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Artwork for The Daily Cruise and Travel News ”Podcast”

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

Tom Drake
Cruise Industry
Crystal Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Royal Caribbean
Oceania Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Carnival Corporation
Spirit Airlines
Norovirus
MSC Cruises
Carnival Cruise Line
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Royal Caribbean Group
Elliott Investment Management
Virgin Voyages
Holland America Line
Disney Cruise Line
Oceania
Jetblue Airways
Barbados

After almost 30 years of performing stand-up comedy on cruise ships worldwide, Tom Drake has seen everything, done everything, and so now he knows everything! That is why he is called the "Guru of the Seas." His podcast, which delivers all of the day's cruise and travel news, can be heard every Monday through Friday, as Tom says, wherever people "pod their cast." Offering an "unfiltered view" of... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes917Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Leisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Daily Cruise and Travel News ”Podcast”

Latest Episodes

Squaremouth, a travel insurance company, tells people Venezuela is not safe. Duh!

Traveling and Leisure tells readers that Santorini is one of the prettiest islands in Greece. Duh again!

In case you live under a rock, steel-toe boots will probably ... more

• Explora Journeys continues to be one of the few cruise lines investing heavily in protecting the planet... even if most cruisers are still more concerned about protecting their spot at the buffet.

• A Lindblad Expeditions ship in Alaska has been h... more

Guests aboard Four Seasons Yachts pay thousands per day and only get free breakfast. Hampton Inn?

Soon, US airlines can fly to Lebanon, but why would they?

Holland America will offer balcony solo rooms, but will they really be at solo prices?

Wash... more

• The Houthis are back, now threatening to blockade Saudi Arabia. Just when you thought those idiots had finally taken a vacation.

• Holland America oversold an Alaska cruise and is now asking booked passengers not to show up. That's one way to impr... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Maria Gautour
Captain of the Disney Wish, first female captain in Disney Cruise Line history
Disney Cruise Line
Episode: July 20,2026 A Georgia man up on murder charges thought it would be fun to take a cruise. Brevard County sheriffs though otherwise!
Frank Del Rio
Former CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH)
Episode: JUne `16, 2026 Hell Hath No Fury Like a CEO Scorned. Del Rio hammering NCLH!
Bud Dar
President of CLEAR (Cruise Line Industry Association)
CLEAR
Episode: May 14, 2026 Why doesn't CLIA ever fight back against the incorrect norovirus narrative?
Johnny Onorato
CEO of MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises
Episode: May 14, 2026 Why doesn't CLIA ever fight back against the incorrect norovirus narrative?
Reese Gerrity
Journalist formerly with AOL Travel discussions cited in the episode
Gerrity (journalist)
Episode: April 29, 2026. Why do travelers continue to go to unsafe cities?
Jason Libery
President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group (as introduced)
Royal Caribbean Group
Episode: April 19, 2026 Jason Libery earned 24 million last year. Slightly more than the Guru!
Jason Montague
Chief Luxury Officer, discussed during Seatrade sessions
Seatrade/Seatrade Cruise News
Episode: April 14, 2024 The Guru at Seatrade Cruise Global. Worth it? Find out here.
John Heald
Carnival brand ambassador mentioned in discussion of policy clarifications
Carnival Cruise Line
Episode: April 12, 2026 Carnival bans fishing from your balcony! Hang your hook somewhere else!
James A. Rodriguez
CEO of Atlas Ocean Voyages
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Episode: March 31, 2026 Atlas Ocean renames their small staterooms suites. Why?

Host

Tom Drake
Host of daily cruise and travel news shows with decades of experience on cruise ships; known as the “Guru of the Seas.”

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • Cruise news and laughs

    Buried in the daily dose of humor and commentary, Tom actually keeps you informed about what is going on in the cruise and travel industry. No need to read long boring press releases; Tom reports on the relevant and ridiculous. The podcast keeps me connected somehow as I count down the days until I walk up the gangway on my next cruise.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wildwoodrver
    United Statesa year ago
  • Platform for his political agenda

    Could not get passed the first few minutes. He definitely has another intention for this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    fcoffey
    United States2 years ago
  • All politics

    I’ve been listening to this comedian’s cruise podcast for four months and I have yet to laugh once. He has four jokes that he repeats ad naseum. No creativity or fresh thoughts on anything. The worst part is the “cruise news” is just a reason to espouse his political beliefs. Quite often he’ll say something like, this isn’t political, this isn’t racist, this isn’t xenophobic, then proceeds to yammer on about politics, say something racist or xenophobic. The only reason I still listen is occ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CruisingFanForYou
    United States3 years ago
  • Cruise with Tom

    Tom does a great job keeping up with the latest travel news. Plus he adds a different twist and humor.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Houdini's
    United States3 years ago
  • New to cruising

    This has become my favorite cruise podcast. All the cruising news with a bit of commentary. Tom is funny and informative. Love the duck.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bobk388
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Seasoned travelers appreciate the concise daily updates and sponsor integrations.
Listener chatter suggests the host's opinions can be polarizing but informative for cruise planners.
Highlights practical industry insights with blunt humor favored by travel pros.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

May 15, 2024 Carnival guests denied boarding in Portugal because they did not read their emails!
Q: How much does a solo cabin on a cruise cost?
The cost varies depending on the cruise line and the specific arrangements made for solo travelers, with some lines currently offering no single supplement.
April 18, 2025. Videotaping someone who had an accident is sick but allowed on Carnival!
Q: Is it OK for another guest to be filming the incident?
According to the host, while it's morally questionable, cruise lines cannot stop guests from filming accidents when they happen.
JUne 5, 2025 How can you tell if they are refugees in distress or pirates? You can't!
Q: What would the captain have done if someone had looked like the ship was disabled and they were stuck?
Drake discusses the ethical dilemma of whether to assist disabled boats in piracy-prone waters and emphasizes that maritime law requires assistance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show delivers daily cruise and travel news with a candid, humorous slant. Episodes combine hard industry updates with personal anecdotes, frequent sponsor plugs, and bold opinions on cruise lines, travel policies, and industry trends. The host's unabashed commentary and long-running industry background give the show a distinctive voice that appeals to engaged cruise enthusiasts and travel fans who appreciate quick takes, sharp humor, and unfiltered perspectives on current events in the maritime world.

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this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 917 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Maria Gautour
2. Frank Del Rio
3. Bud Dar
4. Johnny Onorato
5. Reese Gerrity
6. Jason Libery
7. Jason Montague
8. John Heald

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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