Episode 150: The Southwest Seating Hunger Games Are Over

Southwest flyers, get ready for a major shift: for the first time, reserved seat assignments are coming. We walk through what’s changing, when it starts, and what the new fare options really mean if you care about boarding stress, legroom, or simply sitting where you want without playing the check-in game. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at the gate crowd, this is the practical travel news you’ll want before your next booking.We also tackle a big planning wrinkle for Hawaii travelers: advanced reservations for the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor are suspended. We explain what’s actually happening, what it does and does not mean for your visit, and how to adjust your itinerary using standby and last-minute availability checks so you don’t build a trip around a single fragile time slot.From there, we answer listener questions with boots-on-the-ground ideas: unique private tours in Rome that go beyond the usual highlights, plus how to time Cabo San Lucas for fishing season versus whale watching season while prices have dipped. Then we jump into cruise territory with Margaritaville at Sea’s newly announced flagship, HX expedition cruising that can put you kayaking or even camping overnight in Antarctica, the best cruise lines of 2025, and two fall Panama Canal cruise deals that deliver serious value on 16-day sailings.If you like travel planning that’s specific, current, and usable, subscribe, share the show with a trip buddy, and leave us a review so more travelers can find us.This episode of The Vacation Nerd Podcast and Radio Show is presented by Rampage Rental & Repair!  Headed to St. George, Utah? Get out and RIDE! Rent or buy your Ebike at Rampage Rental & Repair—or get your own bike tuned up and trail-ready.Cruise Snow Canyon, ride the Virgin River Trail, or explore Kayenta.Reserve your ebike ride today! Call 435-767-2003 or book at RampageRentalRepair.com.Rampage Rental & Repair—gear up, get out, and RIDE! Support the showThank 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 WiscombeCell/Text:  (801) 874-7717Email:  [email protected] Vacation Nerd (Audio Podcast):  https://www.thevacationnerd.co/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheVacationNerdFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/patrick.wiscombeInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/patrick.wiscombeThreads:  https://www.threads.com/@pa...