More Cruisers Are Being BUMPED From Cruises Than Ever. Here's Why! (Podcast #459)
Essential Cruise Tips
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...
info_outline
I Cruised Princess Cruises Despite Saying Never Again! (Podcast #458)
Essential Cruise Tips
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...
info_outline
I Put 8 Underrated Cruise Tips To The Test! Here's What Happened (Podcast #457)
Essential Cruise Tips
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: ...
info_outline
Things We Can't Do On A Cruise This Year, But Could Last Year! (Podcast #456)
Essential Cruise Tips
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,...
info_outline
I Cruise Explora Journeys To See If It Lives Up To The Hype! (Podcast #455)
Essential Cruise Tips
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: * I Test Out If New Explora Journeys Lives Up To All The Hype Become a Tips For Travellers...
info_outline
Most Alaska Cruises Don't Go To Plan. Here's Why! (Podcast #454)
Essential Cruise Tips
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...
info_outline
Overrated Tips Every Sensible Cruiser Should Stop Using - RIGHT NOW! (podcast #453)
Essential Cruise Tips
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...
info_outline
What I NOW Do To Get Great Cruise Cabin Every Time ! (Podcast #452)
Essential Cruise Tips
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...
info_outline
5 Things Smart Cruisers ALWAYS Do (And 1 They Argue About)! (Podcast #451)
Essential Cruise Tips
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:
info_outline
Who REALLY Owns Your Favourite Cruise Lines? You’ll Be Surprised. Guaranteed! (Podcast #451)
Essential Cruise Tips
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...
info_outlineThe Advantages of Cruising
There are many advantages that cruising has over land-based vacations. The following are some of the key ones:
Inclusive fares. A cruise fare will include your accommodation, cruising from port to port, meals, and entertainment. Some premium lines also include drinks, gratuities and excursions.
You are likely to spend a fair amount on board on items like gratuities, drinks, excursions, gambling and Internet access. However, these are at your discretion.
Packing. You only have to pack before and at the end of the cruise and not every time you visit a new destinations you would have to do on land.
Travel time is part of your vacation. You are able to relax and enjoy the facilities of the ship as you sail between destinations. You do not loose time commuting to airports and sitting on planes or in your vehicle moving between places you are visiting.
Simplified immigration. If you are visiting multiple countries you do not have to line up and pass through immigration at each one. Once you have checked in and the line has your details and passport they handle the authorities in most cases, except when disembarking. You will just have to use your cruise card to swipe off and back onto the ship.
Visiting places difficult to see by land or get to by plane. There are some parts of the world that are best, easiest or can only be seen on a ship. This includes hard to access places like Alaska and the Norwegian Fjords or passing through the Panama and Suez Canals. There are also places like the Galapagos Islands, Arctic, Antarctica and some of the Polynesian islands in the Pacific Ocean that are hard or impossible to reach by commercial plane.
Overview of a region. Cruises can provide a good overview of the highlights and attractions of a region like the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia by visiting up to seven different destinations in a week. It gives you a chance to get a feel for where you would like to go back and spend more time in. This would be hard to achieve on a land-based vacation as you would not have the time to get to and see as many places.
Wide variety to appeal to each member of your travel party. Ships and cruises have many options and choices available, including different cabin types and grades, activities, dining venues, entertainment and excursions. This means that different members of your travel party can enjoy very different experiences within the same shared trip. You do not have to make as many compromises and everyone has time to pursue their individual interests and passions but come together for meals and other joint activities.
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher Radio