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disappointed how many passengers I met on there are still following cruise tips that frankly I know are overrated and out-of-date.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...
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Most Alaska Cruises Don't Go To Plan. Here's Why! (Podcast #532)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
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...
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The Dark Side of Living on Cruise Ships: By Those Who’ve Done it! (Podcast #531)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
For many people, the idea of living part, or full-time, on cruise ships sounds like a dream-like paradise. But having spent time closely following several people that have recently tried it, I saw the harsh reality is that dream comes with some darker aspects, nightmare challenges and unexpected problems. Things I think you need to know about. In another video ( ), I looked at the options and what it REALLY costs to live on cruise ships today but in this, I pull back the curtains on the downsides. Channels mentioned in the video: • 30 & A Wake Up: • Poverty to Paradise: ...
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5 Things Smart Cruisers ALWAYS Do (And 1 They Argue About)! (Podcast #530)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
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:
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Who REALLY Owns Your Favourite Cruise Lines? You’ll Be Surprised. Guaranteed! (Podcast #529)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
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...
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Living On A Cruise Ship: Here's What It REALLY Takes & Costs! (Podcast #528)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
After closely following several people living cruise ships for some time and analysing the different options and ways they do it, I discovered many remarkable things like not only how they make it work, and importantly what it really costs, but I also the uncovered there is an unexpected dark side of living on cruise ships that you need to know about Channels mentioned in the video: • 30 & A Wake Up: • Poverty to Paradise: • Grounded Life Cruises: • Fraser At Sea: Links mentioned: * Need To Know Before Playing Cruise Ship Casino: * How To Gamble...
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Make Your Antarctica Dream Come True On A Budget! (Podcast #527)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
While the cheapest way to go to Antarctica is on a regular cruise line and ship sailing past the Antarctic Peninsula as part of a South America itinerary, there is a huge catch making it less fulfilling as you do not get to land or do zodiac rides to get close to wildlife. For a true Antarctic experience, an expedition cruise is the way to go. However, as the cost of these cruises is prohibitive to most, I asked my friend, Martin Johnson who runs Polar Routes (a dedicated Antarctic and Arctic travel agency), to help me identify the most budget-friendly ways to get there. And in this I share...
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I Paid A Fortune to Cruise On “New” Crystal Cruises. Was It Worth It? (Podcast #526)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I have been intrigued as recent reviews of Crystal Cruises have been very positive, including it having the highest passenger ratings on Cruise Critic in the ultra-luxury category, better than Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn. So, I decided to test Crystal Cruises out to see if they really are the best of the ultra-luxury lines. This is what I discovered. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube:
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Hong Kong.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio.
This show covers among other topics:
Observations
- Dense with multitudes of skyscrapers and people. More people live and work above 15th floor than anywhere else in the world and has most residential blocks about 40 stories high and constant development.
- Very pretty harbour - Victoria harbour - one of deepest natural harbours in the world - Hong Kong means "fragrant harbour".
- Population of 7 million.
- 262 islands - Hong Kong island, Lantau Island (Airport and Disneyland ), Kowloon peninsula and Northern Territories.
- Transforms at night - skyscrapers have light effects - 8pm light show (biggest and longest running permanent show) on Hong Kong island and at 9pm on ICC (International Commerce Building) in Kowloon.
- English widely spoken as one off 2 official languages.
- Very connected city lots of free wifi around
History
British colony until 1997
Getting There
Very busy airport built on reclaimed land on Lantau Island.
Cruise - Kai Tak Terminal designed on site of old airport runway in Kowloon.
Best time to go
Hot and humid most of year
Coldest in Jan
Hottest July
Getting around
Coveted walkways and open air mid -evels escalator - worlds largest outdoor covered escalator.
Trams - kept despite modern metro system following pretty much same routes.
Busses - 5 companies run 700 routes.
BigBus Hop-on Hop-Off bus tours
General Tips
Use UK style 3-pin plugs
Good App - "Discover Hong Kong" developed by HK tourism board and Cathay Pacific Airline. Works off line and has series of suggested walks.
Must-do activities
Victoria Peak
Tram launched in 1888- 8 minutes ride to the stop with stunning views across city, also has Madame Tussards and shopping.
Star Ferry
Iconic service since 1870s - taking people 7 minutes from Hong Kong to Kowloon Ocean terminal.
Harbour Tour
Many options from Star Ferry, Sailing Junks and motorised junk boat trips.
See Hong Kong at night
Night bus tour
Light show- "Symphony of lights" - 45 skyscrapers on both sides of harbour
Walk the streets on Hong Kong side in Wan Chai and Kowloon along Nathan street
Shopping
Good prices as do no sales tax and is a Duty free port
Stanley market
Central district- high end shops
Hollywood road - antiques and art
SoHo - galleries
Ladies Market
Temple Street Night Market
Aberdeen
Fishing village and Luxury marina
Afternoon tea at Peninsula Hotel
Flagstaff house museum of Teaware - in oldest surviving colonial building -
Beaches
Repulse Bay
Theme Parks
Disneyland
Ocean Park -see Cunard notes
Museums
Can get good value 7-day museum pass
HK museum of art
the space museum
HK science museum
HK museum of history
Further afield
Macau - high speed ferry or bus