I've Done 15 Caribbean Cruises. Here's What No-One's Telling You! (podcast #558)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
When I took my very first Caribbean cruise back in 2007, I often found myself stepping ashore as the only ship in port. Quiet beaches, local markets, no lines for taxis — it felt like true tropical escape. Fast-forward 18 years and 15 Caribbean cruises later, including my most recent ultra-luxury sailing on Regent Seven Seas Splendor, and the Caribbean is a very different place.In this video I reveal the massive changes that are reshaping Caribbean cruising — changes most cruisers don’t fully understand until they’re already there. I also explain how cruise lines are responding — and...
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Regular Vs. Ultra-Luxury Cruises: 4 Big Differences I DID NOT Expect! (Podcast #557)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Are ultra-luxury cruises really worth the eye-watering price? Or is the reality very different from the dream? Most cruisers are fascinated by ultra-luxury lines like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, but very few have actually sailed them. So after cruising recently on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity and Princess, I decided to book myself on two ultra-luxury ships – Silver Nova and Regent Seven Seas Splendor – paying the full fare to find out what really changes when you step up to the very top tier of cruising. And what I discovered surprised me. In this video I...
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Cruisers Say These Cruise Lines Are On The Rise RIGHT NOW (Podcast #556)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
After sailing on many lines myself recently, and analysing hundreds of cruiser reviews and ratings across Cruise Critic, Trustpilot, and other major consumer sites, I discovered a surprising trend while many lines are sliding — a handful are rising fast. In this video, I reveal the cruise lines that cruisers say are on the rise right now, what they’re getting right, and why ratings are climbing. This is the most up-to-date snapshot of which cruise lines passengers think are improving and why. These trends come from analysing 21 cruise lines covering over 90% of all cruise passengers,...
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8 Widely Held Repositioning Cruise Beliefs Are Wrong. Here’s Why! (Podcast #555)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Repositioning cruises promise incredible value — sometimes half the price of a regular cruise — but after doing several of them (including my recent 18-night Silver Nova Alaska–to–Japan repositioning), I’ve realised many cruisers board with expectations that are completely misguided. And those myths guarantee disappointment. In this video, I reveal the most widely believed repositioning cruise myths that are 100% wrong — and what these cruises are really like. If you’ve been thinking of booking a repositioning cruise because they’re cheap, relaxing, sunny, or just like regular...
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I’ve Been Back On Every "Ultra-Luxury" Cruise Line. Here’s What I Found (Podcast #554)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Ultra-luxury cruising promises the very best at sea – but which line is truly delivering right now, and which are slipping? I’ve recently been back on Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal, and in this podcast I reveal how they really compare today. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: Offers: Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link:
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Too Many Repositioning Cruisers Make These 6 Mistakes (Podcast #553)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Repositioning cruises can offer unbeatable value — but they also come with big risks and hidden catches that could ruin your dream cruise. I share everything you need to know: what a repositioning cruise is, why they’re so cheap, who they’re ideal for, how to find them, and the common mistakes to avoid. I’ve done many of these unique one-way cruises, and I’ll reveal the insider tips and watchouts to help you decide if they’re right for you. Don’t book one until you hear this! Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams...
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Smart Cruisers ALWAYS Get Off The Ship in THESE Ports. Here's Why (Podcast #552)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Xxx Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: Offers: Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link:
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I Revisited Silversea To See If The Latest Reviews Were True (Podcast #551)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Is Silversea still ultra-luxury? After reading shocking new reviews calling it “shabby” and “not worth the premium,” I boarded Silver Nova to find out the truth. When I started reading recent reviews of Silversea Cruises, I was shocked. Loyal guests now call it “shabby,” “cut back,” “no longer luxury,” and “not worth the premium.” Having cruised six times with Silversea and always rated it highly, I had to see if things really had changed. So, I booked myself (and paid full fare) onto Silver Nova, their newest class of ship, to find out what’s really happening...
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All Cruisers Over 55 SHOULD Do This (Younger Ones Don’t Need To!) (Podcast #550)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Cruising over the age of 55 brings unexpected challenges that younger cruisers don’t even - or need - to think about. I know — because I’ve learned the hard way after more than 100 cruises since turning 55. In this video, I reveal the real watch outs, traps, and opportunities for older travellers that most cruise advice never covers. From choosing the right itinerary, line, ship, and cabin, to avoiding mobility issues, scams, and bad weather seasons — these are the essential insights every over-55 cruiser should know before booking. I’ll also share how to find senior discounts, pick...
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I've Cruised Europe’s Rivers 12 Times. Here’s What Nobody Warns You About (Podcast #547)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I've cruised on European rivers 12 times and I am just back from a Rhine River cruise on Avalon Waterways. Once again, I met so many people who spoke about surprising and frustrating things they'd only encountered and realised once they were on the cruise because none of the lines, reviews, or commentators seem willing to talk about them frankly, or underplay them. Welcome aboard, I'm Gary Bembridge and here’s what you need to know about European river cruising to avoid any disappointments, and make sure a river cruise is right for you. ** OFFER ** GET 10% OFF YOUR PERSONALISED "THE CRUISE...
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