I Put The 5 Leading First Class "Ship-In-Ships" To The Test (Podcast #484)
Tips For Travellers
Although most cruise reviewers say there are five, there are strictly speaking only two cruise lines that truly have a “ship-within-a-ship”. A fully self-contained world where passengers paying at least $500 per person a night for a suite are given the special entry card to a door that lets them step out of the regular cruise ship and into an exclusive VIP (Very Important Passenger) one. I have stayed on all 5 of them though and review and rank them. 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 Cruise Silversea To See If Its New Owners Have RUINED It (Podcast #483)
Tips For Travellers
Four years ago, Royal Caribbean, best known for huge, good value resort ships, surprised many by buying Silversea known for ultra-luxury small ship cruising. Having cruised on it before the takeover, I decided I should return to see if the online reviews from other pre-takeover cruisers saying things like, "Not the same Silversea” and “Before it was sold, we thought Silversea was superb, well run, with delicious food. Not now” were right or not. So, I booked myself on Silver Spirit for a two-week cruise, and this is what I found. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive...
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5 Things You Won't Be Able To Do On Cruises This Year! (Podcast #482)
Tips For Travellers
There are five things I took for granted last year as a cruiser that have unexpectedly disappeared this year, the first massive one I experienced first-hand on a recent cruise. I was on the first leg of Silversea Silver Spirit’s 62-night Grand Voyage from Cape Town to Athens via the Seychelles, Dubai, and the Suez Canal. Find out what that was and the 4 others. 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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6 Things "Polite" Passengers Do That Drive Cruise Crew Crazy! (Podcast #481)
Tips For Travellers
I used to think of myself as a considerate cruise passenger, trying to be polite and help make the crews’ jobs simpler, easier, and more pleasant. But I’ve had to reappraise what I was doing after a crew member discreetly told me on this cruise that I am on that some were having the opposite effect, and could get them into trouble with their boss, affect their ability to get a promotion, and even whether their contract would get renewed. Surprised by this, I asked the cruise director, waiters, shore excursion staff, guest services, guest entertainers and speakers, and of course my...
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I Put Cunard's Controversial Class-Based Cruising To The Test (Podcast #480)
Tips For Travellers
Cunard has the reputation of being the most class-based cruise line sailing today, keeping alive the tradition of grand old ocean liners from the Titanic era had of giving First-Class passengers, or what Cunard now call “The Grills”, a more rounded and top-notch experience vastly superior to that of all other guests.But is that the reality. I reveal what it is really like and why 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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So Many Repositioning Cruisers Get These 5 Things Wrong (Podcast #480)
Tips For Travellers
Cruise lines charge less per day for repositioning cruises than ANY of their other cruises, making them some of the most inexpensive and appealing to many cruisers. But I’ve met so many people on them discovering too late that being inexpensive alone is not a good reason for doing them, as they’d been caught out or fallen into some traps. The same ones I see repeatedly. 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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I Test Norwegian's Latest Ships To See Why Cruisers So Unhappy (Podcast #478)
Tips For Travellers
I met so many regular Norwegian cruisers on my Norwegian Viva cruise that disliked this new Prima class of Norwegian Cruise Line ships that I started wondering if Norwegian had actually gone out of their way to create a new type of ship they knew current cruisers wouldn’t like! Perhaps to attract different cruisers, perhaps cruisers like me. I’m not a regular Norwegian cruiser, largely because I’ve not been a fan of the Norwegian ships I’ve been on, but this ship did some things so differently it made me rethink my position, as you will hear. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and...
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I Put The Newest First Class "Ship-Within-A-Ship" To The Test (Podcast #477)
Tips For Travellers
Just before my much anticipated and costly $1,800 a night cruise in Norwegian Viva’s all-suite Haven, “Cruise with Ben and David”, one of the leading YouTube cruise channels, released a critical review raising many issues and complaints about it. So many that friends of mine suggested I cancel, as they knew that it was THE most expensive Mediterranean cruise I had ever booked. As it was so costly, I was really torn but in the end I decided to risk it hoping that as they'd been on the maiden voyage, things might have improved. This is what I discovered. Become a Tips For Travellers...
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4 Things You Should NEVER Buy From Your Cruise Line! (Podcast #476)
Tips For Travellers
While Cruise lines make it easy and convenient to book and buy most things for a cruise directly with them, have you stopped to ask if it’s in your best interest? I have! Cruise lines are banking on us not shopping around and discovering that some non-cruise line alternatives not only cost less, but are better, safer, and more comprehensive. Including as you will hear, one that I think will totally surprise you. Join me, Gary Bembridge, as I help you get cruising right by knowing the 4 things you should stop buying through the cruise lines and why. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and...
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Offbeat Cruise Tips ALL Seasoned Cruisers Swear By! (Podcast #475)
Tips For Travellers
I reveal 5 tips, tricks and hacks that experienced and smart cruise passengers that I have met on recent cruises agree are ones that savvy cruisers all use and know about – but not everyone does to knows about! Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube:
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