Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I'm constantly asked if I think that cruise lines are worse now than they used to be. After analysing how cruisers are rating them right now, the answer seems to be mostly yes. I've poured over the online reviews and ratings of 25 of the biggest cruise lines aimed at English-speaking cruisers over the last nine months. A staggering 20 of them are being rated lower than ever before, with just two being rated higher. Welcome aboard, I am Gary Bembridge and to make my findings as helpful as possible for you, I'm going reveal the current best and worst rated lines right now in each of the 5...
info_outline River Cruise Lines To Steer Clear Of These Days. And Why! (Podcast #507)Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
As I don’t want to waste my precious time and money on a European river cruise line that isn’t on top of their game, I've been diving into the latest cruise reviews and ratings, to see what lines are doing well and, maybe more importantly, what lines we might need to approach with more caution. There are 5 lines you should be wary of and they include some of the best-known names on the rivers of Europe. I was surprised about the first of the lines on the lower-scoring list as I had expected them to be rated better. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only...
info_outline Too Few Cruisers Know About These 9 FREE Afternoon Teas At Sea (Podcast #509)Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
As a HUGE fan of them, and because I see only a small percentage of passengers going to many of them, and as I think too many are missing out on one of the best culinary experiences on a cruise, I’m going to let you in on my list of the best included afternoon teas at sea, so you too know where you can indulge in this fantastic experience. “Cruise Calories Don’t Count” T-shirt you can buy it from my merchandise store in a range of colours: Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: ...
info_outline 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:
info_outline 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:
info_outline 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:
info_outline 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:
info_outline 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...
info_outline 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: ...
info_outline 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...
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio
This show covers among other topics:
General Observations
- Capital and largest city of Malaysia - called just KL by locals.
- Petronas Towers is the icon and focal point making it memorable.
- Not a lot of attractions and must see - ones that are are spread over wide area.
- Big events like Formula 1 has been key to driving tourism.
- Modern and fast changing.
- Often Hazy due to pollution locally but also from effects of forest fires in Indonesia known as Sumatra haze lasting 1 to 2 weeks a time.
- 3 main ethic groups : Malays , Chinese and Indians - religiously diverse but most of population is Islamic (official religion ) but not strict Islamic country.
History
Founded in 1857 when Chinese prospectors sent to find tin in the area - only 17 of the 87 survived past a month due to malaria and other tropical diseases - but lure of tin attracted people. British took control and placed strong minded and visionary Chinese governor (Kaptain Yap Ah Loy) who ensured development. Occupied by Japanese in WWII with many Chinese tortured / executed and Indians sent to work on Burma railway building (death railroad). Post the war British ruled until independence in 1957.
Best time to go
Pretty much anytime as always constant between 20 and 30C - no rainy season as such but gets lots of rain and flooding.
Getting there
Good come connections by air and cruise ships dock in Port Kelang at Star Cruise terminal about 1,5 hour drive to KL
Getting around
- Traffic is terrible and very congested - not very predestination friendly either.
- Taxis (called "teksi") - make sure they use the meters.
- Rapid transit system (LRT - light rapid transit) is modern, cheap and pretty easy to work out - information in English.
- Hop-on Hop-off bus tour - takes about 3 hours to get around - more than 22 stops - mixed views on it - go to all main areas.
General tips
- Mandatory death sentence for drug dealing or possession.
- Conservative dress.
- Good English as is required in schools.
- Only drink bottled water with seal - not tap water.
- Haggling in markets and in places like Chinatown is the norm.
Must do things to do and and see
Petronas Twin Tours
When opened was tallest building in world until Taipei 101 took the title away - limited tickets each day to go up (only about 1000) so book online before you go or get there very early - 41st floor sky bridge then up to 86th floor
Suria KLCC Mall below has over 600 designer stores
KLCC park behind it is park is impressive
KL Tower
Next best alternative if cannot get up Petronas though maybe better as not only see the views but also the towers - viewing from about the same height - within the Bukit Nanos forest within the city
Central Market
Been going since 1888
Can get the rapid transit there from Petronas as just a few stops on red line and about 1,80 ringgits each - very easy
Chinatown
Next to Central market - old fashioned houses, markets etc
Nearby is Sir Mahamariamman Temple - built 1873 - very ornate Hindu temple
Per Dans Botanical Garden area
Bird park, butterfly park and botanical gardens for nature lovers
Gardens has over 3000 species orchids, 5000 species of hibiscus flowers created in 1880s
Butterfly park 6000 butterflies and 1000 species with exotic plants to create right environments
Merdeka Square (aka Independence Square)
Used it be cricket ground in British colonial times - where Independence declared now
surrounded by some key buildings -
100 metre flagpole said to be tallest in world
Sultan Abdul Samad building - houses supreme and high courts
St Mary's cathedral
Royal Selanger Club
Nearby is Masjid Jamek - National Mosque built in 1965 and largest in SE Asia - impressive looking building
Little India - restaurants and shops but not as in Singapore
Shopping
Bukt Bitang area - popular shopping area - highest concentration of malls in the city - especially for computers and electronics.
Golden triangle in KLCC around towers.
Further afield
Batu caves - 9 miles north - limestone caves of varying sizes - Hindu shrine inside largest cave - over 270 steps to get to it - smaller cave has museum about Hindu mythology