Discover the world’s wonders with the Inside Travel Talk podcast, hosted by Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo. In this week’s episode, explore the pristine waters of French Polynesia with its record-breaking cruise visits, uncover the best wildlife destinations globally with a special focus on Costa Rica, and delve into the latest travel updates from Southwest Airlines’ baggage changes to marriage licenses upon arrival in Las Vegas. Embark on an audio journey packed with inspiring travel opportunities and exclusive deals, designed for avid globetrotters and aspiring adventurers alike.

On This Week’s Episode:

• A heartfelt farewell to traditional carry-on luggage policies as Southwest Airlines makes major changes.
• French Polynesia’s repositioning cruise success and top cruise lines for Polynesian adventures.
• The best wildlife destinations around the world, featuring Kenya, Galapagos Islands, Alaska, Botswana, and Costa Rica.
• Costa Rica’s unmatched wildlife encounters as our travel deal of the week.
• Innovative pop-up marriage licenses at Las Vegas Airport.
• A glance at upcoming cruise deals, including Norwegian Cruise Line’s exciting options.
• MSC’s World America ship christening with godmother Drew Barrymore.
• Price drops and trending travel deals you can’t miss.

Moorea French Polynesia

Segment 1: A French Polynesian Paradise

In recent travel news, French Polynesia has set a new record with 52,000 cruise passengers embarking from Tahiti, marking a 20% increase from 2023. A further 62,000 passengers visited the island in transit—a 45% boost year-over-year. This surge showcases Tahiti’s growing popularity. With serene landscapes, French Polynesia offers a unique cruising experience with less crowd congestion. Even at its peak, travelers will rarely find overlapping cruise ships, maintaining its tranquil charm.

Main Focus Topic – Exploring French Polynesia by Cruise

French Polynesia is best experienced via a repositioning or specialty cruise. Three stellar itineraries stand out:

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Depart from Hawaii to Papeete on May 21st. This 14-day journey includes stops at Morea, Raiatea, and an overnight in Bora Bora, concluding in Honolulu. Prices start at $1,640 for an inside cabin.
• Celebrity Solstice Cruise: Embark from Honolulu on October 2nd for a 20-day trip, exploring Papeete, Raiatea, and Morea, with stops in New Zealand and Sydney. This itinerary starts at $2,399.
• Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess Cruise: A 32-day round-trip from Los Angeles visiting Hawai’i, Samoa, Fiji, and French Polynesia. Begins October 15 through November, with prices as low as $2,788.

The World’s Wildlife Wonders

This week, our travel podcast dives into the best wildlife watching destinations around the world. Mark Faldmo shares his personal favorites:

• Kenya: Experience exhilarating safaris amidst stunning landscapes.
• Galapagos Islands: Encounter rare wildlife in an enchanting environment.
• Alaska: Offers a diverse range of wildlife, from whales to moose.
• Okavango Delta, Botswana: An under-the-radar safari destination for an intimate experience.
• Costa Rica: Rich in biodiversity, it’s renowned for monkeys, crocodiles, and colorful birds.

Arenal Volcano Costa Rica

Main Focus on Costa Rica: A Wildlife Haven

Costa Rica stands out as our travel podcast’s deal of the week. Known for vibrant biodiversity, this country is a treasure trove for eco-tourists. The dry season from December through April promises sunny skies, while the green season from May to November offers lush landscapes. For fewer crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons in May, June, or November.

Segment 2: Costa Rica Travel Deals

Our podcast highlights some enticing travel deals:

• Costa Rica Volcanoes and Beaches Tour: This 8-day vacation starts at just $1,599 plus airfare, including seven nights in a hotel, a hot springs tour, and a Manuel Antonio tour, with daily breakfast and included transportation.
• Norwegian Cruise Line’s Caribbean Cruises: A 7-day cruise on Norwegian Escape departs round-trip New Orleans, covering Costa Maya, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, with prices starting at $642 for an inside cabin.

Innovations and Changes in Airline Policies

This week’s travel news also revolves around significant policy updates in the airline industry. Southwest Airlines made headlines with its decision to end its long-standing “bags fly free” policy starting May 28th, for any new tickets booked after that date. Only Rapid Rewards A-list members and those with specific fare purchases will enjoy complimentary bags. If you hold a Rapid Rewards credit card, you still get one checked bag for free.

Segment 3: Novel Travel Ideas and News

As unconventional as it sounds, getting your marriage license upon arriving at Las Vegas Airport is now a reality. The pop-up marriage license bureau facilitates this process for immediate matrimonial plans. However, remember to visit a separate venue for the actual ceremony as the airport isn’t licensed for weddings.

Exciting Cruise News

MSC Cruises has launched its newest ship, World America. The christening is set for April 9th with Drew Barrymore as its first-time godmother. This ship represents a departure from MSC’s tradition of having Sophia Loren as the godmother for their vessels. Look forward to exciting new itineraries including overnight stays at MSC’s Ocean Key Marine Reserve.

American Legend Coastal Ship by American Cruise Lines had its naming ceremony at Key West, Florida last week. This luxurious ship accommodates a hundred passengers, offering intimate experiences. With unique itineraries around the Chesapeake Bay, Canada, New England and the Hudson River, it will surely attract history and nature enthusiasts alike.

In cruise entertainment news, Norwegian Cruise Line is set to launch exciting new shows on some of its latest ships. The highlight is “Bring Back the 90s,” featuring music by Destiny’s Child, Salt-N-Pepa, and Alanis Morissette, debuting on Norwegian Joy this July in Alaska. Other shows include “Brits Who Made It Big in America,” “Icons the Bands,” and “Ignite the Night.”

The Cruise Deal of the Week

Our cruise deal of the week from the travel podcast comes courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. Currently, they’re offering lower prices for Caribbean voyages this fall. An exceptional deal is the Norwegian Escape, sailing round-trip from New Orleans with stops at Costa Maya, Harvest Cay, Roatan, and Cozumel. Prices have dropped by approximately $400 per person, making it an attractive option for a seven-day cruise with starting prices at $642 per person for an inside cabin and $872 for a balcony stateroom. Don’t miss these exciting travel deals; contact Blue Planet Vacations today for more details!

Segment 4: Travel News

Amidst some serious travel advisories, special highlights have been given to avoiding the carrying of guns, ammunition, or even empty bullet casings, as new guidelines warn against such items when traveling, specifically to Turks and Caicos.

Additionally, there’s good reason to be cautious of certain TikTok trends. One viral trend called “airport theory” suggests arriving at the airport just 15 minutes before boarding, resulting in many travelers missing their flights. As a result, always aim to arrive 90 minutes early for domestic flights and even earlier for international journeys to ensure a smooth travel experience.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate Travel Podcast

This week’s episode of the Inside Travel Talk podcast takes you on an adventurous journey across beautiful destinations. From the tranquil cruising opportunities in French Polynesia to the exhilarating wildlife experiences in Kenya, Galapagos Islands, Alaska, Okavango Delta, and Costa Rica, we’ve highlighted the best of the best for your travel bucket list.

We unraveled the newest changes in airline travel, particularly the industry-altering updates from Southwest Airlines, proving that even trusted brands can change course. But don’t be discouraged; at Blue Planet Vacations, we specialize in keeping up with and navigating these industry changes to offer you the best travel deals possible.

Lastly, whether it’s soaking in the radiance of Costa Rica’s vibrant wildlife or luxuriating on the newest MSC World America cruise ship, there’s truly something for everyone this episode. We thank you for joining us on this travel adventure! Don’t forget that at Blue Planet Vacations, we’re here to turn your travel dreams into vivid realities. Until next week, keep dreaming, keep planning, and most importantly, keep exploring—it’s a big, beautiful world out there!