Travel Blog Jamie: YouTube Scandals & Pet Peeves with Cruising

[@sailawaymag]

Have you heard about Sail Away? It's the cruise magazine written by cruise lovers, for cruise lovers! Subscribe today for £3.95 every two months! sailawaymagazine.com/cruise-magazine/

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

"50,000 subs means nothing if 1/2 of them are fake" - so true! Building a genuine audience is hard work, but worth every second!

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching Chris! We agree, building a genuine audience that love's your content is the most rewarding bit.

[@annasutton8078]

A lady on our table had dietary issues on Ventura. She was able to select her food the night before from a menu provided. Our cruise was such good value. We are new to cruising and it's lovely. Our waiters worked very hard and were very attentive.

[@CruisingTipsDotCom]

Really fun interview. I wasn't really familiar with TBJ, so look forward to checking out more of his content!

[@stephenselwood1941]

Coeliac disease, It is still an option in the MDRs on the Iona to pre order gluten free meals for the next day, The head waiter without fail came to our table with the next days menu to take a gluten free order for the next day, some options which were not shown as gluten free were adapted from the menu. If you have coleiac disease you know how bad "being glutened" can be, it did not happen on a two week cruise November/December 2024

[@neild3144]

Great viewing, very informative and interesting.

[@darrenmacinnis1931]

On my last Virgin Voyages cruise a well know British cruise pair ask me and my partner to change seats in a restaurant so they could have better lighting for their camera. We were appalled at the entitlement. Such intrusion is absolutely unacceptable.

[@sailawaymag]

We’d love to know who, that’s utterly disgraceful! We could have a guess who it was though 😡

[@darrenmacinnis1931]

@ here are some hints: virgin voyages out of Athens, October 2023, Greek islands and Adriatic cruise. The incident took place in The Wake, we were seated right next to the large porthole window. The same duo set up a tripod in the corridor and were seen around the ship with a larger than normal camera.

[@sailawaymag]

@ yep, that’s who I thought it was. The most pompous, self righteous cruise vloggers we’ve ever met. They shouldn’t treat people this way!

[@darrenmacinnis1931]

@ question: do the cruise companies have a set of rules or regulations for vloggers onboard?

[@danielmorris1527]

@@darrenmacinnis1931 so I guess you won't name, but after (a very little!) detective work would I be warm by saying 19 minutes 30 seconds in the relevant posted video by the pair?

[@LaLidoLoca]

Great conversation! Spot on with the views vs subscriber conversation.

[@cynthiastuart6447]

Yet another awesome interview from you gents! I appreciated the wide range of topics that you covered , as well as the no holds barred discussion the three of you had vis-a-vis vlogging and travel journalism. I am an enthusisatic member of the Travel Blog Jamie community because of his authenticity, honesty and good natured, fun approach to travel. I also appreciate that those qualities are reflected in Sail Away magazine and your podcast as well. Keep up the great work !

[@allaboardthecruiselife]

Excellent interview with Jamie, many congratulations guys! 🚢👍😎

[@sheilahamill3516]

Thank you for this Vlog, I have found you through Jamie. It was very interesting hearing your perspective.

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching Sheila :)

[@brentfairlie9159]

Good watching you gentlemen chatting together. Very interesting episode. Cheers from New Zealand.

[@cruisefraterpoultons]

Great episode, packed with fantastic questions and interesting discussions. Love how you are all authentic and honest, true leaders in your field and role models. Really enjoyed this one.

[@thelawgreens]

Appreciate another honest chat! ❤

[@TravelWithBen121]

Great interview guys! I agree with a lot of what Jamie said 👍

[@EuroDC1990]

Personally I've only ever cruised with P&O and I like them, which is just as well given they're the line which has the most sailings from the UK (how I'd love more competition from ports in the North though!) I'd definitely noticed though that the quality was going downhill and having only done Iona/Arvia after the pandemic I found that the ships were nice (especially Arvia - beautiful ship) but the service just wasn't great. Not as bad as some make out, but not great. There's also a lot more up selling which is fine for some things but on Arvia in April we felt like the captain was so fussed on sales pitches we thought he must be getting commission which just felt uncomfortable. I've recently returned from a trip on Ventura though and I've got to say it was fabulous, service was mostly excellent, much more personal and the staff seemed a lot happier. Less variety of food but the quality seemed much better. I'm all in favour of slightly reduced service to make cruising more accessible but there's a limit to how far you can take it and I think P&O were starting to push it. I hope my recent experience is a sign that things are going in the right direction again. Equally though, I do think it's time to start trying other lines. They might not be as convenient for us and might be a little more expensive upfront but there's more out there and other lines definitely look to be doing more.

[@cliffgniliaw9642]

We love watching ship tours, that way we know where everything is. The blogs are good as well as it’s personal touch on someone’s cruise

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching Cliff! Some creators believe that ship tours aren't worth the time, we take pleasure in making them!

[@benedictwallis1993]

P&O cruises is great value for money. Compare apples with apples, if you’re expecting a far better service then pay far higher prices. Royal Caribbean is now almost twice the price and doesn’t include flights. Be realistic guys.

[@christinenicholson5109]

hi you just said pre order on iona and Arvia im GF and i pre ordered each night for all meals so not sure why you said this i get great service on all p&o

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Really enjoyed this. 💯 agree on others double standards, wave awards and cheating. Others forcing opinions on you 🙄 Enjoyable 45 minutes especially putting together the ultimate ship

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching, Tom :)

[@StrykerMaguire205]

I would love to know who you guys are talking about regarding fake subscribers

[@missbrunettemiss]

Is it Cruise Buoys? There is a disclaimer on the Sail Away 100 list which states 'KZbinrs who have engaged in the purchase of subscribers have been purposefully excluded from the list' and Cruise Buoys are not on the list. Can't think of any other cruise vloggers who are not on the list.

[@MTB_FANATIC99]

My thing with all these cutbacks on cruises is a question I got to ask that is some of their cutbacks on safety for the passengers?

[@sailawaymag]

The cutbacks would never compromise safety as there is too much regulation to comply with.

[@wendyschwab6099]

Fraser at Sea (and Jamie of course!)

[@sharonwhite1985]

Great Video! Lovely to hear your honesty and good morals if that’s the right words 😊 That’s why I subscribe to you and Jamie

[@sl64642]

So pleased Jamie mentioned the surcharge (penalty points) for being a solo/single traveller. It feels unfair and can work out so much more expensive than being in a couple.

[@Linda-w3o3s]

If I had to spend my life on a ship: It would be mostly Seabourn with a bit of Marella for their friendly crew😀

[@martinemery9877]

Come on Jamie you already dislike P&O over the Maleth issue which I can totally understand but up until then you sailed a lot with them so naturally you will be negative , so for me you can’t say about cutbacks and how it used to be especially after how cruising was before covid and how it is after COVID as so many cruise lines have cut backs but those that haven’t you pay more so maybe you need to price up land based holidays which have risen considerably and realise that P&O are still good value for money so I wait to see how long you take to sail again with P&O maybe just to slate them again. I may be wrong but have you said anything positive about the new airline that P&O are using 🤔 I’ll be on Azura soon so if I find your comments correct I’ll gladly apologise and agree with your opinion of P&O especially on the flight, service,food quality, and entertainment.

[@davidcampion9847]

Great stuff chaps!

[@IanBradbury]

Awesome "podcast".

[@sistersontheseas]

Really enjoyed this. Another interesting chat!

[@Linda-w3o3s]

Jamie is my favourite followed by The Cruise monkeys. They both give very good advice.

[@SherylMottram]

I agree with you Jamie the Room Stewardess that was on my May cruise came and put her arms round me when i went on in September, it went for other crew members too

[@CruiseLife22]

Great show as ever guys!

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching :)

[@samanthahoare1988]

Jamie is my favourite cruise blogger, his honest,authentic and open. Unlike some bloggers who only seem interested in getting drunk. Love this interview. ❤

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching! Honesty and authenticity are two essential qualities in an influencer, and Jamie definitely has both.

[@garrethwaites6442]

I agree. I’ve learnt a load of tips and useful information before I cruise from Jamie

[@nb5871]

People watch content if they can relate to the people putting it out there and enjoy what they are watching imo. Also Jamie, I recently watched one of your videos where you referred to a woman as a "poor old cow"??? this will not make you popular amongst the majority!

[@300ShadesofGreen]

Paul Ludlow has destroyed P&O in my opinion. Thank God my father is no longer here to see his beloved cruise line go down the toilet like this. I would never cruise with P&O again. Maleth was just the final nail in the coffin.

[@sailawaymag]

Agree with everything you say. Paul Ludlow has done wonders for bookings and profit margins, but a nightmare for service standards. P&O is almost unrecognisable from the line we started cruising with in 2007.

[@300ShadesofGreen]

@ Goodness, since 2007, you would really notice the difference. My Dad was a three or four long cruises per year man. Even had the P&O cutlery at his service, knew the Captains and the Engineering Officers. He was on old Navy Officer himself and would often stay onboard for the entire cruise. He had 101 different shirts he had acquired whilst cruising. Tailored suits of varying colours and styles. Cruising was a big thing then. Ludlow has turned it into Wetherspoons on Sea. They will never see a penny of my cash ever again, which I estimate is about £10k per year worth of business. Not much, but considerable considering I am mid 50’s. Marella is a far better outfit.

[@lost_ashore]

Thank you for speaking sense! So many cruise vloggers/bloggers lying in a variety of forms 😳 Honesty is a rarity these days which is a real shame

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching Victoria and of your kind comment. Hope you are keeping well, and its not too long until your next cruise :)

[@sodiumlights]

Another really enjoyable interview. Cheers to all.

[@iloveanimals1964]

Brilliant podcast guys!

[@graham2493]

Really insightful! With regard to p&o, the unfortunate thing is that over time cruisers won't know what they don't know. What they see now, is what they accept as value for money. This is why we need you guys & Jamie! Keep up the good work y'aal!

[@Mary_Rees]

Why don’t you name and shame these cheats please? I’d like to know because if these were people I subscribed to, I’d willingly hit the unsubscribe button.

[@live2skide1]

Always enjoy Travel Blog Jamie. Found him when I was researching hotels in Southampton, and met him on the QM2. He is absolutely as real on video as in person!

[@danielmunt3336]

We sailed on Britannia when she blew off her mooring in Mallorca this is isn’t the reason I won’t sail with them. I will never sail P&O again far too many cutbacks not a great experience I feel they are very bottom end of the cruise market!

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching Daniel. Unfortunately, we share your misgivings towards P&O. It just isn't the cruise line it used to be, such a shame!

[@danielmunt3336]

@@sailawaymag it is a shame back in 2017 we had an amazing 18 night cruise with them it is a shame.

[@john07973]

Good interview, sensible stuff from Jamie 👍🏻

[@NamyDoesCruising]

What a great interview! Our favourites are Ben and David, Uncle Jamie, Cruise Monkeys and Postcard and a Pint. All for very different reasons, they all bring their own personalities and style. Also! You defend yourself all the way Jamie! Horrendous comments reflect the person more than they reflect you guys! Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. “I think you failed your job as an influencer if you’re not willing to be critical.” 👏🏻 Love the whole vibe of this interview, individuality is so important and everyone should do what they are best at ❤ it would be boring if we were all the same! LA!?!? Really surprised by that, how horrible! Solo travellers have to pay an extortionate amount of money! Nathan‘s brother Nick almost pays double what we pay for a solo cabin….that is not fair! Amazing interview, all keep doing what you’re doing, keep your integrity! ❤

[@cherylemmanuel744]

I agree about service levels on P&O, it just isn’t special any more. I also wouldn’t go back on until I got the compensation I was owed and an apology!

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching Cheryl! Are you owed compensation for the Maleth Aero scandal?

[@cherylemmanuel744]

@@sailawaymag No, but I just think it’s a lousy way to treat people when surely it must be obvious to P&O that they really messed up. Do they they not care that these kind of incidents affect their reputation!

[@jackieaudus9829]

Solo here, always looking for a good deal

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching, Jackie :)

[@RoamingRogersUK]

We've been watching Jamie for some time now, and he's steadily become our go to place for unbiased accurate information, first time watching the podcast and really enjoyed it, the format works really well 👍 We have just got back from Aurora Rotterdam and could really see what you all said about 'cutbacks', it was really noticable in all food venues this time round, the food was edible but the choices had all but vanished, 1 single piece of cheese 3 crackers and 2 grapes isn't a cheese plate 😅

[@TasteTrekkerTales]

I love Jamie....I'm just starting out and I completely agree re cheat subscribers. You have to find your people organically....its not a quick process and thats ok. Jamie is 100% correct re being himself....find your own style and give your own opinions. I love " follow my day" type vlogs. Great podcast!

[@laurieleonard8209]

First comment ❤🐬

[@VikPaints]

Done quite a few P&O cruises over there years, post pandemic we noticed cut backs in particular food in the buffet was basically left overs from the previous days menu in the MDR. You could predict what was going to be on offer. I don't pay good money to eat left overs, end of....... Not used them since. If you want great services and great food you have to pay a higher price with another line.

[@ScottDemayo-r9l]

Jamie,Emmacruises and cruise with Ben and David are the best!!!!

[@sailawaymag]

@@ScottDemayo-r9l Jamie’s great! 😊

[@bexhibbs6731]

I love @travelblogjamie he is so genuine & his personality shines through on all his blogs! ❤😍👌👍

[@Cruiserbjames]

The cruise influencer sphere seems to be a very spiteful crowd. While I understand the purpose of raising this so us viewers are aware, by not naming those involved or giving evidence, you look like you are spreading hearsay and being snide. Should I trust any cruise review in the future?

[@sailawaymag]

It isn't hearsay at all. The evidence is for all to see on Social Blade and similar websites. I certainly wouldn't trust a creator that never says anything remotely negative purely in the hope that they will be gifted a free cruise.

[@Cruiserbjames]

Not all of us are savvy enough or know what we’re looking for in all honesty.

[@levanasleet688]

Ive booked p&o for january 2025 Its putting me off what you were talking about. Going on Azura.😢😢😢

[@glengosling5636]

Started with P&O Many cruises over 30 years, never again, so upsetting . Now completely done . End off

[@TheHendoncat]

P&O is a shocking cruise line , but it serves a purpose in as much it caters for the less desirable generational cruisers who plague the buffet and sun loungers…I hope they bring out more and more ships to cater for more and more clients .