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. 

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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.

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I'm just back from a 7-night Sky Princess Scandinavian cruise where I challenged myself to test out eight cruise tips I think cruisers massively under-estimate, including one that I have seen totally wreck entire trips – and almost created a massive problem for me.

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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 my various trips there to still ensure an amazing and memorable time on their Alaskan cruise. Download my "Alaska Ports On A Budget" eBook at https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/AlaskaPorts or https://www.dropbox.com/s/pqesif229a5ycdw/Alaska%20on%20Budget%20PDF%20May-23.pdf?dl=0

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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 - as I explain....

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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 the the weeks and days before a cruise. So, here are 9 things that will transform and improve your cruise by doing them in the run up to leaving Links mentioned in the video: * My packing list: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/packinglist

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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 prepared and got even more from the trip.

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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 right.

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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 try them out and see of they make a big difference too.

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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 is better and why. And when you should stick on a "mainstream" line rather than go on an "ultra-luxury" cruise line.

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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....

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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, mysterious or shocking hidden pasts.

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.....??

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I'm just back from a cruise on Explora Journeys Explora 2, and was disappointed how many passengers I met on there are still following cruise tips that frankly I know are overrated and out-of-date. Tips that many cruising articles and videos are still recommending cruisers use. I'm Gary Bembridge, and I want to tell you about four overrated cruise tips I think you should ditch overboard and (importantly) what you should be doing instead.

Links mentioned in the video - and savings on cruise products

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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 (and wasn't going)

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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

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I've been on 100 cruises and found that there are 11 that are so remarkable, memorable, and enjoyable that I suggest you beg, steal, borrow or more sensibly (like me) scrimp and save to do as many of these as you can! Spoiler: 2 of the most popular are not in the best list!

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Now more than ever cruise lines are looking how to get more money from cruise passengers than ever before. I look at 10 things they are doing to extract more cash from us today that I think are rip offs and what I do to reduce or avoid them so all you can too.

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I explore what has got better, worse and stayed the same since my first cruise in 2004 and the 100th cruise that I recently did. Looking back some of the changes surprised even me who lived through them! This is one of a series of three videos drawing on all the experience from doing 100 cruises.

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I have just taken my 100th cruise and I have been asked by so many cruise passengers and cruising fans what are the biggest things I have learnt about cruising over all those trips. Here are the 7 biggest ones. Some may surprise. I hope so. This is the first of a series of videos I have made to mark hitting this milestone.

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I love cruising and I love Christmas, and so putting them together sounded like a perfect combination. But was it? Discover what I found out about cruising over the Christmas holidays! And what you must consider before doing it!

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When I learned that three quarters of all cruises are booked by cruise travel agents, I asked them to reveal the things they see cruise passengers repeatedly get wrong or make mistakes about and the 9 things they want us to know as they are guaranteed to make our cruising experiences so much better.

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I took my partner (Mark) back on a cruise line he is not a fan of at all based on our Alaska trip 4 years ago, hoping he will like the changes they've made since then so I don't always have to cruise solo on them! Here's how it went - and what I learnt about Holland America and taking cruisers back on lines they've not fans of!

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In this video, I look at six mind-blowing cruise changes that are have or are going to happen this year. These changes will majorly affect every cruisers' vacation plans, so make sure you are in the know! From new ships to updates to onboard experiences, these changes are going to radically change the way cruisers travel. Watch this video to find out what's coming your way this year! These are 6 changes that are happening to cruise ships and cruising that I think will change the way we cruise this year and into next. Some of them are big and obvious and had a lot of coverage, but others are not being spoken about much and are quietly shifting but will accelerate and could impact the way you and I find our cruises in the next 12 – 24 months

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Before boarding my Explora Journeys cruise, I had many questions, including if this new line would live up to the rave online reviews, who it is competing with, and who they were aiming at as I'd started seeing many ads targeting families with kids. So, as I boarded Explora II in Barcelona for an 11-night cruise, I was eager to discover more, and I did come away with clear answers, and one hurdle that had me thinking hard if I would cruise with them again.

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As 9 put of 10 of my cruises are as a solo passenger, I am frequently asked to share my tips on how to travel cheaper and avoid the large 100% supplement most lines charge, how to avoid being left out or feeling lonely and make the most of cruising as a solo traveller.

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I delve into gambling in cruise ship casinos to discover how to play, what to focus on and how cruise passengers use gambling to unlock perks, freebies, heavily discounted and free cruises – without seemingly gambling much money. Whether you are a small and timid player of slot machines or a big fan of playing the tables, you will discover all you need to know before playing.

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I look at dining in the Main Dining Room on a cruise ship, and the many watch outs, must knows, tips and tricks. It is not straight-forward as many cruisers think

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I discuss the things about Cunard Cruise Line that I kept finding people misunderstand, or do not realise about the cruise line. There are many cruising myths about Cunard among cruise passengers that I discuss, dispel, or explain why they may be only partly right. Cunard is not what most people think it is. I discuss topics including why despite being a very British line they use the US dollar and not the British Pound. Find out why and 7 other things you didn't know you needed to know.

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I look at some unwritten, and unspoken, rules that cruise passengers need to know as they are what makes a cruise run smoothly and make it more enjoyable.

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I look at 9 highly-sought after, and rare, cruise cabins that everyone wants for their cruising vacations because they have something unique, rare, or have added quirks or perks that make them more attractive than the others. So, which ones you should be quick off the mark to bag?

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I take a look at the 7 things I find on every Norwegian Fjords cruise I've been on that keeps surprising, shocking or throwing Norwegian Fjord cruise passengers. Here is what anyone thinking of going on a Norway Fjords cruising vacation really needs to know

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I learnt a lot going on my first Disney Cruise Line cruise. And that many of the cruising tips that apply to other cruise lines do not apply, or work, going on a Disney cruising vacation. These are the 13 things that I found cruisers on a Disney Cruise Line need to know as it will make their cruise better – and ensure they do not miss out on

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I booked myself onto Disney Cruise Line as an adult without kids to put it to the test to see if it really is the top-notch premium cruising vacation and option for travellers like this as most fans of the line say it is. Discover if I had a Disney dream or Disney nightmare at sea.....

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This video delivers on a promise I made in a past podcast about lines that I recommended to make a video of cruise lines avoid and think other cruisers should too. Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers

I meet so many people on cruises who tell me they do not gamble. However, whilst they might not gamble in the casino, they gamble with the most important thing of all on the cruise, the cabin. I'm going to tell you why I think most people get cabins wrong and what savvy cruisers do that I think you should really consider doing, too. I'm Gary Bembridge. And here's my tips on finding the perfect cabin, and why I think most advice that people give you is wrong.

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I look at how Celebrity Cruises is fast changing as a cruise line and the challenges that creates for both existing and new cruisers considering a Celebrity Cruising vacation. Become a Patron on Patreon and get perks: https://www.patreon.com/tipsfortravellers

I show you 7 jaw-dropping things on a cruise ship that most cruisers will never get to see, but I have managed to by hook or crook. And I am NOT talking about things like rollercoasters, go-kart tracks that thousands get to see every week.

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I look at the reality of cruising on smaller ship lines versus the many misconceptions and things I was warned about by other cruisers about them. I discuss what I found to be the at the 5 upsides and the 5 downsides of small ship cruise line cruising

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Has Princess Cruises lost its way? Or is it just a temporary blip as it gets back to speed? I've been asked this increasingly by cruisers coming off recent Princess cruises. Based on my 3 recent trips here's 4 things they're getting very wrong 4 things they're getting very right.

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I've been on several European river cruises, and I've had a good time, however I keep stumbling across things I don't think are made crystal clear or as up-front as they should be to travellers like you and me.

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No matter what type of cabin I'm cruising in, I do a series of checks the minute I get in. They've unlocked perks, they've even got me upgraded, and certainly made the cruise so much better. You should do these too!

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You need to get your Alaska cruise right as for most it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip and the stakes are high, and as they cost more than many alternative cruises the stakes are higher. These are the mistakes I see people cruising to Alaska keep making - so you can avoid them

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I keep seeing cruise passengers making the same cruise disembarkation mistakes and have looked at what smart cruisers do to make it easier, less stressful and successful - making disembarkation more fun and not a wasted day - and these are the 7 things that they all do

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My 10 must-do and tips for anyone considering or planning doing a Cunard Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing. These are the smart questions and things to do if you are thinking of doing, or have booked, a Cunard Transatlantic Crossing

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I look at 8 things we cruise passengers see all the time on cruise ships but don't realise they are there, what they mean nor the significance of them.

Recently, I had to step in to stop some friends making big mistakes while planning their Alaska cruise. It reminded me of all the pitfalls there are when cruising Alaska, and because of that why I meet too many cruisers saying their trip of a lifetime to this stunning region fell short. I'm Gary Bembridge, and I'm going to tell you how I helped my friends have a great Alaska cruise, and help you get your Alaskan cruise right.

Links mentioned in the video:

• Alaska Things To Do Without Breaking The Bank PDF: https://www.tipsfortravellers.com/AlaskaPorts  
• * Exploring Alaskan Ports WITHOUT Breaking The Bank!Video: https://youtu.be/GmGVi0v2rGA  
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I explore the 3 biggest concerns and fears people tell me they have about doing a Transatlantic Crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 between Southampton and New York during my latest Crossing.

I look at what the latest is on cruise gratuities and why tipping cruise ship crew is fraught with issues

There are 9 ways to get upgraded on a cruise. I talk about how I don't use the ways most cruise passengers try to get upgraded on a cruise, and the techniques I have found are more successful at being upgraded on a cruise as fewer are trying them