Essential Cruise Tips

By Gary Bembridge

What's Essential Cruise Tips about?

Cruise expert, YouTuber and author Gary Bembridge helps you discover, plan and enjoy unforgettable cruise vacations with his tips packed show. For more visit http://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers and http://www.tipsfortravellers.com and look for his books including "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" and "Essential Cruise Tips".

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Essential Cruise Tips episodes:

05.01.2024
Too Many Cruisers Are Missing Out On These Incredible Journeys. Are You? (Podcast #405)
Anyone close to cruising knows that cruise lines are incredibly involved with trains and train travel. Some even own and operate them, including some of the most famous and iconic ones, as you will hear. That’s why they really want...
04.24.2024
5 Cruises You Should Stay Away From These Days. And Why (Podcast #404)
I told my friends not to book the cruise as it was one that I keep warning cruisers to stay well clear of as they almost always disappoint. But they insisted and sadly, three days before they were due to...
04.17.2024
I Put The 5 Leading First Class "Ship-In-Ships" To The Test (Podcast #403)
Although most cruise reviewers say there are five, there are strictly speaking only two cruise lines that truly have a “ship-within-a-ship”. A fully self-contained world where passengers paying at least $500 per person a night for a suite are given...
04.10.2024
I Cruise Silversea To See If Its New Owners Have RUINED It (Podcast #401)
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...
04.03.2024
6 Things "Polite" Passengers Do That Drive Cruise Crew Crazy! (Podcast #402)
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...
03.27.2024
5 Things You Won't Be Able To Do On Cruises This Year! (Podcast #400)
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...
03.20.2024
I Put Cunard's Controversial Class-Based Cruising To The Test (Podcast #398)
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...
03.13.2024
So Many Repositioning Cruisers Get These 5 Things Wrong (Podcast #399)
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...
03.06.2024
I Test Norwegian's Latest Ships To See Why Cruisers So Unhappy (Podcast #397)
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...
02.28.2024
I Put The Newest First Class "Ship-Within-A-Ship" To The Test (Podcast #396)
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...
02.21.2024
4 Things You Should NEVER Buy From Your Cruise Line! (Podcast #395)
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...
02.14.2024
Offbeat Cruise Tips ALL Seasoned Cruisers Swear By! (Podcast #394)
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! ...
02.07.2024
Smart Cruisers NEVER Go It Alone In These Ports. Here's Why (Podcast #393)
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:...
01.31.2024
5 Cruise Excursion Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Cruise (Podcast #391)
I look at 5 biggest mistakes that cruise passengers make with cruise excursions, often ruining not only their time in port but putting a huge dampener on their total cruise. Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get...
01.24.2024
Changes EVERYONE Cruising in 2024 Needs To Know About (Podcast #392)
After listening to what cruise lines are telling investors they're doing this year, I'm convinced that in 2024 we are going to be facing five new and unwelcome challenges. But I also have some suggestions on how to work around...
01.17.2024
How To Pay NOTHING (Or Next To Nothing) To Cruise! (Podcast 390)
I'm going to show you how seven of my friends paid nothing, or next to nothing, to go on cruise vacations in the last year, and how I've been offered 11 free, or almost free, cruises in that same period...
01.10.2024
I Put The Luxury Cruise Line Regent To The Test! (Podcast 389)
I was having a great time on my recent Regent Seven Seas cruise before I started speaking to fellow guests. Some first-timers as well as long-time regulars raised issues which made me wonder if I was being too forgiving. After...
12.06.2023
Best and Worst Things About Cruising Japan (Podcast 388)
We are only ever likely to go to Japan once in our lives and so it's important to get it right. While I didn't get everything 100% spot on, I now know what future cruisers to Japan need to know...
11.29.2023
People Are Still Falling For These 6 CRUISE TRAPS! (podcast 387)
The cruise I'm on right now has inspired me to make this video. I'm an Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, and I've met many first time cruisers and repeat cruisers who have tripped up and fallen for 6 traps...
11.22.2023
I Put Royal Caribbean "Royal Suite" Cruising To The Test (podcast 386)
When I think of Royal Caribbean, I think of feature-packed mega resort ships, with good value cabins. However, I have seen Royal Caribbean now has some of the biggest and most expensive suites money can buy at sea. So, instead...
10.25.2023
I Try ROYAL CARIBBEAN To See If It's For Cruisers Like me (Podcast #384)
I like cruising on small and medium-sized ships that aren’t busy, and a bit laid back. But I also love going to Vegas, with its big brash shows, buzz, and excitement. So, I decided, to see if a big resort...
10.25.2023
I Cruise The World's Top-Rated Line That Few Have Heard Of! (Podcast #385)
The “cruise bible”, the authoritative Berlitz “Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships”, has for years said this line has the best ships in the world, but almost no cruisers outside its home country have ever heard of it, even...
10.18.2023
Things Expedition Cruises Don’t Tell You (Until It's Too Late!) (Podcast #383)
At the start of my recent Greenland Arctic expedition cruise, an ominous notice appeared in the daily program. It required us to attend a mandatory (written in capital letters no less!) meeting at 5pm. Having been on four previous expedition...
10.11.2023
The Cruise Lines Everyone Is Raving About RIGHT NOW (And Why!) (Podcast #382)
I’ve been diving into the latest cruise line reviews, reviewing all the comments and messages I receive and comparing that with my own recent cruising experiences, and from all that I came across five cruise lines that passengers seem to...
10.04.2023
Cruise Lines To Steer Clear Of These Days. And Why! (Podcast #381)
As none of us want to waste our precious vacation time and money on anything but those cruise lines on top of their game, I've been diving into the latest cruise reviews, pouring over the thousands of comments and messages...
09.27.2023
Seasoned Cruisers Have STOPPED Packing These. Here's Why! (Podcast #380)
There are things I no longer pack for a cruise as things have changed, others I pack different things to do the same task, things I have always packed for a cruise vacation and still do and some things I...
09.20.2023
My Solution To The Biggest Issue With Cruises These Days! (Podcast #379)
With cruise lines now pretty much able to sell their ships out completely at a hundred percent or higher capacity, I want to tell you how you can hunt down and find cruises and cruise ships that are not going...
09.13.2023
Crafty Ways To Steer Clear Of The Crowds On Busy Cruises (podcast #378)
Cruise lines are packing their ships full these days. They're admitting that they're selling at 100% or higher capacity. So, ships are really, really full, and I've seen this firsthand on a recent cruise, like MSC Cruises, Norwegian, or Caribbean,...
09.06.2023
Hot Issues Dividing Cruisers RIGHT NOW! (Podcast #377)
On my last cruise, a Windstar Fjords cruise, I posted clips on Instagram of the best attended event of my entire cruise. It immediately ignited a fiery, lively, and divided debate about if the event was a good idea or...
08.30.2023
I Cruise The World's "Most Popular" Small Ship Line: Windstar (Podcast #376)
After loving recent cruises on 600 and 700 passenger ships, like Oceania Insignia, Azamara Quest and Seabourn Encore, I wanted to see if going ever smaller was even better, so I booked myself on an 11-night Windstar Star Pride “Lands...
08.16.2023
Epic Highs & Unwanted Lows I Had Cruising In Paradise! (Podcast 375)
It took me 26 hours, three flights, and a time change of 12 hours to get to my French Polynesian cruise in one of the remotest parts of the world. It was brutal, and so how did it go once...
08.09.2023
My 11 River Cruises Taught Me These Eye-Opening Lessons (Podcast #374)
I am often asked about river cruising and find many people do not fully understand what it is and is not, and this are the 6 things that I have come to appreciate about river cruising around the world that...
08.02.2023
I Try Out Cruising In A Controversial Ship-Within-A-Ship
I test out cruising in Yacht Club, a limited access “ship-within-a-ship” on MSC Cruises, to see if it really is better than cruising as a “regular” passenger and if it is worth paying the premium for the experience and the...
07.26.2023
I Discover The Best & Worst Sides Of MSC CRUISES (Podcast #373)
There are so many rumours, beliefs, stories, and misconceptions about MSC Cruises with many drawn by their great fares but worried about the reports about the ships, food, service and entertainment. I cruised with them to uncover the latest ...
07.19.2023
People Keep Falling For These 7 Crafty Cruise Port Tricks! (Podcast #372)
I expose and looks at common scams that I have seen cruisers, including my friends and even myself, fall for when in a port on their cruise so you can avoid falling for these... Become a Tips For...
07.12.2023
Questions I Wish I'd Asked BEFORE Cruising the Nile! (Podcast #371)
Seven out of ten travellers told me they really want to do a Nile River cruise. But almost all said they were unlikely to do it, because they had too many questions and concerns. Having done one, I have discovered...
07.05.2023
Scams Cruisers Are Falling For BEFORE Even Leaving Home (Podcast #369)
I looks at scams playing on cruise lovers eagerness to cruise right now, like my friend Helen, who almost fell for one of the four scams very active now catching cruise passengers while at home thinking or planning a cruise....
06.28.2023
Epic Highs & Unwelcome Lows I Had Cruising the Nile! (Podcast #370)
I reveal the best and very worst things I experienced on my AmaWaterways Nile River Cruise and time in Cairo, and answer if all things considered is it worth taking this trip. It's complicated Become a Tips For Travellers...
06.21.2023
Exploring Alaskan Ports Without Breaking The Bank! (Podcast #367)
I was asked by a fan of the channel, Heather, “How can we make the most of our port stops when we can't afford any excursions or activities?”. This is what I recommended they do in each port based on...
06.14.2023
5 Crafty Tricks That Catch Alaska Cruisers Out (Again & Again) (Podcast #366)
While there are many things that catch passengers out once they are are in Alaska on their cruise, I want to highlight some things that trip up many cruisers before they go, including my good friends Graham and Pete -...
06.07.2023
9 Things Smart Cruisers Always Do In The Days Before A Cruise (Podcast #365)
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...
05.31.2023
Cruising South America Wasn’t What I Expected (Podcast #364)
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...
05.24.2023
Way Too Many Cruisers Make These Cruise Dining Mistakes (Podcast #363)
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...
05.20.2023
6 Game-Changing “Cruise Weapons” That Transform My Cruises! (Podcast #362)
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...
05.10.2023
Cruising Ultra-Luxury Taught Me 3 Eye-Opening Lessons!(Podcast #361)
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...
05.03.2023
Things That SHOULD NOT Happen On Luxury Cruises, But DO! (podcast #360)
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:...
04.26.2023
6 Cruise Ships I Had No Idea This Happened To Them! (podcast #359)
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,...
04.19.2023
Is A Disney Cruise REALLY Worth That Rather BIG Price Tag? (podcast #358)
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.....??...
04.12.2023
I Test Out The World's "MOST LUXURIOUS" Cruise Line! (podcast #357)
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...
04.05.2023
Crafty Tricks That Catch Caribbean Cruisers Out (Again & Again!) (Podcast #356)
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...

What's Essential Cruise Tips about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Essential Cruise Tips episodes:

Too Many Cruisers Are Missing Out On These Incredible Journeys. Are You? (Podcast #405)

5 Cruises You Should Stay Away From These Days. And Why (Podcast #404)

I Put The 5 Leading First Class "Ship-In-Ships" To The Test (Podcast #403)

I Cruise Silversea To See If Its New Owners Have RUINED It (Podcast #401)

6 Things "Polite" Passengers Do That Drive Cruise Crew Crazy! (Podcast #402)

5 Things You Won't Be Able To Do On Cruises This Year! (Podcast #400)

I Put Cunard's Controversial Class-Based Cruising To The Test (Podcast #398)

So Many Repositioning Cruisers Get These 5 Things Wrong (Podcast #399)

I Test Norwegian's Latest Ships To See Why Cruisers So Unhappy (Podcast #397)

I Put The Newest First Class "Ship-Within-A-Ship" To The Test (Podcast #396)

4 Things You Should NEVER Buy From Your Cruise Line! (Podcast #395)

Offbeat Cruise Tips ALL Seasoned Cruisers Swear By! (Podcast #394)

Smart Cruisers NEVER Go It Alone In These Ports. Here's Why (Podcast #393)

5 Cruise Excursion Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Cruise (Podcast #391)

Changes EVERYONE Cruising in 2024 Needs To Know About (Podcast #392)

How To Pay NOTHING (Or Next To Nothing) To Cruise! (Podcast 390)

I Put The Luxury Cruise Line Regent To The Test! (Podcast 389)

Best and Worst Things About Cruising Japan (Podcast 388)

People Are Still Falling For These 6 CRUISE TRAPS! (podcast 387)

I Put Royal Caribbean "Royal Suite" Cruising To The Test (podcast 386)

I Try ROYAL CARIBBEAN To See If It's For Cruisers Like me (Podcast #384)

I Cruise The World's Top-Rated Line That Few Have Heard Of! (Podcast #385)

Things Expedition Cruises Don’t Tell You (Until It's Too Late!) (Podcast #383)

The Cruise Lines Everyone Is Raving About RIGHT NOW (And Why!) (Podcast #382)

Cruise Lines To Steer Clear Of These Days. And Why! (Podcast #381)

Seasoned Cruisers Have STOPPED Packing These. Here's Why! (Podcast #380)

My Solution To The Biggest Issue With Cruises These Days! (Podcast #379)

Crafty Ways To Steer Clear Of The Crowds On Busy Cruises (podcast #378)

Hot Issues Dividing Cruisers RIGHT NOW! (Podcast #377)

I Cruise The World's "Most Popular" Small Ship Line: Windstar (Podcast #376)

Epic Highs & Unwanted Lows I Had Cruising In Paradise! (Podcast 375)

My 11 River Cruises Taught Me These Eye-Opening Lessons (Podcast #374)

I Try Out Cruising In A Controversial Ship-Within-A-Ship

I Discover The Best & Worst Sides Of MSC CRUISES (Podcast #373)

People Keep Falling For These 7 Crafty Cruise Port Tricks! (Podcast #372)

Questions I Wish I'd Asked BEFORE Cruising the Nile! (Podcast #371)

Scams Cruisers Are Falling For BEFORE Even Leaving Home (Podcast #369)

Epic Highs & Unwelcome Lows I Had Cruising the Nile! (Podcast #370)

Exploring Alaskan Ports Without Breaking The Bank! (Podcast #367)

5 Crafty Tricks That Catch Alaska Cruisers Out (Again & Again) (Podcast #366)

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

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

Way Too Many Cruisers Make These Cruise Dining Mistakes (Podcast #363)

6 Game-Changing “Cruise Weapons” That Transform My Cruises! (Podcast #362)

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

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

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

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

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

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