I Cruise Silversea To See If Its New Owners Have RUINED It (Podcast #401)
Essential Cruise Tips
Four years ago, Royal Caribbean, best known for huge, good value resort ships, surprised many by buying Silversea known for ultra-luxury small ship cruising. Having cruised on it before the takeover, I decided I should return to see if the online reviews from other pre-takeover cruisers saying things like, "Not the same Silversea” and “Before it was sold, we thought Silversea was superb, well run, with delicious food. Not now” were right or not. So, I booked myself on Silver Spirit for a two-week cruise, and this is what I found Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive...
info_outline
6 Things "Polite" Passengers Do That Drive Cruise Crew Crazy! (Podcast #402)
Essential Cruise Tips
I used to think of myself as a considerate cruise passenger, trying to be polite and help make the crews’ jobs simpler, easier, and more pleasant. But I’ve had to reappraise what I was doing after a crew member discreetly told me on this cruise that I am on that some were having the opposite effect, and could get them into trouble with their boss, affect their ability to get a promotion, and even whether their contract would get renewed. Surprised by this, I asked the cruise director, waiters, shore excursion staff, guest services, guest entertainers and speakers, and of course my...
info_outline
5 Things You Won't Be Able To Do On Cruises This Year! (Podcast #400)
Essential Cruise Tips
There are five things I took for granted last year as a cruiser that have unexpectedly disappeared this year, the first massive one I experienced first-hand on a recent cruise. I was on the first leg of Silversea Silver Spirit’s 62-night Grand Voyage from Cape Town to Athens via the Seychelles, Dubai, and the Suez Canal. Find out what that was and the 4 others Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube:
info_outline
I Put Cunard's Controversial Class-Based Cruising To The Test (Podcast #398)
Essential Cruise Tips
Cunard has the reputation of being the most class-based cruise line sailing today, keeping alive the tradition of grand old ocean liners from the Titanic era had of giving First-Class passengers, or what Cunard now call “The Grills”, a more rounded and top-notch experience vastly superior to that of all other guests.But is that the reality. I reveal what it is really like 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
So Many Repositioning Cruisers Get These 5 Things Wrong (Podcast #399)
Essential Cruise Tips
Cruise lines charge less per day for repositioning cruises than ANY of their other cruises, making them some of the most inexpensive and appealing to many cruisers. But I’ve met so many people on them discovering too late that being inexpensive alone is not a good reason for doing them, as they’d been caught out or fallen into some traps. The same ones I see repeatedly. 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 Norwegian's Latest Ships To See Why Cruisers So Unhappy (Podcast #397)
Essential Cruise Tips
I met so many regular Norwegian cruisers on my Norwegian Viva cruise that disliked this new Prima class of Norwegian Cruise Line ships that I started wondering if Norwegian had actually gone out of their way to create a new type of ship they knew current cruisers wouldn’t like! Perhaps to attract different cruisers, perhaps cruisers like me. I’m not a regular Norwegian cruiser, largely because I’ve not been a fan of the Norwegian ships I’ve been on, but this ship did some things so differently it made me rethink my position, as you will hear. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and...
info_outline
I Put The Newest First Class "Ship-Within-A-Ship" To The Test (Podcast #396)
Essential Cruise Tips
Just before my much anticipated and costly $1,800 a night cruise in Norwegian Viva’s all-suite Haven, “Cruise with Ben and David”, one of the leading YouTube cruise channels, released a critical review raising many issues and complaints about it. So many that friends of mine suggested I cancel, as they knew that it was THE most expensive Mediterranean cruise I had ever booked. As it was so costly, I was really torn but in the end I decided to risk it hoping that as they'd been on the maiden voyage, things might have improved. This is what I discovered. Become a Tips For Travellers...
info_outline
4 Things You Should NEVER Buy From Your Cruise Line! (Podcast #395)
Essential Cruise Tips
While Cruise lines make it easy and convenient to book and buy most things for a cruise directly with them, have you stopped to ask if it’s in your best interest? I have! Cruise lines are banking on us not shopping around and discovering that some non-cruise line alternatives not only cost less, but are better, safer, and more comprehensive. Including as you will hear, one that I think will totally surprise you. Join me, Gary Bembridge, as I help you get cruising right by knowing the 4 things you should stop buying through the cruise lines and why. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and...
info_outline
Offbeat Cruise Tips ALL Seasoned Cruisers Swear By! (Podcast #394)
Essential Cruise Tips
I reveal 5 tips, tricks and hacks that experienced and smart cruise passengers that I have met on recent cruises agree are ones that savvy cruisers all use and know about – but not everyone does to knows about! Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube:
info_outline
Smart Cruisers NEVER Go It Alone In These Ports. Here's Why (Podcast #393)
Essential Cruise Tips
I look at the four times I recommend cruise passengers take a cruise line excursion rather than any other alternative for exploring a cruise port like self-touring or independent tour guide or company Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube:
info_outlineIn another episode of 60-Second Cruise Tips, Gary Bembridge, author of "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook", "Essential Cruise Tips" and "River Cruising Essential Tips and Tricks" shares another cruise tip. This time it is:
Cruise contract watch-outs
When you book and pay your fare you are agreeing to the terms of the cruise line contract. You are unlikely to be given a copy of it but can access it online, in the brochure or requesting a copy from your cruise agent.
Here are a few things to be aware of:
- Refuse to let you cruise: You are likely to have agreed that the line can refuse to take a booking or carry you for any reason. They will only refund the cost of the cruise if they do.
- Search rights: You are likely to be consenting to searches being made of your person, baggage or other property, and to the removal and confiscation or destruction of anything the line feels is a safety issue, illegal or will adversely affect other passengers and crew.
- Independent contractors: Many of the facilities on ships are contracted out to third party providers like hairdressers, manicurists, masseurs, spa operators, photographers, entertainers, instructors, lecturers and excursions. The cruise line may offer no guarantees, warranties or recourse with them for any issues you have with these.
- Photographic and video images: The line usually require you to give them the copyright to any photographic or video content they take of you, including allowing them to use them in advertising and publicity material without any payment.
- Some contracts will give them the right to restrict how you use images and videos you take on board, including asking you to remove it from online sites.
- Legal disputes: Most contracts will specify which court of law has to be used in the case of any legal dispute. These are chosen in areas that are usually more favourable to the cruising industry and may not be where the line is headquartered.
So make sure you are checking what you are agreeing to when you book and pay your final balance to avoid any surprises.
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher Radio