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081: Cruise Ports Are Not Guaranteed

Essential Cruise Tips

Release Date: 05/09/2015

9 Things Smart Cruisers Always Do In The Days Before A Cruise (Podcast #365) show art 9 Things Smart Cruisers Always Do In The Days Before A Cruise (Podcast #365)

Essential Cruise Tips

On recent cruise I met disappointed or frustrated passengers, while everything was going to great for me with no unpleasant surprises, and I realised it was due to some checks and things I learnt from smart cruisers to do in the the weeks and days before a cruise. So, here are 9 things that will transform and improve your cruise by doing them in the run up to leaving Links mentioned in the video: * My packing list: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/packinglist Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...

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Cruising South America Wasn’t What I Expected (Podcast #364) show art Cruising South America Wasn’t What I Expected (Podcast #364)

Essential Cruise Tips

I cruised around the base of South America for 14 nights on Holland America Oosterdam, and in this video, I explore all the things I wish I had been told me before going that would have meant I was better prepared and got even more from the trip. 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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Way Too Many Cruisers Make These Cruise Dining Mistakes (Podcast #363) show art Way Too Many Cruisers Make These Cruise Dining Mistakes (Podcast #363)

Essential Cruise Tips

In this video I look at the 8 cruise dining mistakes I keep seeing my fellow cruise passengers make these days. As things are changing constantly, it is easy to slip out, get caught out and not quite get dining right.  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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6 Game-Changing “Cruise Weapons” That Transform My Cruises! (Podcast #362) show art 6 Game-Changing “Cruise Weapons” That Transform My Cruises! (Podcast #362)

Essential Cruise Tips

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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Cruising Ultra-Luxury Taught Me 3 Eye-Opening Lessons!(Podcast #361) show art Cruising Ultra-Luxury Taught Me 3 Eye-Opening Lessons!(Podcast #361)

Essential Cruise Tips

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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Things That SHOULD NOT Happen On Luxury Cruises, But DO! (podcast #360) show art Things That SHOULD NOT Happen On Luxury Cruises, But DO! (podcast #360)

Essential Cruise Tips

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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6 Cruise Ships I Had No Idea This Happened To Them! (podcast #359) show art 6 Cruise Ships I Had No Idea This Happened To Them! (podcast #359)

Essential Cruise Tips

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. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: Tips For Travellers YouTube:  

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Is A Disney Cruise REALLY Worth That Rather BIG Price Tag? (podcast #358) show art Is A Disney Cruise REALLY Worth That Rather BIG Price Tag? (podcast #358)

Essential Cruise Tips

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 Test Out The World's I Test Out The World's "MOST LUXURIOUS" Cruise Line! (podcast #357)

Essential Cruise Tips

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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Crafty Tricks That Catch Caribbean Cruisers Out (Again & Again!) (Podcast #356) show art Crafty Tricks That Catch Caribbean Cruisers Out (Again & Again!) (Podcast #356)

Essential Cruise Tips

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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More Episodes

Gary 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.