Tips For Travellers
There are 6 “secret weapons” (hacks and tricks) I saw smart cruisers use before cruise that since I used have improved my cruises, and saved me money too. I thought it was time to share these so you can also try them out and see of they make a big difference too. 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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Realising it costs the same to cruise in a suite on most “regular” cruise lines (like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and so on) as it does to cruise on an ultra-luxury line (like Regent, Seabourn & Silversea), I look at which is better and why. And when you should stick on a "mainstream" line rather than go on an "ultra-luxury" cruise line. 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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On ultra-luxury cruise lines I have been on I came across and experienced things that I really did not think I would when paying so much money. Here is what they were and why.... Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:
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When I found out by chance a well-known cruise ship I was on had a murky past I went out to find out what other popular cruise ships have I been on, or plan to go on, also have crazy, mysterious or shocking hidden pasts.
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A Disney cruise can cost two- or three-times more than resort family lines, like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or Norwegian Cruise Lines, and often 40% more than other premium lines, like Celebrity, which Disney is more like. Is it worth it.....?? Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:
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I splashed out on a cruise on the “world’s most luxurious line” (Regent Seven Seas) to test if it meets all the hype their fans say about them. This is how it went, where I thought my high fare was (and wasn't going) Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:
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After watching Caribbean cruise passengers getting hoodwinked in a port side market as I had been a year previously, it got me thinking about 5 of the biggest mistakes Caribbean cruisers fall for all the time Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:
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I've been on 100 cruises and found that there are 11 that are so remarkable, memorable, and enjoyable that I suggest you beg, steal, borrow or more sensibly (like me) scrimp and save to do as many of these as you can! Spoiler: 2 of the most popular are not in the best list! Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:
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Now more than ever cruise lines are looking how to get more money from cruise passengers than ever before. I look at 10 things they are doing to extract more cash from us today that I think are rip offs and what I do to reduce or avoid them so all you can too. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:
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I explore what has got better, worse and stayed the same since my first cruise in 2004 and the 100th cruise that I recently did. Looking back some of the changes surprised even me who lived through them! This is one of a series of three videos drawing on all the experience from doing 100 cruises. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Pattaya in Thailand.
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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