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. Bag rules aren’t the most glamorous travel topic, but they can make or break your airport day and we start with a change that could speed up boarding: American Airlines moving bag sizers away from the gate. We talk through what’s actually changing, what isn’t, and how to think about carry-on size limits so you’re not stuck repacking at the worst possible moment. If you’ve ever watched a line stall because someone’s bag turns into a gate-checked surprise, you’ll understand why this matters. From there, we shift into trip ideas you can use right away. Southwest is launching seasonal service to Anchorage, which adds competition and can open up better Alaska flight options. We also geek out over a truly epic Africa itinerary that runs from Cape Town to Cairo, layering in Kruger safari time, Victoria Falls, Kenya’s Masai Mara, and a strong finish in Egypt with Cairo plus a Nile river cruise. It’s the kind of guided tour that turns a complicated, multi-country dream into a single, bookable plan. We also answer a listener question about Germany with only seven to eight days to work with. We lay out two clean approaches: a Rhine river cruise that packs in scenery and historic towns with minimal logistics, or a build-your-own trip anchored by Berlin and Munich, including easy wins like hop-on hop-off tours, WWII and Cold War sites, and classic Munich experiences plus day trips to Neuschwanstein and Dachau. Finally, we hit cruise news and Alaska cruise planning: MSC pushing into Alaska with sharp pricing and ship upgrades, Viking’s 142-day world cruise loaded with perks, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings rolling out a loyalty program that connects Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent. We close with practical Alaska advice on timing, whale watching, best ports, and two specific 2026 sailings that offer standout value and itineraries. If this helped, subscribe, share the show with a travel buddy, and leave 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: patrick.wiscombe@gmail.com Podcast: https://thevacationnerd.buzzsprout.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerd
