Cruising solo can be frustratingly expensive, with fares sometimes the same as what two people would pay for the same cabin. But I've found that some of the most commonly recommended ways to save money as a solo cruiser are not always the best ones. In this video, I share seven tactics I use to find better-value solo cruise fares and avoid paying more than I need to. I also look at ways to spot deals, where I search for them, and some less obvious approaches that experienced solo cruisers use to bring the cost down. If you cruise solo, or are thinking about trying it, these are the strategies I use to get the best overall price rather than simply accepting the solo fare the cruise line first offers me.

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Cruise scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and some are now targeting experienced cruisers using information that can make the approach seem remarkably genuine. In this video, I look at some of the cruise scams I'm seeing and hearing about most often right now, and I also explain how scammers can sometimes know an alarming amount about your upcoming cruise — including your ship, sailing date, itinerary and travel plans — and the surprisingly simple ways they are getting that information. I also share the warning signs I look for and the steps I take to check whether a message, account, website or request for payment is genuine before handing over money or personal information. These scams can catch out even very experienced travellers, so these are things I think every cruiser should know before their next trip.

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Celebrity Cruises promises "modern luxury" and says "nothing comes close", but I see cruisers boarding Celebrity with expectations that can lead to disappointment. Having recently sailed Celebrity again, I've identified six mistakes cruisers make when choosing, booking and sailing with Celebrity Cruises — including some that even experienced Celebrity guests can get caught out by. In this video, I look at why understanding exactly what kind of cruise line Celebrity really is matters, how dramatically your onboard experience can change depending on the cabin and ship you choose, and why some of Celebrity's packages and terminology may not mean quite what cruisers assume they do. I also explore the very different experiences offered across Celebrity's ship classes, an increasingly important change in who Celebrity is trying to attract, and a surprisingly overlooked way that regular Celebrity cruisers could be missing out on valuable perks. Celebrity can deliver a very good cruise, but I believe getting the best from it depends on knowing what you're actually booking — and avoiding these six common mistakes.

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A Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing is unlike almost any other voyage — and many first-time passengers arrive with completely the wrong expectations. After crossing the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 six times, I reveal the surprises, misunderstandings and easily avoided mistakes that can dramatically affect your experience. From choosing the wrong cabin and underestimating the North Atlantic to unexpected costs, daily life onboard and what really happens when you reach New York, this is what I wish every first-timer knew before boarding.

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Celebrity Cruises has changed — and depending on the kind of cruiser you are, you may think those changes are exciting or feel the Celebrity you once knew is disappearing. In this video, I look at how Celebrity Cruises has evolved from the more traditional premium cruise experience I first knew into something rather different. I explore who Celebrity appears to be trying to attract today, how the newer Edge Class ships have helped reshape the brand, and why cruising on different Celebrity ships can now feel surprisingly different. I also look at the growing differences between the experience offered to standard cabin passengers, AquaClass guests and those staying in The Retreat, and how Celebrity is becoming increasingly class-driven. Along the way, I discuss changes I've noticed in food, service, crowds, families, entertainment and the overall atmosphere on board — including what I experienced on my recent Celebrity cruises.

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If you've ever been invited to bid for a cruise cabin upgrade, you probably assumed (like me) that the highest bid wins. But, that's not how it works at all. After losing an upgrade to another passenger who had bid less than I did, I decided to investigate what was really going on behind cruise line upgrade bidding. What I found completely changed how I approach the process. In this video, I reveal what I discovered. Starting with something staring me in the face but had not spotted that that unites every cruise line when it comes to cruise cabin upgrade bidding. This video will help you understand how the system REALLY works—and will improve your chances when bidding for an upgrade (probably for less money than you planned to spend too)

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Some cruises look perfect on paper. The ship, the itinerary, the price, the promise. But after more than 130 cruises, I've learned there are some cruises I would never book again — or would only book under very specific conditions. In this video, I reveal the seven types of cruises I now avoid, and why. All but one of these I've tried myself and found they simply did not suit the way I like to cruise. The other comes with risks, traps, or compromises that many passengers do not realise until it is too late. But this is not just about saying "never book these." For each one, I also explain who they might still be right for, what to watch out for before booking, and what I would choose instead. Whether you are booking your first cruise or your fiftieth, these are the cruises I think you should think very carefully about before handing over your money.

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Cunard is one of cruising's most famous names—but much of what people believe about it is outdated, exaggerated, or simply wrong. After 270 nights aboard Cunard ships, I reveal six persistent misconceptions about its luxury credentials, passengers, dress codes, class system and very different ships. I also explore the recent changes that could reshape the Cunard experience—and why some loyal passengers may not like what comes next.

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