Overrated Tips Every Sensible Cruiser Should Stop Using - RIGHT NOW! (Podcast #535)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I'm just back from a cruise on Explora Journeys Explora 2, and was disappointed how many passengers I met on there are still following cruise tips that frankly I know are overrated and out-of-date. Tips that many cruising articles and videos are still recommending cruisers use. I'm Gary Bembridge, and I want to tell you about four overrated cruise tips I think you should ditch overboard and (importantly) what you should be doing instead. Links mentioned in the video - and savings on cruise products eSim by GigSky: Get 10% off using and code “TFT10” at check out. * 10% off any your...
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I Cruise Explora Journeys To See If It Lives Up To The Hype! (Podcast #534)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Before boarding my Explora Journeys cruise, I had many questions, including if this new line would live up to the rave online reviews, who it is competing with, and who they were aiming at as I’d started seeing many ads targeting families with kids. So, as I boarded Explora II in Barcelona for an 11-night cruise, I was eager to discover more, and I did come away with clear answers, and one hurdle that had me thinking hard if I would cruise with them again. Watch my Explora II ship tour: Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads...
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What I NOW Do To Get Great Cruise Cabin Every Time ! (podcast #533)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I meet so many people on cruises who tell me they do not gamble. However, whilst they might not gamble in the casino, they gamble with the most important thing of all on the cruise, the cabin. I'm going to tell you why I think most people get cabins wrong and what savvy cruisers do that I think you should really consider doing, too. I'm Gary Bembridge. And here's my tips on finding the perfect cabin, and why I think most advice that people give you is wrong. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...
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Most Alaska Cruises Don't Go To Plan. Here's Why! (Podcast #532)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Recently, I had to step in to stop some friends making big mistakes while planning their Alaska cruise. It reminded me of all the pitfalls there are when cruising Alaska, and because of that why I meet too many cruisers saying their trip of a lifetime to this stunning region fell short. I'm Gary Bembridge, and I'm going to tell you how I helped my friends have a great Alaska cruise, and help you get your Alaskan cruise right. Links mentioned in the video: Alaska Things To Do Without Breaking The Bank PDF: * Exploring Alaskan Ports WITHOUT Breaking The Bank!Video: * 5% off...
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The Dark Side of Living on Cruise Ships: By Those Who’ve Done it! (Podcast #531)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
For many people, the idea of living part, or full-time, on cruise ships sounds like a dream-like paradise. But having spent time closely following several people that have recently tried it, I saw the harsh reality is that dream comes with some darker aspects, nightmare challenges and unexpected problems. Things I think you need to know about. In another video ( ), I looked at the options and what it REALLY costs to live on cruise ships today but in this, I pull back the curtains on the downsides. Channels mentioned in the video: • 30 & A Wake Up: • Poverty to Paradise: ...
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5 Things Smart Cruisers ALWAYS Do (And 1 They Argue About)! (Podcast #530)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I've been asking experienced cruisers I’ve met what they did to make their cruise vacation perfect. And they are all saying the same things as other smart cruisers I've asked on past cruises. Well, mostly the same because while there 5 things all agree on, there is one that splits smart cruisers into two opposing camps. As you will hear. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link:
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Who REALLY Owns Your Favourite Cruise Lines? You’ll Be Surprised. Guaranteed! (Podcast #529)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I have been shocked at how many videos, blogs, and articles, many by people that cruise passengers see as leading cruise experts, are totally wrong on the topic of who owns what cruise line - and are giving incorrect answers and bad advice to the question I and others are frequently asked: "I want to go on an ocean cruise a non-USA owned line, what are my options?”. People acting on the advice are booking lines they have been told are non-USA owned perhaps by European or other owners but are not in fact. I spent time diving deep into this topic, and even some lines that push a regional or...
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Living On A Cruise Ship: Here's What It REALLY Takes & Costs! (Podcast #528)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
After closely following several people living cruise ships for some time and analysing the different options and ways they do it, I discovered many remarkable things like not only how they make it work, and importantly what it really costs, but I also the uncovered there is an unexpected dark side of living on cruise ships that you need to know about Channels mentioned in the video: • 30 & A Wake Up: • Poverty to Paradise: • Grounded Life Cruises: • Fraser At Sea: Links mentioned: * Need To Know Before Playing Cruise Ship Casino: * How To Gamble...
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Make Your Antarctica Dream Come True On A Budget! (Podcast #527)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
While the cheapest way to go to Antarctica is on a regular cruise line and ship sailing past the Antarctic Peninsula as part of a South America itinerary, there is a huge catch making it less fulfilling as you do not get to land or do zodiac rides to get close to wildlife. For a true Antarctic experience, an expedition cruise is the way to go. However, as the cost of these cruises is prohibitive to most, I asked my friend, Martin Johnson who runs Polar Routes (a dedicated Antarctic and Arctic travel agency), to help me identify the most budget-friendly ways to get there. And in this I share...
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I Paid A Fortune to Cruise On “New” Crystal Cruises. Was It Worth It? (Podcast #526)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I have been intrigued as recent reviews of Crystal Cruises have been very positive, including it having the highest passenger ratings on Cruise Critic in the ultra-luxury category, better than Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn. So, I decided to test Crystal Cruises out to see if they really are the best of the ultra-luxury lines. This is what I discovered. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube:
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Brisbane in Australia.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio
This show covers among other topics:
Observations
- 3rd largest city in Australia - over 2 million people - growing fast and projecting may overtake Melbourne - capital of Queensland.
- Attractive city set around the curves of Brisbane River named after Sir Thomas Brisbane Governer of NSW in 1820s.
- Compact and easy to get around with good transport infrastructure both road and on river - easily walkable.
- Mix of modern glass buildings and grand old buildings like City Hall - Post Office - Treasury building (now a casino).
- Lots of greenery and shade about - even the roads in the CBD has trees along both sides creating cover and playgrounds have covered play areas .
- About hour drive to beaches and theme parks of Gold Coast.
- Prone to major flooding at various times over history - big one 1974 - most recent in 2011 when CBD and suburbs badly affected.
History
- Created to support the penal colony close by.
- Growing fast for as commercial centre : mineral and agriculture resources , financial services , technology - busy port handling exports of things like grain, coal.
- In WWII General MacArthur commanded to Pacific war effort from here for a time.
- Hosted 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88
Getting there
Good airline connections within Australia and to parts of Asia
Cruise lines - big ships dock quite way from the city (30-45 mins transfer)
Best time to go
Summer : Dec - Feb
Winter: Jun - Aug
Getting around
Bus - tickets by zone
Rail - to suburbs
River - free and pay for services
Walking
Bike hire scheme (blue bikes)
Green tricycle taxis
Tips
- Get information booklets from tourist information offices - free Brisbane Insider Guid.
- Brisbane Greeter Service - 100 volunteers - 20 languages - two options (refer to information leaflet) - greeter's choice or your choice - free
- Hop-on Hop-off bus.
Things to do
River trips
- Free red City Hopper - every 30 minutes - takes about 1.5 hours.
- CityCat service - big catamarans go much further up and down river
- Mississippi style paddle streamer - Kookaburra River Queens
- Jet Ski or kayak
- River City Cruises- 1,5 trip with commentary by Captain
South Bank Parklands
42-acre development on site of 1988 World Expo - very busy at weekends with locals to hang out- includes
Information centre
The Beach - Aquativity water park
Picnic areas
Restaurants
Weekend market
Wheel of Brisbane - 12 to 15 minute ride in aircon enclosed cabin
Queensland performing arts centre
Queensland museum & science centre
Queensland Art gallery
State library of Queesnsland
Gallery of Modern Art
Convention & Exhibition centre
Rainforest walk
Bougainvillea feature
Nepalese Pagoda
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
1927 - worlds first koala sanctuary - 130 koala and 90 other Aussie species - 11km away
Mount Coot-tha
Panoramic view from Mount Coot-tha - 8km outside city
Botanical garden - established 1824 as fruit & vegetable garden for nearby Moreton Bay penal settlement - 20 hectares flowers trees
Other
City Hall
Story Bridge Climb
ANZAC square memorial
Shopping
Queens street pedestrian mall - over 600 shops on 1 km
QueensPlaza
Gold Coast day trip