I Found 7 Epic Bucket-List Cruises That WON"T Break The Bank! (Podcast #509)
Essential Cruise Tips
Think bucket-list cruising has to mean bucket-list prices? Not necessarily. In this video, I reveal seven incredible cruise experiences that many travellers assume are too expensive, but which I’ve found can be done for surprisingly reasonable prices if you approach them the right way. For each destination, I explain why I think it deserves a place on a cruise bucket list, the tricks I use to bring the overall cost down, the times of year and types of itineraries worth looking for, and where I see cruisers spending money unnecessarily. I also share where I think it IS worth spending a little...
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Even Savvy Cruisers Keep Falling For These 4 New Scams. But Why? (Podcast #508)
Essential Cruise Tips
Cruise scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and some are now targeting experienced cruisers using information that can make the approach seem remarkably genuine. In this video, I look at some of the cruise scams I’m seeing and hearing about most often right now, and I also explain how scammers can sometimes know an alarming amount about your upcoming cruise — including your ship, sailing date, itinerary and travel plans — and the surprisingly simple ways they are getting that information. I also share the warning signs I look for and the steps I take to check whether a message,...
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Cruise Lines Make Solos Pay Double. I’ve Found 7 Ways Around It! (podcast #507)
Essential Cruise Tips
Cruising solo can be frustratingly expensive, with fares sometimes the same as what two people would pay for the same cabin. But I’ve found that some of the most commonly recommended ways to save money as a solo cruiser are not always the best ones. In this video, I share seven tactics I use to find better-value solo cruise fares and avoid paying more than I need to. I also look at ways to spot deals, where I search for them, and some less obvious approaches that experienced solo cruisers use to bring the cost down. If you cruise solo, or are thinking about trying it, these are the...
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Cruise Lines Can Kick You Off Your Cruise Even If You Did Nothing Wrong. Here's Why! (Podcast #506)
Essential Cruise Tips
Imagine being told you’re being kicked off your cruise before you even set off for it, or even worse at check in at the port, even though you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong. Cruisers are being denied boarding, removed from ships, or being bumped from ruises for reasons that have nothing to do with them breaking the rules. In this video, I look at the real situations happening right now that have caught cruisers out recently, including some that have affected me personally, and explain what you need to know and do if it does happen. Some of these situations are completely outside your...
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Celebrity Cruises Is Changing And Not Everyone Will Like It. Here’s Why (Podcast #505)
Essential Cruise Tips
Celebrity Cruises has changed — and depending on the kind of cruiser you are, you may think those changes are exciting or feel the Celebrity you once knew is disappearing. In this video, I look at how Celebrity Cruises has evolved from the more traditional premium cruise experience I first knew into something rather different. I explore who Celebrity appears to be trying to attract today, how the newer Edge Class ships have helped reshape the brand, and why cruising on different Celebrity ships can now feel surprisingly different. I also look at the growing differences between the experience...
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Celebrity Cruise Mistakes No-One Realises They're Making (Until It’s Too Late!) (Podcast #504)
Essential Cruise Tips
Celebrity Cruises promises “modern luxury” and says “nothing comes close”, but I see cruisers boarding Celebrity with expectations that can lead to disappointment. Having recently sailed Celebrity again, I’ve identified six mistakes cruisers make when choosing, booking and sailing with Celebrity Cruises — including some that even experienced Celebrity guests can get caught out by. In this video, I look at why understanding exactly what kind of cruise line Celebrity really is matters, how dramatically your onboard experience can change depending on the cabin and ship you choose, and...
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The Truth About a Queen Mary 2 Crossing: What They Don't Tell You (Podcast #503)
Essential Cruise Tips
A Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing is unlike almost any other voyage — and many first-time passengers arrive with completely the wrong expectations. After crossing the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 six times, I reveal the surprises, misunderstandings and easily avoided mistakes that can dramatically affect your experience. From choosing the wrong cabin and underestimating the North Atlantic to unexpected costs, daily life onboard and what really happens when you reach New York, this is what I wish every first-timer knew before boarding. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive...
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6 Things Cunard Brochures Aren't Telling You. And Why! (podcast #502)
Essential Cruise Tips
Cunard is one of cruising’s most famous names—but much of what people believe about it is outdated, exaggerated, or simply wrong. After 270 nights aboard Cunard ships, I reveal six persistent misconceptions about its luxury credentials, passengers, dress codes, class system and very different ships. I also explore the recent changes that could reshape the Cunard experience—and why some loyal passengers may not like what comes next. 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 Found Out How Cruise Lines REALLY Pick Cabin Upgrade Winners (podcast #501)
Essential Cruise Tips
If you've ever been invited to bid for a cruise cabin upgrade, you probably assumed (like me) that the highest bid wins. But, that's not how it works at all. After losing an upgrade to another passenger who had bid less than I did, I decided to investigate what was really going on behind cruise line upgrade bidding. What I found completely changed how I approach the process. In this video, I reveal what I discovered. Starting with something staring me in the face but had not spotted that that unites every cruise line when it comes to cruise cabin upgrade bidding. This video will help you...
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7 Cruises You Should Avoid. No Matter How Tempting They Look! (podcast #500)
Essential Cruise Tips
Some cruises look perfect on paper. The ship, the itinerary, the price, the promise. But after more than 130 cruises, I’ve learned there are some cruises I would never book again — or would only book under very specific conditions. In this video, I reveal the seven types of cruises I now avoid, and why. All but one of these I’ve tried myself and found they simply did not suit the way I like to cruise. The other comes with risks, traps, or compromises that many passengers do not realise until it is too late. But this is not just about saying “never book these.” For each one, I also...
info_outlineThe Advantages of Cruising
There are many advantages that cruising has over land-based vacations. The following are some of the key ones:
Inclusive fares. A cruise fare will include your accommodation, cruising from port to port, meals, and entertainment. Some premium lines also include drinks, gratuities and excursions.
You are likely to spend a fair amount on board on items like gratuities, drinks, excursions, gambling and Internet access. However, these are at your discretion.
Packing. You only have to pack before and at the end of the cruise and not every time you visit a new destinations you would have to do on land.
Travel time is part of your vacation. You are able to relax and enjoy the facilities of the ship as you sail between destinations. You do not loose time commuting to airports and sitting on planes or in your vehicle moving between places you are visiting.
Simplified immigration. If you are visiting multiple countries you do not have to line up and pass through immigration at each one. Once you have checked in and the line has your details and passport they handle the authorities in most cases, except when disembarking. You will just have to use your cruise card to swipe off and back onto the ship.
Visiting places difficult to see by land or get to by plane. There are some parts of the world that are best, easiest or can only be seen on a ship. This includes hard to access places like Alaska and the Norwegian Fjords or passing through the Panama and Suez Canals. There are also places like the Galapagos Islands, Arctic, Antarctica and some of the Polynesian islands in the Pacific Ocean that are hard or impossible to reach by commercial plane.
Overview of a region. Cruises can provide a good overview of the highlights and attractions of a region like the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia by visiting up to seven different destinations in a week. It gives you a chance to get a feel for where you would like to go back and spend more time in. This would be hard to achieve on a land-based vacation as you would not have the time to get to and see as many places.
Wide variety to appeal to each member of your travel party. Ships and cruises have many options and choices available, including different cabin types and grades, activities, dining venues, entertainment and excursions. This means that different members of your travel party can enjoy very different experiences within the same shared trip. You do not have to make as many compromises and everyone has time to pursue their individual interests and passions but come together for meals and other joint activities.
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