Essential Cruise Tips

In this USA cruise update I look at the current situation of the cruise suspension in the USA and when the cruising shutdown is likely to be listed. I update and review the situation and outlook for cruising in and out of the USA in my latest video. Although some positive developments, mostly probably not news and updates you looking forward to. Will cruises start sailing again from mid-September? What is the status of the discussion between the CDC and cruise lines? Is there good or bad news

There are 8 places around the world that you can now cruise to as the cruising suspensions and bans are lifted. These include USA, Europe, Asia and some exotic islands. I explore the 8 places the cruising suspension has started to lift and look at your cruise options right now.

In a major cruise update, the European Union issued a 49-page document with guidelines for cruise lines for restarting cruising across Europe. This comprehensive set of cruising guidelines was developed with input from CLIA (Cruise Line Association) and over 30 Cruise lines executives. I discuss 7 areas of note that I think cruise passengers may have some issues with, including travellers over 65, itinerary proposals, screening, masks, dining, social distancing, pool, hot tubs and more

I look at the 5 things that cruise ships are actually are doing during the cruise suspension to date It has been 6 months since the cruise suspension took place, what are the almost 300 cruise ships actuially doing and where are they?

How can you stay well on a cruise and cruise ship, and make sure (or at least give yourself the best chance) of avoiding any cruise ship illness outbreaks? Although unusual, and with lower overall chance than on land, when a virus illness like norovirus, influenza or more recently coronavirus breaks out it gets a lot of publicity and attention. Virus illness are spread in a. few key ways, and inI discuss what to look out for, the ways virus illnesses like flu, norovirus and coronavirus can be spread and the steps and things you should take on every cruise to stay fit and well. These are tips and things that I have learnt and use myself.

Your job, or the industry you work in, could mean you can cruise for less. Many cruise lines offer fare discounts or extra benefits, like on-board credit, for a wide range of jobs and industries. Your could be saving a lot of money on your cruises. I talk about the 8 main jobs and industries where you could get cheaper cruise fares, the cruise lines to focus on for each and 4 key tips on how to get discounts based on your job.

What are the pros and cons of staying loyal to a cruise line? I explore the best and worst things to being cruise line loyal. Most cruise lines have a cruise loyalty program where you can build up tours and benefits based on the number of nights you cruise with them. But, is it really worth building up status on a cruise line, or are the perks and loyalty benefits not worth it? I explore the 2 worst things and the 6 best things, where the downsides could out-weight the upsides.

What are the downsides of cruising? The worst things and negatives of a cruise vacation? I explore the issues that cruising causes and the challenges, hassles or issues that cruise passengers face - and how to best deal with them. Not everything about cruising is bad, of course

I look at the Pros and Cons of cruise line excursions, and look at the best reasons for booking and doing your port tours with the cruise line, and the reasons for not doing excursions with the cruise lines. Many travellers use cruise line tours as it is convenient and easy, and they like the guarantee that the ship will not depart until all of their tours are back, even if running late.

Just how different is a European River cruise and a Mekong River cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia? I take a look at the key similarities and differences and the things that surprised me as I had expected them to be very different but were not. A Europe river cruise and Mekong river cruise are great travel and cruising experiences and this will help you understand what to expect from both.

What are the best things about cruising, and why? With 77 cruises done to date, I share what I think good things, the pros and the positives are about cruising in my opinion, and why. I look at many aspects from who they cater for, where they go, what they offer and more. Do you agree with these?

Discover the 4 essential things you need to know about a Mekong River cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia. I was invited by CroisiEurope to cruise on the Indochine II between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap on a classic Mekong River cruise itinerary. Along the way I discovered four things that I think anyone interested in, or considering doing, a Mekong River cruise needs to know. I explore what the river is, where it goes, best times to go, the main experiences and sights and what you can expect from a Mekong river cruise ship and on-board experience.

Which cruise line excursions should you take, and which not? I suggest 6 excursions that I would usually take with the cruise line, rather than with an independent tour company or self tour. I also recommend 6 that I would suggest you consider not doing with the cruise line, and how to do them yourself. The big advantage of going on a cruise line excursion is the ship will always wait for all their tours to return before leaving. They do not guarantee to wait fro late passengers on their own arrangements. However, consider my list of ones to do and not do when planning excursions on your cruise vacation.

I explore the 8 destinations and place that, in my view, are much better to cruise to than go on a land-based vacation. Around the world some places are easier and simpler to visit and explore on a cruising vacation than trying to do it by land. Discover the 8 places, times and destinations that I believe you should consider a cruise to than the land alternative.

Cruising and it's impact on the environment is becoming under more focus by cruise passengers, environmental groups and governments around the world. I explore the 5 things that I see and read that cruise lines are doing, and focusing on, to improve cruising impact on the environment. Some of these are about the ships, some about the ports and how passengers and ships interact with all of this. Find out what these are and what difference they should make to cruising and the environment.

I explore the 6 biggest trends in cruising and how they could change your cruise and cruising experience. These cruise trends are things I am seeing and hearing the cruise industry talking about. These are the most important trends that I think will influence and change cruising as we know and experience it today. I look at who cruising is looking to attract on board and how the on-board offering may change, what is happening and will happen to cruise fares, ports and excursions, the environmental changes and more.

I look at the very best adult-only cruise lines and cruises. I explore four main topics: (1) Adult-Only Cruise Lines, (2) Adult Ships / Cruises, (3) Adult-Focused cruise lines (where you are less likely to find kids) and (4) how to choose a cruise that will have low or less chance of finding kids on board. I really enjoy adult-only cruising and these are the tips and guidance that I use to find these.

Many travellers, including me, are looking forward to getting back to cruising when it is safe to do so. Lots are looking at 2021 as the key time to return to cruising and looking at booking 2021 cruises now, so they have something to look forward to. However, as I looked at and thought about booking a cruise in 2021, I had at least 7 reasons to pause and delay booking a cruise in 2021 right at this moment. In this I explore those watch-outs and things to consider before you book 2021 cruises.

I explore a key watch-out if you are planning a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line: what is and (more importantly) is not going to be included in your cruise fare. Armed with this knowledge you can budget and plan for your Norwegian Cruise Line cruising vacation knowing you can take part and enjoy the things you want to. There is a huge amount of choice on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, especially the larger ones. many of the features you may see advertised may involve extras costs to enjoy, so I lay these out. And also the many things a Norwegian Cruise Line fare does include.

On-Board credit is bonus or "free" money that you can get to spend on your cruise. it is a credit that you can allocate to different things on your cruising vacation. I explore what it is and, more importantly, the 8 best ways you can get more on-board credit on your next (and future) cruising vacations. I then also explore some key watch-outs and what you can and cannot spend it on. These are key to ensure you do not lose any of your on-board credit and spend it in the mist effective and beneficial way.