There’s been a lot going on the last few weeks, including some challenges. In this personal & channel update I share what’s been going on as well as our upcoming cruise! I’m excited (& a bit nervous) for a couple of reasons.. but mostly looking forward to our upcoming cruise…
What’s our next cruise? We’ll be going on a cruise onboard Norwegian Pearl, for a Canada New England cruise itinerary. Our cruise leaves from Boston and ends in Quebec city, & we’re looking forward to visiting the cruise embarkation port as well as debarkation port. Our cruise ports of call include Halifax, Charlottetown P.E.I., Sydney Nova Scotia & Saguenay Quebec. I”m looking forward to sharing information and cruise tips about Norwegian Cruise Line, Free at Sea & more.
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Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.
ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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36 Comments
Congratulations on the great news about your dad! Bless your heart for going through that anxiety and stress!
I am so glad to hear that your dad is doing well and I am so glad that your trip with your parent is going to be for next year it won't be in vain, like I said I am new to cruising so I am so happy to finally take my first cruise soon
I look forward to a review of the steak houses on board the Pearl.
I understand about flight anxiety. Whenever I flight I pray for every person 10:08 that has work on the plane, for the pilot and all the crew and every passenger on the plane. I have a rosary in my hand and hold it tight especially on departure and decent. I try not to flight much
. On 2019 we did the Canada New England cruise on Norwegian Gem the Saguenay (La Baie) was one of the best stop. Can’t wait to see your videos! Enjoy! Glad your dad is doing ok.
Thank you for everything you do. I follow all odds your videos here. Great advice, but I always follow my heart in the end
Just returned from NCL Canada New England cruise on the Escape. Peggy's Cove. St John's Bay and Maine. My anxiety was " tendering" to Bar Harbor! The trip , entertainment and food was great. We never went to buffet. Only complimentary waiter service and 2 speciality
on other cruise yours on line.
Used the advice of tipping steward in day 1. He brought the robes unsolicited 5 minutes later.
Booked NCL PRIDE OF AMERICA -Hawaii next year.
Glad dad is ok.
Enjoy your cruise
Wow!! I will be waiting for that video in the NCL Pearl because I will sail on it in June to Croatia and other places. I am glad that your dad is getting better. Flights? I love flying so I cannot tell you anything about flight anxiety. Your tips were good though and I will download some videos for when there is no wifi on the plane or my device does not connect like in my two last short flights.
I can’t wait to see the video for Norwegian Pearl.
We are going on a Mediterranean cruise in June 2024, we’re going to leave from Athens visit a few places in Greece and Italy, France and then depart in Barcelona. I have found your videos very informative and I have watched them all. Thank you for the information. We are so looking forward to our cruise.
We are going on our very first cruise next spring – to Alaska! And I have watched so, so many of your videos, because of you I feel very prepared for our trip. We've got our cruise essentials list ready, I'm ready for packing, embarkation, disembarkation and our extra day in Vancouver and bought your Ultimate Cruise Planner. Thanks for your hard work and all the great advice! The only problem? I think I've watched every possible YouTube video about NCL, Alaska cruising and general cruise advice! What am I going to do for the next 8 months? … Watch them all again!
"Comfort coffee cup" is such a brilliant idea! I was on the Pearl in January. It was not exactly a great experience for us. I thought it was very "meh". in terms of food and service. But I hope it's improved for you!
Glad to hear your dad got good news. I just booked a HAL New England/Canada cruise with my parents for this reason. Do it while we can!
Hello llana. I’m new to your channel and I love all your videos and helpful information. I’m a gen X in my 50’s and never went on a cruise. I’m thinking about going on a solo cruise trip and I was wondering if you can do a video on the do’s and don’t’s and what is the first steps I need to do. Thank you and enjoy your upcoming cruise.
Praying for your Father
During turbulence I take calm, deep breaths and repeat slowly “I am calm, all is well”. It helps me.
Looking forward to hearing about your deep dive on the NCL Pearl. We would like to sail her with my sister in a wheelchair all day. We have never sailed NCL so we have a lot to learn about.
I have flight anxiety and like you, I started wearing noise cancelation headphones and it has made a huge difference in my flight experience
This is a VERY extreme way to get over fear of flying, but it worked 100%. I was TERRIFIED of flying–couldn't do anything other than pray the whole flight. This went on for about 2 decades. Then, in 2004, I lived through 3 direct hits from hurricanes, including having part of our roof completely torn off. The next time I had to fly, I had NO fear, NO anxiety. So maybe living through something that is a more rational fear helped me let go of an irrational fear. At any rate, I now LOVE to fly. BTW, in the fear of flying days, alcohol helped although I don't drink much at all.
Yes, I have flight anxiety. The way I have managed is to be prepared. #1 (most important for me) not to get on a plane tired) be well rested and backed days before I leave. That means for me not doing 20 last-minute things. #2 We do take at least 4 plane trips a year, and I always have my toiletry bags and flight bag ready to go. I keep my passport in my
bag
I just add snacks and any travel paper wk. 
#3 I leave in plenty of time so I can use the restroom before I board. #4 I get an aisle seat. 
nothing ever goes perfectly but this has helped me
Hopefully your parents will make the cruise on next year. Good to hear that your dad is okay and on the mend.
I just returned from an Alaska cruise. Bad 2 days from the waves. Good cruise overall.
Thank you for your tips on flight anxiety. We are cruising with Norwegian next June but have to fly to Miami. I’m a suffer of flight anxiety. But love to cruise! Thank you! Glad to hear your father is doing well.
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So glad to hear your Dad is ok. Thank you for all you do!
Congrats! You’ll do an amazing job for NCL, looking forward to it. So glad your Dad is doing well.
So glad your Dad is on the mend! The trip next year will be all the more special! I will say it was all thanks to you and all your fabulous tips that made my first ever cruise so wonderful!! I have shared with many others and when I'm able to cruise again I'll be all that more prepared! Thank you!!
Hands up.
Thank you for this video! I have flight anxiety too.
I'm not a total rookie (two cruises done and some more scheduled), but I really like how informative and well-produced your videos are. Yes, I'm already a subscriber and I hit the "thumb's-up" often!
I really admire you for working to overcome your fear of flying. I was terrified of flying since I was on a plane that crash-landed on the runway during a storm (I wasn't hurt and no one had more than minor injuries). What helped me was flying with my new husband, who is a pilot. When we hit turbulence he said "it's like driving on a rough road". After a bad bump he said "Pothole!" The fact that he wasn't bothered, with all his experience, really helped me. Eventually I was even able to fly alone. Last year I even flew across the Pacific Ocean to Sydney for a cruise.
I still get really frightened during landings for obvious reasons, especially if the weather is bad, but I am even getting better there.