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Cruise Q&A Live: Sunday 26 October: 10am PT/ 1pm ET/ 5pm UK
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0:10
Well, hello everybody and welcome to another live. Of course, with the chops and changes of time, so the UK's changed
0:16
their clocks overnight, Saturday into Sunday. So that now means we're only four hours difference uh with east the
0:24
east coast and 7 hours with the west coast in the US and whatever else that means depending on when you're changing.
0:30
Of course the US changing next weekend. So anyway, hopefully people made it. There's quite a few people here. I've
0:35
seen lots of questions around what time does it start and so on. But anyway, we're here and hopefully loads of people
0:40
join. Lots of questions coming in. So just a reminder, I'm Gary Benbridge. I was just the wrong way around. I'm Gary
0:46
Benbridge. This is Tips for Travelers. Um, if you have got a question on cruising, anything that's going on,
0:52
travel, pop it in the comments and write the word question so that uh I know it's
0:58
a question rather than chat. There's been good chat already. If you're watching this afterwards, thanks very much. Thousands of people watching
1:04
afterwards, which is great. Um, and you can sort of scan through and see the questions as they come up if you want to
1:09
jump ahead um of that. So let's have a quick I thought there's a few um
1:15
housekeeping things that I will want to do on top of the questions bit before we start just let you know that next week
1:22
there will be no live next weekend but there will be the weekend after the reason for that is a week today I will
1:29
be boarding a regent splendor for a 15 night Caribbean cruise. It was I was due
1:34
to be doing West Africa but I think explained in the previous trip um why I'm not doing that and I've switched it
1:39
to this trip. Um, so I'm actually heading to New York um on Wednesday.
1:44
I'll be there for a couple of nights seeing some shows that I wanted to see and catching with some friends and then
1:50
heading off. So next Sunday because I'm boarding, I won't run a live, but I will be running a live the next Sunday. We'll
1:56
actually be in St. Lucia um in two Sundays time. So I'll try and run that
2:01
at normal time um uh whatever the normal time is, you know, 5 UK, 1 uh whatever
2:07
is noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. I'll try and synchronize with whatever that timing is to run that. So, just
2:13
remember, no live next week. If you do want to follow me on the trip, if you follow me on Instagram, Gary Benbridge,
2:20
I post loads and loads of uh stories every day. So, there's little video things, so keep a look out for the
2:25
videos. I post hundreds of those um with what's going on, the ports, the ship, and so on. Um if you want even more,
2:32
what I also do for patrons is I have a Patreon account where I post some behindthe-scenes stuff. um of the
2:39
channel, early releases of video, stuff like that. But normally when I'm away, I try subject to Wi-Fi, I post some kind
2:45
of thoughts on the go, so some insights, answer some questions. Obviously coming afterwards will be the full video. So
2:51
just remind you on the tips of Travis's channel. I have the weekly video, these live streams, uh the shorts, etc. That's
2:57
all that I've done always. That's always completely free and supported. Then I have the Patreon which is there. So I do
3:04
a little bit more behind the scenes stuff but as I said you can of course have a look on Instagram right so let's
3:10
get stuck into the questions loads of questions which is coming in which is which is good um so let's get stuck in
3:18
um I'll try and get through as many questions as possible in the next hour so Michael is asking a question uh good
3:25
to see you here again Michael having never been on a repositioning cruise myself are you a fan of these and the
3:32
many relaxing days at sea or do you prefer more focused itineraries that provide a port every day? So, Michael,
3:38
that's a great question, partly because it teases up um a video series that I'm
3:43
going to be launching. So, the first video is actually out on the 8th. So, in fact, I guess that's the date of the
3:48
next live, the day before the live stream looking at repositioning cruises, what they are, pros, cons, the different
3:54
types, how to find them, uh watch outs, and so on. Um, and then I've got a a kind of a myths video which will come a
4:00
bit later. So keep an eye out for that as well because I dive into that. Personally, I like repositioning
4:05
cruisers because um I like spending longer times on a ship. So I particularly choose ships or lines that
4:12
I want to just spend a bit more time on. It gives me time to try everything, experience everything, video everything
4:19
without the time pressure. Um what I like about them, I personally like the more uh exotic ones. So, for example,
4:26
the one that I did on SNOVA where I went from uh Alaska uh to Japan, for example,
4:32
because you get to see some very unusual combinations of ports. I do have some next year which are more traditional
4:38
transatlantics going between Lisbon and Miami for example. Um and I hope another
4:45
one which goes from Lisbon around down through New York through Canada and New York and stuff. But in 27, I've booked
4:51
some which which go from Papieti through to Alaska, Alaska to Japan. So I like them because you can also get
4:58
combinations of unusual itineraries and they are normally significantly cheaper
5:03
than going on those lines. You can often go on a better line or a better cabin. Um but you're right, you do need to like
5:09
uh C days. Um you know, for example, on that last one, we had six C days back to back one doing eight C days. And some
5:16
people just were getting a bit crazy on that because there was just too many C days. So I like a combinations of those.
5:21
So I do like those repositionings. If I was if I wasn't doing the channel doing
5:26
fewer cruises, I probably would still do repositionings because I like C days and it would give me a chance for longer
5:32
cruises. Uh and it's definitely much more cost effective.
5:37
Uh Sher is here, which is great. Um yeah, it's it's also really cold here in
5:42
the UK. Um going to look into some of your tokens thanks to discount code. So that's a good point, Sheree. So, just if
5:49
you are ever looking for alternative excursions, by the way, let me bring this up. Um, if you're ever looking for
5:55
alternative excursions, and there's obviously this venture, I just realized it's got that should be me there. I
6:01
didn't do it with a blank background. Um, but if you're ever looking this via tour, obviously this venture shore, but
6:06
if you do tips for travel shore excursions, that's a shore excursions group, and you use the code TFT5, you
6:13
will get uh you'll get uh 5% off the tours. Uh so thanks for mentioning that
6:19
uh Sherry. So hopefully that works out that works out for you. Um let's have a
6:24
look. So Tom is here who's actually one of my captain patrons. We're approaching six months um for early May 2026 Tahiti
6:32
trip. Three days on Maria which is fantastic. I think I might have mentioned that before is um Maria which
6:38
is maybe a 45 minute ferry ride on the fast ferry. I find a nicer place to stay
6:45
than staying in Papieti. Paul Gagan is a fabulous cruise. Um, any recommendations
6:51
for activities and adventures? So, I'm not sure if you're asking me for Maria or Paul Gan more generally. What what I
6:57
would strongly recommend is most of those islands have great ebike tours. Either you can hire ebikes. So, for
7:03
example, Mark and I had an ebike in Isaka the whole way around Bora Bora. We've done them in in Maria. We've done
7:09
them in Hwani. Uh there's some great um ebike tours uh which you can do through
7:14
Paul Ganana or you can do them separately. They're really interesting because you'll see some of the historic sites. You'll see things like the
7:20
pineapple plantations. You'll go up to viewing sites. And the other thing of course is a lot of it's about the water.
7:26
So there's some great excursions with kind of snorkeling, swimming with sharks, that kind of stuff. Um and if
7:32
you like hiking, there's a couple of good hikes. Now I think it's in Hawaii if I remember correctly. There's a huge
7:37
big mountain. Now you can get an ATV up there. um or you can hike up which is fantastic. So um kind of water-based
7:44
stuff. A lot of them will have private beaches. Pogan has for example on one of
7:50
the islands they have their private MOTU. I wouldn't do an excursion that day. I would just go to the island. It's
7:55
it's really nice. In Bora Bora they have a little private um beach space and stuff stuff like that as well.
8:03
Michael has a follow-up question from last week. I think you asked me about ones that I would do again. So, Michael
8:08
this time's asking me, "What I only do once, one and done, no repeat necessary." Um,
8:16
there aren't any that came to mind, Michael. One thing that I do probably do
8:21
fewer of, and I do tend to to look at less is Mediterranean trips, mostly
8:27
because I've done a lot of Mediterranean cruises. Um, also over the years, I've been to many of those places kind of on
8:33
land-based stuff as well. So it's more that I don't find things new and exciting. So the only time I do it is if
8:39
there is something new and exciting. So for example, I'm doing a Mediterranean cruise in May next year, but I'm doing
8:45
that on Winstar Wind Surf because it's the sailing ship thing. So it's more about the sailing ship experience. Um so
8:53
I don't think I mean uh in terms of cruises, one that I probably wouldn't do again is Galapagus. I always wanted to
8:59
go to Galapagus. I did it. Uh I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't go again. And I feel like that's one I've done. But other
9:06
expedition ones I've done. Uh maybe would I go to the Kimbley again? I might go to the Kimbley again. Maybe I
9:12
wouldn't go to the Kimbley again. So some of those excursions ones probably because they're so expensive. Um but
9:17
like Antarctica, I'm going yet again seeing a different part of it. So probably some of the expedition ones I
9:24
would do once partly because I feel I've done them, but also they are so horribly horribly
9:30
expensive. Um, so you need to, you know, I'd rather try somewhere else. Um,
9:35
Heidi has a question. Um, going on holiday America to near Antarctica, how rough is Drake Passage and how long to
9:42
cross? So, I'm guessing Heidi, you might be doing them Worster Dam. Um, I'm guessing because I know they do that
9:48
they bounce between um, Santiago. Well, I guess it's more like um, used to be
9:54
Val Parisia, but now it's for what it's called. Um, and Buenosaris. I did that
10:00
once and I know some I'll go down to Antarctica. I'm actually doing the Asteram next year but I'm doing I guess when they're finishing the season I'm
10:06
going from Bonosurus all the way around back through ultimately to Miami. Anyway, that's what you asked. So in
10:12
terms of Drake Passage, I mean Drake passage Heidi is relatively unpredictable. It can be what they call
10:18
the Drake Lake or the Drake Shake. Um, so I suspect particularly when they're
10:23
heading there on an they will try as also the expedition ships do try and go
10:28
when there's less storms passing through. It's a little bit less rough for everybody's sake. Um, but also just
10:35
because that's much more pleasant. So it can be pretty choppy. Um, but also I
10:40
think someone made the comment a lot of how long it takes depends on how rough it is. So, what you'll find often they,
10:47
you know, you'll often find expedition ships will talk about taking two days to
10:52
get there, but often it's taking us just over a day to get there if it's not that bouncy because they can get there much
10:57
quicker and they build a bit of buffer in. So, it's going to take between one and two days um normally sitting on
11:04
expedition ship which I go about ships like the probably go about the same speed I think. Um but uh what I would
11:12
say with Drake passages don't get too stressed about it. Now you're on a slightly bigger ship, so probably in terms of motion than some of the small
11:17
expedition, a little bit less so. Um, they will try and time it so it's going to be as most comfortable as possible.
11:23
And just make sure that you're ready. So whatever remedies or whatever you have, just have those with you and and don't
11:30
worry too much about it because they will go when it's when they can try and
11:35
make it the most comfortable as possible. Um, but I have been on it when it's pretty choppy. Um, and I've been on
11:40
when it's relatively smooth. Um, have a great time. Uh, so see the world
11:47
with us. Good to see you here again. Um, with cruise fairs ever increasing, which
11:54
mode of cruising now offers the best value for money? Ocean, river, expedition, yacht, or barge. Without a
12:01
shadow of it, in terms of value, it's ocean. Uh, see the world? Because, uh,
12:06
you know, you can go still relatively inexpensively. You're right. Fairs are going up. ships are selling pretty full
12:13
and um they're selling way still way out into 26 27 and the sales are going really well according to the lines. Uh
12:20
but ocean you know you can still go on some of those mega ships MSE you can still get deals you know as little as
12:25
$100 $200 uh you know per person per night still. So so that is definitely
12:32
kind of the best value just because um you know the way their balance costs. Personally, um I find river cruising I
12:40
struggle a little bit with the value of river cruising personally. I know there are more value ones coming, but you know, on the price per day, it's pretty
12:46
hefty. Now, I know there's more inclusions, it's a smaller ship. Um that kind of stuff. Um so, they're okay. I
12:54
mean, the good news is because there's more value entrance coming in, more competition, more availability, I think
13:00
that will improve. expedition obviously uh is incredible value uh for what you
13:06
see. So although going to Antarctica is crazy money uh but the value is
13:11
incredible for what you get the expedition team the learning the experience um barge uh barge you know
13:18
you can get some relatively inexpensive barge stuff like cross Europe for example which I've been on um but
13:24
definitely you know of those ocean is is always going to be in terms of the value
13:30
what you get for the amount of money you spend of course on expedition for me anyway is is pretty is Pretty amazing.
13:37
So Lenny is here listening while traveling. I guess that means you're on the go. And Mark is here, which is great. Good to see you here, Mark. Uh
13:43
Tom is on YouTube. So I saw that more more as as I think I mentioned the the
13:49
um the uh I I do stream this on Facebook and on LinkedIn. The disadvantage with
13:56
those is you can't see the chat. The advantage on YouTube is is you can see the chat. So that's but if you leave a
14:02
question, if you are watching on Facebook, on LinkedIn, if you leave a question, the questions do show up. Uh
14:08
Gary, loving the channel. Thank you very much. Uh Wuang Life YouTube is 20 was late with the live alert. That's
14:14
interesting. It's sometimes a little bit um hectic. Uh Scoffman um in the middle
14:22
of the Atlantic on Celebrity Apex to Bermuda. Think we're going to have on Saturday watching the hurricane. Yeah, I
14:27
be I was watching the news today actually because you've got hurricane it's called now that's heading towards
14:33
Jamaica. I was watching the news they're kind of getting ready for it to hit Jamaica um and s getting sandbags etc
14:41
out ready for that. It sounds like they're expecting uh it to be pretty um not not great at all in Jamaica. So
14:47
hopefully it's not too bad for you. I'm sort of watching. I know there's something passing through this week as I
14:52
mentioned because I'm on those um those cruises that cruise that leaves a week today. I I sort of waiting to see if
14:59
there's any storms heading up. I haven't seen any. People made a comment, am I worried about hurricanes? I haven't seen
15:05
any and the weather forward. I can only look at the moment just a little bit
15:10
ahead. Um, and it seems not as stormy, but we will we will see. Hopefully, you
15:17
know, still towards I guess heading towards the end of the hurricane season, there's still the risk, but yeah,
15:23
hopefully that goes well for you and hope you're enjoying Celebrity AEX. Boys of Boka are here, which is great. Um,
15:30
when cruising out of Barbados, what pre preise hotel do you recommend? Uh, any
15:36
must see sites. Thanks, Gary. So, I uh when I've pre- cruised um I've actually
15:41
flown in the same day on a charter and flown out, but when we stayed in Barbados, we stayed at the Fairmont,
15:46
which was very nice, but that's more if you're staying longer. One of the ones that I personally would have on my list
15:53
as a pre- cruise is the Hilton, which is sort of out on a little sticky out bit, which sure is a more technical term for
15:59
that, but it's it's still got pretty good beaches from what I can see. Uh it's pretty accessible, not that far
16:05
from the port. So, I would take a look at the at the Hilton. Um, but I said we stay at the Fairmont before, which is a
16:10
very nice hotel, nice beaches. Um, if you wanted more of a chill out um space
16:16
in terms of mustsee sites in Barbados. Now, most I've been to Barbados to be
16:22
honest. I've done more beach stuff. Um, but I'm trying to remember there's
16:27
there's um and I've done more beach and snorkeling stuff. So, I don't have a lot of list of
16:34
sites. the town is kind of a little bit grubby and stuff, but I've mostly done
16:40
uh beach snorkeling. Um, you know, they're quite well known for turtles and stuff. So, I'm pretty rubbish on sites
16:48
in Barbados. I've done that more. In fact, we're going to Barbados on this
16:53
trip and I actually am planning to go to kind of the beach. So, I'm a bit rubbish on that. So, if anyone has better tips,
17:00
I mean, I've stroll around the town. is quite nice little marina and stuff, but I think you probably want to see more
17:05
than that. So, if anyone has better tips than I do, uh please uh please leave those because I feel a rubbish job for
17:11
boys of boys of Boo. Um so, Sh saying it should be long gone by the time I get
17:17
there. So, that should be good. Uh Greg, so Greg, um who do you use to obtain
17:23
visas for countries like India? So, Greg, I often will these days do visas
17:29
myself. So, I will just go online, you know, normally I'll go to like in the UK, I'll look at the foreign office
17:35
site. Uh, it'll give you entry requirements and it'll give you a link to the most appropriate um, you know,
17:40
embassy site or whatever. So, like when I got a visa for China, even though I didn't really need it recently when I sailed there because they changed the
17:46
rule slightly, I would often do it myself. However, the the company that is most strongly recommended um by cruise
17:53
companies, but also I see for landbased is a company called CIBT.
17:59
CIBT and I think pretty much there in many many countries of the world. So often if you type in CIBT.com
18:05
it redirects you to the local site. So certainly when we did um a big leg of we
18:11
did half the world cruise. Um no actually was not talking rubbish. It's when we were doing uh we were going on
18:17
the Queen Mary 2. I mean there from Sydney all the way up to Dubai. We needed a couple of countries we're going
18:23
to we needed visas for and we did them through CIBT there because you could
18:28
take you filled out all your forms through CBT for the different countries. I think it was at the time I think we
18:34
had to get Vietnam, we had to get China, a few other I can't remember the places we had to get. There was three or four we had to get. So we did it all in one
18:40
thing and we could just give them and they would get each of them individually. So it it meant I didn't have to go to multiple places but
18:46
certainly if I was going to one country I would do it myself. Now the reason I advantage I have is I'm in London. So
18:53
all the embassies and all of the visa places are in London. So if you're not in London or a major city where you
19:00
where you've got all of those uh consulates then I would look at a company like CIBT.
19:06
So hopefully that answers uh DMAC 3316 has Chan Honduras removed the
19:12
vaccination requirement. It was for measles. So there was a little bit of confusion around this issue about did
19:17
you need it? Didn't you need it? Um, a lot of it was linked originally from the stuff that I read uh for people coming
19:24
on land-based and wasn't applying to cruise people, but there was a lot of confusion. So, my understanding, I'm
19:29
going to give you a qualified understanding is that it's it's gone. It's been clarified. However, what I
19:35
would do is uh always of course double check. So one of the things you could do
19:40
is I'm not sure where you're based on inclusion where you know no some you can tell by spellings or pictures but what I
19:47
would always do so for example what I would do in the UK is I would go to the foreign office so I'd go to FCO I just
19:52
Google FCO Honduras entry requirements and that would tell me the most current
19:58
status and the advantage with the FCO site is you can then set up an alert so it will tell you if it's changed if
20:04
you're in the states the state department I would do state department travel advisory in there again they will
20:09
tell you enter requirements uh and stuff so I would do a double check there are also a couple of really good um travel
20:17
health sites um which I can't remember the name off hand but literally if you do travel advice sites uh in Google
20:23
it'll come up but I tend to use either the state department or the foreign office because they are really on the
20:29
ball they're up to date because of course they don't want travelers from your country going from their country going and creating all sorts of problems
20:36
uh getting the embassies involved whatever um and they do update them regularly. So that would be that would
20:42
be my tip. Gary asking has crew booking started to decline based on all the recent reports
20:49
from the cruise lines. though they are all reporting in so every quarter
20:54
obviously as listed companies major companies um list groups Carnival uh
21:01
group the Royal Caribbean group the Norwegian group and Viking which are all listed of course on the New York Stock
21:07
Exchange every quarter they do updates um they are not talking about bookings
21:12
declining uh at all uh a lot of them are talking about how the percentages
21:17
they've sold of 26 already into 27 uh and how prices are going up. Obviously,
21:23
bigger groups like MSE which are privately owned, we don't know. Um so the I haven't seen that. However, saying
21:29
that what I do have seen particularly at the end of this last September quarter
21:34
is quite a lot of uh promotions and sales. Now we're heading into Black Friday where the lines often do a lot of
21:41
sales. Be interesting to see how busy and what sort of deals they're offering. And the other big period for cruise
21:46
lines is early January when wave season is. So, a lot of people, a large percent of people book travel just coming out of
21:52
the Christmas period. Um, so it'll be interesting to see just how much they're promoting, but certainly the cruise
21:57
lines are reporting very robust. Now, I do keep an eye on because obviously people are wondering, particularly with
22:04
um, you know, cost of living going up, inflation staying high, uh, some people's nervous about traveling um, and
22:11
so on. um you know so but certainly they're not reporting any as yet and
22:16
they would obviously have to reflect that in quarterly reporting um but we haven't seen anything yet so it will be
22:22
interesting to to see just mind write the word question so that I don't miss the question um a couple here that
22:31
haven't write the word question so I don't I don't miss the question uh Tana
22:36
trico trico trying to decide between windstar wind surf and uh region
22:42
prestige for 2027 for Croatia and Greece cruising. Any thoughts? Okay, so those
22:47
are obviously extremely different experiences. Um obviously Windsurf being the sailing ship and Prestige for those
22:54
who don't know is the new region ship that's coming out. So although you know so Winstar is then that sort of small
23:00
ship luxury experience, Windsurf I haven't been on but I will be on in May. Um uh uh you know and they are doing a
23:07
brief quite soon. Prestige obviously brand spanking new. It's kind of that ultra luxury thing. Um, Ter, what I
23:14
would do is it depends a little bit. I would say what you want to get out of the experience. Now, without knowing the
23:20
itineraries, if you want a really immersive experience, so you want to get into some of the smaller ports, out of
23:27
the way ports, uh, in Croatia, you want to go to some of the smaller islands, I would look very hard at the Windstar
23:34
wind surf. So even that attorney that I'm doing out of Venice, we're calling on a couple of ports that even the
23:40
smaller ships like Azamara um you know which are quite small don't call on because the wind surf is so
23:47
small it's so nimble um you know they will pull into and tendering is much less of an issue. So if you really want
23:52
something more intensive, I would look at those particularly if you're going if it's definitely going to get you into Santorini, Mkos, places like that that
24:00
are restricting or if you're going to some of the small islands, Patmos or whatever, some of the smaller islands um
24:05
and you want a more unique experience. Now it is going to cost you about the same as going on Regent, which I guess
24:11
is why you're asking because certainly my Windstar wind surf, you know, per day is kind of a regent kind of price, but
24:16
it's not as plush or luxurious. Now, if you're looking though for a much more upmarket, you know, you know, way more
24:24
choice of dining options, uh, you know, probably, you know, much higher level of inclusions,
24:30
uh, you know, definitely more pampering and you want to be one of the first people to go on the new ship, I would
24:35
look, that's the the cell for prestige. um they unlikely and again I haven't
24:40
seen the attenders but I'm guessing they're not going to go to quite as intensive places because that that ship
24:45
if I remember correctly is going to have 800 passengers 850 passengers so they're going to be likely going for more ports
24:52
where they can dock so you might find it's a little bit more of the iconic places so I probably haven't helped you
24:57
but those are sort of things I I would kind of balance uh balance out I think both would be great experience but very
25:03
very different experiences and now someone else had left a question.
25:09
Uh KB in the UK. There we go. Uh just off MSC view around the Med and Yacht
25:15
Club. Very nice. Good. Great to hear you had a great time. Going to do the Panama Canal on Celebrity Ascent in the retreat
25:21
in January. Very nice. That should take you through the new locks. We 74 and 64.
25:26
Should we get your fever jabs? So obviously I'm not a doctor, but I haven't just been through this discussion. I could probably uh give you
25:34
what my doctor am I oncologist uh told me is uh generally speaking you'll see
25:40
if you uh speak to a doctor or you even Google it you'll find that generally speaking yellow fever jabs are not
25:47
recommended for people over the age of 60 um certainly in the UK um uh and the
25:54
reason being it's a live it's a live virus um and it can be kind of sort of side effects so it's it's not
26:00
recommended um for people over 60. My do both my my doctor and my oncologist that
26:05
I saw was adamant that I shouldn't have a yellow fever jab uh to do the West Africa trip which it was sort of
26:10
required. I decided not to go to West Africa because we were calling on some ports where yellow fever was a real
26:15
issue. Now you don't need a Panama a yellow fever jab to go through the Panama Canal. It's not required. It's
26:22
not needed. I've been through Panama Canal four times. I'm going through twice next year and I've never
26:28
considered having the yellow fever jab. Now again I'm not a medical professional so do kind of check but you'll find that
26:34
it's not required. No cruise line requires it. Panama doesn't require it. So it's not required. I think some sites
26:40
some travel sites uh you know recommend it suggest it. But certainly if you
26:46
speak to any doctor and I would speak to a doctor rather than a vaccination center selling those. I also spoke when
26:53
I had uh some jabs recently booster jabs. I asked them and and my general my
26:59
GP doesn't even they won't off even offer the yellow fever jab at all um
27:05
because particularly for people over 60 they won't do it at all. So um short
27:10
answer is um obviously speak to your medical professional if you're concerned about it. Um the recommendation is not
27:15
to take it over 60 is all the stuff that I've been told by my people. And thirdly it's not uh it's not a mustave. you
27:22
know, the ports we were calling on in uh West Africa, it was a must have although you could get a license um from your
27:29
doctor saying you shouldn't take it. By the way, one point is if you've ever had yellow fever jab, um it's that is
27:36
accepted as having had it. So, I might have had it when I was a kid, but I don't have any record of it. But if you
27:43
have had it um you know 20 years ago for some reason and you can have documentation that's still counted as
27:50
valid which I didn't know which is interesting. Uh Caroline said what about using
27:55
different cruise topics uh for on a monthly basis for live chats. I think it is a great idea. I tried it and it was a
28:01
complete disaster. Well could be disaster. I did try to do themed chats and I found that I would get three or
28:07
four questions on the theme and then people would ask what they wanted to ask which of course is fair enough. So I I
28:14
did try it and I will go back to trying it. Um it's a good reminder that I should try it. But I found generally
28:19
speaking it just um because obviously this is driven by what people want to ask. Um what I'm doing though in
28:25
November I'm going to get uh what what I have done a couple of times is um have guests on so they get different
28:32
perspective. So Fraser at sea is going to come in uh when I get back from this trip for example. Um and I was going to
28:38
talk a little bit more about uh that when we're going to focus or try and focus uh around longer cruises. He's you
28:45
know he spent took a year off where basically pretty much was on ships non-stop. Um so I do like the idea and I
28:52
will I will keep I will keep trying it because of course it does add it perspective and it does mean at least
28:57
certainly the beginning we get people who want to watch that topic I guess come in at the beginning. Um, so thanks
29:02
thanks for the suggestion. It's a great it's a great suggestion. Uh, Sherry making the same point that I did. Um,
29:11
reminder just write the word question so I don't I don't miss it. Uh, a big part of what I enjoy while I cruise is a free
29:18
sauna. They're fast diminishing. Do you recommend some ships or cruise lines with good ones? So I'm not I'm not a big
29:25
sauna fan, but yes, I can. So you tend to find Gary that on the unfortunately
29:31
the more up market you go the more likely you to find it. So for example, Explore Journeys has a very good sauna
29:37
setup. Region 7s had a good setup um where you didn't have to pay uh but
29:43
you're right on the more mass market. So on Cunard, Holland America uh and so on
29:49
uh you have to pay to go into that sort of area in many of the ships. Now I know on Queen Elizabeth for example in Queen
29:55
Victoria I think the sauna they have a very small sauna in the changing rooms but generally speaking the free ones are
30:02
more kind of up you know a little bit more ones you go up market but certainly I know on Regent um on
30:10
Silver Sea they did I'm think the one I'm just back from Explorer did Viking is another one they do have a nice sauna
30:17
and ice room area but it is you know if you want the free ones it does tend to be a little bit higher up do take a look
30:23
at some of the Cunard um on certain not on Kunard because but on the in the
30:28
changing rooms I do remember on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth they did have them didn't have them on Queen an
30:34
we had to pay to go to those um
30:40
let's have a look JMLB 10 what 1050 these always hard ones
30:48
to pronounce maybe I shouldn't even try and do it first cruise in May 2026 It's very exciting. I love it. Very excited
30:53
when I see people with their first cruise. Honda America Euro Dam to Alaska. Thoughts on the Arbor Casino? Okay. The Able Casino URAM is pretty
31:00
good. In fact, it's actually just been expanded recently. So when we did I did a group cruise last year on Uram and
31:08
they were actually running a um they had something like almost a hundred casino
31:17
um comp people, people who were big casino players on that same setting as
31:22
us. It was almost 100. It wasn't quite 100. It was like 85 or something like that. Um but they've now expanded the
31:29
casino. the casino. So, used to be in an area where the casino was near Billboard and Border and then there was this there
31:35
was this um bar lounge kind of area. Uh that's now
31:42
the bar part's still there, but the lounge areas has they've expanded the casino. So, it's a pretty big casino. Um
31:49
and so and it's it's a pretty active casino. Um, so, uh, Eurodam is is is
31:56
pretty it's got a pretty good casino and as it has just expanded and certainly the fact that they did use it, um,
32:02
because the selling wasn't that full, they would use it to bring a lot of their casino big casino players on board suggest to me that that's that is a good
32:09
casino. So, for the size of the ship, I think it's pretty good casino. So, D and Andrew here, which is great. I'll be
32:14
catching up and seeing them when I'm there. Uh, oh, great. So, thanks very
32:19
much for that, Diana and Andrew. They've said to the Hilton, it was great. That's when when I said it, I was ringing my bell. It was ringing my bell, ringing in
32:26
my head that I felt that someone had stayed there that I that I I knew of. So
32:32
that's great. Thanks for adding that. Um Mark Wood, good to see you here. How
32:37
much bigger can the mega ships get over the decade or so? Well, um I really
32:44
don't I mean it's it's going to be an interesting one because the challenge that mega ships have is selling out of
32:52
the US which is where most the mega ships sell out you know out of Florida because that's where they just get the pure volume under US law under the
32:59
passenger vehicle passenger vessels act uh which people call the Jones Act but
33:05
it's actually not really the Jones Act the Jones Act is something slightly different anyway that's just the geeky me But under the if you're sending out
33:11
of the US for a ship that is not built and manned by US people, you have to call on a foreign port. So the problem
33:18
is ships the bigger and bigger ships get is they just can't go anywhere. So some
33:23
of those massive big ships like um you know the icon star of the seas which are
33:29
now up to sort of 7,000 passengers if I remember correctly. So once you got crew on it's like 8 9,000 something people.
33:37
They are so limited where they can go. they can get into NASA, they can get into, you know, perfect day at Coco K.
33:43
So, at some point, you know, at some point they they have to be able to call somewhere to be able to sail. So, I
33:50
wonder whether we've sort of reached kind of the maximum size. Obviously, a lot of it hinges on demand as well, but
33:56
I suspect we're probably maxing out at where you can get to both from a
34:02
physical size. Bear in mind, you have to get a lot of those ships are setting three, four nighters. So, you've got to
34:07
have the volume of people to fill those ships, you know, every couple of days literally. And you've got to go to a foreign port. Those ships, you know, the
34:14
big ships you can't really take into Europe uh as much because a lot of those ports just can't cope. There's so few
34:19
ports that can cope with them. You can't take them to many places into Asia. So, that I feel like we're probably coming
34:25
to to to kind of a a max out, but I will probably said that years ago when it was
34:32
4,000. So, I I don't know. Um I I don't know. Uh the return life I think I've
34:38
probably answered this. Um you know cruise prices. I mean what's very
34:43
interesting what the cruise industry does uh is they will talk a lot and you'll see they brief travel agents
34:50
quite a lot on this is comparing the cost of cruising versus going on a land-based resort trip. And you'll find
34:57
that that is a big part of the pitch that it's still cheaper, you know, if you're a family to go on a cruise than
35:04
it is to take a family on a resort-based holiday. So, I'm going to take a slug of water.
35:10
So, I don't think, you know, as a cruiser, you know, we certainly uh
35:16
grumble and not very happy with as we see cruise prices kind of growing, but in reality, their big focus is on new
35:23
cruise. come back to get the point we talk about these bigger big ships and having to fill them and actually as a
35:29
family or for people who used to landbased they're coming and looking at these and saying well actually this is pretty good value for money of what I'm
35:35
getting versus if I'm going landbased so I think that's particularly in that more mass kind of space um so certainly we're
35:43
not seeing people being priced out as yet I mean 4.5 certainly you know I know
35:49
inflation slipped a bit below in in the UK I mean that was in line with inflation now inflation is 2 point
35:54
something guess in the US inflation's lower so it's rising at a bit above so so I mean you're right at some point
36:01
there will be kind of some flex now because they use dynamic pricing if you
36:06
if people start to pull back from cruising pricing will flex because they have the pricing basically moves up as
36:14
demand moves up so their price in you know so prices very used to be much more
36:19
volatile than it is now because demand is so high prices are being pushed up by demand. The thing that I think we also
36:25
need to watch though the Wuang life is if you look at what cruise lines report
36:31
is they talk about um growth in fairs absolutely but they talk much more about
36:37
the uh increase in onboard spend. So they are putting a huge emphasis on what
36:44
people spend once they get on board. So you might be in terms of prices, you might be talking the whole experience,
36:50
but they are, you know, they make a lot of noise about how successful they've been at getting people to spend more on
36:56
board. Uh so it's interesting how people how people think do they look at the headline price which I assume most
37:02
people do because that's the the hook if you like. Um and people are spending more on board why packages especially
37:09
being a big part of that. So I don't know that we're seeing people being priced up but I think the industry the
37:14
way it is capacity filling ships their pricing model is so uh sensitive I guess
37:20
to that I think we would see that I think we would see that quite quite quickly
37:27
that's why Gary's wording sticky out bits peninsula yes um ah Sherry this is an interesting
37:33
point um for those of you who don't know what what happened is you know I guess the US increased
37:40
quite significantly. The charge mostly aimed at freight ships calling into US
37:46
ports. Uh so the tariffs went up a lot. So what China did is I guess they
37:51
because a lot of I guess a lot of the um the uh freight ships are registered in
37:57
Panama and all these other places. So to re so they couldn't really necessarily retellate as much. So what they did is
38:03
they've also dramatically increased uh some of the fairs for cruise ships
38:09
according to Chinese ports. So a couple of them like Oceanania recently uh cancelled a port uh canceled calling to
38:16
Shanghai because it was going to cost them something like don't quote me on the number but it was something like $400,000 half a million dollars to call
38:22
into the port. So they canceled it. However um what it's interesting is Spectrum of the Seas negotiated to get
38:30
to it down. suspect on the seas was able to negotiate with the Chinese authorities to get in. Um so I think
38:36
what we're going to see is you know it's you know definitely there's a risk. So if you if you're booking anything with a
38:43
Chinese port in the short term keep an eye on it. Um certainly in the short term uh but also I guess cruise lines as
38:51
spectum see I guess Royal Caribbean showed is there is some flex in the system. So hopefully cruise lines will
38:58
react. I mean, I guess Riviera just didn't have the time and or whatever, but they I would have been very upset because uh Shanghai or or or the Chinese
39:07
ports would have been absolutely there, but um the only one that I've seen is Riviera, but I know it's it's an active
39:13
it's an active uh discussion at at the moment. Um
39:19
the laugh, why do European wear speedos instead of shorts to swim? Yeah, I guess it's a cultural thing. It's it's just
39:26
people are much more comfortable with their bodies. I guess it's the same as you know topless uh sunbathing is is you
39:32
know much more of a thing in in Europe certainly you know on many beaches many countries you know women's sunbathing
39:38
topless would be uh would be nothing so I guess it is um
39:45
shipping companies are coming back more and more service and amenities every year well um Robert uh
39:51
yes yes and no I mean certainly uh we've seen
39:57
you have to look at line by line in reality but generally speaking you know more things you know cruise lines have
40:03
been looking at how do we reduce food waste. So what implication does that have across uh the size of the menu the
40:10
range of the menus for example uh some cruise lines particularly in the mainstream side have actively cut back.
40:17
So uh you know Norwegian a couple of years ago went to once a day service. A couple of other cruise lines have gone
40:22
to once a day cabin service. Um, you know, Norwegian, for example, uh, like
40:28
many cruise lines have introduced charges if you order a second main course. They've stopped printing the
40:35
daily program, saying, "Look, use your phone, use your app. If you want one, we'll give it to you." So, there's definitely kind of a cut back in terms
40:41
of price. So, yes, there is absolutely kind of uh shaving back um across across
40:46
the board. Now it's interesting because at the same time sometimes when they cut back put money put stuff back in like Seaborn kind of slash back they seem to
40:53
be uh you know bringing stuff back a bit. Um Ocean kept chopping and changing what they're doing and they seem to say
40:59
okay we've probably gone too far. But I think broadly speaking yes uh and I think one of the things I find very
41:04
interesting with this is as it as established cruisers we notice it because we're used to some of these
41:10
things but I know so many people going uh cruising who just think it's incredible. like I can't believe we had
41:16
all the stuff. We're getting all the stuff and it's included in the fair. Um and new to cruise is a massive part of
41:22
what cruise lines are targeting. New to cruise. You know, very small percentage of people who ever cruised. I think it's
41:28
only like 3% of the travel industry or something bizarre. You know, I can't remember the number, but a very small
41:33
percentage of travelers have actually cruised. And when people get on, they they don't know that three years ago you
41:38
used to get service twice a day because they used to be in a hotel or you get it once a day or whatever. So, so that new
41:44
target is much less sensitized to it than than I guess we are. But the short answer is is probably probably yes, I
41:52
would say. Let me have a little slug of that. Hopefully, we're doing well and churning
41:58
through the questions. Body wheels. Um, one week to emulation
42:05
of Queen for the first time. Great. Laura Kunard is staying in the Britannic Club. anything I should prepare myself
42:12
for attorney MadiRaa Canary Islands I'd guess. Okay. So if
42:18
you if you're L cunada um a couple of things is um first of all Queen is
42:24
pretty different as a ship if you've been on you know Victoria Elizabeth or
42:29
Queen Mary too it's a pretty different ship in terms of layout. Some of those iconic venues you may find a little bit
42:35
underwhelming. So like the Queen's room is not as grand as on any of the other rooms. um you know the restaurants you
42:41
know the Bratan now you're in club I'll talk about club in a second but the Bratannia is not as grand as it is on on
42:46
on the other ships the decor is not more not as traditional uh cunard like so
42:52
it's it's quite an uncunard ship in many ways I I did in my review of Kunan which
42:57
you haven't watched it I'd encourage you to watch um is I talk about how at times you almost feel like can have chartered
43:05
this ship because it's so different um in terms of Britannia club now if you've ever been in Britannia Club on the other
43:11
ships, you will be surprised at how big Bratannia Club is. It's a very big
43:16
restaurant. Um, you know, it's much smaller. Um, obviously if you're going on um on um Queen Mary too, it's a
43:24
section of the main Britannia, but here it's a dedicated restaurant and it's a really big Britannia Club is a really
43:29
big uh thing uh there. It's actually quite a nice restaurant. Uh it's in
43:35
terms of its look and feel, it's it's pretty nice. But I would say the main thing is just expect the ship to be very
43:40
different. Um the cabins are quite different as well. A lot of people complain about storage in the I don't
43:45
think it was massively bad. People talk about complain about storage, but the cabins actually have very nice decor just less kuna. Yes. The program though
43:53
you'll recognize um is very similar. Not very similar, it's the same. Um those
43:59
would be my main things. But probably if you watch that video, there may be things that I've I've forgotten uh as
44:05
well. Um someone saying prestige capacity is now 8:22. Interesting. Um just a
44:13
reminder, write the word uh crew. Um write write the word question. So don't
44:19
miss it. Um Damon Tamasi, I want to go on African safari. So uh my suggestion
44:24
would be and I think someone made the point is uh probably the best safari I've ever been on is is Tanzania. By
44:30
definition, I'm talking about doing a landbased trip. So Tanzania I' I've done safaris in Zimbabwe in South Africa. Um
44:40
and I would say that in Tanzania is probably the best safari. So I would look at Tanzania also as Mark who was
44:46
here a bit earlier he actually went at the iconic time which is when you have
44:51
the migration which is thousands and thousands and thousands of animals kind of moving and migrating. you can
44:57
actually book um some sort of roving cabins uh cabins roving uh um safari um
45:04
units tents that could follow the migration but um I I would strongly
45:10
recommend Tanzania. Now, if you do want to to sort of link a safari to a cruise,
45:16
um you you can go like some of the South African cruises like I did on Silver Sea, but Norwegian does it, Asamara does
45:22
it, they will do some safari excursions or pre and post um safaris, but I would just watch out a little bit because if
45:28
you um go on a cruise and then you go to the safari as a as an excursion, the
45:34
problem is you only get into the safari parks sort of 11:00 or so, maybe 10:00.
45:40
That's too late. The best animal viewing time is at dawn as the ship ship as the
45:45
sun comes up and dusk as it goes down. So the that's not give you opportunity. So if you do want to link it to a
45:50
cruise, do the safari as a pre or post. Uh and probably don't do the ones in the
45:56
cape with my recommendation. You know, get up to Kruga or Sabis Sabi. Um you know, but definitely, you know, Hangi in
46:04
in Zimbabwe is is is great. Safari, Okabango and stuff in Botswana, but
46:09
Tanzania for me is the best the best best one to go.
46:15
Um, again, just a reminder about the word question. Um, Eric, what would
46:20
happen if I showed up so my other companion was a no-show? Uh, not a lot because they you wouldn't get any refund
46:26
because, uh, you so not a not not a lot would happen. Um, so you're not going to
46:32
get your money back or or anything like that. I mean, it's if if a companion's not coming, it's worth doing it in
46:38
advance because you will get some money back. Um, you'll get some fe port fees and stuff back. If you're only doing
46:44
once you arrive, you may struggle uh more for that. Now, um depending what
46:51
cruise line you're on, of course, you may, you know, how they you may have prepaid
46:57
um gratuitities and stuff, but generally speaking, you know, they're just going to go, "Oh, okay. Um, fine." Um, but
47:05
it's better to do it first just kind of from a curious perspective. But I'm not sure if there's any other because you
47:10
know once you're on board as as they're clearing immigration and stuff like that know when they leave you know they
47:16
they'll have the the manifest because they do have no shows. Some normally it's whole cabin no shows. the manifest
47:21
stuff they will clear with the authorities leaving which is why you'll find you know people sometimes get really upset because they'll that you
47:27
know it'll say they'll arrive at they'll arrive late to check in and the ship's still there and it's still there for an
47:33
hour but they're not allowed to board because that whole departure process there's a lot of paperwork and
47:39
immigration and stuff that happens so on your ticket when it says you must have checked in by 4:00 you must be there by
47:45
4:00 cuz that's when they it's closed. Um, so I've been on a cruise, in fact, honestly, on a vista where some people,
47:52
it was maybe about 20 people, they arrived, we were there maybe 45 minutes um before we actually set sail and then
47:58
we're not allowed to board. Um, but anyway, I'm getting slightly sidetracked. Um, but then all the future
48:04
immigration and port clearance is done based on who's on board. Um, so it it's
48:09
it's worth telling uh telling people because um
48:15
because in reality you'll have if you've if you know if you're traveling with a companion, you've paid for two people uh
48:21
so you may as well just book it solo anyway because you you're either at worst going to pay the same amount, you
48:26
know. So for example um I'm doing quite a big cruise next year um uh which
48:33
originally was booked for two for Mark and myself and Mark can't come and the
48:38
difference in price with just me is literally I it's quite an expensive cruise. It's 31 night cruise was maybe
48:46
$300 $400 something like that which was basically port fees because he's not going to be on board but and obviously
48:53
we'll only pay one set of gratuitities for example. Um,
48:59
uh, Brenda, thoughts on the quiet seas, Mediterranean, pros and cons. So, I've done a few of those. The main con is
49:06
it's cold. So, um, you know, so it it's just the weather's not great. So, it
49:12
can, you know, you know, like if you're going um, you know, February into even
49:18
March or you're going like October, November time just before ships start moving uh, like doing repositionings.
49:24
So, I've done that at the beginning, I've done at the end. You know, like I did um med on Norwegian Viva last year
49:30
and it was pretty miserable weather. So, it's kind of gray and cold. You know, all the ports when I look at
49:36
the photographs and stuff, I've got my big coat on and scarf and stuff. So, it's more the weather is not great. Obviously, the pro is places aren't
49:43
busy. So, if you're going to Pisa or Florence or any of these really busy places, normally, you know, it's not
49:49
going to be um that busy. Now, if you really don't like hot weather, so July, August is obviously manic busy in the
49:56
Mediterranean. It's very hot, very sticky. Um, those would be the main the main kind of pros and cons. So, if
50:02
you're not if you're not as bothered um from a weather perspective and it's more
50:08
you want to see the places and you rather see it quieter, obviously the pros, generally speaking, it's uh it's
50:13
not it's not as costly basically. Um, uh, yeah, I I would I would say, um,
50:20
let's have a look. Jeffreey's here from Cruising 41, which is great. Uh, Jeff
50:26
Leon, we're taking Oceania from Rome visiting Salerno, Msina, Kfu, Cotto,
50:33
Split, and Zedar. Never been to Zedar. I think Zad I'm doing on this um
50:39
my win, which I'm intriging and Trieste. You spoke about Cotto last week. inactive recommendations at the other
50:46
stops. Uh, no, not really. Um, Seleno.
50:55
Uh, no. I'm trying to think Ms. I'm trying. I've done a Msina before. I've been to Msina and I've been to KFU. Uh,
51:01
I'm trying to think where the temple of Colossus Kosus is. Is that Msina or Kfu?
51:06
Um, I'm showing up my very bad geography. If
51:11
where one of those has got to the temple of Konosus which I would go to uh KFU actually has a very nice it must be in
51:17
Msina if I remember correctly but KFU has I've actually done like a hop on hop off bus around KFU some very nice beach
51:24
uh spots um it takes you right mass around the island explore the city etc.
51:31
I actually just did a a stroll around place. I didn't do a lot of tours. I just tored around the town which is
51:36
quite a nice town. So I've done kind of more exploring thing and Zeta I haven't been in. So I was pretty rubbish there
51:42
I'm afraid. Sorry about that. What I would recommend though Jeff is uh take a look at um what'sinport.com.
51:50
Uh they are for each of those ports. They will tell you where you're docking and they will also suggest uh
51:56
self-exploring and um uh uh must must do
52:01
things to see and do and they'll do a downside better job than I just did there. Um
52:07
let's have a look. Uh UE68
52:14
uh what do you recommend for a first ever cruise for young couples 25 to 30 years old in Europe? introverted, avoid
52:21
large, avoid large crowds and quite food orientated. Okay. So, my initial reaction, by the way, was going to be
52:27
Virgin Voyages um because they are 18
52:32
plus only, so you're going to you you're going to have a more adult crowd. Now
52:38
Virgin Voyages does have a reputation of being people think Virgin Voyages is very partyike but in reality it's um its
52:45
average age is around 50 or so but obviously gets you know younger crowd and old older crowd but it's it's pretty
52:52
up market. It has a really good range of food options. So they don't have a main dining room. They have lots of different
52:58
food venues. Um I found the food really good on there. You know they have a wave which is kind of steakhouse. They have
53:04
Korean barbecue. They have like a test kitchen. They have a Korean barbecue
53:10
Mexican um etc etc. So it's quite and the vantage is not crazy expensive. So
53:16
it's premium lines. So it's the same sort of price as your Kunard Celebrity and so on. So that would be my first
53:21
thought. Um the ships are not big but they're not massively big. And what's
53:27
good about Virgin is there's lots of smaller venues but there is going to be quite a people on board. The other one that you might find you quite like is
53:34
Celebrity on their newer ships, Edge, Apex, Ascent, Excel. Now, again, they're
53:40
quite big ships. Um, but they are kind of a little bit more vibe. Um, you'll get a much more kind of
53:46
mixed a mixed crowd, and they do have quite a good range of dining, specialtity, etc. you know, if you
53:54
wanted something was really quiet, you know, Viking, but I think you would find Viking too too old for you, crudely
54:00
speaking, um because the average would be kind of well into their 60s. Um they're also 18 plus, but that would be
54:06
I would tend though to avoid like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, which MSC
54:12
because they are big ships, much busier, much more bustling. The other thing you could look at depending on your budget.
54:18
Now we're talking more budget-wise is if you took a look at say Aamara for example or uh Oceanania now um Oceanani
54:27
have some small ships which they are getting rid of the fleet but Oceanania uh they make the claim of um you know
54:33
the best cuisine at sea. Their new ships are very nice. They're 1,200 PE
54:38
passengers. They're not massively big but that's another one to look at. You would probably be definitely on the younger side on that ship. It's going to
54:44
be again more kind of 50s60s inside. Um, but Virgin is probably the one that would have kind of a good mix of stuff,
54:52
you know, for, you know, kind of a more younger vibe about it, but it's more adults. You're not going to have kids
54:58
and stuff. So, I I I would certainly I would certainly take take a look at that. Um, the short answer is no. Uh,
55:08
unfortunately, you're right. There have been quite a few Noravirus outbreaks on cruise ships. been quite a lot on land as well certainly here in the UK. Um I
55:15
think what we're seeing it's interesting different lines do differently but you know the thing that's always impressed
55:20
me on when I go on Royal Caribbean Norwegian is they are really pushy about people washing their hands. You know
55:26
they basically you cannot get into the wind jam on Royal Caribbean without going through this really era where you
55:32
they have hand washing stations other side and crew that will not let you go into the wind jam without washing your
55:37
hands. Um so they you know it's interesting you don't you know I might be wrong but I haven't seen things like
55:43
Royal Caribbean and stuff with those issues um as such. So I think it's about
55:48
unfortunately making passengers behave better. I don't think we'll see going back to suit. Very few lines have have
55:55
ever had crew serving food in the buffet. Holl America I mean even has kind of dropped it. Holl America still
56:00
do it. But I think unfortunately no. Um, no, no, it would be my my view. Oh,
56:07
dement. So, I've sort of answered that. Hopefully, I answer that question. Um, on on the safari side. Um,
56:15
so Heidi is Heidi. Yes. On from beer to Santiago. Tips and things to Okay. So, in terms of
56:22
that, Heidi, Santiago, I guess you're going from um
56:28
Val Parisio or I'm trying to remember the name of name port. I went from Val Parisio, but that it's now the other
56:33
ones that something Williams or something. Um, so I've been to Santiago, Santiago quite a few times, but I
56:39
haven't really explored Santiago very much. Um, so I don't have any great tips uh unfortunately, but it is quite I
56:47
don't know whether you booked the included excursion, but um transfer because Sale is quite far from the
56:52
imbarcation port. So, if you haven't booked it through the cruise line and you're booking it say with a with a taxi
56:58
or whatever, make sure they know where the cruise port is uh specifically. So, in Valpio, which is I think you're not
57:05
likely to to be going through because Valpio is not the port they're using anymore, but it was a little bit tricky
57:11
to get there and I had to eventually, lucky, I'd looked at it before uh I looked in what's important stuff and I
57:16
had to tell him where to go. Um, so that's that's the only really what watch out there. Um, so yes, have a great
57:24
time. Let me know when you're on Osam. I'm in a I'm in the Austadam from the 8th of March to the 8th of April. Um,
57:31
but I'm not doing the I'm not on the route that's going down to the Antarctic
57:36
bit. Uh, John, what's your opinion of Oceanani Serenna? So, Ocean Serena is
57:41
one of the Rclass ships. It's the one that takes 700 passengers. It's, you know, these are pretty old ships. They,
57:47
you know, I quite like the Rclass ships. I think they have a lot of character, but they are they haven't said what they're doing with Serena yet, but
57:53
they're getting rid of Insignia, which is a sister ship. They're getting rid of Regata, which now on a charter, they
57:59
haven't said what they're doing with Serena yet. Um, it's, you know, these ships are, you know, if you like a small
58:05
kind of ship. The thing I would say is if you're booking most of the cabins, other than the suites, um, the bathrooms
58:12
are really, really small, uh, which is most people do not enjoy. I I certainly
58:18
I've done that with my partner. I've done that by I've done an onclass ship by myself. By myself, the bathroom was
58:24
fine. It's it is kind of small. I'd quite like them. They have the two special restaurants. Uh you know, the Italian and steakhouse. Um I quite like
58:32
them. Um but the cabins are very small and the bathrooms are tiny and it's an older ship. Uh that would be my watch
58:38
out with that. You know, you've got the new ships, Riviera, Marina, and the newer ones, of course, with Vista and
58:43
Allura, which are just more glitzy, more dining options, etc. But the advantage
58:50
with Serena is they tend to have slightly more interesting itineraries. Although I've seen they they used to do Alaska and they used to Japan, and it
58:56
looks like they now use Riviera for for that. Uh Becky, no, I don't think the quality of entertainment has gone down
59:02
on Princess. I actually think it's gone up, uh to be honest. So, um, I had been
59:08
on I I I been on quite a few Princess ships both
59:14
before and just after the the the shutdown. And then I kind of went I wasn't that keen on Princess. I thought
59:20
they'd kind of lost the plot a little bit. I thought the food wasn't great. I thought the temp was so so. Um, then
59:26
then this year I went on back on Sky Princess on Sun Princess and you know they have probably of all of that
59:32
premier line. to the Kunan Holland America uh celebrity. They have the most packed entertainment program of all. It
59:40
is absolutely jam-packed. They've definitely put more money into the uh production shows. Um but you know, if
59:46
you're into things like trivia, quiz shows, games, karaoke, um bingo, those kind of things. They had
59:54
such a packed program. I was just amazed at how much they had. Um, I'm not a
59:59
massive big fan, you know, things like Rock Opera and those sort of shows. I'm in the minority. I I wasn't mad about
1:00:05
it, but they've definitely put more money into them. Um, so I I would say um no would be my would be my thought. Oh,
1:00:13
so Sherry's got a tip. Innocence abroad. Good video about when they did in San Diego. So, thanks for that. Um,
1:00:21
Dab Betic, do you always give a perfect 10 response? No, I don't. I know the I
1:00:28
know I do if it's is a 10, but no uh nothing's ever 10 in reality. I don't
1:00:34
think anything's perfect ever. Um just the nature of that. That's what the
1:00:40
problem with the surveys. But you know, I I um I I know how important the surveys are. I actually when I do the
1:00:46
end of crew survey, I spend more time commenting on individuals than the scores. I mean, obviously I'm, you know,
1:00:53
I I will give good scores if there's good scores or are worthy of it. Very unusual. I'm going to give a 10. Um, I
1:01:00
might give a nine or something. But I actually spend much more time commenting on individuals who've made a difference
1:01:06
because I know how important that is for the individuals. The scores are important for management because they
1:01:11
need that. And I know also if a restaurant or something doesn't get a great score, they can come under some
1:01:17
pressure. But the naming the people is the thing. So I tend to focus I tend to focus um a lot on that. Someone I just
1:01:25
saw Caroline made the point explore journeys that's another one that's a good one I hadn't thought about I forgot about explore journeys. So um explore
1:01:32
journeys is another good one for those 25 to 30 uh year olds. Um we have run
1:01:38
out of time. Um I think I've answered most of the questions. A couple of questions I will have a look and see at the ones that I missed. So, just to
1:01:44
remind you that next Sunday because I'm boarding cruise, I will be in in New
1:01:50
York. I will not be running a live. Um, but I will be the week after that. I
1:01:55
will post a reminder of everybody. Thanks so much for joining me. Thanks for the fantastic uh questions and have
1:02:02
a great rest of the time. Um, as I said, follow me on Instagram, Gary Benbridge, if you want to follow my trip. If you
1:02:07
want even more, think about the Patreon uh thing if that appeals. Um, have a
1:02:13
great uh time and thanks for joining me even with these funny old uh time changes. Take care.
1:02:27
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