A seasonal nonstop flight between Salt Lake City and Lima puts Peru travel from Salt Lake City in the spotlight this week, while major U.S. airlines are opening more ways to reach Europe beyond the usual gateways. Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo also look at Fiji airfare, Disney holiday travel and live sports aboard Delta international flights. Then, in Just Cruising, the focus shifts to a destination-driven Celestyal voyage through Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco, Oceania Cruises’ next generation of ships, new U.S. cruise homeports and an important warning about European carry-on baggage rules.

On This Week’s Episode

• 

  Machu Picchu in Peru surrounded by green Andes mountains

  Delta’s seasonal nonstop flight between Salt Lake City and Lima and how Mark would build a broader Peru itinerary
• Travel Deal of the Week: round-trip Salt Lake City–Lima airfare discussed at $771 in basic economy
• Delta’s new Sport 24 live-sports partnership for international flights
• U.S. airlines expanding into secondary European cities for summer 2027
• American Airlines adding Philadelphia flights to Vienna, Porto and Reykjavik
• Fiji Airways’ 75th-anniversary airfare sale and Fiji stopover possibilities
• Holiday travel at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World
• Cruise Deal of the Week: Celestyal’s seven-night Barcelona-to-Lisbon Mediterranean Splendor sailing
• Mark’s plans to sail the Celestyal itinerary himself
• Oceania Sonata and the expansion of Oceania Cruises’ Sonata Class
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to Philadelphia
• Disney Cruise Line returning to New York aboard Disney Wish
• Plans for a potential fifth cruise terminal in Galveston
• The hosts’ skepticism about cruises to nowhere
• Mark’s travel tip: why a U.S.-acceptable carry-on may not meet European airline rules

Expert Summary

This episode is largely about access and itinerary design. A nonstop Salt Lake City–Lima flight can make Peru considerably easier for Western U.S. travelers, but Mark recommends thinking beyond Machu Picchu and combining the Amazon, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Lima into a more complete journey. Europe is becoming easier to approach differently, too, as airlines add routes to cities such as Porto, Vienna and Marseille. On the cruise side, Mark’s featured Celestyal sailing illustrates another trend: choosing a smaller, destination-focused ship because of where it goes rather than making the ship itself the vacation.

Quick Answers

Is there a nonstop flight from Salt Lake City to Lima, Peru?

Delta is scheduled to operate seasonal nonstop service between Salt Lake City and Lima. The episode identifies the seasonal window as December 1 through January 31, creating a particularly convenient Peru option for Utah travelers and useful connections for some travelers elsewhere in the West.

How many days should you plan for Peru?

About nine days can create a strong introductory itinerary if carefully planned. Mark suggests combining roughly three nights in the Amazon with Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and time in Lima, although travelers can easily extend the trip.

What is Celestyal’s December 5, 2026 Mediterranean cruise?

Celestyal’s seven-night Mediterranean Splendor itinerary sails from Barcelona to Lisbon, visiting Malaga, Gibraltar, Casablanca and Cadiz. Celestyal currently confirms the December 5 departure and itinerary on its website.

Is Disney Cruise Line returning to New York?

Yes. Disney Cruise Line has confirmed Disney Wish sailings from New York in its fall 2027 program, including itineraries visiting Bermuda and Atlantic Canada.

Are European carry-on limits the same as U.S. airline limits?

No. Carry-on dimensions, weights and fare restrictions can vary by airline. Lufthansa, for example, currently specifies a carry-on allowance of up to 8 kilograms on applicable economy travel, reinforcing the need to check every operating carrier on a multi-airline itinerary.

The Conversation

Two trips can visit the same continent and feel completely different depending on the route. That idea connects much of this episode. Peru becomes more interesting when Machu Picchu is one part of the journey rather than the entire trip. Europe becomes more accessible when nonstop flights reach cities beyond London and Paris. And a Mediterranean cruise becomes more immersive when ports such as Gibraltar and Casablanca drive the decision. The recurring lesson is to design travel around the experience you want, not simply the most familiar gateway or biggest ship.

Peru, New Europe Flights, Fiji and Disney Holiday Travel

The first half of the show moves from South America to Europe, the South Pacific and Disney parks, with one theme tying much of it together: travelers are getting more interesting choices for how they reach and experience destinations.

Why the Salt Lake City–Lima Flight Matters

For Utah travelers, the appeal of Delta’s seasonal Salt Lake City–Lima service is straightforward: fewer connections and considerably simpler access to Peru.

Mark described the nonstop flight at roughly eight hours and 50 minutes, compared with itineraries that can become much longer when travelers must connect through another U.S. gateway. More broadly, Salt Lake City can function as a useful western connecting point for travelers who previously might have routed through another hub or changed airlines.

But airfare is only the beginning of the Peru conversation.

Don’t Make Peru Only About Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu may be Peru’s most famous attraction, but Mark strongly recommends building a more complete trip around it.

His preferred itinerary starts in the Amazon. Travelers can fly from Lima to Puerto Maldonado and continue by boat to a rainforest lodge. Mark has done this trip with family and remembers canoe outings, wildlife including monkeys and macaws, and a memorable birthday excursion when his niece was the only person in their group to catch a piranha.

From the Amazon, Mark recommends moving into the Andes for Cusco and the Sacred Valley before reaching Machu Picchu. Cusco provides Inca history and serves as an important gateway to the region, while the Sacred Valley adds mountain scenery, communities and archaeological context.

At Machu Picchu, Mark recommends at least one night—and potentially two—rather than treating the site as a rushed day trip. Lima can then finish the journey with another side of Peru’s history and culture.

That creates roughly a nine-day framework, depending on how much time travelers devote to Lima and the Machu Picchu area.

For travelers considering Peru, the real planning question therefore isn’t simply “How do I get to Machu Picchu?” It is “How do I combine Peru’s major experiences without making the itinerary exhausting?”

Travel Deal of the Week: Delta Airfare From Salt Lake City to Lima

At the time of the episode, Mark found Delta round-trip basic-economy airfare between Salt Lake City and Lima starting at $771 per person, tied to the seasonal nonstop service operating between December 1 and January 31. Airfare is capacity controlled and can change at any time.

What makes the offer compelling isn’t simply the fare. For a Utah traveler, nonstop service removes a connection from a trip that already involves considerable ground transportation and potentially additional domestic flying within Peru.

The airfare can also serve as the foundation for a much more ambitious vacation incorporating:

• Lima
• the Peruvian Amazon
• Cusco
• the Sacred Valley
• Machu Picchu

This is exactly the type of trip where professional itinerary design can matter. Internal flights, altitude considerations, hotel locations, rail or ground arrangements and the sequence of destinations all influence how comfortably the trip flows.

Travelers interested in a similar trip can also explore Blue Planet Vacations’ previous coverage of small-group Peru travel and Machu Picchu.

Delta Adds Live Sports to International Flights

Delta is partnering with Sport 24 to bring 24/7 sports programming to international passengers through Delta Sync Wi-Fi beginning in fall 2026.

The announced programming includes the NFL, NBA, Premier League, UEFA competitions, Formula 1 and Grand Slam tennis. Travelers will access Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra on personal devices through the Delta Sync Wi-Fi portal; Delta says the feature is tied to SkyMiles membership.

It’s a relatively small amenity compared with schedule or seat choice, but on a long international flight it makes the onboard experience more useful—especially when a major game happens to coincide with nine hours over the Atlantic or Latin America.

Airlines Are Looking Beyond Europe’s Biggest Gateways

One of the more consequential trends discussed this week is the expansion of U.S.-Europe flying for summer 2027.

Rather than concentrating every new flight on familiar gateways, airlines increasingly see opportunities in secondary cities and leisure markets. That can change how travelers build a European vacation: instead of landing in London or Paris and immediately connecting again, the first stop can become part of the itinerary.

American Airlines, for example, has announced seven new international routes for 2027. Philadelphia will gain service to Vienna, Porto and Reykjavik, while other additions include JFK–Amsterdam, JFK–Nice and Charlotte–Barcelona. American says its Philadelphia–Porto and Philadelphia–Vienna routes will use Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

Patrick singled out Porto as an especially underrated destination—a good example of why these routes matter beyond aviation news. A new gateway can encourage travelers to build an itinerary around a region rather than simply use the city as an arrival airport.

Fiji Airways Opens Another South Pacific Possibility

The episode also highlights Fiji Airways’ 75th-anniversary sale. Mark found round-trip fares discussed at $773 from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Fiji, as well as selected Los Angeles–Sydney itineraries at the same starting price.

His more interesting suggestion is to think of Fiji Airways as more than transportation to Fiji. A stopover can turn a long journey to Australia into two distinct vacation experiences.

Instead of treating Fiji solely as a connection, travelers could spend several days there before continuing to Sydney.

Mark is scheduled to visit Fiji in October, giving Inside Travel Talk another opportunity to return to the destination with fresh firsthand observations.

Because airfare sales are highly date- and capacity-sensitive, travelers should verify current fares and conditions before planning around the prices discussed in the episode.

Disney Holiday Travel Starts in November

Disneyland Resort has confirmed that its 2026 holiday season will run November 13, 2026 through January 6, 2027. Seasonal entertainment, decorations and attraction overlays make this one of the most distinctive periods of the year at the California resort.

Mark specifically highlighted the holiday transformations of attractions and Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.

The episode also discussed resort discounts at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Because Disney promotions depend heavily on dates, resort availability and booking conditions, travelers should verify current offers before choosing a hotel based on a particular discount.

Just Cruising: Destination-First Mediterranean Cruising and Expanding U.S. Homeports

This week’s Just Cruising conversation is unusually destination focused. Mark has selected a December Mediterranean cruise because he wants the ports—not because he is chasing the newest or largest ship. Meanwhile, Oceania is expanding its fleet and Philadelphia, New York and Galveston are becoming increasingly important pieces of the North American cruise map.

Cruise Deal of the Week: Celestyal’s Barcelona-to-Lisbon Mediterranean Splendor

Mark Faldmo isn’t merely recommending this itinerary—he plans to sail it himself.

The seven-night Celestyal Mediterranean Splendor: Spain, Gibraltar & Morocco voyage departs Barcelona (Tarragona) on December 5, 2026 and finishes in Lisbon, calling at:

Barcelona (Tarragona) → Malaga → Gibraltar → Casablanca → Cadiz → Lisbon

Celestyal currently confirms both the itinerary and December 5 sailing date.

At the time of the episode, Mark quoted fares starting at $549 for an inside cabin and $1,329 for a balcony cabin. Those prices should be treated as a snapshot from the episode and are subject to availability and change.

Why Mark Chose This Cruise

The ship isn’t the primary attraction for Mark. The route is.

Celestyal has built much of its identity around destination-intensive Mediterranean cruising. On this sailing, Mark sees an opportunity to experience several places that will be new to him.

Barcelona provides the starting point and an opportunity for a pre-cruise stay. Mark wants to return to the Sagrada Família and visit Montserrat.

One correction is important here: the episode describes the Sagrada Família as having been “finally finished” in February 2026. The basilica itself is not yet fully complete. February 20 marked completion of the exterior of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the tallest central tower, while other construction continues.

From Barcelona, the ship continues to Malaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol and then Gibraltar, where British culture meets the southern edge of the Iberian Peninsula.

For Mark, Casablanca is one of the itinerary’s biggest draws because it introduces North Africa into what otherwise could have been a conventional European cruise. Cadiz adds another historic Spanish port before the sailing ends in Lisbon.

Mark plans to stay an additional day in Lisbon because, aside from Barcelona, the ports will be new experiences for him.

Travelers who prioritize cultural variety, ports and destination time over blockbuster onboard attractions may find this style of cruise particularly appealing. Those interested in comparing this sailing with other Mediterranean options can browse current cruise offers from Blue Planet Vacations.

Oceania Sonata Reaches a Major Milestone

Oceania Cruises floated out Oceania Sonata on August 27, moving the vessel from dry dock to its fitting-out stage ahead of an August 2027 debut.

The ship will carry 1,390 guests and is the first of what Oceania now says will be five Sonata Class ships, with sister ship Oceania Arietta following in 2029 and additional vessels scheduled for 2032, 2035 and 2037.

That latest announcement clarifies an evolving detail: Oceania’s earlier introduction described four Sonata Class ships, but the current plan has expanded to five.

Mark describes Oceania as occupying an interesting position between conventional premium cruising and the luxury end of the market. He particularly values its food, smaller ships and destination emphasis, including longer port stays.

Philadelphia Is a Cruise Homeport Again

Norwegian Cruise Line began sailing from Philadelphia in April 2026, initially with Norwegian Jewel headed for Bermuda. NCL has an exclusive Philadelphia homeport agreement extending through March 2033.

Philadelphia gives Mid-Atlantic travelers another alternative to New York and Boston, with itineraries that can include Bermuda, Canada and New England, and Caribbean destinations.

There is an important current operational detail for 2026 passengers: while the new terminal is under construction, NCL says guests check in at the Clarion Hotel Philadelphia International Airport before complimentary transportation to the pier.

Disney Wish Is Heading Back to New York

Disney Cruise Line’s fall 2027 deployment puts Disney Wish in New York, opening itineraries toward Bermuda and Atlantic Canada. Disney’s published schedule includes Bermuda voyages of varying lengths and Canada itineraries from New York.

For families in the Northeast, the significance is convenience: a Disney cruise can begin without first flying to Florida. It also gives Disney a way to pair its onboard family product with very different destinations from the Bahamas-focused itineraries many travelers associate with the brand.

Galveston Could Get a Fifth Cruise Terminal

Galveston’s growth as a cruise gateway continues.

On August 26, 2026, the Port of Galveston confirmed discussions with Royal Caribbean Group about developing a new terminal and berth at Pier 14. If completed, it would become the port’s fifth cruise terminal. The proposal was still under negotiation when announced.

Mark sees Galveston as especially useful for Western U.S. travelers because of its accessibility and its strong selection of Western Caribbean itineraries.

Do Cruises to Nowhere Make Sense?

The hosts also discussed reports of very low-priced cruises to nowhere in China—voyages that leave port, spend their time at sea without visiting another destination and return to the original port.

Mark isn’t convinced by the concept. His own cruise preferences are strongly destination driven, and he sees exploring ports as a major reason to cruise in the first place.

That distinction is useful when choosing a cruise. Travelers who view the ship as a resort may happily prioritize sea days. Travelers like Mark, who cruise primarily to explore, should pay much more attention to port variety, time ashore and itinerary design.

Travel Tip: Check Carry-On Rules for Every European Airline

A suitcase that qualifies as a carry-on for your transatlantic flight may not qualify on the next flight.

Mark’s tip this week is particularly important for multi-airline European itineraries: check the cabin-baggage rules of every operating airline, including codeshare partners.

Dimensions aren’t the only issue. Weight limits and fare rules matter too, and some European low-cost fares charge separately for use of the overhead bin.

Lufthansa provides a good illustration. Its current U.S. information lists an economy carry-on allowance of up to 8 kilograms, or about 18 pounds, while baggage allowances can vary according to route, cabin and fare.

Checking before departure can prevent an unpleasant bag-checking surprise at a European connection.

Key Takeaways

• Delta’s seasonal Salt Lake City–Lima service makes Peru substantially easier to reach from Utah and can simplify travel from parts of the Western U.S.
• A strong Peru itinerary should consider the Amazon, Cusco and Sacred Valley in addition to Machu Picchu.
• U.S. airlines are increasingly using secondary European gateways, giving travelers new ways to design regional itineraries.
• Celestyal’s December Mediterranean sailing stands out for cultural variety across Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco and Portugal.
• Oceania Sonata will lead a five-ship new class focused on smaller-ship, culinary and destination-oriented cruising.
• Philadelphia, New York and Galveston illustrate the continuing diversification of U.S. cruise homeports.
• Carry-on baggage rules should be checked separately for every airline on a European itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a first-time visitor combine with Machu Picchu?

Mark recommends combining Machu Picchu with Cusco, the Sacred Valley and, when time allows, the Peruvian Amazon and Lima. That approach provides a much broader view of Peru than a single-destination trip.

Is December a good time for a Mediterranean cruise?

December can appeal to travelers who prioritize destinations and lighter crowds over beach weather. Temperatures are cooler and conditions can vary, but cities such as Barcelona, Malaga, Casablanca, Cadiz and Lisbon remain rich cultural destinations outside the peak summer season.

Where does Celestyal’s December 5, 2026 cruise go?

The seven-night sailing travels from Barcelona (Tarragona) to Lisbon with calls at Malaga, Gibraltar, Casablanca and Cadiz.

Is the Sagrada Família finished?

No. A major milestone occurred on February 20, 2026, when the exterior of the Tower of Jesus Christ was completed, but construction continues elsewhere at the basilica, including work connected with the Glory façade.

What kind of cruise traveler may like Oceania Cruises?

Oceania can be particularly attractive to travelers who value smaller ships, destination-oriented itineraries and a strong culinary focus. Mark views the brand as sitting near the boundary between premium and luxury cruising.

Why cruise from Philadelphia instead of New York?

For travelers in Pennsylvania and surrounding Mid-Atlantic markets, Philadelphia can reduce the need to travel to New York or Boston before a cruise. Norwegian is using the homeport for destinations including Bermuda and Canada/New England.

Turn a Good Route Into a Better Vacation

Trips like Peru and destination-intensive Mediterranean cruises have a lot of moving pieces. Peru can involve international and domestic flights, altitude changes, rainforest lodges, rail or ground transportation and carefully timed stays around Machu Picchu. A Barcelona-to-Lisbon cruise raises different questions: airfare into one city and home from another, pre- and post-cruise hotels, cabin selection and deciding where shore excursions are worthwhile.

That’s where a professional travel advisor can add practical value. Mark Faldmo and the Blue Planet Vacations team can help travelers compare options, coordinate the pieces and price the complete vacation rather than evaluating each component in isolation.

Request vacation planning assistance from Blue Planet Vacations at 888-718-7717.

Travelers can also subscribe through the Blue Planet Vacations website for travel ideas and current vacation offers.

Better Connections Can Lead to Better Trips

This week’s conversation shows why route planning deserves as much attention as the destination itself. Peru travel from Salt Lake City becomes more practical with nonstop Lima service, new European gateways can change the shape of an entire itinerary, and a smaller Mediterranean cruise can connect several cultures in one week.

Whether the goal is watching macaws in the Peruvian Amazon, walking through Casablanca, exploring Porto or beginning a cruise closer to home, the most interesting travel opportunities often appear when travelers look beyond the obvious route.

Why Trust Inside Travel Talk?

Inside Travel Talk combines current travel developments with firsthand experience and professional travel insight. Patrick Wiscombe brings the perspective of an experienced radio and podcast host, while Mark Faldmo is a professional travel advisor and owner of Blue Planet Vacations. In this episode, Mark’s firsthand Peru travels inform his recommended itinerary, and his upcoming Celestyal sailing provides a real-world perspective on why destination-focused travelers may choose an itinerary for its ports rather than its ship.