7 Big Mistakes I See Too Many Mediterranean Cruisers Make!
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I am just back from a Mediterranean cruise on Sun Princess from Barcelona to Naples. As on all my cruises, I was delighted to chat to followers of my channel and new travellers I met, unfortunately not all of whom were having the perfect cruise. Why? Because too many had made mistakes that I have seen time and time again on the 25 Mediterranean cruises I've been on to date. So, I decided to put this together to help anyone planning a Mediterranean cruise to as avoid these traps and mistakes Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams...
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I Tried the Fancy Sanctuary Collection on Sun Princess. Here’s What I Found! (Podcast #541)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I cruised on Sun Princess to experience snd test out the new Princess Cruises SANCTUARY COLLECTION. This video shares my thoughts on if the SANCTUARY SUITE , Sanctuary Club deck, Sanctuary Restaurant and other perks and benefits included in the fare to see if it was all worth it. Here's my verdict and thoughts 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...
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I Tried the New Princess Megaship and Here’s What Happened! (Podcast #540)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Princess Cruises have entered mega-ship cruising with the launch of their 4,300-passenger Sphere Class ships, Sun and Star Princess. Hearing it was totally different to their other ships, reading very divided reviews, and seeing many asking if Princess were abandoning loyal guests to attract a different type of passenger, I had to test it out for myself. And this is the good and bad news I found. And I will reveal, as past frequent Princess cruiser, if I will I cruise on these ships again….or not. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and...
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I Cruised Princess Cruises Despite Saying Never Again! (Podcast #539)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
It's been three years since I was last on Princess Cruises, when I vowed to never return after going on three underwhelming cruises in the space of 12 months: Sky and Regal Princess in Europe and Majestic Princess in Alaska. I felt Princess had lost its way, and they had slipped behind their competition in the premium category. In fact, I made a video after those cruises, which is entitled “My Last Time? Issues I Have With Princess” about my feelings. But I relented because I wanted to go on a Group Cruise hosted by my vlogger friends “Paul and Carol Love To Travel” which was on Sky...
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More Cruisers Are Being BUMPED From Cruises Than Ever. Here's Why! (Podcast #537)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I decided I should investigate why so many cruisers are being bumped of cruises right now after seeing in just one day, it happening to so many. Including Carnival bumping many passengers off several up-coming Carnival Conquest sailings, upset people in a Seabourn Facebook group reporting being bumped off one of three back-to-back cruises they had booked, and P&O Cruises cancelling and bumping thousands off a 35-night sailing to the Caribbean In this I am exploring seven reasons it’s happening more these days, what you should watch out for, and how to protect yourself. Become a Tips For...
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Things We Can't Do On A Cruise This Year, But Could Last Year! (Podcast #538)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I’m just back from a Sky Princess cruise to Scandinavia, and during that I realised there are a surprisingly large number of things I cannot do on cruises this year that I could last year. For example, as on last year’s Princess cruise, I bought the “Princess Plus” package. While it still includes a Drinks Package, unlike last year, this year they’ve now excluded canned sodas from that package, only allow me one drink per order, and have banned double measures. While this may seem not a huge change, it is an unwelcome change from last year and got me thinking about others. So,...
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I Put 8 Underrated Cruise Tips To The Test! Here's What Happened (Podcast #536)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I’m just back from a 7-night Sky Princess Scandinavian cruise where I challenged myself to test out eight cruise tips I think cruisers massively under-estimate, including one that I have seen totally wreck entire trips – and almost created a massive problem for me. 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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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...
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Pattaya in Thailand.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio
This show covers among other topics:
Observations
- Best known as inexpensive Thailand holiday resort especially popular on package holidays, day trip from Bangkok and cruise line passengers docking at Laem Chabang nearby.
- Also known for late nights of partying, drink and sex. Also renown for large lady boy population and shows
History
Was a small remote fishing village until the Vietnam war when in 1959 a boat load of US soldiers taken there for some R&R and had great time and more and more came .
Getting around
- Simple layout with main road called Pattaya Road along beachfront and parallel road called Pattaya Second Road with small roads and lanes connecting - jammed full of hotels, bars , shops.
- Bart open sided taxi/ bus which you hail and take you to want to go.
- Taxis plentiful but watch out as don't switch on meters so ensure agree a price.
- Motorbike hire
Things to do
Beach
Three main sections along the beach front
Nakula Bay - more family orientated (north).
Central - busiest and most popular swimming area.
South near Walking Street (bars and focus of night life)
Swimming areas marked by plastic barriers - densely packed deck chairs and umbrella sections next to them
Water sports - paragliding - jet ski - banana boats
Constant flow of vendors
Pattaya Floating market
Various sections reflecting different regions of Thailand - 114 shops and lots of vendors - can hire boats to go from section to section
Sanctuary of Truth
Huge wooden Castle / Temple covered with carved sculptures depicting heaven and earth - 344 feet high covers area of 21,520 square feet
Nong Nuch tropical gardens
600 acre landscaped park - biggest botanical park in SE Asia - tropical plants (orchids, palms , cycads , cacti , bonsai), various cultural shows (folk dances from regions of Thailand ) and also an elephant performance show
Pairaj Elephant Village
Retirement village for working elephants
Sea Turtle Conservation Centre
Lady Boy shows
Other attractions
Teddy Bear museum
Museum of Bottle Art
Ripley's believe it or not
Underwater World Aquarium
Shopping
Lots of cheap souvenirs
Lots of fakes so watch out
Central Festival Shopping Mall