Cunard: 8 Things You Didn’t Know You Needed To Know! (Podcast)
Tips For Travellers
I discuss the things about Cunard Cruise Line that I kept finding people misunderstand, or do not realise about the cruise line. There are many cruising myths about Cunard among cruise passengers that I discuss, dispel, or explain why they may be only partly right. Cunard is not what most people think it is. I discuss topics including why despite being a very British line they use the US dollar and not the British Pound. Find out why and 7 other things you didn't know you needed to know. Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
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8 Unwritten Cruise Ship Rules You Must NEVER break! (Podcast)
Tips For Travellers
I look at some unwritten, and unspoken, rules that cruise passengers need to know as they are what makes a cruise run smoothly and make it more enjoyable. Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
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9 Scarce Cabins Those In The Know Always Grab First (Podcast)
Tips For Travellers
I look at 9 highly-sought after, and rare, cruise cabins that everyone wants for their cruising vacations because they have something unique, rare, or have added quirks or perks that make them more attractive than the others. So, which ones you should be quick off the mark to bag? Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
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7 Things That Trip Up Norway Fjords Cruisers Every Time! (Podcast)
Tips For Travellers
I take a look at the 7 things I find on every Norwegian Fjords cruise I've been on that keeps surprising, shocking or throwing Norwegian Fjord cruise passengers. Here is what anyone thinking of going on a Norway Fjords cruising vacation really needs to know Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
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13 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Going On My Disney Cruise (Podcast)
Tips For Travellers
I learnt a lot going on my first Disney Cruise Line cruise. And that many of the cruising tips that apply to other cruise lines do not apply, or work, going on a Disney cruising vacation. These are the 13 things that I found cruisers on a Disney Cruise Line need to know as it will make their cruise better – and ensure they do not miss out on Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
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I See If Disney Cruises Is Great For Adult Cruisers (Podcast)
Tips For Travellers
I booked myself onto Disney Cruise Line as an adult without kids to put it to the test to see if it really is the top-notch premium cruising vacation and option for travellers like this as most fans of the line say it is. Discover if I had a Disney dream or Disney nightmare at sea..... Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
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Cruise Lines You Should Stay Far, Far Away From
Tips For Travellers
This video delivers on a promise I made in a past podcast about lines that I recommended to make a video of cruise lines avoid and think other cruisers should too. Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers
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I Look At What Celebrity Cruises Is REALLY Up To (Podcast)
Tips For Travellers
I look at how Celebrity Cruises is fast changing as a cruise line and the challenges that creates for both existing and new cruisers considering a Celebrity Cruising vacation. Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers
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7 JAW-DROPPING Things ONLY Select Few Get To See On Cruise Ships
Tips For Travellers
I show you 7 jaw-dropping things on a cruise ship that most cruisers will never get to see, but I have managed to by hook or crook. And I am NOT talking about things like rollercoasters, go-kart tracks that thousands get to see every week. Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
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Small Ship Cruise Line Cruising Wasn’t What I Expected. Here's Why
Tips For Travellers
I look at the reality of cruising on smaller ship lines versus the many misconceptions and things I was warned about by other cruisers about them. I discuss what I found to be the at the 5 upsides and the 5 downsides of small ship cruise line cruising Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks:
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Shanghai in China.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio
This show covers among other topics:
Observations
- Dramatic changes over years I have been visiting.
- Modern without defining a distinctive Chinese feel while stunning lit up at night.
- Always been the most cosmopolitan city in China
- Massive city over 20 million people.
- Shanghai means up from the sea - massive port - busiest in world - but has some limitations.
- Pollution and smog - big issue - asthma and breathing issues
History
- Started as a fishing village developed into centre of textile industry and major trading port developed from there. Chinese government made it free port (no taxes, not subject to Chinese laws) after the First Opium War and boomed with British then French and American concessions.
- Rich and decadent especially in 1930s - "Paris of the East" - Japanese occupied for time in WWII - after war hand back to Chinese and after Communist entered city in 1949 and became more closed.
- Now one of the four cities in china that are directly managed by Central Government
Getting there
- Need a visa before go - plan well in advance - can be costly to process - consider using a visa agency.
- Watch what packing and bringing in as conservative and strict
- Two main airports - Pudong and Hongqiao
- Cruises port - modern Wusongkou International Terminal - 45 to 90 minutes to Peoples Square / Bund
Getting around
- Maglev Train from Pudong airport to Pudong Longyanglu station (20km in 7 minutes)
- Busses - complex
- Taxis - colour coded by company - avoid red ones as independent and not metered - always have where going written in Chinese
- Metro - modern and easy to navigate as also have English names - ticket machines coins.
- Car hire not recommended even though signs have English
General Tips
- English often understood in tourist places.
- Safe but can be hassled a lot by vendors.
- Many attractions close at 4 or 4:30pm.
- Good tourist maps and leaflets in hotels and information centre
Must Do:
Pudong
Oriental Pearl TV Tower-
Shanghai World Finance Centre - 100th floor observation tower - including glass floor looking down 100 floors
Jin Mao Tower - Grand Hyatt Hotel (tallest hotel lobby in world 56th floor) - observation floor on 88th - only 45 seconds to get to top
Shanghai tower - 632 m high opposite opened in 2014
The Bund and huge Huangpu Park
Grand old buildings known as the World Architectural Gallery.
People's Square
Shangai Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art
Shanghai Art Museum
Shanghai Grand Theatre
New Town Hall
Urban Planning Museum - past and future Shanghai
Yuyuan Gardens and Bazaar
In the old town, built in the Mid 16th C and took 18 years it build
Bazaar aroudn it has many stores and it is fu
Jade Buddha Temple
Shopping
Counterfeit markets largely closed down and driven under ground now
Nanjing Road
Yuyuan Bazaar
Night River Cruise
Shanghai Acrobatic Show