Dear Gary, probably out of modesty you forgot one of my favorites - a journey around the UK and Ireland and if you want to make it even more memorable there are cruises that sail on to Iceland before or afterwards, albeit that’s really costly. This cruise offers so many different ports, impressive landscapes and interaction with locals. I agree that skipping the prearranged excursions and doing your own thing can be beneficial- within the UK most great locations are within easy reach to the ports, so you mustn’t be to worried about being late for departure and people are really helpful and nice - so I strongly recommend that destination!
@eastcoast42333 ай бұрын
Cork, Dublin and Belfast (Titanic museum) is an excellent trip.
@davidh9844 Жыл бұрын
Happy to say that having just returned from 2 months/60 days of cruising from Dubai to Singapore to Perth to Auckland, my wife and I talked about you a great deal. Folks, if you are just meeting this guy and are even remotely interested in cruising, LISTEN TO THIS MAN! Other bloggers do have interesting tips. This man is invaluable. Back to the subject. After 10+ years of cruising on somewhat of a budget, I am surprised how many of your bucket lists we have done, and you are spot on with this video. I'm not overly excited at river cruising, we've never done it. I see cruising as 1st, enjoying the ship and its facilities, and 2nd, enjoying a very brief glimpse of the country being visited. Meh ship, meh cruise. WOW city, wow cruise! So having done the circumnavigation of Japan, Iceland, multiple Transatlantics, and unexpectely Alaska last year, you've made me feel special. I hadn't thought about Antarctica, well I've thought about it but it's really expensive, and you only get to see the continent, not touch it. Well, thank you, I've added it to the list. Galapagos, maybe someday, but I can see iguanas in Florida, turtles in a pet store, and I've been to Iceland. Polynesia, check, now we have to go. At the moment, my wife's 90 year old left leg is limiting our travels, but we are aiming for Rome to Miami starting in November. But our kids are very well paid at work, healthy, happy and nearby, and we are busy spending their inheritance before we have to move into their basements. Thanks again Gary, your videos and advice are treasure.
@noeldeweese4975 Жыл бұрын
For Antarctica, look into some of the smaller cruise lines. Hurtigruten is one that will actually take you onto the continent. One of my dream, bucket list cruises. Going on my first cruise this year to Alaska.
@dianenaylor Жыл бұрын
My expedition (land) cruise to Antarctica with Silver Seas Cruises was life changing. Do it!!
@cherifurr3935 Жыл бұрын
Going on Silversea to Antarctica next year!
@teresaalbin-davis4529 Жыл бұрын
The Galapagos was amazing. Totally naive creatures. Birds and tortoises were the highlights. Lizards are cool too. And snorkeling with sharks and sea lions.
@canadianloon6433 Жыл бұрын
Get a life and stop polluting
@BTimmer Жыл бұрын
We've done over 700 nights in 10 years on multiple cruise lines and I heartily concur with your list.
@petejames13263 ай бұрын
i cant believe you missed NZ, with all the beautiful nature of the 2 islands.
@cgreen6369Ай бұрын
I'm so glad I got to sail on a cruise ship into the heart of Venice. Definitely my most memorable experience sailing into a port (and now forbidden).
@rgoodwinau Жыл бұрын
Gary, you are such a great communicator. Thanks for all the advice that has improved our cruising experiences immeasurably!
@tipsfortravellers Жыл бұрын
Thanks!! Great to hear! Appreciate you watching my videos 👍🏻
@chrissharkey9644 Жыл бұрын
I have to give it to You Gary! You sure know what’s happening and how to share the knowledge!
@tipsfortravellers Жыл бұрын
Thanks!!!
@Ape4Apes Жыл бұрын
Gary, Having watched your other videos, I knew the Panama Canal was going to be near the top of your list. In fact, your enthusiasm convinced me that I should go. So, when my brother offered to take me on a cruise for an upcoming big birthday, I selected the Panama Canal from the options he presented. I am looking forward to doing the full transit on the new Oceania Vista later this year. 😊 But first I am finally going to cruise on the Saga Spirit of Adventure, which I first learned about from you more than three years ago. Four years ago?
I just love your enthusiasm and how well prepared you are, still being personal and authentic.
@brontewcat Жыл бұрын
I haven’t done a Mekong cruise (and it is something I would love to do), but I have visited both Cambodia and Vietnam. I would love to do a cruise but highly recommend adding at least a week or two to the cruise, and see Hanoi, Sapa and Halong Bay. Hanoi has the Old Quarter, which still retains the look a feel of an Asian community from over 100 years ago.
@Mariazellerbahn Жыл бұрын
All my favurite ships have gone. So I just travel by KZfaq these days. No packing or inconveniences. I can eat and drink in the kitchen downstairs and sleep in my own bed. No seasickness or changing currency. I can be anywhere in the world and costs only £27 per month.
@petejames13263 ай бұрын
this is exactly what i do, its not worth the stress, i work very long hours and make small money, i have worked out, i can take a one month cruise but have to work the other 11 months, OR take 7 months off and work 5 months and it would be the same, what do you think i chose? of course staying at home relaxing for 7 months not working is better than a great 1 month cruise and working 11 months, i can order what food i want, i like seafood, i just buy heaps of prawns and smoked salmon and cream cheese and great rolls, and my fav ice cream and cakes, and i can watch all the cruise videos i want, no passports, no flight delays, no port stress, no lost luggage, no talking to idiots on the cruise, no tipping, i get you as i do the same
@kays749 Жыл бұрын
In July, I'm doing my sixth Alaskan cruise. Before that, we're doing the Norwegian Fjords. Some years ago we did Iceland (and Greenland.) We did the Panama Canal before the new locks opened, and I was happy we got to do the originals. Of course, we've been to many other places on our own bucket list. I would add South America, from Rio to Santiago, around the Horn.
@chriswilliams6568 Жыл бұрын
I would rather do a full Norwegian cruise that goes right to the top of the country, to the North Cape. 15 days or so round trip from Southampton on Princess. Only in June or July, sometimes 1 in Oct. We had it booked for 2020, 2021, 2022 and cxld due to Covid. 2023 had to cxl due to other reason, so now going in 2024. Enjoy your trips. Take care.
@chriswilliams6568 Жыл бұрын
Yes I guess it depends on what culture one hails from. I sadly had to cancel our ten day Med cruise for May 2023, as when I checked out the excursions they are all too strenuous for me, with walking a mile, cobbles or hills, and I cannot do all that now due to Osteoarthritis in major joints and I use a walker. But I would have loved to have seen the 4 Greek Islands, Ephesus and Venice. A lesson here for all, do these things while young, I have had some trouble walking since mid fifties. One never knows when poor health will hamper one’s activities. Good health is very underrated.
Two most memorable cruises. One from Japan to Alaska. You get to go to islands off Alaska like Kodak that are not commercialised with lots of wildlife. Two - Faroes, Iceland and Greenland. To wake up off Ilulissat and be surrounded by icebergs and then to cruise through the bergs was my best day cruising ever!
@Sushi2735 Жыл бұрын
You are a class act. Your advice I listen too. There are other bloggers that just chose to cruise in a different manner, nothing wrong, just not my taste. However, I do trust your taste. Being a very traditional person, I appreciate your sensibilities. Thank you for putting out such a good product.
@perpetuummobile100 Жыл бұрын
For those who decide to do a Danube cruise I dearly recommend going all the way to the Romanian Danube Delta through the incredible Iron Gates scenery. Getting to where the Danube flows into the Black Sea is truly an amazing experience! 😊
@drewrichardson8789 Жыл бұрын
Just go overland and immerse yourself in the countries.
@suerobinson844 Жыл бұрын
Hi Gary, agree with you about Japan. We are going back next year. Safe, friendly, clean, culture, beautiful scenery. It's very expensive but it's up the passangers how much they spend. I enjoy watching your videos. From Queensland Australia
@paulgerrard9227 Жыл бұрын
I am a aussie and i agree with Gary. Cruises out of Australia can be a bit of a poor way to see Australia with some exceptions. Tyere are cruises to NZ or pacific islands but few australian cruises see much as the coastal towns and ports arent highlights. So you dont see as much like a alaskan cruise for example. Its like cruising to san francisco. You see the bay but not all the features worth spending time on
My home port of Sydney absolutely has the best sailaway in the world. The gorgeous harbour, the twin icons of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Magnificent. But yes, the itineraries sailing out of Australia are underwhelming. You get the South Pacific, but IMO the Caribbean is better. You can do Australian ports but honestly seeing them by land is better. And you can do New Zealand (in fact we did one in January!) but again New Zealand is best experienced on land. Many of the cruises on Gary's list are definitely on my to do list. My in-laws did Antarctica right as the pandemic hit, and they said it was incredible. We've sailed Alaska twice and loved it. Norway/Iceland are on the list to do in the next few years. I would also love to do the Galapogas Islands.
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 Жыл бұрын
Many people call it a bucket list but to me that sounds a bit less positive because of the expression kick the bucket, so I’m calling it my Dream list 🐬🛳🐠🌞 I’m going to save up because I especially like some of the jury suggestions like Alaska and possibly Antarctica and the Panama Canal for sure!
@enjoyslearningandtravel7957 Жыл бұрын
I meant to write Gary’s suggestions, not jury :)
@ameliaerin1544 Жыл бұрын
Yes, dream list for sure!!
@Elaines-travels Жыл бұрын
I knew the Panama Canal was going to be an amazing experience, but I had no idea how amazing! It is beautiful, as well as being an engineering marvel, I am so glad I did that cruise. I am off to Alaska in September, looking to plan either Antarctica or the Society Islands next
@kellyhauber789111 ай бұрын
I may never go on a cruise. I simply would rather explore by land, which I do frequently. But, I so enjoy your videos and enthusiasm for cruising. I feel silly doing it, knowing I may never follow your wonderful ideas but I can't stop myself. You are so watchable and soothing.
@ameliaerin154411 ай бұрын
Me too!😊
@Deltarious Жыл бұрын
I think at the end you touch on one of those difficult to explain topics- there are places, and things generally in life, that are more 'suited' to doing more of, or more often, and these things are almost 'comfort' things. If you take them as a whole, like the Caribbean for example, then they are often indispensable and, as a whole, are 'life shaping' because they define a part of who you are. *However* those kinds of things will never have as much singular impact as a whole than your much more remarkable experiences. You're much less likely to remember a single instance of something that was a 'comfort trip' than you are something which pushed you significantly out of your comfort zone but was remarkable. In the same way you may not actually *want* to do those remarkable experiences as much as your comfort trips because it just takes so much effort, but you will be glad that you've done them at least once. I know for myself there are quite a few things in life which I would never want to do again but I am absolutely glad I have done them and would seek them out to do if I hadn't.
You are so right about Panama Canal. Went many years ago, while they were still building the second canal. Loved it! It was so impressive and learned so much. Great list
@tipsfortravellers Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! Good to hear you are as big a Panama Canal fan as me then!
@lw3158 Жыл бұрын
You should read the book "The Path Between The Seas" by David McCullough, so incredible.
@540west502 күн бұрын
This was such a great video- thanks for posting. I appreciate how informative and helpful your reviews are.
@143mal110 ай бұрын
BEST ever "Tips " video, thanks Gary. I have not cruised Polynesia but I agree with Mark, Fiji people were fantastic. I will never forget watching a beach wedding.
@denizalgazi Жыл бұрын
The Northwest Passage is my number one especially on a larger cruise ship because of the extensive onboard facilities and entertainment during a month long cruise as opposed to a small expedition ship. The Crystal Serenity was the last cruise ship to fully transit all the way from Alaska to Greenland! I only recommend the full transit of the Panama Canal. Best to experience Bora Bora with a holiday at one of the lovely resorts!
@coachab1002 ай бұрын
I have only done one cruise and it was 34 days from LA to BA and we spent 5 days around Antartica. It was spectacular for sure. The majesty of the scenery was incredible!
@alexandriadance3405 Жыл бұрын
Alexandria Dance 48 seconds ago Cruising to Manaus along the Amazon River, about1500 KM, visiting Manaus and it's famous Opera House before taking a trip to the junction of the Negro and Amazon Rivers and then canoeing into the rainforest to visit small villages rates highly with me.
The White Pass & Yukon Railroad in Skagway is an absolute highlight, no matter when you get there during the season. Beautiful views and interesting history.
@platinumare3 ай бұрын
Hi there. I really enjoy your videos and channel. I am a mum to tweens and your videos have been surprisingly the most helpful. We've never cruised before, but my eldest has sensory issues and doesn't like loud crowded places, it literally brings her to tears. Your voice is nice to listen to and your descriptions and reasoning are nicely detailed and helpful. Many, many thank you to you and blessings to you too.
@choosewisely6162 ай бұрын
My daughter has sensory issues too. Hers came on around age 13. There were some very difficult years and lots of tears from both of us. She’s 21 now and has a much better grasp of how she needs to function in this world and does quite well. I guess I just wanted to say some random stranger totally understands and sends big hugs 🤗. Hang in there mom.
@mattcolver1 Жыл бұрын
Antarctica was special. We were also blessed with fantastic weather when we went. We even did the camping option. We have a land based tour of Iceland booked this year. For people that want to see wildlife I highly recommend a land based tour of parts of Africa. I think it is tops on my list. We went to Kruger National Park and to Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River. The biodiversity in Africa is hands down the greatest in the world. For people who can handle a more rugged style cruising i would recommend rafting trips through the Grand Canyon and also the canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers above the Grand Canyon. The guides prepare great meals and sleeping in a tent isn't that bad when they are set-up on soft sand and you have sleeping pads. The sound of the river puts you to sleep.
@calumshaw Жыл бұрын
Hope you high-sided the Zambezi while you were at Mosi oa-Tunya followed by the flight of Angels.
@norriswilliams25586 ай бұрын
Agree with your #1--Antarctica with Viking was beyond fascinating--loved the scientists on board and the amazing beauty of the landscape. Although we were on the last voyage of the season, we were blessed with 2"Drake Lakes"--and sailing into a volcanic crater. This cruise had everything--super onboard programs, wildlife, and natural beauty. Advice: forego 10 cruises to the Caribbean and do one wonderful adventure!
@beachblythe Жыл бұрын
Alaska and Norway are amazing cruises! I love Japan and can’t wait to get to experience it by cruise some day. The first time I went to Iceland and Greenland I was blown away. Even the crew were so exited so see icebergs.
@paulgerrard9227 Жыл бұрын
One affordable way is a repositioning cruise from alaska to japan in Sep/Oct. Not the other way. Celebrity and RCCL among the better.
@nicholasbrown66974 ай бұрын
I recently went through the NorthWest Passage and down western Greenland, with shore landings by zodiac pretty well every day. Insanely expensive, but utterly worth it. Seeing the light coming up near the top of Greenland was an incredible experience. Thanks for all your advice on your channel - it's wonderful to see everywhere.
@ravenstormchild6491 Жыл бұрын
I’m saving up for my solo Antarctica cruise, now. Can’t wait!😊
@aussiepiper Жыл бұрын
French Polynesia was breathtakingly beautiful. If you are a scuba diver, the diving is rich and varied.
@kvom01 Жыл бұрын
Not all cruising, but I've visited a majority of your list. Still to do, Polynesia, Galapagos, and the Fjords. I have done transat, but not on QE2. Good list. For me, there's too much to see in Japan to limit myself to a cruise.
Highly recommend Iceland. We lived there for 3 years and thoroughly enjoyed it.
@donkiml5805 Жыл бұрын
Congratulations on your hundred cruises! We have cruised 6 times, four of the six are on Gary‘s list. The two that were not, are the Baltic and Australia/New Zealand. We thought both of those cruises were fantastic. You get to see so many different cultures and countries in the Baltic all in one cruise. I am of Swedish descent and my husband Polish so we called it our history cruise. Australia/New Zealand was our bucket list cruise after retirement. The sounds, the scenery, and the Morari indigenous people history is just fantastic. I agree with Gary that the Iceland cruises are definitely in a top 10 list. It is a very expensive although lovely country. It is one country that you can find local port tours more reasonably and the locals do a fantastic job with their tours. Whatever you’re interested, just sail away.
Appreciate all your videos and your insight. I've already done nine of the eleven. This video raised two points with me: I look at the Galapagos as a destination. Yes, you can cruise there, but the destination is the "bucket list", not the transit over. I would not have included it for that reason. One you left off that I would include is The Amazon. And right behind that is the Nile. One other suggestion would be to include the Rhine-Main-Danube run between Amsterdam and Budapest. Thanks again for your fine work.
@kathywest7205 Жыл бұрын
Great list Gary! The Panama Canal is definitely on my list, my uncle actually worked on the original as an engineer. This last year I was lucky to do Alaska & the Fiords of Norway, both amazing!! Leaving soon for a Viking, Venice to Athens, a bucket list for me! Keep cruising, love all you content!!
@tipsfortravellers Жыл бұрын
Nice! That is such a great itinerary!
@teaeyedoubleguhur7 ай бұрын
The book by David McCollough "The Path Between The Seas" about the building of the Panama Canal is one of the best books I've ever read. I think it is very cool that your uncle worked as an engineer on the Canal.
@slloo76924 ай бұрын
Great video. Wanted to add for those considering Japan the reason that “English and foreign tourism is not that developed” should not stop you from going there by other means besides a cruise. I have travelled to Japan many times without speaking Japanese and its so easy to get around, the public transport runs like clockwork and the people are nice and polite. Oh yes and the food is great!
@pandastamps Жыл бұрын
Great List! I've done all of these except Iceland (coming this July), Tahiti, and the Cunard Trans-Atlantic. Panama Canal was our first cruise back in 2000. We're booked for a second Japan cruise on Azamara for May 2025 (Husband wasn't with me for the first one back in 2014)
@dionline88 Жыл бұрын
This was awesome!! There are so many places I'd love to get to and you list them in this video. While we adore cruising to the Caribbean, you're correct in that it's not life-changing. Gotta get hubby on board (pun intended!) for one on this list. They all sound great!!! Another fabulous video Gary!!
@pensacola321 Жыл бұрын
We do the Caribbean at Christmas every year. But during the year, we go to more interesting places places around the world. We are going Lisbon to Miami in April.
@angelahorton5745 Жыл бұрын
Lucky enough to have done many of these places on land and cruise holidays and Antarctica is definitely my number 1.
@indiewest7200 Жыл бұрын
The Panama Canal was so remarkable I got so emotional and cried.
Thanks for mentioning our beautiful Sydney harbour :)
@tipsfortravellers Жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
@Elaines-travels Жыл бұрын
I agree with your list and am working my way through my own bucket list. I just got back from a full transit of the old Panama Canal and it was amazing, I am going to Alaska later this year, have done the Mediterranean, a Rhine River, booked on a Nile River, planning on Suez Canal and Vietnam with Singapore in the next 2 years.
@elisabeth8335 Жыл бұрын
I have cruised Norway in both summer and winter and it is like two totally different countries. Magical. I wouldn’t put the Panama Canal on my list but I have done it twice once late in the evening in the dark. A whole different experience.
@CarboneCat Жыл бұрын
I’ve done a Baltic cruise, Alaska cruise and my next is the Norvegian Fjord cruise next year. My spouse and I do alternate between land travel and cruising.
I love your channel!!!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Antartica cruise sounds amazing! Probably like going back in time. Very cool bro.
@sharone9751 Жыл бұрын
Love your list! We just did Panama Canal last year (old locks!!), have our QMII transatlantic cruise from Southampton scheduled for this fall (based on your recommendation), and Japan (postponed from 2020/2021/2022/2023) scheduled for 2025. Hopefully we can add Norway for 2024. We've been lucky enough to do most of the others on your list and agree that Antarctica is number 1!!
Great video Gary (as usual). I have been up and down the Mekong, fascinating. When you said it took 25 hours to get to the Galapagos, I chuckled. It generally takes me 23-30 hours to visit some family and friends. (through multiple countries). Keep up the great work!
@gabrielleparis3532 Жыл бұрын
My one and only cruise was the Cunard Queen Mary Theater Cruise last May, it was extraordinary and made ever so easy because I watched your videos! Thank you, I am grateful to you🌹🌹🌹
@jhollie8196 Жыл бұрын
Just did 14 day trip from Fl to San Diego through the canal on HAL. I was so excited to have the opportunity to do so. Got up at 5:30 to get out on the bow. By 8 i was done. I reminds me of the movie Groundhog Day. Seen one lock, you’ve seen the other locks. We passed through the old locks. Port side was the best side from Fl to San Diego. The best part of the transit was crews from other ships entertaining us. Very boring and long day.
@broccanmacronain4575 ай бұрын
I definitely agree with Alaska. I tell people that if they are going to go on one cruise they need to go on an Alaska cruise.
@briandriscoll1480 Жыл бұрын
Perhaps not for the faint of heart or health, but my wife and I 'cruised' the Mekong, Saigon to Phnom Penh, some years back (2009) in a long-tailed open river boat, about a dozen passengers, spending the nights in riverside hotels. The amenities were limited (a WC) but the narrow channels we explored for 3 days would never be passageable by a cruise boat. Nor would a cruise ship be able to make port at the tiny docks we visited. But I guess it wasn't really a cruise, was it.
We've done Alaska and will be going to Iceland and Norway in June. One destination not on yourlist is Hawaii. We sailed with NCL Pride of America around the Hawaiian islands and it was amazing. The Na Pali coastline to Kilauea spewing into the ocean - worth putting on the bucket list.
@SteveMartin1000 Жыл бұрын
That was our first cruise. It is a fabulous way to visit all the islands sans airport hassles. But P of A is a horrible ship, one step down from a Holiday Inn.
@margaretwyndham1957 Жыл бұрын
That was 2008 so maybe not up to present day standards, but then it was fabulous. Great food, entertainment and balcony cabin marvelous.
@FraserAtSea Жыл бұрын
Oh, I'm so happy you rate the Panama Canal! I'll be doing a full Los Angeles to Miami transit on the Queen Elizabeth later this year, before then doing a partial transit with Holland America a few months later - I'm just SO excited!
@julietaylor2497 Жыл бұрын
We did the Panama Canal from Panama City, which allowed us to fly in early and go to the canal visitor center and watch the movie about the making of the canal. That greatly enhanced our experience. I highly recommend you find a source, be it a book or documentary, that tells you the history of the making of the canal before you go. It's pretty amazing.
@monarusch4087 Жыл бұрын
I did Antarctica with Quark Expeditions - by far the BEST trip I've every done
Would add that it is a great list. We did the Mekong with AMA in 2015 and it was spectacular for every reason Gary lists. Alaska was a disaster because of weather. Transmitted the Panama with Regent and it is memorable, but BY FAR the best part of that Miami Lima cruise, remarkable for the unremarkable western Caribbean islands (you really just visit one, over and over-they change the sign at night) was the 5 days post cruise to Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and the crown jewel, Machu Picchu. It rivals Angkor Wat as a Wonder Of The World. Singapore Sydney (Regent) is way up there as well, as is Athens-Athens, hitting the important Greek Islands as well as Ephesus and other ancient cites in Turkey. Any cruise that starts or finishes in Istanbul lets one spend several days in that great city. We have the Galapagos booked on Silversea in April, the Amazon (Regent) in December, and Japan on Regent and Iceland on Silversea in 2024. We are pretty much covering Gary’s bucket list. Would never have put Antarctica and Polynesia on the list, but now May! Quite often the best part of a cruise is where you start and finish, as long as you spend two or three days in each. They tend to be great cities in their own right. Sydney, Athens, Lisbon, Barcelona, Istanbul, Rome, BA … you get the idea! If you do Alaska, where the cruise itself as actually off the coast of Canada, try and spend time in Anchorage (world class museum) and take the train to Denali and spend several days there.
@lynneshrode2927 Жыл бұрын
We did an Antarctica Cruise on Oceania’s Marina. It was the inaugural cruise into Antarctica for them. It was magnificent!!! The Drake passage was not much fun, but we were blessed with the most calm days cruising around the Antarctica Peninsula. 🧊 🐧 🐋
I'm going to be ticking off some of those on your list this year! I'm doing the transatlantic with Cunard, the Norwegian Fjords with P&O, and the Panama Canal with Princess. Alaska is amazing, I've been several times, and will be doing a land/cruise tour this year as well. So many of the others are on my bucket list as well. The Galapagos would be high on my list as well.
@cherifurr3935 Жыл бұрын
Would love to do TA on Cunard and Norwegian fjords - don’t know how P&O works for an American.
@SoloSueTravels Жыл бұрын
@@cherifurr3935 I can't wait to find out!
@Alabamaliberal Жыл бұрын
I was a little surprised that a Suez Canal cruise, a Nile River cruise with archeological excursions, or a round-Australia cruise that stops by the Great Barrier Reef weren't in your top 11--or that you didn't extend it to 15 to include more. Of course, I've only been on 3 of your top 11 (and they are the best cruises I've ever done), so I trust you have your reasons...Wasn't surprised at all to see Antarctica at the top of this list, and it's at the top of my list for ones I'd love to do.
We went on a Tradewinds sail in the Ionian Sea a number of years ago. We loved the 6 passenger, 2 crew size boat. We got great food and stops. Expect small bedrooms.
@donandrobintodd22064 ай бұрын
Having done 9 ocean cruises and one river cruise it’s interesting that by good luck not necessarily good management that we have covered 5 of the 11. Will have to get working on the other six.😊😊
@adjmm Жыл бұрын
I must suggest that you consider a cruise into and up the Amazon River. One of the best I have ever done !
@karasmom3538 Жыл бұрын
Yes. Took it years ago with Princess. Wherever we stopped, the crew had to first go in to build a dock!
@oxymoira8 ай бұрын
The fjords in chile were pretty spectacular too
@crisletourneau8049 Жыл бұрын
Absolutely agree with you. Especially about Antarctica!
We are taking a 17 day Viking cruise on the Danube from Vienna to Bucharest next month.
@TheOriginalMarimoChan2 ай бұрын
I had to keep replaying 12:05 because I thought a baby penguin was eating it's parent but it looks like a bunch of buzzards. Oh, and great tips too! I love your channel.
@pokeyk1262 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for doing these videos. They are so well done and informative. I have learned a lot already and look forward to learning more. Thanks again for doing such a good job. It is a great help.
@leahweiss4545 Жыл бұрын
I know I am late to the party on the comments, but I really enjoyed this video. I agree sailing in & out of Sydney harbour is amazing. I personally thought our NZ cruise from Auckland to Sydney was one of the best cruises we have done. The excursions were very high quality, and the scenery and wildlife were amazing. So maybe #12? 🤣
@ZForce5496 Жыл бұрын
I had to deal with the water levels on the Danube. I would never recommend it or do it again. I wasted my vacation on a bus.
@rosemaryf8177 Жыл бұрын
Taken 3 of your top 11 (Galapagos, Alaska, and Antartica) and will be taking an Iceland cruise this summer, and hopefully most of the others in the next 5 years.
@tipsfortravellers Жыл бұрын
Fantastic! Which of the ones you have done to date would be your #1?
@rosemaryf8177 Жыл бұрын
@@tipsfortravellers Antarctica! In particular South Georgia. If South Georgia had not been included, my favorite would have been Galapagos. I did not see as many penguins as I expected in Antarctica since it was early in the season, but I saw a lot of chinstrap penguins and ONE Emperor penguin sitting on an iceberg. But the King Penguin colony in South Georgia was overwhelming. I was also pleasantly surprised about the abundance of wildlife in the Falklands and how close we were able to get to the albatross colony.
@eastcoast42333 ай бұрын
Really surprised to not see the Caribbean on this list.
@anastassiosperakis2869 Жыл бұрын
these cruises are heavy on scenery and eye candy and light on HISTORY. The list is quite subjective and your tastes, especially if you are a History Buff like me, will differ greatly. Also, the QM2 Transatlantic has NO STOPS, something the speaker has underlined in other videos of his, and it is very important to many travellers. I have spent two nights on the original Queen Mary, when I attended a conference there in Feb 1989. I also know well and in person the designer of QM 2, who I invited to talk to our U about the design of the ship, Dr Steven Payne, OBE (we are also Linkedin connections). As much as I am interested in it I would think twice about spending a week on that boat and never getting out until the end.
@thomaslgrice4 ай бұрын
You appear to be speaking mainly to the QM2, but many cruises on Gary's list hold their own. History is where you find it and like undergrad classes you get out of it what you put into it. Prepping for the Panama Canal transit, I read David McCulloch's The Path Between the Seas and was steeped in the history of the area and the multiple attempts to bridge the Isthmus. It enhanced the transit immensely. In Panama City a guide recommended Matthew Parker's, Panama Fever to learn not just of the technological, geographical and political history, but also of the social aspects of bringing workers from the Carribean islands to work on the canal and how pay, living conditions, and even choice of work was affected by racism of the early 20th century. Other points are touched on including how the home islands were affected by losing a large part of the male work force, many who were never to return, heavy human history indeed, affecting individuals, families and cultures. I enjoyed the cruise on Oceania, though it was a singular experience. We were busting out of the pandemic in early 2022 and had fewer than 300 passengers on the Oceania Marina which has a double occupancy of 1,250. Service was almost too good. (~3 crew per passenger)
@ChooCruisesSOLO Жыл бұрын
Fantastic video!! Thank you so much Gary. I’ll be going on an Iceland and Greenland cruise in July 2023 so I am happy that Iceland is on your list. I hope to be able to cruise to Antartica and the Galapagos one day.
@cherifurr3935 Жыл бұрын
I loved my Danube River cruise from Budapest to Prague, but am going on another which will also include the Rhine and go to Belgrade, Vidin, Rousse and ends in Bucharest. Loved Alaska and the South Seas and have Antarctica (on your cruise!), Iceland and Panama Canal planned. Going Finand up the coast across the Arctic Circle to Lapland, then down the western side by train, stopping along the way. Unfortunately Norway not included. Would love to go on Cunard TA, the Mekong Delta and Japan, but my investments will have to come back a little bit first!😂 Antarctica is busting my bank a little.
I can see why one of the cruises on my bucket list doesn't make your list. We both want to go on a British Isles cruise. We land-toured England and Scotland and hit Scotland (again) along with the Orkneys on an Iceland cruise (missed Ireland due to an itinerary change, and ended up in Norway instead) but still want to go to Ireland. The next on the bucket list will be Australia and New Zealand.
@reestyfarts Жыл бұрын
I think the Golden Gate in San Francisco gives Sydney a run for its money. This video is what separates your channel from many others. You cruise on the basis of the itinerary not the ship. Panama Canal has the bonus of magnificent wildlife off southern Mexico in the Pacific: turtles; mahi; sea snakes; dolphins; whales.
We’ve done a dozen cruises on Regent and Silversea. The worst by far was Alaska with Regent in August a few years ago. Why? WEATHER! It poured almost every day, so much so that most excursions were cancelled. We had a rear suite on the Mariner with a huge patio- it flooded every day. It’s luck of the draw, folks.
@carolynmonahan24885 ай бұрын
I'm going to Japan this July but next on my list is the Panama Canal. Nothing about it is scheduled so I would like your recommendations for lines and times of year and itineraries. Thanks for all you videos. I've enjoyed them for a long time and find them so helpful. Best to you.🏯
@tipsfortravellers3 ай бұрын
Hopefully you have seen that I have a group cruise for the Panama Canal that is open for Channel members like you to book so that may solve that!
@calumshaw Жыл бұрын
Great vlog Gary, one of your best. We've done 5 of the 11 so far and Antarctica remains No 1 on my Bucket List. My partner is iffy about a cruise there so hopefully your comment - "Way, Way Better" will be enough to convince her.
@rosemarymonty5399 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for your top 10 cruises I found it very interesting. My Sis and I (originally from Scotland) would love to do the Southampton to New York although neither of us have ever been interested in New York. As we live in Western Canada (Vancouver Island and Calgary). This would be a pricy endeavour. My next would be the Danube Cruise. Hoping my hubby and I can do that one soon.
I’m doing the Mekong in April! I’m very excited. I’ve visited most of the Med ports on land trips so that’s less exciting for me, but I’m doing a Northern European that starts in Stockholm. The Northern and Eastern Europe ports are so different from what I’m used to-I cannot wait.
@pfranks75 Жыл бұрын
A world traveling travel agent said the Mekong River was her favorite cruise.
@rogerdodger8415 Жыл бұрын
We had our bucket list cruise nightmare aboard a Norwegian Cruise to Tahiti. 20+ travel times with unbelievable layovers (we let them handle our flights) and if that wasn't bad enough, they had "shoulder season" dates and we HAD SIX DAYS OF RAIN OUT OF SEVEN!!!!!!!!! Eight grand down the drain.
@paulbunion6233 Жыл бұрын
I am thrilled to discover that my very first cruise starts with #2 on your list. I am doing a Panama Partial transit but i have booked a cruise excursion on a smaller vessel that goes to the Pacific side. I think that may even be more impressive as being in a smaller vessel will highlight the impressive size of the canal and the ships traversing it. Like the Grand Canyon the mere size is hard to comprehend. My fear now is that if my first cruise is so impressive, will future ones be a disappointment ? Should I book an Elon SpaceX cruise next ?