The Vacation Nerd with Patrick Wiscombe

Disney is doubling down on Alaska, and MSC is trying to completely change the way Americans think about cruising. We start with Disney Cruise Line adding a second ship to Alaska, then bring in MSC Cruises’ Laura Okonowski to talk about the launch of MSC World America—a brand-new ship built specifically for the U.S. market with 19 restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, family entertainment, and a 250-fo...

Spirit Airlines is back in Chapter 11 bankruptcy less than a year after its last restructuring, so what does that actually mean if you already have a ticket? We explain why Spirit says flights will continue operating normally, what has gone wrong for the ultra-low-cost carrier, and why budget airlines are having such a difficult time competing right now. Southwest is making a very different kind o...

A $771 round-trip fare to Peru sounds like a typo until you see the details, and that’s where we start. Patrick Wiscombe and Mark Faldmo break down Delta’s seasonal nonstop flight to Lima and why a direct route is more than a convenience. It can completely reshape your Peru vacation planning, especially if you want more than a quick Machu Picchu photo and a rushed flight home. We map out a Peru it...

That ship horn story at the top is funny now, but it sets the tone for what we love about travel: the moments you can’t plan, and the lessons you can. We kick off with cruise news that can genuinely change how you book, including Holland America extending its Europe season into late fall 2026 with new Northern Lights cruises designed to maximize your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis. If catch...

One travel document mistake can derail a whole vacation, even when you swear you “did everything right.” We dig into the real-world travel details that catch people off guard, starting with Europe planning for 2025: the new UK electronic travel authorization (ETA), the passport expiration rules that can block your trip, and why those 3 to 6 extra months of validity actually matter when emergencies...

A cruise stop can feel effortless or chaotic depending on one detail most people ignore: how you get from ship to shore. From Fiji, Mark joins Patrick to talk through Norwegian Cruise Line’s big plans for Great Stirrup Key and why the new pier is more than a convenience. If you’ve ever been on a rocking tender ride or watched a ship skip a private island because seas were too rough, you’ll underst...

Mark’s calling in from Fiji, and that changes the whole conversation because we’re not talking theory, we’re talking what he’s seeing, booking, and learning in real time. After meeting with dozens of Fiji resorts, tour operators, and suppliers at the Fiji Tourism Exchange, he shares why Fiji deserves a serious look as a family vacation destination. We get specific about family-friendly resorts tha...

A ship can be “old” on paper and still feel fresh if the right spaces get rebuilt and we’re seeing that trend accelerate. We dig into Norwegian Cruise Line’s planned upgrades to Norwegian Epic and Pride of America, including what’s changing onboard and why those updates matter for real travelers deciding between a shiny new build and a well-renovated favorite. From adults-only deck space to family...

You know that moment when travel stops being a checklist and turns into a story you can’t wait to tell? That’s what happens when you cross the International Date Line to Fiji and suddenly Saturday vanishes. We break down exactly how Mark’s flights created the “case of the missing Saturday,” why he felt almost no jet lag, and how you can plan your own Fiji arrival so day one feels like vacation ins...

A $404 round-trip ticket to Honolulu sounds almost too good to be true—and it’s the kind of fare that can disappear while you’re still deciding whether to request the days off. We break down where Southwest is showing those prices, why being flexible with your dates matters, and how bundling that airfare with a Waikiki hotel can turn a cheap flight into an even better vacation. Five-night Hawaii p...

A “beach day” is no longer just a beach day. We break down Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya and why it’s poised to become a cruise must-do, with a giant water park, a towering slide that’s set to grab records, and a lazy river so long it can take more than an hour to float. If you love private cruise destinations like Perfect Day at CocoCay or Ocean Cay, this is the next big move...

D-Day isn’t a documentary clip, it’s a coastline you can stand on, a cemetery you can walk through, and a story that lands differently when you see the distance between the beaches and the towns behind them. We talk about Normandy travel in a practical, respectful way, including how to get there, what to prioritize, and why we believe every American should make the trip at least once. We also unpa...

Stand up too early on a plane and you might pay a fine. Book the right cruise at the right time and you might save thousands. We connect the dots between travel headlines and practical decisions so you can plan smarter, spend better, and avoid the mistakes that derail a trip. We dig into a standout cruise deal: Windstar’s Tahiti and French Polynesia packages with free airfare from Los Angeles on A...

A robot bartender shaking cocktails. A pianist giving mini concerts inside an elevator. That’s how Mark’s weekend on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas kicks off our travel round-up, and it’s a perfect snapshot of where cruising is headed: bigger competition, more creative onboard experiences, and more West Coast cruise options sailing out of Los Angeles. From there, we shift into travel news y...

A great cruise isn’t just about the ship, it’s about timing, ports, and knowing where the real deals are hiding. We jump into a packed travel run-down that starts with solo cruising and ends with why your airport experience can set the tone for the entire vacation. First up, we talk solo cruise travel and a rare price point that actually makes sense: Margaritaville at Sea is running July sailings...

Miami just added a traffic jam you’ll actually want to swim through. We kick things off with Reefline, a brand-new underwater sculpture park off Miami that’s built to become a living reef over time, plus a smart tip for anyone arriving early for a cruise and looking for an unforgettable snorkel or scuba add-on. From there, we hit the travel news that changes real planning, including Delta’s new Se...

You do not have to choose between “easy planning” and “authentic travel.” We’re talking about practical trip ideas that feel special, including how to experience Alaska without booking a cruise ship and why a daylight rail itinerary can be the best way to actually see the landscape you paid to travel for. We start with travel news you can use right away: JetBlue’s partnership with Brightline in Fl...

One river cruise can feel effortless and unforgettable, and another can feel cramped, overpriced, or oddly restrictive, even when the ships look similar on paper. We break down what actually changes your day-to-day experience on the water: cabin square footage, balcony styles, passenger counts, and how each brand designs the room around the view. We compare three of the most talked-about river cru...

$399 round trip airfare to Hawaii sounds like a typo, but we’re looking at real fall dates out of Salt Lake City and showing how to turn that low fare into an actual vacation plan. We talk through what “basic economy” really means, when it’s worth paying more for main cabin, and how bundling air and hotel can unlock extra savings up to $250. If you’ve been waiting for a Hawaii deal, this one is a...

A cruise sale can sound huge until you run the numbers, read the cabin rules, and figure out what it actually costs for your dates and your family. We do that work with you, starting with MSC Cruises’ Fourth of July sale: 40% off cruises plus kids sail free. We talk through why post-holiday sailings can be a sweet spot, and we spotlight a Western Caribbean itinerary from Galveston on MSC Seascape,...

The travel stories worth your attention are the ones that change your options, your budget, or your timing and we hit all three. We talk through the Boeing 737 Max 7 getting cleared and why a smaller aircraft can reshape routes for airlines like Southwest, plus what new cabin interiors mean for real comfort. We also touch Hawaii travel news, including Hawaiian Airlines planning to modernize inter-...

72 million Americans are expected to travel for July 4, and that’s just the start of the summer chaos. We break down what’s changing in the travel world right now, where the best values are hiding, and how to plan a trip that feels fun instead of frantic.  We start with the headlines that actually affect your next booking: Southwest exploring transatlantic service built around Reykjavik connection...

Fireworks are fun, but the real July Fourth flex is knowing you can explore the world and still come home grateful. We keep this show tight and practical, starting with travel headlines that affect your next booking: SkyWest investing in Embraer E175 jets to replace older regional planes, and Hyatt completing a major acquisition that reshapes the all-inclusive landscape in Mexico and the Caribbean...

You know that one travel ritual that makes airport security feel like a chore? Taking your shoes off. We talk about the big change rolling out across major US airports that finally lets many travelers keep their shoes on during TSA screening, why it’s happening now, and what to do if your airport hasn’t fully switched yet. Small convenience, huge quality-of-life upgrade. Then we jump into trip ide...

Airport security lines. Tight seats. Slow inflight internet. These are the little frictions that can wreck an otherwise great trip, so we get practical about what’s changing right now and what it means for your next booking. We talk through the TSA “Gold Plus” program and why airports like Charleston, Des Moines, and Tampa are considering private contractors for security screening, including the c...