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...
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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:
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I Revisited Silversea To See If The Latest Reviews Were True (Podcast #551)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Is Silversea still ultra-luxury? After reading shocking new reviews calling it “shabby” and “not worth the premium,” I boarded Silver Nova to find out the truth. When I started reading recent reviews of Silversea Cruises, I was shocked. Loyal guests now call it “shabby,” “cut back,” “no longer luxury,” and “not worth the premium.” Having cruised six times with Silversea and always rated it highly, I had to see if things really had changed. So, I booked myself (and paid full fare) onto Silver Nova, their newest class of ship, to find out what’s really happening...
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All Cruisers Over 55 SHOULD Do This (Younger Ones Don’t Need To!) (Podcast #550)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Cruising over the age of 55 brings unexpected challenges that younger cruisers don’t even - or need - to think about. I know — because I’ve learned the hard way after more than 100 cruises since turning 55. In this video, I reveal the real watch outs, traps, and opportunities for older travellers that most cruise advice never covers. From choosing the right itinerary, line, ship, and cabin, to avoiding mobility issues, scams, and bad weather seasons — these are the essential insights every over-55 cruiser should know before booking. I’ll also share how to find senior discounts, pick...
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I've Cruised Europe’s Rivers 12 Times. Here’s What Nobody Warns You About (Podcast #547)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
I've cruised on European rivers 12 times and I am just back from a Rhine River cruise on Avalon Waterways. Once again, I met so many people who spoke about surprising and frustrating things they'd only encountered and realised once they were on the cruise because none of the lines, reviews, or commentators seem willing to talk about them frankly, or underplay them. Welcome aboard, I'm Gary Bembridge and here’s what you need to know about European river cruising to avoid any disappointments, and make sure a river cruise is right for you. ** OFFER ** GET 10% OFF YOUR PERSONALISED "THE CRUISE...
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Dining Dos & Don'ts That SMART Cruisers Swear By (Podcast #548)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Cruise ships offer many dining options, but I see many cruisers making common cruise dining mistakes that prevent them from having the best experience. I'm going to share my cruise tips and cruise dining tips to help you avoid these pitfalls and enjoy the cruise food to its fullest. These cruise tips for travellers will help you navigate cruise ship dining even if it's your first cruise or one of many. 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...
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The 4 Most Popular Cruise Lines: Who’s Best & Who to Avoid? (Podcast #549)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Imagine booking your dream cruise on one of the world’s biggest lines—only to realise within hours of boarding it’s not for you. In this video, I break down the FOUR most popular cruise lines based on passengers carried—Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Carnival—so you can choose wisely and avoid an expensive mistake. I compare: - What these “resort style” mega-ships all have in common - What each does BEST and where each FALLS SHORT - Fleet sizes, global itineraries and private islands - Key fare differences and hidden costs - Cabins: from budget inside...
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6 Things River Cruises Do Better Than Ocean. And 3 They Don't! (Podcast #546)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Their fans paint river cruising as an idyllic, perfectly paced and immersive way to travel, but few talk about what you lose by choosing one. Having done 12 European river cruises and over 100 ocean ones, I've found the differences are bigger than most people think or expect. Some things river cruises absolutely do way better than ocean ships. But some things? They don’t. here's what river cruises and ocean cruises each do better than the other, and why. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...
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How To Cruise Like A VIP Without A "First Class" Price Tag (Podcast #545)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
Want to cruise like a VIP without paying “First Class” suite prices? In this podcast, I reveal 6 insider tricks that will let you enjoy luxury perks - all without breaking your budget. These are the same strategies I use to get a champagne cruise lifestyle on a beer budget. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveller, these tips will help you transform your future cruises into something much more special — without paying suite prices. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers...
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I Put The Highest Rated European River Cruise Line To The Test (Podcast #544)
Gary Bembridge's Tips For Travellers
After a five-year break, I returned to river cruising in Europe to see how the experience compared to my past trips. I chose the European River Cruise line with the highest ratings by recent passengers and boarded with high expectations. This video shares my thoughts on what they did both well and less well, and if I felt they deserve the ratings they are getting Links mentioned in the podcast: Avalon Food and Bar menus + Daily Programs: Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: ...
info_outlineGary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Hong Kong.
Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio.
This show covers among other topics:
Observations
- Dense with multitudes of skyscrapers and people. More people live and work above 15th floor than anywhere else in the world and has most residential blocks about 40 stories high and constant development.
- Very pretty harbour - Victoria harbour - one of deepest natural harbours in the world - Hong Kong means "fragrant harbour".
- Population of 7 million.
- 262 islands - Hong Kong island, Lantau Island (Airport and Disneyland ), Kowloon peninsula and Northern Territories.
- Transforms at night - skyscrapers have light effects - 8pm light show (biggest and longest running permanent show) on Hong Kong island and at 9pm on ICC (International Commerce Building) in Kowloon.
- English widely spoken as one off 2 official languages.
- Very connected city lots of free wifi around
History
British colony until 1997
Getting There
Very busy airport built on reclaimed land on Lantau Island.
Cruise - Kai Tak Terminal designed on site of old airport runway in Kowloon.
Best time to go
Hot and humid most of year
Coldest in Jan
Hottest July
Getting around
Coveted walkways and open air mid -evels escalator - worlds largest outdoor covered escalator.
Trams - kept despite modern metro system following pretty much same routes.
Busses - 5 companies run 700 routes.
BigBus Hop-on Hop-Off bus tours
General Tips
Use UK style 3-pin plugs
Good App - "Discover Hong Kong" developed by HK tourism board and Cathay Pacific Airline. Works off line and has series of suggested walks.
Must-do activities
Victoria Peak
Tram launched in 1888- 8 minutes ride to the stop with stunning views across city, also has Madame Tussards and shopping.
Star Ferry
Iconic service since 1870s - taking people 7 minutes from Hong Kong to Kowloon Ocean terminal.
Harbour Tour
Many options from Star Ferry, Sailing Junks and motorised junk boat trips.
See Hong Kong at night
Night bus tour
Light show- "Symphony of lights" - 45 skyscrapers on both sides of harbour
Walk the streets on Hong Kong side in Wan Chai and Kowloon along Nathan street
Shopping
Good prices as do no sales tax and is a Duty free port
Stanley market
Central district- high end shops
Hollywood road - antiques and art
SoHo - galleries
Ladies Market
Temple Street Night Market
Aberdeen
Fishing village and Luxury marina
Afternoon tea at Peninsula Hotel
Flagstaff house museum of Teaware - in oldest surviving colonial building -
Beaches
Repulse Bay
Theme Parks
Disneyland
Ocean Park -see Cunard notes
Museums
Can get good value 7-day museum pass
HK museum of art
the space museum
HK science museum
HK museum of history
Further afield
Macau - high speed ferry or bus