When I took my very first Caribbean cruise back in 2007, I often found myself stepping ashore as the only ship in port. Quiet beaches, local markets, no lines for taxis — it felt like true tropical escape. Fast-forward 18 years and 15 Caribbean cruises later, including my most recent ultra-luxury sailing on Regent Seven Seas Splendor, and the Caribbean is a very different place.In this video I reveal the massive changes that are reshaping Caribbean cruising — changes most cruisers don't fully understand until they're already there. I also explain how cruise lines are responding — and what that means for your cruise experience, and dig into the uncomfortable topics many don't talk about:

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Are ultra-luxury cruises really worth the eye-watering price? Or is the reality very different from the dream? Most cruisers are fascinated by ultra-luxury lines like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, but very few have actually sailed them. So after cruising recently on Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity and Princess, I decided to book myself on two ultra-luxury ships – Silver Nova and Regent Seven Seas Splendor – paying the full fare to find out what really changes when you step up to the very top tier of cruising. And what I discovered surprised me. In this video I reveal the big differences – and the unexpected similarities – between regular cruise lines and ultra-luxury. So… is ultra-luxury cruising the ultimate upgrade – or will it leave you wondering where all that extra money went?

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After sailing on many lines myself recently, and analysing hundreds of cruiser reviews and ratings across Cruise Critic, Trustpilot, and other major consumer sites, I discovered a surprising trend while many lines are sliding — a handful are rising fast. In this video, I reveal the cruise lines that cruisers say are on the rise right now, what they're getting right, and why ratings are climbing. This is the most up-to-date snapshot of which cruise lines passengers think are improving and why. These trends come from analysing 21 cruise lines covering over 90% of all cruise passengers, excluding only small niche, expedition, and ultra-luxury lines.

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Repositioning cruises promise incredible value — sometimes half the price of a regular cruise — but after doing several of them (including my recent 18-night Silver Nova Alaska–to–Japan repositioning), I've realised many cruisers board with expectations that are completely misguided. And those myths guarantee disappointment. In this video, I reveal the most widely believed repositioning cruise myths that are 100% wrong — and what these cruises are really like. If you've been thinking of booking a repositioning cruise because they're cheap, relaxing, sunny, or just like regular cruises… this is the video you need to watch before you click "book". I'm Gary Bembridge from Tips For Travellers — helping you make the smartest cruise choices so you have the best possible trip.

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Ultra-luxury cruising promises the very best at sea – but which line is truly delivering right now, and which are slipping? I've recently been back on Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Crystal, and in this podcast I reveal how they really compare today.

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Repositioning cruises can offer unbeatable value — but they also come with big risks and hidden catches that could ruin your dream cruise. I share everything you need to know: what a repositioning cruise is, why they're so cheap, who they're ideal for, how to find them, and the common mistakes to avoid. I've done many of these unique one-way cruises, and I'll reveal the insider tips and watchouts to help you decide if they're right for you. Don't book one until you hear this!

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Xxx

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Is Silversea still ultra-luxury? After reading shocking new reviews calling it "shabby" and "not worth the premium," I boarded Silver Nova to find out the truth. When I started reading recent reviews of Silversea Cruises, I was shocked. Loyal guests now call it "shabby," "cut back," "no longer luxury," and "not worth the premium." Having cruised six times with Silversea and always rated it highly, I had to see if things really had changed. So, I booked myself (and paid full fare) onto Silver Nova, their newest class of ship, to find out what's really happening onboard.

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Offers:

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