I Test Seabourn Expedition Cruising To See Why Cruisers Are So Unhappy (Podcast #508)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Looking at reviews before heading off on Seabourn Venture, one of the new expedition ships from the ultra-luxury Seabourn line, I was concerned when I saw recent reviews calling it disappointing, saying it had unappealing food, the entertainment was abysmal, and the decor felt downscale versus other Seabourn ships. This is what I discovered when I went. 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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The Truth About Cruise Cabins: What Every Cruiser Should Know (Podcast #506)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I look at 5 things that no-one, including cruise lines don't like to talk about, when it comes to cruise ship cabins - and why and how it is affecting the way passengers like you cruise and ingenious ways that the choices cruise lines are making on cabins means people are paying more to go cruising. 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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What Smart Cruisers Do To Guarantee Adult-Only Cruising (Podcast #505)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
It is a great time to be cruising if you are a family with kids. But if you’re looking for kid-free cruising it is getting harder than I have ever known it to be. In this video I talk about guaranteed adult-only cruise lines and ships, how to minimise your chance of having kids on a cruise on non-adult only lines, and if you're on a cruise line with lots of kids, what can you do if you want a more adult-only experience. 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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River Cruise Lines Everyone Is Raving About RIGHT NOW (And Why) (Podcast 504)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I decided to see how today’s travellers spending their own hard-earned money river cruising in Europe are rating the lines on review sites. I quickly discovered the rankings were not as I expected them to be and were different to those of the magazines and sites. So, I let you in on the top 8 traveller best rated river cruise lines right now, 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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Don’t Break These 6 Rules Or You’ll Drive Other Cruisers Crazy (Podcast #503)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Reports of an incident of passengers breaking cruise rules with costly consequences, got me thinking about what cruise rules I see being broken often. It struck me that some rule breaking bothered me and some did not, for while they might have nasty consequences for those involved many do not directly affect my cruising experience. I wondered if everyone felt the same. So, I did a poll of cruisers and discovered there’s 6 key rules that when broken drive cruisers crazy more than any others, and in this video I reveal what they are and why they drive other cruise passengers crazy. Become a...
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Too Many Cruisers Are Making These 4 Costly Mistakes Right Now (Podcast #502)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I am frequently contacted by stressed cruise passengers at the end of their tether, seeking my help on how to get out of a costly blunder they've made. In recent weeks, several cruisers have been in touch about the same four issues that seem to keep catching people out these days. I thought I needed to warn cruisers about them. As well as telling you about them, I will suggest how to solve them if you have, or do, find yourself caught up by one. Links mentioned in the video: VentureAshore cruise port excursions: ShoreExcursionsGroup port excursions: Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: ...
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These 17 Ports Are About To Ruin Your Cruise Plans (Podcast #501)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
It feels to me like the world is getting smaller for cruise passengers. I keep seeing reports of yet another port banning, reducing how many ships or the size of ships that can call there. And even in ports without cruise restrictions, more locals seem to be protesting about cruise passengers being there once we get off the ship. As the news of these developments tends to be sporadic and not many are aware of the total picture, I decided to pull together what's happening so you can consider these when planning your upcoming and future cruises. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get...
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Here's What It's REALLY Like On A Viking Ocean Cruise These Days (podcast #500)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
When I told friends, family, and followers online that I was headed off on a Viking Ocean cruise to Alaska, I was struck by how much misunderstanding and myths they all had about what it's really like to go on a Viking Ocean cruise. Because it had been a while since I'd last been on a Viking Ocean cruise, I also had many questions on what it was like these days and how and what had changed or was different. This is what I discovered it is like going on a Viking Ocean Cruise today. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my...
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Cruise Buffet Dining: What SMART Cruisers Do (And DON'T Do!) (Podcast #499)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
On my last cruise, Cunard Queen Anne, I never ate in the buffet restaurant, on a recent Holland America cruise I ate lunch in there every day and on my Royal Caribbean Symphony of Seas cruise I ate most meals there. Why? It’s because I have a set of cruise buffet rules that I've developed over time that determine when I eat in the buffet, how I use it if I do, and what I will and won’t eat in there. After talking to other regular cruisers, I found they also follow a similar approach that I want to share with you. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content,...
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I Put Cunard's New First Class "Ship-Within-Ship" To The Test (Podcast #498)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
While there's been many reviews about cruising on Cunard's new Queen Anne, there's not been much about what it's like to travel in their costly first-class Grills “ship-within-a-ship” on it. I spent 14 nights testing that out and having also been in it on every ship in their fleet too, I think I’m well positioned to report back on what they’ve changed, got right and frankly not got right at all. Video link mentioned in the video Visit Us Video again Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio
This show covers among other topics:
Observations
- Fascinating and revealing city to visit especially for history lovers
- Easy to see why it has been called "Pearl or Paris of the East" with broad avenues and remarkable buildings from their French ruled.
- People know of it for wrong reasons linked to Vietnam War.
History
French occupied and colonised in 1859 for about 100 years. Vietnamese struggle for independence started after WWII and led to battles with French ending in country being spilt into 2 at 17th Parralell in Geneva Accord in 1960s. With communist controlled north supported by Russia led by Ho Chi Minh and more western leaning south increasingly supported by USA by NGO Dinh Dien.
USA decided to see Vietnam as key to stopping spread of communism and entered war between North and South as North wanted to unite under their rule. Very violent and bloody war lasting two decades. USA pulled out support in 1973 but war carried on until North overan South culminating in tanks smashing through gates of presidential complex on 30 April 1975 and South unconditionally surrendering.
Vietnam is communist country with 1 party state. World's 2nd largest exporter of rice and coffee with high tech industry growing fast.
Safe country but has reputation of being corrupt.
Ho Chi Minh City is the biggest city in Vietnam but Hanoi in the North is the capital.
Vietnam has massive population close to 90 million (one of top 10 in world) - at least 9 million live in the city.
Getting there
Visa needed.
Large international airport eith new one being built opening in 2025
Rail terminal to many areas
Cruise - large ships dock at Phu My and smaller go right into Port Saigon
Best time to go
Tropical climate and gets very hot
Rainy May to Nov and Dry Dec to April (best time to go).
Getting Around
Millions of motorcycles - about 340000 cars and 3,5 million bikes
Developing a light rapid transit system
Taxis - lots
General Tips
- Most of the tourist sights within walking distance in District 1, helpful as no Hop-on Hop-off bus.
- Vietnamese Dong - $1 about 20,000 - most people refer to prices in dong without the 000s - many will take US$ including some attractions.
- Wi-fi in most cafés and restaurants - usually need password but they will provide.
- Most attractions close between 1130 and 1300
Things to do
Reunification Hall
Previously called Independence Hall
Former South Vietnam President's complex of working and living
War Remnants Museum
Used to be called Museum of American War Crimes - opened in September 1975
Aim is researching and collecting evidence of war crimes and attributes.
Norte Dame Cathedral
Built with materials all from France in 1800s
Municipal Theatre / Opera House
City Hall with Ho Chi Minh Statute
Museum of Vietnamese History and Botanical Gardens
Ho Chi Minh Museum
Designed as museum but used as Governors Palace and then French High Commissioner Residence and office and later Supreme Court.
Bitexco Tower and Saigon Skyview
Shopping
- Malls - many including Thuong Xa Tax
- High end stores near City Hall
- Ben Thanh Market
Further Afield
- Dai Nam Tourist Park
- Chi Chi Tunnels
- Cochi Tunnel Complex