Essential Cruise Tips

Celebrity Cruises are a premium cruise line with big ships, of around 2,800 passengers, in their fleet. Before you consider to go cruising with them, or of you have booked and are planning your cruise vacation, I share three major watch-outs and things you need to know before going. I explore what sort of cruise experience they offer, what the cruise fare covers and how that influences your on-boa...

What exactly does a butler on a cruise ship do? And what are the things they will refuse to do? Many cruise lines provide butlers for guests in their premium suites and many cruisers who have them are not sure what they can ask, or expect, them to do. Based on my experiences across several cruising lines and by interviewing butlers on board I share the 10 things that a butler will do for their cru...

On average cruisers report putting on between 5 and 10 pounds of weight on a seven-night cruise! I have 10 tips on how you can go on a cruising vacation, have loads of fun and still indulge and avoid piling on the pounds on a cruise. They are all things that work for me, and I come back from my many cruises (including some 7 weeks long) without putting on weight. They are all practical and simple...

Discover 9 things you absolutely need to know if you are considering or going on a cruise that includes Greece and the Greek Islands. The most popular cruising option is an Eastern Mediterranean cruise that travels between Venice and Athens, including some stops like Dubrovnik and Kotor. In the episode I look at things like the best time to go, your options of itineraries, the islands and excursio...

In this episode you will discover how you can cruise for free! There are at least 9 ways you can go cruising without having to pay. I give you tips on practical things you can do, look out for or do that will ensure you don't have to pay cruise fares to head out on a cruise ship. These apply to both ocean and river cruise. While there are some scams out offering "free cruises" they end up costing...

In this episode you will discover the 6 key things you need to know about Holland America Nieuw Statendam cruise ship that went into service in December 2018. I tour the ship and review things like the details of the ship, what the main innovations and focus areas are (Music Walk venues, Dining options and Excursions Central), accommodation options ranging from inside to suites, fitness and recrea...

Discover all you need to know about doing a European river cruise with AmaWaterways. In this video I explore the 8 Things you really need to know before cruising with them. Things like who they are, what type of river cruising experience they offer, what the fare includes and excludes, dress codes, facilities, dining options and excursion choices. Check out cruising merchandise like T-shirts at my...

Should You Pay Cruise Gratuities? Should you pay cruise gratuities (or tips as some call them)? One of the most argued about and controversial charges and topics in cruising are the gratuity charges by cruise lines. In this video I look at six things about gratuities and tipping that every cruiser needs to know to make up their mind and also I suggest when you should or should not consider paying...

These are my suggestions for 12 must-have items and so perfect gifts to give anyone who is going on or loves cruising. These are all gifts that I have seen and know cruisers use, love and will be pleased to receive from you. Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, special occasions or for a first or next cruise. Many of these I wish I had been given before cruising (and had to buy many for myself!). So...

In this episode you will discover 7 things you really should know before cruising with Azamara Club Cruises on a cruising vacation. I discuss things like who they are, who they compete with, who they are best for, what they do different to other cruise lines, what their fares cover and do not, the sort of facilities and entertainment, range of accommodation and more. Azamara Cruises is a small cru...

Greece and the Greek Islands is a wonderful cruising destination, with many cruises starting and ending in Athens and Venice, known as Eastern Mediterranean Cruises. But when you are looking at which cruise line and itinerary to go on your Greek Islands cruise vacation, make sure you are going to the best, most beautiful and interesting islands and ports. Many only go to a few and very busy ones,...

What are the best cruises and cruise lines for families with kids and multi-generational cruising vacations? In this episode I talk about the things you need to consider, including the cruise regions to consider and what to exclude. I also discuss the eight lines that are best for families with kids and why they are most suitable: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Disney Cr...

  In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips , cruise author and expert Gary Bembridge gives six ways to best avoid getting and spreading the Norovirus on a cruise. These include the pre-boarding declaration, hand washing, bathroom usage, people contact, surfaces and early reporting. For more essential cruise tips and to leave thoughts visit EssentialCruiseTips.com Buy and read one of the cruise tip...

  In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips , cruise author and expert Gary Bembridge talks about four cruises that you should avoid and tells you why. These include cruises after dry dock, maiden voyages of new ships, short cruises in spring break and themed cruises with large groups. This episode was inspired by an article on Cruise Fever: http://cruisefever.net/1123-cruises-to-avoid/ For more es...

  In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips , cruise author and expert Gary Bembridge talks about how to become a gentleman dance host on a cruise ship - and travel the world almost for free. For more essential cruise tips and to leave thoughts visit EssentialCruiseTips.com Buy and read one of the cruise tips books by Gary Bembridge: "The Cruise Traveler's Handbook" ( Amazon USA ) ( Amazon UK ) "Es...

In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips , cruise author and expert Gary Bembridge announces the partnership with The Cruise Line to provide listeners with an exclusive way to book a cruise with personalised and dedicated experts. For more essential cruise tips and to leave thoughts visit EssentialCruiseTips.com Buy and read one of the cruise tips books by Gary Bembridge: "The Cruise Traveler's Ha...

  In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips , cruise author and expert Gary Bembridge provides watch-outs about on-board port talks that are really designed and run by shopping representatives from the local ports. They earn commissions if you shop in certain stores, as does the cruise line sometimes. For more essential cruise tips and to leave thoughts visit EssentialCruiseTips.com Buy and read on...

In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips Gary Bembridge, cruise author and expert, gives eight tips on how to avoid missing your cruise ship when in port. You may have seen videos on sites like YouTube of people running down the quay as their ship pulls away leaving them behind. These tips can help you avoid being one of them... The tips include: Knowing time to be back. Ensuring your watch and ph...

  In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips Gary Bembridge, cruise author and expert, gives eight tips on how to avoid families and kids on a cruise. The tips include: Picking the right cruise line (avoid the best for families in the previous episode). Adult-only ships. Adult-only areas on board. Timing (like avoiding school vacation times). Longer and re-positioning cruises. Right cabin choice. Ri...

In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips Gary Bembridge, cruise author and expert, shares his tips of the five best cruise lines for families: Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. He talks about the strengths of each and why they are good for families For more essential cruise tips and to leave thoughts visit EssentialCruiseTip...

  In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips Gary Bembridge, cruise author and expert, talks about inside cabins and comments on an article from Cruise Critic with seven times an inside cabin may be the best choice for a cruise. The article he comments on can be read at: http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm? ID=2419 For mores essential cruise tips visit EssentialCruiseTips.com Subscribe to the...

In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips Gary Bembridge, cruise author and expert, talks about CroisiEurope River Cruises - the largest, most experienced and value-for-money European river cruise line. Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you do not miss out on other cruise tips on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this epsiode of Essential Cruise Tips Gary Bembridge, travel author and expert, answers a question often asked: is a cabin on the port (left) or starboard (right) side better and why.... Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you do not miss out on other cruise tips on iTunes or Stitcher Radio

In this episode of Essential Cruise Tips Gary Bembridge, cruise author and expert, share six activities that are no longer allowed on cruise ships. These were covered in an article on CruiseFever.net and include: Messages in a bottle. Streamers at sailaway. Hitting golf balls into the ocean. Smoking in the dining rooms and staterooms. Visits from friends and family on embarkation day. Skeet shooti...

  In this episode Gary Bembridge, cruise expert and author, shares another Essential Cruise Tip. Four First-Time Cruise Tips I was asked by "Cruise International Magazine" to provide a few tips for first-time cruisers for an article they were doing with suggestions from different cruise writers and bloggers. These are the four that I provided: (1) Chose your cruise line very carefully. Think about...