plus why this keeps happening on digital seat maps. If you care about comfort, legroom, and getting what you booked, this tip alone can save you a lot of frustration on your next flight.

Then we jump into the real reason so many travelers tune in after Thanksgiving: Black Friday travel deals, Cyber Monday promos, and Travel Tuesday discounts that can make a trip finally feel doable. We break down Globus tour savings (including Iceland Northern Lights trips, a Turkey loop through historic sites, and a Switzerland-by-train dream itinerary), plus limited-time rail deals from Rocky Mountaineer in the Canadian Rockies and Canyon Spirit between Denver, Moab, and Salt Lake City.

No passport? No problem. We share warm weather destinations without a passport that still deliver big vacation energy: Key West, the US Virgin Islands (hello, St Thomas and Magens Bay), and Puerto Rico with the walkable charm of Old San Juan. And if cruising is your lane, we unpack an unlimited cruise pass starting at $799, major cruise news like Icon of the Seas heading to Galveston, and MSC Cruises offers starting at $199 per person. We also hear from MSC’s Laura Okanowski on the Yacht Club “ship within a ship” experience, including butler service, private spaces, and what’s actually included.

If any of these deals sparked an idea, subscribe, share the show with a travel buddy, and leave a review so more people can find the savings. Where would you go first?

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

Disney is changing how it charges for theme park tickets, and it’s about to feel a lot more like booking a flight. We talk through Disney’s new dynamic pricing approach, why it’s happening, and how it could reward travelers who can shift dates and buy smart. If you’ve ever looked at a Disney total and wondered how it got so high, this conversation gives you a clearer way to think about demand, timing, and the real cost of “peak day” travel.

Then we get brutally practical about airport readiness. Real ID has been years in the making, but the enforcement pain is showing up now, and TSA’s workaround can be pricey and short-lived. We share the simplest way to avoid the mess, what documents to carry, and why handling this before your trip is one of the easiest stress reducers you can give yourself.

From there we jump into listener questions and travel inspiration: which Hawaii island to visit after Waikiki, with a clear guide to Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island based on pace, scenery, and experiences like Waimea Canyon, Haleakala, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We also lay out how to make Vancouver worth extra time before an Alaska cruise, plus cruise deals from Vancouver including a 7-day Princess sailing and a more port-intensive 10-day itinerary on a smaller ship built for destination immersion. If you like travel that feels intentional, this one is packed with ideas you can actually use.

If this helps, subscribe, share it with a travel buddy, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What trip are you planning next, Disney, Hawaii, Vancouver, or Alaska?

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

Fresca is back on Delta flights, and we can’t stop smiling about it, because the tiny details of travel often reveal the biggest truths: comfort matters, routines matter, and smart planning beats hype every time. Patrick and Mark kick things off with travel news that’s equal parts fun and practical, including why certain drinks just hit different in the air and what airlines are doing to keep flyers happy.

Then we dig into a strategy more travelers should use: stopover itineraries. We break down the difference between a layover and a stopover, why most airlines charge for longer stops, and which carriers are making free stopovers a true travel hack. Think Icelandair letting you add Iceland for up to seven days, Copa routing you through Panama, Emirates dangling free hotel nights in Dubai, Fiji Airways offering a multi-night Fiji add-on, and Alaska and Hawaiian allowing up to a week in Honolulu. If you’ve ever looked at a long-haul flight and thought, “There has to be a better way,” this is it.

Next, we spotlight Rome with a hotel pick that feels like a resort while keeping you close to the Vatican: the Gran Melia Vatican. A listener question sends us to New Orleans for a tight list of can’t-miss experiences and food, from the French Quarter and the WWII Museum to beignets, gumbo, and even a Tabasco factory road trip if you’re brave. We close with cruise updates, a serious warning about sophisticated “verify payment” text scams, why Europe shoulder season is becoming the new peak for river cruising, and an AMA Waterways deal stack that can seriously lower the cost of a dream sailing.

Subscribe for weekly travel tips, share this with a friend planning a trip, and leave a review so more travelers can find us. What destination should we tackle next?

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...

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.

This episode of The Vacation Nerd podcast is present by Utah Valley Plumbing.  They know water and they know gas and they can solve your plumbing problems fast.  Schedule online or call them at (801) 515-3200.

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:  [email protected]

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...