Cruise Lines Make Solos Pay Double. I’ve Found 7 Ways Around It! (Podcast #587)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Cruising solo can be frustratingly expensive, with fares sometimes the same as what two people would pay for the same cabin. But I’ve found that some of the most commonly recommended ways to save money as a solo cruiser are not always the best ones. In this video, I share seven tactics I use to find better-value solo cruise fares and avoid paying more than I need to. I also look at ways to spot deals, where I search for them, and some less obvious approaches that experienced solo cruisers use to bring the cost down. If you cruise solo, or are thinking about trying it, these are the...
info_outline
These 4 New Cruise Scams Are Frighteningly Convincing! (Podcast #586)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Cruise scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and some are now targeting experienced cruisers using information that can make the approach seem remarkably genuine. In this video, I look at some of the cruise scams I’m seeing and hearing about most often right now, and I also explain how scammers can sometimes know an alarming amount about your upcoming cruise — including your ship, sailing date, itinerary and travel plans — and the surprisingly simple ways they are getting that information. I also share the warning signs I look for and the steps I take to check whether a message,...
info_outline
Celebrity Cruise Mistakes No-One Realises They're Making (Until It’s Too Late!) (Podcast #585)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Celebrity Cruises promises “modern luxury” and says “nothing comes close”, but I see cruisers boarding Celebrity with expectations that can lead to disappointment. Having recently sailed Celebrity again, I’ve identified six mistakes cruisers make when choosing, booking and sailing with Celebrity Cruises — including some that even experienced Celebrity guests can get caught out by. In this video, I look at why understanding exactly what kind of cruise line Celebrity really is matters, how dramatically your onboard experience can change depending on the cabin and ship you choose, and...
info_outline
The Truth About a Queen Mary 2 Crossing: What They Don't Tell You (Podcast #584)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
A Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing is unlike almost any other voyage — and many first-time passengers arrive with completely the wrong expectations. After crossing the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 six times, I reveal the surprises, misunderstandings and easily avoided mistakes that can dramatically affect your experience. From choosing the wrong cabin and underestimating the North Atlantic to unexpected costs, daily life onboard and what really happens when you reach New York, this is what I wish every first-timer knew before boarding. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive...
info_outline
Celebrity Cruises Is Changing And Not Everyone Will Like It. Here’s Why (Podcast #583)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Celebrity Cruises has changed — and depending on the kind of cruiser you are, you may think those changes are exciting or feel the Celebrity you once knew is disappearing. In this video, I look at how Celebrity Cruises has evolved from the more traditional premium cruise experience I first knew into something rather different. I explore who Celebrity appears to be trying to attract today, how the newer Edge Class ships have helped reshape the brand, and why cruising on different Celebrity ships can now feel surprisingly different. I also look at the growing differences between the experience...
info_outline
I Found Out How Cruise Lines REALLY Pick Cabin Upgrade Winners (podcast #582)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
If you've ever been invited to bid for a cruise cabin upgrade, you probably assumed (like me) that the highest bid wins. But, that's not how it works at all. After losing an upgrade to another passenger who had bid less than I did, I decided to investigate what was really going on behind cruise line upgrade bidding. What I found completely changed how I approach the process. In this video, I reveal what I discovered. Starting with something staring me in the face but had not spotted that that unites every cruise line when it comes to cruise cabin upgrade bidding. This video will help you...
info_outline
7 Cruises You Should Avoid. No Matter How Tempting They Look! (Podcast #581)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Some cruises look perfect on paper. The ship, the itinerary, the price, the promise. But after more than 130 cruises, I’ve learned there are some cruises I would never book again — or would only book under very specific conditions. In this video, I reveal the seven types of cruises I now avoid, and why. All but one of these I’ve tried myself and found they simply did not suit the way I like to cruise. The other comes with risks, traps, or compromises that many passengers do not realise until it is too late. But this is not just about saying “never book these.” For each one, I also...
info_outline
Cunard Is NOT What Most Cruisers Think It Is. Here's Why (Podcast #580)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Cunard is one of cruising’s most famous names—but much of what people believe about it is outdated, exaggerated, or simply wrong. After 270 nights aboard Cunard ships, I reveal six persistent misconceptions about its luxury credentials, passengers, dress codes, class system and very different ships. I also explore the recent changes that could reshape the Cunard experience—and why some loyal passengers may not like what comes next. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: ...
info_outline
I’ve Done Panama Canal 6 Times. Here’s What NO-ONE Is Telling You! (Podcast #578)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I’ve transited the Panama Canal six times, and I am still completely obsessed with it. In this video, I take you with me on a full Panama Canal transit from the Pacific side across to the Caribbean / Atlantic side, showing what really happens across the day — the thrilling parts, the surprising parts, and the hot, sweaty, wearisome parts that many cruisers do not expect. I explain how the Panama Canal works, what happens inside the Locks, and how the newer 2016 locks changed the way ships transit the canal. Along the way, I show the reality of a full transit: the very early start, the long...
info_outline
5 Unexpected Ways Sailing Ship Cruises Are Different To "Regular" Ones! (Podcast #579)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
After 100+ regular ocean cruises, I finally tried a sailing ship cruise — and almost everything I assumed going in turned out to be wrong.I sailed with Windstar on their 342-passenger flagship Wind Surf, an 8-night Venice to Rome itinerary on a five-mast sailing ship. In this video I cover what I discovered including: * How similar (and different) the onboard experience actually is to a regular cruise ship * The truth about sailing with sails * Cabin trade-offs and issues * Itinerary upsides, downsides, and risks * Whether the premium price is worth it * and who this type of cruise is really...
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Pattaya in Thailand.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio
This show covers among other topics:
Observations
- Best known as inexpensive Thailand holiday resort especially popular on package holidays, day trip from Bangkok and cruise line passengers docking at Laem Chabang nearby.
- Also known for late nights of partying, drink and sex. Also renown for large lady boy population and shows
History
Was a small remote fishing village until the Vietnam war when in 1959 a boat load of US soldiers taken there for some R&R and had great time and more and more came .
Getting around
- Simple layout with main road called Pattaya Road along beachfront and parallel road called Pattaya Second Road with small roads and lanes connecting - jammed full of hotels, bars , shops.
- Bart open sided taxi/ bus which you hail and take you to want to go.
- Taxis plentiful but watch out as don't switch on meters so ensure agree a price.
- Motorbike hire
Things to do
Beach
Three main sections along the beach front
Nakula Bay - more family orientated (north).
Central - busiest and most popular swimming area.
South near Walking Street (bars and focus of night life)
Swimming areas marked by plastic barriers - densely packed deck chairs and umbrella sections next to them
Water sports - paragliding - jet ski - banana boats
Constant flow of vendors
Pattaya Floating market
Various sections reflecting different regions of Thailand - 114 shops and lots of vendors - can hire boats to go from section to section
Sanctuary of Truth
Huge wooden Castle / Temple covered with carved sculptures depicting heaven and earth - 344 feet high covers area of 21,520 square feet
Nong Nuch tropical gardens
600 acre landscaped park - biggest botanical park in SE Asia - tropical plants (orchids, palms , cycads , cacti , bonsai), various cultural shows (folk dances from regions of Thailand ) and also an elephant performance show
Pairaj Elephant Village
Retirement village for working elephants
Sea Turtle Conservation Centre
Lady Boy shows
Other attractions
Teddy Bear museum
Museum of Bottle Art
Ripley's believe it or not
Underwater World Aquarium
Shopping
Lots of cheap souvenirs
Lots of fakes so watch out
Central Festival Shopping Mall