Libsyn Directory

Feedback and Changes - Tips For Travellers Podcast 221

Release Date: 04/22/2016

Cruising This Year? Then You Need to Watch This! (Podcast #561)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

If you’re planning a cruise in the next 12 months, be warned — cruising is changing, and some of the biggest shifts are happening quietly behind the scenes. Cruising this year is going to feel very different from what many of us are used to. In this, I unpack six major changes every cruiser needs to know, explain why they matter, and show you how they could directly affect your next cruise — whether you’re booking for the first time or you’ve cruised many times before. These are the changes many cruisers won’t realise until it’s too late — and that’s exactly why you need to...

I've Done 13 Ultra-Luxury Cruises. Here's What No-One's Telling You (podcast #560)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

When you pay more for anything — flights, hotels, cars — you expect more. More features, more choice, more “wow”. So when cruisers upgrade from resort lines like Royal Caribbean, to premium lines like Princess, or even small-ship luxury like Oceania, and then spend much more on an ultra-luxury cruise… they naturally expect everything to be dramatically better. But here’s the surprise: for many first-time ultra-luxury cruisers, it isn’t. In this video I explain why so many people I meet on lines like Regent, Silversea, Seabourn and Crystal feel confused or even disappointed —...

Cruisers Say These 6 Lines Have Got So Much Worse. Here’s Why (Podcast #559)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Are cruise lines really getting worse? Many cruisers say yes. So I analysed hundreds of recent reviews and ratings from Cruise Critic, Trustpilot, and major review sites — and the results were shocking. Over two-thirds of cruise lines have seen satisfaction drop in the last six months, but six once-popular lines have fallen the most… and for reasons you absolutely need to know before booking. In this video, I break down which lines are slipping fastest — and reveal the key issues dragging their ratings down, from ageing ships and overcrowding to service cutbacks, food declines, rising...

I've Done 15 Caribbean Cruises. Here's What No-One's Telling You! (podcast #558)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

When I took my very first Caribbean cruise back in 2007, I often found myself stepping ashore as the only ship in port. Quiet beaches, local markets, no lines for taxis — it felt like true tropical escape. Fast-forward 18 years and 15 Caribbean cruises later, including my most recent ultra-luxury sailing on Regent Seven Seas Splendor, and the Caribbean is a very different place.In this video I reveal the massive changes that are reshaping Caribbean cruising — changes most cruisers don’t fully understand until they’re already there. I also explain how cruise lines are responding — and...

Regular Vs. Ultra-Luxury Cruises: 4 Big Differences I DID NOT Expect! (Podcast #557)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Are ultra-luxury cruises really worth the eye-watering price? Or is the reality very different from the dream? Most cruisers are fascinated by ultra-luxury lines like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, but very few have actually sailed them. So after cruising recently on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity and Princess, I decided to book myself on two ultra-luxury ships – Silver Nova and Regent Seven Seas Splendor – paying the full fare to find out what really changes when you step up to the very top tier of cruising. And what I discovered surprised me. In this video I...

Cruisers Say These Cruise Lines Are On The Rise RIGHT NOW (Podcast #556)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

After sailing on many lines myself recently, and analysing hundreds of cruiser reviews and ratings across Cruise Critic, Trustpilot, and other major consumer sites, I discovered a surprising trend while many lines are sliding — a handful are rising fast. In this video, I reveal the cruise lines that cruisers say are on the rise right now, what they’re getting right, and why ratings are climbing. This is the most up-to-date snapshot of which cruise lines passengers think are improving and why. These trends come from analysing 21 cruise lines covering over 90% of all cruise passengers,...

8 Widely Held Repositioning Cruise Beliefs Are Wrong. Here’s Why! (Podcast #555)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Repositioning cruises promise incredible value — sometimes half the price of a regular cruise — but after doing several of them (including my recent 18-night Silver Nova Alaska–to–Japan repositioning), I’ve realised many cruisers board with expectations that are completely misguided. And those myths guarantee disappointment. In this video, I reveal the most widely believed repositioning cruise myths that are 100% wrong — and what these cruises are really like. If you’ve been thinking of booking a repositioning cruise because they’re cheap, relaxing, sunny, or just like regular...

I’ve Been Back On Every "Ultra-Luxury" Cruise Line. Here’s What I Found (Podcast #554)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Ultra-luxury cruising promises the very best at sea – but which line is truly delivering right now, and which are slipping? I’ve recently been back on Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal, and in this podcast I reveal how they really compare today. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: Offers: Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link:

Too Many Repositioning Cruisers Make These 6 Mistakes (Podcast #553)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Repositioning cruises can offer unbeatable value — but they also come with big risks and hidden catches that could ruin your dream cruise. I share everything you need to know: what a repositioning cruise is, why they’re so cheap, who they’re ideal for, how to find them, and the common mistakes to avoid. I’ve done many of these unique one-way cruises, and I’ll reveal the insider tips and watchouts to help you decide if they’re right for you. Don’t book one until you hear this! Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams...

Smart Cruisers ALWAYS Get Off The Ship in THESE Ports. Here's Why (Podcast #552)

Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers

Xxx Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: Offers: Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link:

More Episodes

In this episode of Tips For Travellers I share feedback and thoughts from listeners about the direction the podcast has taken over the last year or so, and share my reactions and decisions on how I plan to take it "back to the future".

In the show you will hear

Background to the podcast is now 10 years old, and how things have changed since 2012 and why.
Feedback from listeners on iTunes and by email
My decisions on focus moving forwards

The podcast will focus on three main episode types:

Destinations Tips For Travellers (using a structure that I have seen work for travellers and to be consistent).
Cruise Tips For Travellers (these will focus on ten key questions on helping people to decide if the line is right for you and if it is how to get the most from your trip).
Tips For Travellers Live (recorded whilst on trips to capture the feel of the trip along with sounds, impressions, activities and tips).

After listening to the podcast and have any thoughts please leave a comment on Tipsfortravellers.com/podcast, email me or leave a review on iTunes.

Subscribe (and leave a review) to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio.

Want to support the podcast? Consider becoming a Patron. Find out more at tipsfortravellers.com/patron

TOPICS