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

March 14, 2026 Hilton CEO offers criticism without solutions. Nothing new in the travel industry!

·36 min·1 clip

You think the Saudis have enough money? You think they could buy it and put Frank Del Rio back in charge?

Tom Crick, 'guru on the seas,' hosts this Saturday March 14, 2026 episode from Crystal Cruises' mobile studio. He's home briefly with wife Dottie before extensive travel. He announces nine hosted cruises plus a December 30 New Year's cruise, with April's Explorer Journeys San Juan-Miami voyage featuring 11 travelers. Tom emphasizes luxury positioning and small group experiences justifying premium pricing. He discusses hiring Pathos PR agency to establish himself as media-recognized industry authority with Bloomberg contacts and journalist lists. The episode includes extended industry analysis: speculation about Frank Del Rio (former Carnival CEO on Cruise Saudi board) potentially being reinstalled as Carnival CEO via Saudi investment to 'launder' the brand. Tom criticizes John Cicci's NCL Holdings dismantling Del Rio's Oceania legacy by removing artist enrichment programs in favor of commercial art sales. He pivots to political commentary criticizing Congress for complaining about military steak/lobster while enjoying lavish perks, praising U.S. military work ethic during DHS shutdown, comparing favorably to European labor practices.

As heard by us

Fast, opinionated cruise-and-travel commentary that keeps route disruptions front and center.

Tom Crick turns a Saturday morning cruise-and-travel update into a quick, opinionated run through the headlines, with the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal doing most of the heavy lifting.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want cruise and travel news with a pulse and a temper.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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