The Daily Cruise and Travel News "Podcast" with Tom Drake
The Daily Cruise and Travel News "Podcast" with Tom Drake

The Daily Cruise and Travel News "Podcast" with Tom Drake

THE DAILY CRUISE AND TRAVEL NEWS “PODCAST” WITH TOM DRAKE

For nearly 30 years, comedian Tom Drake has gone where most people only dream of vacationing—performing stand-up aboard cruise ships around the world, crossing countless oceans, visiting faraway ports, enduring crowded airports, and witnessing nearly every kind of travel triumph and disaster imaginable.

After that much time at sea, Tom has seen everything, done everything, and—at least according to Tom—now knows everything.

That’s why he has earned the title “Guru of the Seas.”

Every Monday through Friday, The Daily Cruise and Travel News “Podcast” with Tom Drake delivers the biggest stories making waves across the cruise and travel industries. Tom breaks down the day’s headlines, explains what they really mean for travelers, and shares the frank, funny, and completely unfiltered opinions you will not find in a cruise line press release.

New ships. Changing policies. Airline meltdowns. Port problems. Passenger behavior. Travel trends. Strange stories from the high seas. If it affects the way people cruise, fly, or attempt to get from one place to another, Tom is talking about it.

This is not a polished commercial for the travel industry. It is an honest look behind the curtain from someone who has spent decades working inside it—with a microphone in his hand, a comedian’s eye for the absurd, and very little interest in sugarcoating the truth.

Whether you are a seasoned cruiser, planning your first voyage, frustrated with air travel, or simply enjoy sharp commentary and a good laugh, climb aboard.

The Daily Cruise and Travel News “Podcast” with Tom Drake—weekdays wherever people “pod their cast.”

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Episodes

August 11, 2026 Is Costa Rica really the best place to retire? Not for the Guru.

August 11, 2026 Is Costa Rica really the best place to retire? Not for the Guru.

Marella Cruise's bosses are a bunch of sour pusses!

Another report states that hotel bookings are up, so why are the bosses always whining?

John Heald celebrates 39 years with Carnival Cruise Line, and they gave him a plaque. Could they afford it?

Calling all Pickleball players!! Join Dottie and Tom for an alumni cruise in October 2027. Book now!

August 10, 2026 How long before  cruise lines crack down on kickbacks?

August 10, 2026 How long before cruise lines crack down on kickbacks?

The famous path to Santorini’s donkeys has reopened. The donkeys are thrilled. Probably.

Two women stranded in an Alaska boat that ran out of gas have been rescued but not by Mark Zuckerberg’s yacht. Apparently, they didn’t answer the phone!

America’s Got Talent is heading to sea! Royal Caribbean is bringing the hit show aboard its newest ship, featuring four fast-paced, 15-minute acts.

And Spanish authorities have arrested a man accused of robbing hotel guests while they were at the breakfast buffet. While you were deciding between scrambled eggs and bacon, he was helping himself to your wallet!

August 7, 2026. Does giving rebates for your travel service mean your services are worth less?

August 7, 2026. Does giving rebates for your travel service mean your services are worth less?

MSC is adding another private island. Money, money, money.

Allegiant Air is adding first-class seats. Money, money, money.

Port Miami is adding another short power outlet. Good job!! Helping to save the planet by Tuesday.

Check out the unbelievable value: cruising on Crystal from New York City in October 2027.

August 6, 2026 the new Boeing 777X is amazing. According to Boeing. The Guru will be happy if it just stays in the air!

August 6, 2026 the new Boeing 777X is amazing. According to Boeing. The Guru will be happy if it just stays in the air!

 The very popular Captain Kate has decided to retire as a Captain.

Travel and Leisure reports that you should hold onto your boarding pass. It's valuable. The Guru agrees.

Severe turbulence in Denver forces 22 flights to divert to Colorado Springs. Buckle your seatbelts, people!

Rooms are selling fast for America's funniest cruise! Don't wait!

 

August 5, 2026 Amtrak is thinking about splitting the company into three separate companies that won't be effective!

August 5, 2026 Amtrak is thinking about splitting the company into three separate companies that won't be effective!

Virgin Voyages will be embracing their curry with their new restaurant on Valiant Lady!

Regent Seven Seas will join Oceania and teach their pastry chefs how to make pastries on board!

An alleged Italian drug kingpin is arrested before he can join the Allure of the Seas. As a guest, not a waiter.

The Cyclospora outbreak is forcing a lot of people to sit down and pay attention!!

August 4, 2026 - Are the Bahamas really unsafe?

August 4, 2026 - Are the Bahamas really unsafe?

Marriott's big boss announces that business is better than ever!

Are there really that many people who go on a cruise to lose weight and get healthy?

Margaritaville at Sea gave away 60,000 free cruises at Zac Brown concerts. That's one way to fill your ship.

A waterline breaks on Royal Caribbean and fills an inside cabin with water. No extra charge for that water.

August 3, 2026 Who is buying the Oceania Sirena? A few possibles!

August 3, 2026 Who is buying the Oceania Sirena? A few possibles!

Six Italian guys sharing two rooms on MSC hacked the public addresses to make fake announcements! 

The San Francisco City attorney has the time to sue hotel booking companies because they don't arrest anybody!

NCL Boss Chidsey and the Guru think alike!

Regent Seven Seas ships will have more space per guest. Crystal is already there!

 

July 31, 2026 A wall collapse at Santorini shuts down the tram and the donkeys!

July 31, 2026 A wall collapse at Santorini shuts down the tram and the donkeys!

 

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is changing course, lowering prices earlier, with the hope of raising them later!
  • Is MSC heading into the river cruise business? Looks like it's time for a whole new "river state of mind!"
  • Oceania is saying goodbye to another R-Class ship. Sirena sails into retirement in 2028.
  • Cruise with Best at Sea Tours, where you're not just another guest... you're family!
 
 
 
July 30, 2026. For some cruise lines it's all about the money. Celebrity raises their gratuities!

July 30, 2026. For some cruise lines it's all about the money. Celebrity raises their gratuities!

  • Low water on the Danube leaves a Viking river ship stranded on a sandbar. Time to call in the motorcoaches!
  • A 44-year-old man was arrested on a Carnival cruise after allegedly assaulting children. Just another alcohol-fueled three-day cruise gone off the rails.
  • If someone dies on a cruise ship, is an investigation and autopsy always required? The answer may surprise you.
  • Day two on Wegovy... and still no side effects. Either I'm getting lucky, or the plot twist is coming later today.
March 19, 2026 Do people cruise and worry about their weight the whole time? No,they bring their jabber.

March 19, 2026 Do people cruise and worry about their weight the whole time? No,they bring their jabber.

The airline bosses are right for a change. Congress has to start paying TSA!

Ozempic and Wegovy are changing the shape of cruising!

The US State Department is telling people to stay the hell out of southeastern Turkey!

World cruisers will start finding out now that they're not going through the Suez Canal!