148: River Cruising Tips Live (Part Two)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Release Date: 08/04/2014
6 Things River Cruises Do Better Than Ocean. And 3 They Don't! (Podcast #546)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Their fans paint river cruising as an idyllic, perfectly paced and immersive way to travel, but few talk about what you lose by choosing one. Having done 12 European river cruises and over 100 ocean ones, I've found the differences are bigger than most people think or expect. Some things river cruises absolutely do way better than ocean ships. But some things? They don’t. here's what river cruises and ocean cruises each do better than the other, and why. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...
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How To Cruise Like A VIP Without A "First Class" Price Tag (Podcast #545)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Want to cruise like a VIP without paying “First Class” suite prices? In this podcast, I reveal 6 insider tricks that will let you enjoy luxury perks - all without breaking your budget. These are the same strategies I use to get a champagne cruise lifestyle on a beer budget. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveller, these tips will help you transform your future cruises into something much more special — without paying suite prices. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...
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I Put The Highest Rated European River Cruise Line To The Test (Podcast #544)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
After a five-year break, I returned to river cruising in Europe to see how the experience compared to my past trips. I chose the European River Cruise line with the highest ratings by recent passengers and boarded with high expectations. This video shares my thoughts on what they did both well and less well, and if I felt they deserve the ratings they are getting Links mentioned in the podcast: Avalon Food and Bar menus + Daily Programs: Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: ...
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Don’t Pick The Wrong "Premium" Cruise Line! Here’s What You Need To Know (Podcast #543)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I've recently revisited and cruised on all five of what the industry calls “Premium” cruise lines, as I keep getting asked which is the best these days as so many cruisers are confused by all the recent changes in the fleets, new on-board offerings, tweaks to inclusions and exclusions, and the seeming push by all to attract a different passenger type. Welcome aboard, I'm Gary Bembridge, and I'm going to compare each line including what they're best known for, good at, what they're less good at, and who I think should cruise with them right now – and why. Become a Tips For Travellers...
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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,...
info_outlineRecorded live on my seven-day Uniworld “Enchanting Danube” river cruise from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary visiting Linz, Melk, Durnstein and Vienna along the way. In this two hour show, which is in two parts, I discuss my observations, insights, events and share my tips and advice about river cruising. My aim was to provide an in-depth report on what is it like to take a river cruise and all the events, surprises and things that happen along the way. It is full of tips and advice on how to make the most of river cruising based on my daily experiences.
In the show I cover:
(1) What it is like being on a river cruise for the first time.
(2) Differences between river and ocean cruising.
(3) Who a river cruise is best suited for, and why (including suitability for people with restricted mobility and special needs).
(4) Key Crew members, what they do and their thoughts on river cruising and insider tips.
(5) Things to do on a river cruise - is it as sedate as reputation has them being?
(6) Titan Travel VIP service.
(7) Details of what cruising the Danube is like, and what you should expect including:
- The Danube - facts and figures.
- Style, look and facilities on board the ship.
- Introductory briefing.
- Safety and environmental issues.
- Passenger type and mix - and why those chose to come on a river cruise.
- All-inclusive dining arrangements, food and on-board treats.
- What else is included in the all-inclusive fare.
- Fitness and wellness facilities.
- Daily program and daily update and destination departure and arrival talks.
- On-board entertainment and activities.
- Service standards and approach including the Uniworld Six-Star Service approach
- Technology and Wi-Fi on board including TV channels and the on-board Uniworld SmartPhone App.
- Ship details and how the Captain and crew navigate the Danube and locks
- Excursions in Passau, Linz, Melk, Vienna and Budapest including the different types of all-inclusive excursions available and additional fare paying excursions. I discuss the local guide approach and the QuietVox portable audio system used on tours.
(8)Packing advice and things to ensure you bring.
(9) Smoking policy.
(10) My overall observations, tips and advice on river cruising at the end of the cruise.
For more articles, photographs and videos visit my Uniworld River Cruise page: tipsfortravellers.com/Uniworld