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Royal Caribbean isn’t just thinking about ships anymore and that should get every cruise fan’s attention. We dig into the headline that Royal Caribbean Group is set to acquire a 50% stake in Sandals Resorts, and we talk through what it could mean for all-inclusive resort vacations, cruise-to-resort combos in the Caribbean, and even future loyalty perks. It’s a big swing toward “one brand for your whole vacation,” and we lay out the real pros, the possible downsides, and why destinations like Jamaica are at the center of it all.

From there, we hit the travel news you can actually use. Alaska Airlines is rolling out a choose-your-own adventure approach to earning loyalty points, letting you pick distance, dollars, or segments depending on how you fly. We also flag a luggage tag barcode scam targeting checked bags and share an easy habit that protects your personal info. Add in budget airlines exploring premium seats, a Spirit Airlines bankruptcy update, and Venice considering higher entry fees to fight overtourism, and you’ve got a week of travel headlines that affect your wallet and your plans.

Then we shift into trip planning and deals. We answer a listener question about whether it’s worth arriving to New Orleans a few days before a cruise and give a realistic list of what to do and what to avoid. You’ll also hear the hot travel deal of the week for Europe with stackable credits and savings, plus our Just Cruising segment featuring HX expedition cruising (Greenland, Antarctica, Alaska) and two attention-grabbing 16-day Panama Canal cruise deals, including a full transit option starting under $1,000. Subscribe, share this with your favorite travel planner, and leave a review with the next destination you want us to price out.