Welcome to this week’s episode of Inside Travel Talk Podcast and Radio Show, where hosts Mark Faldmo and Patrick Wiscombe dive into travel trends and special deals that inspire your next getaway. In this episode we explore solo-and single-traveler opportunities, spotlight an unforgettable escape to Jamaica, and set sail through the Panama Canal on a cruise deal you won’t want to miss. Get ready for expert insights, travel-advisor tips, and the must-book travel deal of the week.

All- Inclusive Jamaica Beach

On this week’s episode

• How the booming solo-travel market is transforming tour and cruise pricing.
• Why travel providers are dropping or reducing the single supplement fee.
• Destination spotlight: Jamaica — people, culture, beaches, and insider travel tips.
• Jamaica offer: Save up to $550 for travel Jan–May next year if booked by end of October.
• Cruising segment: New deployments from Carnival Cruise Line including Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, Bermuda, and Bahamas.
• Cruising segment: Guide to full-transit versus partial-transit through the Panama Canal.
• Panama Canal deal of the week: Two 15-day cruises in April 2026 with incredible value (starting around $1554 and $2899 balcony).
• Why booking early is key for repositioning cruises and maximum value.

Segment 1: Solo Travelers & Jamaica

Solo travel trend: rising freedom and flexibility

The episode opens with a focus on the fast-growing solo travel market. According to recent data, the global solo travel market is expected to grow at a approximately 13.5 % between 2025 and 2030. Research shows searches for “solo travel” are up significantly, and more travelers are embracing the freedom to pick their pace and path.

Why Jamaica is a dream for solo and single travelers

Next, the show moves into the Jamaica interview with Diane Holland from the Jamaica Tourist Board. She highlights what makes Jamaica remarkable: warm weather year-round, friendly local culture, and varied accommodation options from all-inclusive resorts to villas and cottages.

She explains that Jamaica’s beaches are gently sloped, the sea stays warm, and the interior drives offer scenic aromas and relaxed vibes. These features make it an ideal destination for travelers seeking both ease and adventure.

For solo travelers or single travelers, the appeal is strong: the ease of reaching Jamaica (non-stop flights from many Eastern US cities) and the cultural warmth mean it’s welcoming whether you’re travelling with a partner or travelling solo.

Main focus of Segment 1: Jamaica travel deal of the week

The core of the first segment is the travel deal of the week: a promotion for Jamaica where you can save up to $550 when you pay your vacation in full for travel between January and May next year — provided you book by the end of October. This kind of limited-time offer is ideal for travel advisors to highlight and for clients to act on.

By framing Jamaica as both a premier solo-friendly destination and one with a significant saving opportunity, the podcast positions the advisor as both a trend-watcher and deal-finder.
If you’re a solo traveler or a single traveler looking to treat yourself without compromise, this is a smart call-to-action: pick your Jamaica experience, explore outside the hotel, and take advantage of the bonus savings while you can.

Segment 2: Cruising – Carnival, Paddle Wheeler & Panama Canal

New cruise deployments and river paddle-wheeler in Europe

The second segment opens with cruising news: Carnival Cruise Line has announced new deployments for 2027-28, including the Carnival Legend repositioning to Long Beach for 14-day Hawaii cruises with stops in Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Hilo, Kona and a required Mexico stop in Ensenada. This is paired with six- and eight-day Mexican Riviera cruises.

In addition, Carnival will reposition another ship from Florida to Norfolk VA in May 2027 for six-day Bahamas and Bermuda itineraries.

The show also touches on a European river cruise company introducing a paddle-wheeler on the Seine River in France — a smaller-ship option that brings another flavor to the cruising market. These updates reinforce that savvy cruise-bookers who lock in early usually receive the best pricing and amenities.

Panama Canal cruise advice and deal of the week

The heart of this segment is a robust discussion on cruising the Panama Canal. JD (the caller’s name in the show) asks smart questions: What’s the best time to go? Which direction (east to west or west to east)? Should I choose a full transit vs. partial transit? Should I get a balcony cabin, and which side of the ship is best?

Mark and Patrick answer:

• Best time: late spring or late fall when repositioning occurs; better deals during these windows.
• Direction: Full transit (Pacific ↔ Atlantic) offers the full Panama Canal experience. Partial transits may skip major sections.
• Balcony: Yes, highly recommended — you’ll get excellent viewpoint access through the canal.
• Side of ship: If going Pacific → Atlantic, starboard (right) side gives better views of Panama City; opposite direction, port side (left).
• Old vs. new locks: If you want scenery and historic feel, choose a ship small enough to go through the old locks. Larger ships will use the new locks.

Cruise deal of the week: Two repositioning full-transit Panama Canal cruises in April 2026

• 15-day cruise on Holland America Line starting April 5 2026 from Fort Lauderdale via Cartagena, Panama Canal, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, ending in San Diego — pricing from ~$1554 pp (~$100/day).
• 15-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line departing April 25 2026 from Miami via similar route — great rate on balcony cabins starting ~$2899+, ~$300-$400 lower than other balconies at that time.

The message: If you want to experience one of cruising’s iconic passages — the Panama Canal — acting early unlocks standout value and cabin choices.

Conclusion

This episode of Inside Travel Talk beautifully blends inspiration and actionable advice. For travel advisors, it reinforces the value of staying ahead on trends — like the solo-traveler surge — and aligning deals that speak to key markets. For travelers, it offers a fresh perspective: you don’t need a travel partner to have an unforgettable vacation; you might just book a solo escape to Jamaica or sail through the Panama Canal with a balcony cabin and exceptional value.

The solo-travel section showcased how the industry is evolving: more solo-friendly tours, fewer punitive single supplements, and expanding opportunities for independence in travel. The Jamaica destination spotlight reinforced why that island continues to attract travelers seeking both serenity and authentic culture, and the deal segment made that urgency tangible (book by end of October, travel Jan-May). On the cruise side, the Panama Canal segment delivered high-value insight and a compelling call to action: repositioning cruises offer remarkable savings and unforgettable itineraries if booked early.

From the vantage of the travel-advisor thought-leader, this content positions you as someone who can help clients: whether they are flying solo for the first time, looking for a luxury all-inclusive escape, or planning a grand cruise adventure. The key take-away? Travel is about freedom, authenticity, and value — and good advisors bring all three together. If you’ve ever dreamt of relaxing in Jamaica’s warm turquoise waters or watching your cruise ship glide through the locks of the Panama Canal at dawn, now is the time to act.