Episode 22 - Slow Lanes, Gaudi Gains and Mickey's Growing Pains
Release Date: 10/06/2025
No Surprises Allowed: Travel Protection, Expedition Cruising and Smarter City Stays
Checked Bags and Big Tags
Winter travel offers incredible experiences—but it also requires smarter planning than ever. In this episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags, Ilisa and Sean explain why travel protection is essential for winter travel, especially as weather disruptions, airline schedule changes, and medical considerations become more common during colder months. They also break down what travelers should carefully consider before booking an expedition cruise to Antarctica or the Arctic, including ship size, expedition staff expertise, insurance and evacuation requirements, and why these bucket-list trips demand...
info_outline
Episode 29 - Wave Season is Here: The Best Time to Book a Cruise (and Go River!)
Checked Bags and Big Tags
Wave Season is officially here—and if you’ve ever thought about taking a cruise, this is the time to pay attention. In this episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags, Sean and Ilisa break down what Wave Season really means, why it’s the cruise industry’s biggest sales period, and how to take advantage of the best promotions without getting overwhelmed by the fine print. Plus, we’re making the case for why everyone should try river cruising at least once—from the effortless travel days and immersive destinations to the elevated experience that makes river cruises a game-changer for...
info_outline
Episode 28 - Travel, Updated: How to Navigate Rising Costs, Airline Changes, and Global Disruptions
Checked Bags and Big Tags
In this episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags, Ilisa and Sean break down what’s really driving the frustration travelers are feeling right now—and how to stay one step ahead. From overpriced hotel breakfasts and seat upgrades that don’t deliver, to quiet airline rule changes and risky tight connections, they explain where travelers are losing money (often without realizing it). They also unpack how recent geopolitical events impacted Caribbean travel during peak season, why thousands of travelers were caught off guard, and how working with a travel advisor—and the right travel...
info_outline
Episode 27 - Civility, Sanity, and Sunshine: Holiday Travel Realities & Jamaica’s Road to Recovery
Checked Bags and Big Tags
Buckle up, travelers— we have things to say on this episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags! Sean and Ilisa dive into the Administration’s push for “civility” in the skies and breaks down why the real turbulence isn’t unruly passengers—it’s skyrocketing fares, endless fees, shrinking seats, and fading customer service. Then it’s on to holiday travel sanity savers: smart planning tips, what to pack, and how to keep your cool when everyone else is melting down at the gate. We wrap with a hopeful, boots-on-the-ground update from Jamaica, where the island continues to...
info_outline
Episode 26 -From Storms to Shutdowns: Jamaica’s Recovery, Anguilla’s Glory, and Global Travel Shifts
Checked Bags and Big Tags
In this episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags, Ilisa and Sean bring listeners a vital update from Jamaica as the island rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa. With Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay slowly reopening and resorts preparing to welcome guests again, we’ll explore what travelers can expect and how to help recovery efforts. Plus, we’ll celebrate Anguilla’s big win as the Caribbean’s top island, take a look inside Cairo’s long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, and unpack how the ongoing U.S. government shutdown could cause travel turbulence just in time for the holidays....
info_outline
Episode 25 -Storms, Stranded, and Standing Strong: Jamaica’s Recovery and What Travelers Can Learn
Checked Bags and Big Tags
In this powerful 25th episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags, Sean and Ilisa take listeners to Jamaica in the aftermath of the recent hurricane that left much of the island reeling. We’ll look at how resorts rose to the challenge to protect their guests, how travel advisors became lifelines for stranded travelers, and what this storm revealed about responsibility and respect in travel. We’ll also confront uncomfortable truths—like the travelers who knowingly flew into danger and the airlines accused of price gouging—and discuss how the travel community can do better. Finally,...
info_outline
Episode 24 - Waltzes, Waves, and Window Seats
Checked Bags and Big Tags
From the concert halls of Vienna to the newest mega-ships making waves in Miami, this episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags takes you from Europe’s cultural heart to the cutting edge of cruising—and even up in the air. Ilisa shares stories from her recent trip to Vienna, where food, art, and music come together in unforgettable ways, before diving into exciting updates in the cruise world and some eyebrow-raising airline changes that could impact your next flight. Whether you’re dreaming of schnitzel and Strauss or setting sail on the newest luxury liner, this episode delivers your...
info_outline
Solo Travel, Shutdowns and Strange Destinations
Checked Bags and Big Tags
This week on Checked Bags and Big Tags, we’re unpacking a world of travel change — from personal journeys to political shake-ups. First, we’ll explore the growing popularity of solo travel and how Riviera River Cruises is launching a ship designed just for independent travelers. Then, we’ll break down how the U.S. government shutdown could affect your travel plans, and what to expect from Europe’s brand-new Entry/Exit System that will fingerprint and photograph non-EU visitors starting this month. Finally, we’ll look at one of the most surprising travel stories of the year: Kim...
info_outline
Episode 22 - Slow Lanes, Gaudi Gains and Mickey's Growing Pains
Checked Bags and Big Tags
We're back! After a couple weeks off, Checked Bags and Big Tags is unpacking travel trends and hot topics shaping trips in 2026 and beyond. From the rise of slow travel (where the journey is just as important as the destination) to Barcelona’s year-long celebration of Antoni Gaudí, we’ve got cultural moments you won’t want to miss. We’ll also break down the increasing costs of ETIAS and ETA fees for U.S. travelers heading abroad—and why that matters for your travel budget. Finally, we’ll dive into why Florida, especially Disney, is seeing a surprising dip in tourism...
info_outline
Episode 21 - Boarding Pass Secrets, Gadget Goals, and Flight-Booking Gold
Checked Bags and Big Tags
Ever wondered what all those numbers, letters, and mysterious codes on your boarding pass actually mean? In this episode of Checked Bags and Big Tags, we crack the code on your ticket, share the must-have travel gadgets that make jet-setting easier (and cooler), and spill the tea on the best times to book flights to snag those dream deals. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your first getaway, this episode is your carry-on full of insider tips. Ilisa Oman Sean Mouttet FInd us on ! Do you have any travel questions or topics you want us to cover? Send...
info_outlineWe're back! After a couple weeks off, Checked Bags and Big Tags is unpacking travel trends and hot topics shaping trips in 2026 and beyond. From the rise of slow travel (where the journey is just as important as the destination) to Barcelona’s year-long celebration of Antoni Gaudí, we’ve got cultural moments you won’t want to miss. We’ll also break down the increasing costs of ETIAS and ETA fees for U.S. travelers heading abroad—and why that matters for your travel budget. Finally, we’ll dive into why Florida, especially Disney, is seeing a surprising dip in tourism and what that means for families, fans, and the future of the Sunshine State’s tourism industry.
Ilisa Oman
ilisa@oneworldfamilytravel.com
Sean Mouttet
sean.mouttet@gallivantluxurytravel.com
FInd us on Facebook!
Do you have any travel questions or topics you want us to cover? Send us an email at checkedbagsandbigtags@gmail.com.
Music track: Cuba by ASHUTOSH
Source: https://freetouse.com/music
Free Music No Copyright (Safe)