Tips For Travellers
On my last cruise, a Windstar Fjords cruise, I posted clips on Instagram of the best attended event of my entire cruise. It immediately ignited a fiery, lively, and divided debate about if the event was a good idea or not. It got me thinking about other things that I talk about on social media or in my videos, that spark heated debates and where cruisers fall into “for” or “against” camps, with few on the fence. So, let's find out where you stand on these right now as I suspect that, like me, your stand is shifting as we face a new world of cruising. Become a Tips For Travellers...
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After loving recent cruises on 600 and 700 passenger ships, like Oceania Insignia, Azamara Quest and Seabourn Encore, I wanted to see if going ever smaller was even better, so I booked myself on an 11-night Windstar Star Pride “Lands of the Midnight Suns”. Now this ship only holds 312 passengers, and they claim to be the market leading small ship line and have both these yacht style engine-driven ships that I went on, but they also have sailing vessels as well. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For...
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It took me 26 hours, three flights, and a time change of 12 hours to get to my French Polynesian cruise in one of the remotest parts of the world. It was brutal, and so how did it go once there – and do I recommend putting yourself though all that? I explore all of this in this video 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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I am often asked about river cruising and find many people do not fully understand what it is and is not, and this are the 6 things that I have come to appreciate about river cruising around the world that people need to know before they consider one 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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I test out cruising in Yacht Club, a limited access “ship-within-a-ship” on MSC Cruises, to see if it really is better than cruising as a “regular” passenger and if it is worth paying the premium for the experience and the perks. For bonus & exclusive content (including videos, articles, eBooks and more) become a Patreon Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers
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There are so many rumours, beliefs, stories, and misconceptions about MSC Cruises with many drawn by their great fares but worried about the reports about the ships, food, service and entertainment. I cruised with them to uncover the latest 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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I expose and looks at common scams that I have seen cruisers, including my friends and even myself, fall for when in a port on their cruise so you can avoid falling for these... 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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Seven out of ten travellers told me they really want to do a Nile River cruise. But almost all said they were unlikely to do it, because they had too many questions and concerns. Having done one, I have discovered the answers to those questions, and a few they should be asking but aren’t. 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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I reveal the best and very worst things I experienced on my AmaWaterways Nile River Cruise and time in Cairo, and answer if all things considered is it worth taking this trip. It's complicated 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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I look at scams playing on cruise lovers eagerness to cruise right now, like my friend Helen, who almost fell for one of the four scams very active now catching cruise passengers while at home thinking or planning a cruise. This is the first of a two-part series about scams targeting cruise passengers right now, the other looks at scams in cruise ports 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 TipsForTravellers.com shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Singapore.
This show covers among other topics:
General Observations
- Country and city in one - there are actually 63 islands but one main one which has been constantly expanded through land reclaimation.
- One of wealthiest countries in the world and one of most expensive to live in.
- Singapore means "lion city" - also known as "Garden City of Asi"
- Many see it as too sterile and lacking warmth - been many times and I like the efficiency, cleanliness and order and mixture of cultures.
- Strict and regimented state - authoritarian democracy - bit of "nanny state" with lots of rules and fines.
- Although trying to promote arts and culture constant struggle against state censorship with strict rules on anything seen as pornographic, promoting homosexuality etc.
- Economy very export and services focused - one of worlds busiest harbours - lots of head offices for Asia region based here.
- About 4,5 population - 75% Chinese - multi cultural though - lots expats - Buddhist is main religion.
- For visitors is easy as English spoken all over and very well
History
1819 Sir Thomas Raffles wanted to protect British trade routes for British East India company in Asia and landed in singapore to establish a base as was along the shortest route between India and China. Free port was established and he encouraged migrants to come and settle and boomed from there- he is very fondly regarded even despite some policies like Raffles plan which segregated ethnic groups. 1963 joined union with Malay States but did not work as rest were suspicious about the Chinese so broke away 2 years later to become independent state.
Best time to go
High humidity all year round - but pretty constant weather too. Rains most of the year but usually in short bursts.
Great to visit when big events like Singapore F1, Fashion Week and Big Singapore Sale are on.
Getting there
Changi airport is a major hub - only about 25-30 minutes into centre
Cruise ship - big modern cruise terminal in Marina bay development opened in 2013 - public transport accessible
Getting around
- Good transport and not too bad traffic as strong disincentives to private ownership of cars.
- Metro (mass rapid transport ) easy to use and cheap - also the stops usually named by the tourist feature there so Chinatown is at Chinatown MR.
- Taxis use meters and inexpensive - lots of them.
- Trishaws - expensive but good for sight seeing.
- Pedestrian friendly with lots if walkways over roads.
- Hop-on Hop-off bus has many options and routes and brands - very frequent - CitySightseeing has 3 routes with a cross-over station for all routes at Suntec mall.
- Duck Tour also available - leave from singapore flier
General tips
- Know and watch out for the rules and fines - compliance is important.
- Drug laws very draconian and mandatory death sentence
- Tipping not expected or encouraged ! Though never had anyone turn it down.
- Pick up the brochures at the airport arrivals or tourist information centre - excellent ones focused by topics like Chinatown and little India , shopping, river walks
Tips on must-do things to see and do
- Chinatown
- Little India
- Kampon Glam Area
- Raffles Hotel
- Merlion Fountain and Marina Bay Hotel / Development
- Botanical Gardens
- Singapore Zoo and Night and River Safari
- Singapore Flyer
- Shopping
- Sentosa Island