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Most people don’t understand that a press trip is “work” time for travel journalists. Over the years I was fortunate enough to visit many interesting places as a travel writer. But between interviews, note taking, and photography, I had to hustle every day. When my children were with me I assigned them to cover kids activities. They loved it and carried their own notebooks. A few times they even wrote articles under their own byline. It was always fun and interesting but it also was always work first!
Definitely would like to see a "Behind The Scenes" video !!! That said, we are looking forward to our Mediterranean cruise next March on the new Sun Princess !!!! :))
Wow, this was posted only 2 hours ago and I'm here for it!!!!! All of your videos have been helpful to us for our upcoming first cruise. I actually watched one this morning and I didn't know I needed to get suitcase tags for my luggage for NCL. I hopped onto Amazon and ordered them and also ordered a suitcase scale like yours. You are making what was initially overwhelming, now so easy and such a joy. You are the BEST.
@@LifeWellCruised And wouldn't you know, I just ordered a collapsible hamper, hooks, and decided on a card holder that goes on my phone. I think I'm becoming a shop-o-holic!!! KEEP ME AWAY FROM THE ART SALE!!!!
Good for you! You deserve press trips and creator events. The time you take to create the info that we need is well appreciated and it’s great that cruise lines are providing you more opportunities. I’m going on my first celebrity cruise next year so the comparison is good.
I took my Mom on this same cruise last month. We loved the Enchanted Princess and her crew. I would most defiantly do it again. Lots to do, not a lot of kids to annoy you. The cabin steward was great, We also loved the live band X-cite. And Paula was the best server on the promenade. Glad you enjoyed it as well.
Another great video! I like your style of targeting specific topics and giving direct answers. Also, you always include information that is very relevant like dress codes for men and women. I am considering a Mediterranean cruise thank you for all the useful info.
I like your blue dress, and can appreciate when it is hot in country, wearing a cotton dress instead of polyester would be a HUGE plus. Thank you for your reviews!!
The best advice about avoiding jet lag was what you did, staying up the first day until a normal bedtime and not napping, but also setting your watch to the destination time once you board the plane. It seems that most flights from North America to Europe are overnight, which I think works in your favor if you're able to sleep on the plane. Fortunately I always nod off and I've never had a problem with jet lag.
OMG! Italy such a gorgeous Country and amazing places you are going to sounds define! Xoxo 😚 🩵🏝️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵🩵🩵🌞💛💛🏝️🛳️🛳️🛳️💛🩵🩵🏝️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵💛💛🌞🌞💛🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🏝️🩵💛🌞🌞🌞🌞💛🩵🏝️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🏝️🩵💛🌞
We're on Enchanted in November for a 26 day Mediterranean and Transatlantic, Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale. We've done Enchanted before and I can't wait to rejoin her for this cruise. You are spot on about the spacious feel and beautiful decor of the ship. I'll be watching your content since we'll hit some of the same ports on the first half of the cruise.
Great video, as always (Thanks). I'm really anxious to see your other videos about this cruise, since we will be taking the same one in a short time. Looks wonderful.
I would especially love a behind the scenes video. Thanks so much for all your hard work and dedication to bring us such informative and interesting videos.
The crusie looks so gorgeous inside and out and so beautiful love the design and magical xoxo 😚 🌞🌞🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵🌞💛💛💛💛🌞🌞🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵🌞💛🏝️🏝️💛🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵🩵🌞🌞🌞🩵🛳️🩵🌞🌞💛💛🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵🌞💛💛💛💛🌞🩵🩵🌞💛💛🌞
We just got off a 16 day Princess cruise and let's just say it: the dress code is dead. In the dining room at dinner about half of the people wore shorts. I saw a Muscle shirt at dinner and several baseball caps. On formal night I saw one tux and maybe half a dozen men's suits. I'd say if a man wears a jacket he is in the top 10% sartorialy speaking.
Lovely trip on this Enchanted Princess. I’ve sailed Royal Princess and sooo love that Love Boat ship whistle every time! Yay for the International Cafe-yummy coffees, too!! Can’t wait to see your full coverage of this cruise. Enjoy every minute even while working.
Hi Ilana, I was so happy to see this video. We are cruising the 14 day version of the cruise you’re on, ending in Athens starting 9/30. We’re so excited! Can’t wait to see your upcoming videos to get a look at what to expect on the first 7 days of our trip. I hope your having a great time (or had one) on your Mediterranean cruise. Thanks for all the info!💕
So now you need to go on an East Med cruise! Great advise on adjusting to the time difference! This is how we have always done it. The demographic was younger as it is still summer break and your cruise was 7 days! Outside summer break or on longer cruises you will find it skews older! Sounds like you had an amazing time. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Just booked today for next August, 10 day Alaskan cruise with Cunard. Very excited I have seen your video of when you did it. Have a great time in the Med.
I’m going on my first cruise ever next month. It’s on Celebrity but also leaving from Barcelona so this is pretty informative and I’m really looking forward to the full video to see what you did in Barcelona.
I am looking forward to your next Enchanted Princess video. I haven't sailed on Princess in a long time and definitely need to book a sailing. She looks stunning. Also, I don't think that it is an issue that you are on a hosted cruise. It shows that the cruise lines take the vloggers and bloggers and their followers seriously.
We just came off the celebrity Edge today in BCN. Started last Saturday but spent a few days in Rome. Had a tour reserved at the Vatican and it was fantastic. The lines were huge and the heat unbearable. But it was great even with crowds. The cruise itself with Celebrity Edge was great. Maybe a bit more crowded and raucous than expected but great nonetheless.
I’m looking into doing a Mediterranean cruise with my husband for our 25th wedding anniversary in 2025, so I really appreciate the information. I’m doing some research now and I’m looking forward to hearing about your excursions and pre and post cruise stays. Thank you for all your videos. You’re my favorite!!
I am really enjoying this series of four videos about cruising in the Mediterranean. It's so nice that you got to travel together as a family of three in one cabin. Ethan does a great job of filming for you when you or your husband are not handling the camera because you might be in the video. Thank you for working so hard for us! I would not like to travel when it's very hot, but I don't live where the winters are cold and I like to be comfortable in the spring and the fall.
We are cruising on NCL from Venice(Trieste) to Barcelona in October of 2024. 10 day trip. I lived in Sardegna, so I'm familiar with Europe. Yet not cruising itself. I took the advice you mentioned about arriving at least 2 days prior to Embarkation. Thank you for all the tips you have shared for cruising. It's been a great resource.
Thank you for the wonderful content. I have a co-worker going on her first cruise in a few weeks and she started following you and said you have helped her so much. So a Big Thank you!!!❤
I don’t sleep on airplanes. we flew Nanaimo BC-Vancouver-LAX-Sydney. (Our YVR to LAX was late, that was fun, doing a 1 km dash to make our next leg, but that’s a whole other story…) we arrived in Sydney @ 0900 hrs, so by the evening I had been awake over 30 hrs. Woke up at 0800 the next day, fully acclimated to local time! 😅
Enjoy your cruise. I a, right there with you. If I had to choose, it would be Celebrity. Last year we did the Greek Islands with both the Regal in June and the Edge in Sept. and I base my opinion on both experiences. However, the Enchanted Princess looks lovely, so you can't go wrong. Can't wait to hear all the details on the ship.
We are on the Enchanted next month so are excited to see the rest of your videos. We are also doing some days before and after in Rome and Barcelona and are hoping you will have lots of suggestions on what to choose from the dining room menus. Would also like to hear some comparisons between the Caribbean cruises and the Mediterranean ones.
We were on the same cruise, with you, for 15 days. We loved the Mediterranean, but were disappointed in the constant “selling” at dinner and confusion in the Princess Plus package we bought a year ago and we’re offered to upgrade to the new PP for things we thought we already had. Ship was gorgeous. Wifi was poor bc it is 2-3 mips and over $500.Medallion charged me for stuff I thought was free (coffee and ice cream on 5th floor) bc the cash register picks it up within 10 ft, and you don’t sign for anything. Staff not as customer focused as Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. Now at 23 cruises, 2nd Princess cruise….we will stick with Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.
We love Princess! We have sailed on all the major lines but not the Luxury ones. Have not done the Edge class yet. We love the Royal Class and have done the Royal, Regal, and did a 24 day back to back Australia and South Pacific this past February on the Majestic. Everything was great and the entertainment and shows were absolutely fantastic! We’ve donee older Princess ships as well and have never been disappointed! Glad you enjoyed your trip even with the work involved!
Your review nailed it. Such a beautiful ship…made me think happy thoughts about just getting off the Enchanted Princess less than 1 week ago. We really enjoyed the Princess Live space participating in different trivia nights and game shows. I was also surprised at the demographic in Europe (vs other Princess cruises) and we met so many fellow cruisers from other parts of the world. The level of service on Enchanted Princess was exceptional. (And, be sure to see the production show Spotlight Bar…it was incredible!!!) Keep having a blast!
Hi Ilana! Your reaction to the horn was the same as mine always is! It's for REAL once that Love Boat theme blasts out. Have you ever been docked next to another Princess in a port? We were on Sky in St Maarten next to Enchanted last year. It was so much fun!! We had a horn-off, and a huge party vs. their party. I get to go on the Enchanted this year for a Christmas cruise.
aawww what a magical moment and memory God gave you...what a treat this comment was and it was not even to me! This comment made my day! blessings...i will head the love boat theme blast in my head all day.
You have lots of useful tips and thank you. Again, looking at this ship vs. the Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond or Ascent both ships have a lot of the same content in terms of dining choices yet Celebrity has more dining venues on those ships it seems. But maybe not that many more. Celeb's style seems more modern but it is actually kind of trendy and less of the evocative style of earlier lines. But the major difference is that the Enhantment has way more social lounges for mingling, music and dancing. The Princess ship is darker and more traditional but just as premium. And I think the food in Princess has better presentation than what I've seen lately on Celebrity ships. The Celeb theater has more tech and there's nothing like Eden though there is that blue lounge/theater that can hosts shows, comedians, trivia, all sorts of things. And Princess has the steakhouse/lounge that feels like a supper club vs. nothing like that on the Edge ships. I'd pick this one over the Edge class ships and for the Solstice ships, I think this one has the edge as well. Princess seems less expensive with less add-ons and right now strikes me as the better value. I think the Prism ships will take Princess to an even higher level and they seem to expand on what these Royal class ships have. What I do like about Celebrity is there are no announcements vs. some on Princess. Service style of Celebrity seems to have a bit more professional distance between the guests and service staff vs. other lines but the drink servers are pretty personable.
Definitely!! I often think how it’s amazing how we can change our “careers” at any point in our life. Not something I would have considered 10 years ago 😉
Hi Ilana. I would love to see a behind the scenes video. Glad to hear you like the Enchanted Princess , we are thinking of trying another line just to compare. We love Celebrity and sailing on Beyond in November. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 I do love your videos and have picked up many tips along the way from you. Much appreciated 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Thankyou iiiana ..we did a celebrity med cruise was great 😅..😊but now doing a princess cruise to Tasmania2024 ith my 95 yr old mum ...so you have made me feel it was right choice....you're videos are the BEST ..thankyou
Thank you for your most informative videos! Such great information. We r on the Enchanted Princess in Feb 2024. AND we r looking into the Mediterranean next spring or Fall. (new to Princess). We will be watching.. with great anticipation!
Great vlog Llana. We sail on Enchanted next October 2024 from New York to New England and Canada and we cannot wait. We live in southern Spain and it is still very hot. Hope you have lots of suncream.
We went on Princess for the first time last September and it was the least formal I’ve ever seen. There were people that were no where near formal and just normal clothing. I wasn’t bothered as I don’t do very formal and everyone seemed to do their own thing. We enjoyed Princess and are considering them again next year. I love the medallion, I wish everyone would do similar.
Excellent point about the advantage of the Princess packages. This was the primary reason we decided on Princess over Celebrity on our upcoming sailing. Dispite recent controversial changes by Princess the Plus and Premier remain the best value out of any cruise lines inclusive offerings.
Ahahahaha I LOVE that sail away horn! We always stay at tge Mont Blanc when in Barcelona. So lucky, good for you and yes, please more behind the scenes.
Thanks for the info. Please do behind the scenes. Just got back from Royal Princess Alaskan cruise. It was best vacation ever. Last cruise was NCL Star ward 33 years ago. While fun , the boat rocked a lot! We don't drink and were walking like drunks down the hallways.
Awesome vlog!! Pickpockets are all.over Europe! Traveler beware when i was in France the taxi driver have me the dos and don'ts amd was tested right off the taxi at Notre Dame!! Great info throughout and keep it up!!!
HAL and CEL offer pitti palace excursions; Carnival offers Cordoba Princess does Not. all lines offer munch, kontiki fram; disney offers rijksmuseum; princess offers bundled uffizi accademia
Would love to hear about the behind the scenes happenings. Think it would be very interesting. I’ve only sailed on Princess and love them as a cruise line! Enjoyed seeing your magnets on the wall. I just ordered some for my upcoming New England cruise. Thanks for all you do!
I apologize, I thought I was a subscriber but I guess I wasn’t. I am now. You ever want a 56 yr olds cruise perspective that spent 34 years in the Navy (now retired) let me know. We did one HA cruise (Alaska) loved it. Our next is likely the Sun Princess 14 Day Med with Greek Isles and Turkey. We are traveling from Vancouver Island so these stories in your experience is very relatable. Thanks!
Interesting video! Thanks for all the valuable information and great images. Barcelona is a great place! I just need to go on a Mediterranean Cruise one day! Greetings from 🍁🇨🇦🍁
I am really excited to hear all the details about this cruise! I will be doing the same cruise in May but on the new Sun princess. I'm sure it will be similar. It will be my very first cruise 😁
Hi Ilana, I always enjoy your videos and tips on cruising. Would be so happy if you will do some cruises to the Orient such as Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and Japan. Would like to know about cruises in Hawaii, too. Thanks.
Wow!! We were on this same cruise mid May. We did three nights in Barcelona before and three nights in Rome post. While on Enchanted we are at Sabatini's, tried out the new Rudi's and were invited to the 360 Experience. Hope you have the same Fabulous trip we had.
thank you for the info. First time cruiser here, doing this same itinerary in september. i was most nervous about the embarkation process, but it sounds like it should be pretty simple.
Love the horn! .they dont all have it. W weight limits for flights..we dont take all the formal ware .. Several dressy tops dressy wide leg pants. Any big city u need to be cautious ..Best deal is def princess plus.. great content! very helpful!😊
@LifeWellCruised thank you for you and your videos, it helped me a lot as that was my first ever cruise 🙂 my niece was my roommate (27 of us in this group lol) and I introduced her to the Poo-pourri 😂 she didn't know they existed! 🤣
@@LifeWellCruised Ours started in Rome, Greek isles and worked our way to Barcelona. We wished we had spent more time in Barcelona. Really fell in love with that city. We really want to go to Florence next time.
I really Enjoy Your Videos And We are going on the Enchanted Princess starting in Barcelona for B2B 26 days with 2 days before in Barcelona and Look forward to Your Video about the Tours, because I got most My Tours from Princess related to Mobility issues. I am very excited about this Cruise and Your Videos
Another great, informative video. Thanks!! I'm very interested in your shore excursion video because I've got the same itinerary booked for June 2024 on the new Sun Princess. I spent 4 days in Rome back in 2018 but we're going to spend a couple of extra days there when we disembark, so I'm also interested in hearing about your post-cruise hotel and activities. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for this video! My husband and I are going on a Mediterranean cruise next year and we appreciate any info we can get! Needing hotel and tour recommendations for both Barcelona and Rome. Will be watching closely for your videos!
