I've Done 13 Ultra-Luxury Cruises. Here's What No-One's Telling You (Podcast #479)

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 — and whether ultra-luxury cruising will truly be right for you. By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly whether ultra-luxury cruising is likely to be your dream holiday… or a very expensive mistake.

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

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 prices, and controversial new policies. If you're planning a cruise, or simply curious about what’s really happening behind the glossy brochures, this is essential viewing.

 

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT

Check out this episode!

Regular Vs. Ultra-Luxury Cruises: 4 Big Differences I DID NOT Expect! (Podcast #478)

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 reveal the big differences – and the unexpected similarities – between regular cruise lines and ultra-luxury. So… is ultra-luxury cruising the ultimate upgrade – or will it leave you wondering where all that extra money went?

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT
•  

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

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 what that means for your cruise experience, and dig into the uncomfortable topics many don’t talk about:

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8 Widely Held Repositioning Cruise Beliefs Are Wrong. Here’s Why! (podcast #477)

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 cruises… this is the video you need to watch before you click “book”.

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT

Check out this episode!

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

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 reveal the big differences – and the unexpected similarities – between regular cruise lines and ultra-luxury. So… is ultra-luxury cruising the ultimate upgrade – or will it leave you wondering where all that extra money went?

 

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT

Check out this episode!

Cruisers Say These Cruise Lines Are On The Rise RIGHT NOW. (podcast #476)

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, excluding only small niche, expedition, and ultra-luxury lines.

 

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT

Check out this episode!

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

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, excluding only small niche, expedition, and ultra-luxury lines.

 

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT

Check out this episode!

Cruisers Say These 6 Lines Have Got So Much Worse. Here’s Why (Podcast #475)

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 prices, and controversial new policies. If you're planning a cruise, or simply curious about what’s really happening behind the glossy brochures, this is essential viewing.

 

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT

Check out this episode!

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

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 cruises… this is the video you need to watch before you click “book”. I’m Gary Bembridge from Tips For Travellers — helping you make the smartest cruise choices so you have the best possible trip.

 

• Become a Tips For Travellers Patron: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers and get exclusive Patron-only content, downloads and livestreams
• Visit my Tips For Travellers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tipsfortravellers

 

Offers:

• Get 10% any order of The Cruise Maps who you visit the site using this link: https://www.TheCruiseMaps.com/TFT
• Get up to 30% off collectible tokens of place you’ve visited using the link: https://www.TheWanderClub.com/TFT

Check out this episode!