European Versus Mekong River Cruises. Just How Different Are They?
Essential Cruise Tips
Just how different is a European River cruise and a Mekong River cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia? I take a look at the key similarities and differences and the things that surprised me as I had expected them to be very different but were not. A Europe river cruise and Mekong river cruise are great travel and cruising experiences and this will help you understand what to expect from both.
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7 Best Things About Cruising ?
Essential Cruise Tips
What are the best things about cruising, and why? With 77 cruises done to date, I share what I think good things, the pros and the positives are about cruising in my opinion, and why. I look at many aspects from who they cater for, where they go, what they offer and more. Do you agree with these?
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Mekong River Cruise. 4 Key Things You Really Need To Know !
Essential Cruise Tips
Discover the 4 essential things you need to know about a Mekong River cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia. I was invited by CroisiEurope to cruise on the Indochine II between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap on a classic Mekong River cruise itinerary. Along the way I discovered four things that I think anyone interested in, or considering doing, a Mekong River cruise needs to know. I explore what the river is, where it goes, best times to go, the main experiences and sights and what you can expect
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Cruise Line Excursions: 6 You Should Take And 6 To Avoid
Essential Cruise Tips
Which cruise line excursions should you take, and which not? I suggest 6 excursions that I would usually take with the cruise line, rather than with an independent tour company or self tour. I also recommend 6 that I would suggest you consider not doing with the cruise line, and how to do them yourself. The big advantage of going on a cruise line excursion is the ship will always wait for all their tours to return before leaving.
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8 Best Places In The World To Cruise To ?
Essential Cruise Tips
I explore the 8 destinations and place that, in my view, are much better to cruise to than go on a land-based vacation. Around the world some places are easier and simpler to visit and explore on a cruising vacation than trying to do it by land. Discover the 8 places, times and destinations that I believe you should consider a cruise to than the land alternative.
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Cruising And The Environment. What Are Cruise Lines Doing?
Essential Cruise Tips
Cruising and it's impact on the environment is becoming under more focus by cruise passengers, environmental groups and governments around the world. I explore the 5 things that I see and read that cruise lines are doing, and focusing on, to improve cruising impact on the environment. Some of these are about the ships, some about the ports and how passengers and ships interact with all of this. Find out what these are and what difference they should make to cruising and the environment.
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Biggest Trends In Cruising
Essential Cruise Tips
I explore the 6 biggest trends in cruising and how they could change your cruise and cruising experience. These cruise trends are things I am seeing and hearing the cruise industry talking about. These are the most important trends that I think will influence and change cruising as we know and experience it today. I look at who cruising is looking to attract on board and how the on-board offering may change, what is happening and will happen to cruise
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Best Adult Only Cruises And Cruise Lines
Essential Cruise Tips
I look at the very best adult-only cruise lines and cruises. I explore four main topics:
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7 Reasons To delay Booking a 2021 Cruise Now
Essential Cruise Tips
Many travellers, including me, are looking forward to getting back to cruising when it is safe to do so. Lots are looking at 2021 as the key time to return to cruising and looking at booking 2021 cruises now, so they have something to look forward to. However, as I looked at and thought about booking a cruise in 2021, I had at least 7 reasons to pause and delay booking a cruise in 2021 right at this moment. In this I explore those watch-outs and things to consider before you book 2021 cruises.
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Norwegian Cruise LIne Fare Watch-Outs
Essential Cruise Tips
I explore a key watch-out if you are planning a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line: what is and (more importantly) is not going to be included in your cruise fare. Armed with this knowledge you can budget and plan for your Norwegian Cruise Line cruising vacation knowing you can take part and enjoy the things you want to. There is a huge amount of choice on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, especially the larger ones. many of the features you may see advertised may involve extras costs to enjoy,
info_outlineGary Bembridge author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" provides another 60-Second Cruise Tip. For more visit 60SecondCruiseTips.com and subscribe free to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio and TuneIn Radio
Cruise Ports Not Guaranteed
When you book a cruise the ports of call are a planned itinerary, not a guaranteed one. You need to understand that you may never get to some of them, so never make absolute must-do arrangements in any destination based on a cruise you book. So, for example, do not plan and book your dream wedding in one of the port you are due to visit. You may never make it there.
In the cruise contract or terms, you are agreeing that the line can make changes to the ports at their discretion. While changes are unusual they can occur for any of the following reasons:
Weather preventing the ship docking. This has happened to me fairly often, with the ship either spending a day at sea or diverting to another nearby port.
Operational issues, such as too many ships going to be in port. I have had a port dropped and other put in its place once on a Caribbean cruise.
Security issues. This happened in 2015, for example, following an attack on cruise passengers in Tunisia when ships due to call there all called on Malta instead.
Mechanical problems. Delays caused by equipment issues may mean the ship skips ports to keep on track in reaching its disembarkation port on time.
When you book a cruise, assume the ports are a guideline. Which ion most cases will be delivered - but may not be and so plan accordingly.