300K Subscriber Celebration Q & A (& Next Cruise Reveal!!)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
- We did it! We reached another milestone of 300,000 subscribers in our Life Well Cruised community! In this Q & A video, I'm answering 30 questions about cruising, personal & TH-cam. Thanks so much for watching, contributing & continuous support!
Whether you're a first time cruiser who is new to the channel or a long time cruiser & subscriber, you mean the world to me!
I also share our upcoming cruise, which is one we've never done before! I'm super excited to share this amazing cruise experience with you! Please let me know your questions & any future videos you'd like to see.
RESOURCES I RECOMMEND
🛳 THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER 🛳
Get the Life Well Cruised ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER ($10 off for a limited time). The printable planner includes 47 pages of checklists, packing lists, shore excursion forms & more! here: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-...
______
Please note that this video is not sponsored. The links in this description are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you.
As Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Black cocktail dress: amzn.to/3TgE31v
My favorite Amazon cruise dresses (links included): lifewellcruised.com/cruise-dr...
Level 8 Luggage (save 10% with code LIFEWELLCRUISED10): www.anrdoezrs.net/click-10072...
CRUISE ESSENTIALS
No surge power bar: amzn.to/3NCRu7d
No surge power cube (with USB): amzn.to/3TGq8lY
Carry-on Bag: amzn.to/496ha6i
Pill organizer: amzn.to/488nQj5
Over the door organizer: amzn.to/3Dx2m1N
Towel bands: amzn.to/3RF98dc
Passport holder wallet: amzn.to/3f6VqNW
Hanging toiletry bag: amzn.to/3Nb8fFY
Carry-on bag: Nautical carry on bag: amzn.to/2TH7L3T
Packing cubes set: amzn.to/3wF1syG
Clear TSA approved liquid bags: amzn.to/49AEmdD
Electronics organizer: amzn.to/3wpIvxK
Magnet hooks: amzn.to/3wZgj77
Magnet clips: amzn.to/37bNh9W
Towel clips: amzn.to/3b4cj9V
Towel band with clips: amzn.to/3XrB1aR
Cruise lanyards: amzn.to/3uNZBFb
Cruise card holder: amzn.to/3EWtRUL
Travel binoculars: amzn.to/3iRzO9P
Travel jewelry bag: amzn.to/2SY190s
Poo-Pourri: amzn.to/3vJCaM8
Waterproof phone cases on lanyards: amzn.to/3iXCuT6
Waterproof waist pouch: amzn.to/3AqMSeK
Travel alarm clock: amzn.to/3iYuYXN
Night light (motion sensor): amzn.to/33eMEqP
Laundry hamper: amzn.to/2YMyJtw
Water shoes: amzn.to/3G14O1g
Lock box safe: amzn.to/3ibZkqQ
Reef safe sunscreen: amzn.to/3rHUlRS
Aloe vera: amzn.to/3BSz1gX
Travel hairdryer: amzn.to/3xOxndy
Coverup: amzn.to/3gO5T1Z
Travel fan: amzn.to/3uMc24t
Collapsable bottles: amzn.to/3tXCtVw
Bonine: amzn.to/3NE87zo
Seabands: amzn.to/3LxvLvt
Ginger candies: amzn.to/370LBzP
Travel luggage scale: amzn.to/3tIbzAX
AirTags: amzn.to/3tIOttp
Binoculars: amzn.to/3pMWbUD
Luggage tag holders:
*Royal Caribbean: amzn.to/3tvNzB5
*Celebrity: amzn.to/3JB36Fk
*Norwegian: amzn.to/3JzGiFP
*Princess: amzn.to/3wvgW8t
*Carnival: amzn.to/3uhaUFM
*HAL: amzn.to/3tz7tLs
MSC: amzn.to/3PLkMU4
Level8 Luggage (save 10% with code LIFEWELLCRUISED10): www.kqzyfj.com/click-10072095...
ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-...
More Items we LOVE @ Life Well Cruised Amazon Store: amzn.to/3QaoV29
_______
FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE - Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally like and trust.
_______
*Business inquiries & media: please contact Ilana at lifewellcruised@gmail.com
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.
_____________
Some B-Roll used in this video courtesy of RCCL
____________
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
![[TH]FFWS SEA Spring 2024 Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TK2mu-8yBFU/mqdefault.jpg)
Elana, you have the best attitude, the best voice, the best intentions, some of the best advice, if not the very best, a very good Cruise planner cheat sheets. You are genuine. Your helpfulness comes from the heart. Congratulations!
☝🏼💯 👏🏼
Agreed!!
Thanks for your kind words & I’m so glad the LWC Ultimate Cruise Planner has been helpful :)
I love the way you do your Q & A with preplanned questions. Don’t like the way others do it with simultaneous questions where they stare at their monitor looking for questions, or say hello to endless people without any information.
I’m glad that you like this format. Thanks for the feedback:)
The most important advice for almost anything is "Have fun and carry a large sense of humor".
Congratulations Ilanna, 300K is a HUGE accomplishment. Happy Mother's Day!! I laughed when you mentioned the most sought after Vlogs that you do...ALL of those mentioned are the ones that I have looked at and encouraged others to look at also. I have purchased MANY items that you've mentioned including the Level8 carry-on (arriving today). You have SO many wonderful ideas, suggestions, hacks, and tips; thank you for taking the time to not only make up a cruise list but also sharing with with your 300K "closest" friends. What exciting news about your newest cruise next months, have a fantastic time. I'm so excited to hear about your new destination and to see the joy on your face as you share you excitement with everyone. Until your next Vlog...
Haha love that!! Thanks so much ☺️
Tahiti and Bora Bora are actually in French Polynesia. I’ve done several cruise and land vacations there. It’s actually my favorite place that I’ve ever visited! We’ve cruised on Paul Gauguin 3 times. Beautiful ship. You will ❤ it.
Just got back a couple of weeks ago from a Norway and Scotland cruise on the Rotterdam and loved it! Norway is so incredibly beautiful! We also spent a couple of days in Amsterdam beforehand and loved it as well! You’re going to have an amazing time! The morning you sail into Eidfjord get up early and order room service for breakfast so you can enjoy sailing through the Hardangerfjord from your stateroom balcony, we did that and were so glad we did!
I agree. My hook was all in 1 place.
You touched on ad revenue. I think it’s important to let your subscribers know that they need to let the ad run, instead of skipping past it, as that is how you earn money. I don’t think a lot of people know that. A huge congrats to you for your dedication and superb content. 300K subscribers is a huge accomplishment! Job well done! 🏆
Thank you for letting me know that I always Skip the ads now I will start watching them
@@lindapinkard1915 you are very welcome. I was skipping them too and when we do that, the Content Creator gets nothing. ☺️
I appreciate that, but please never feel like you need to watch my videos differently than you would otherwise :)
@@LifeWellCruised the ads are not long so I’m happy to let them run. I know it makes a huge difference so I’m happy to contribute in some small way to such phenomenal content!
Congratulations, Ilana, on reaching this milestone. I still have six months until my first cruise, but I have been watching you for several months. I have learned so many great tips from your videos I feel prepared. Your sweet, upbeat personality makes you so easy to watch. Thanks for all of your help and good luck on your next 100K
You deserve it Eliana!! You are awesome and the best cruise tips TH-camr 😉
Thanks so much!
I am so proud of you. I've been watching you since about two years ago when I took my first cruise and you were at about 70k subbies. I've learned a lot from you, and please keep up the great work! Congratulations on 300k plus subbies 🎉❤
I’ve also been watching for about 2 years. I’m now a travel agent and considering promoting the cruise planner.
I did a 14-day Norway Cruise in 2022. Carry warmer clothes and something waterproof. I was so impressed with the beauty of the countryside and friendliness of the locals.
Thanks for that advice. I figure some of my Alaska items should work
I love your videos and never miss one. I found you last year when we were getting ready for our European cruise on Carnival out of Dover. I watched you and Tony on your cruise that was going to the same ports as us. Your escapades in travel help me a lot. Keep cruising and sharing the news.
You are bang on with what you think the lines can do better. One of the golden rules of marketing is that it’s cheaper and easier to retain customers than it is to get new ones. Right now we’re seeing a lot of alienation of existing customer bases, which won’t hit their bottom lines too much until this bubble bursts. The lines that still operated in the customer’s interests when the industry was booming will fare best when it busts.
That’s a good point, I’m sure they’re trying to balance that. Do you think some cruise lines are doing that better than others?
@@LifeWellCruised I have been a loyal and exclusive NCL cruiser, but after all the changes corporate made to our upcoming itinerary (and their history of such shenanigans) I’m going to branch out on future. So all I can say is that I don’t feel NCL is doing well! 😉
I completely agree! Why cruise lines don't give better customer service before/after the cruise is a mystery to me. I had to finally file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau to get the future cruise credit that Princess promised me in a letter. I used it to book another cruise as I didn't want it to go to waste but I may be looking for a different cruise line next time.
My husband and I just sailed on the Norwegian Spirit from Tahiti to Honolulu. It was a 12 day cruise. We visited Bora Bora, Moorea and Riatea in French Polynesia. They were as stunning as all the pictures. Honestly breathtaking. I think you would love it. We then had 4 days at sea and then visited Hawaii, Maui, Kauai and Oahu. Also wonderful. The Spirit is a smaller, older ship that has been completely refurbished. I loved every minute of this cruise!
French Polynesia cruising is wonderful! Not the most historic or eventful sailing but the most beautiful. Absolutely spectacular.
Bora Bora is definitely the most beautiful place I ever seen. Definitely worth visiting 😊
Congratulations Ilana on your 300K achievement!
Norway is absolutely amazing, my husband and I have been there twice on Viking. The scenery is incredible, the people are very friendly. We also extended our stay and did extra days planned by Viking. You and your family will have a fantastic vacation.
Cruise. British Isles
I'm happy seeing sniffer dogs being used. People need to grow up
Cheers and congratulations! Your channel is helping so many cruisers, including my family and me! Thank you!
Congratulations on 300K subscribers!! I truly enjoy watching all the content you provide; going on a family cruise next September out of Southampton to Oslo, Norway for my Aunt and Uncle’s 50th anniversary; your channel will be super helpful in the planning! Happy Cruising!
Congrats! Love your videos! As a travel agent, THANK YOU for your support! I’ve been a sub since around 90k subs and love seeing your growth. 😊
I appreciate that! Thanks so much for all you do
Hi Ilanna. We love your channel! It was great to hear that two of your favorite cruise ships are two ships that our family will be cruising on in a couple of weeks and next year. We are cruising on June 1st on Celebrity Beyond for the first time on an Edge Class ship. We booked a cruise on Enchanted Princess a few weeks ago for October 2025 for our first cruise on Princess.
7:22
I appreciate you. Your channel is very informative. I always tell new cruisers to check out the channel to learn about cruising. Thanks.
Yay on 300k viewers! You deserve it. I would love to see you do a Hawaiian cruise. Husband I are looking at a 28 day round trip leaving from California to Hawaiian islands and also includes bora bora and Tahiti etc. I am also interested in how many of the ports might be tender ports as I do travel with a scooter. I would just love to see one of these cruises to get a feel for how it is.
Just got off carnival horizon 2 days ago, there were several sniffer dogs on board the entire cruise and walked around the boat decks everyday. I was glad to see it honestly
Very interesting
We were just on the Vista...everyone lined up w our bags on the floor and they brought a dog threw...
I was happy to see that, honestly!
Love these “talks”; you’re the best Ilana❤🎉 Safe travels on your next trip.
Thanks for joining me!!
I went on my first cruise last November, and sail away also made me fall in love cruising. It is so relaxing.
Ilana, I really enjoy your channel. It’s a joy to watch if I have a tense day. You have advice and adventures to share, tips to keep travelers out of trouble and suggestions for how to make the most of your cruise vacation. Over the past year or so, several channels have turned into tabloids rather than cruise experience sharing. I much prefer watching how to spot a scam in the Caribbean than who jumped off a cruise ship today. You stay true to your channel’s identity and I believe your subscribers genuinely appreciate that. I do.
My worst experience with my travel agent was she saved me $50 on a cruise. My best was she saved me $2,000 on airfares to Asia.
Thanks Ilana, for such great content! We do military/Veterans' cruise groups and share you with everyone who is signed up. We have at least 50% first timers and find your videos invaluable in helping our people maximize their experience. Congratulations on the 300k, well deserved!!
So glad & I appreciate you sharing :)
Ilana, Congratulations! And thank you for making us look like prepared pros on our first cruise!
This is a great channel. Thank you for all the helpful info. My parents have been on 40 plus cruises and when they switched to the luxury ships they never went back. I am not sure I will ever be in a position to afford a cruise like that so luckily I don’t know what I missing.
Cruising is so special! I appreciate my journey always!
Congratulations on 300K! You were the first vlogger I started following before my Alaska cruise in 2022. It was my first cruise since 2015, so you were so helpful! I thank you so much! 😄
I’m so glad & thanks for being here!
Thank you for your content. I have retired and now live in Panama and if you haven't visited, it is a wonderful country. The cruise through the canal is an unforgettable experience.
Congratulations on 300k, Ilana and Life Well Cruised team! We hope you're back on Celebrity soon!
Wow!!!! Congratulations on having over 300K subscribers 🛳️🛳️👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Amazing accomplishment. Well deserved. ❤
Congrats on the 300,000 subscribers. Your hints and comments are very helpful. Since we only cruise once a year watching your channel allows me to have something to do while u wait.
We will be doing Norwegian fjords too but in early October 😍
Congratulations and thank you, Ilana! Before going on my first cruise in June 2023 (Alaska on Celebrity Solstice/solo traveler), I watched dozens and dozens of videos - mostly yours - and the info I got was invaluable!! I just checked in for my third cruise! And the hacks!! I think I personally keep Amazon in business - hahaha! So thank you so much for all you and your family do!
Haha love that 😂
Wow, 300K congratulation's!!
Well deserved and lots of helpful content!
Ever think about doing a best of vlog?
Congratulations on 300,000 subscribers.
We are also going on our first cruise to Norway later this summer in August. Cannot wait!
Norway is truly one of the most amazing places to visit. I traveled there with my parents and stayed with relatives there. I wasn’t on a cruise but did go on ferries, trains, automobiles and planes. Hope you get to see the northern lights!
Congrats! Please cruise to Antarctica ❤ I would lovvve to see/hear your experience!
We visited the fjords in 2019 on Holland America, as par,t of our 21-day repositioning cruise on Nieuw Amersterdam, from Ft. Lauderdale, to the D-Day Beaches, etc. We loved it! In August this year, we will be sailing on another 21-day cruise on Nieuw Amersterdam, from Amersterdam to two fjords we didn't see in 2019, then on to Iceland, Greenland, the Shetland and Faroe Islands, Edenburgh, and back to Amersterdam.
Ilana, a sight not to be missed, in Bergen, Norway, is taking the Floibanen funicular, up to the very top, with stunning views below.
You’ll love the Galapagos, more than a few options with cameras being the norm! Btw, you can do some snorkeling with supplied wetsuit.
Wow, sounds like an adventure
@@LifeWellCruised Lots to do and see.
I am loving your videos. I find them so helpful. I have been on 11 cruises. Now I'm a solo cruiser. If you do come to Australia for a cruise or cruises I am sure you will be welcome. I'm from Newcastle Australia and I am so addicted to cruising that this year I'm on 3. I'm so much looking forward to using your tips to really benefit my cruise experience from now on. Thankyou for providing me with more knowledge than I had before. I think you are the best on TH-cam. Suzanne
That clip of you in the drink mixing competition was hilarious! I love it.
I came back to edit and add, I watched so many of your videos before going on my first cruise and it truly made a difference. We had a travel agent that wasn’t too helpful but your videos saved us. Between your tips and favorite cruise items, our cruising experience was enhanced for sure.
Haha I had to look for that clip (2018 😂)
just took my very first Cruise !!! MSC seascape was wonderful !! Crew and amenities and food great ! stopped at DR, Puerta Rico porta plata and U.S virgin Is. great snorkeling ! Thanks llana for all the tips and advice , everything was great !
You are going to love Norway. We did a 14-day cruise in 2017 and I would do it again in a heartbeat. All those huge mountains will take your breath away. Enjoy your cruise.
Congratulations! You and your team have certainly earned it. You are one of the few creators that I watch every single video released. Always entertaining and informative. Thank you! Also, I'm so excited to follow you on your upcoming cruise via Instagram - what an awesome and unique itinerary...and on a ship that I am dying to cruise on. Blessings. 🥰
Awe thanks so much!!
As a first time cruiser your channel and information has been invaluable. Thank you!
Congratulation and many years ahead of success with your channel. We did the Holland America Line's ms Koningsdam in June 2016. We loved Norway that we did it again on the Rotterdam last June in an aft based Neptune suite with a wrapped around balcony. We never missed a view on the right or left. I have a video uploaded if you want to view to see how fantastic it is. When you mentioned it just now, I am thinking of doing it for a third time next year...Ahh the wonders of cruising.
That cabin sounds great!!
Congratulations and Happy Mother’s Day 🎉
You mentioned all the things you have to pay for with the regular cruise lines that add up when talking about luxury cruise lines. I hear a lot of people say Virgin Voyages is a lot more expensive but they don't take into consideration the ENTIRE cost of their Royal Caribbean, etc cruise with specialty dining, tips, wifi and everything else that is included. Virgin probably is more expensive in total, but not by nearly as much as people think. And it's a different type of cruising for those that are interested in it.
This is true
Congratulations!!! Thanks for all your hard work to make this such an amazing channel!
Congrats 🎉🎉Thanks for your Q&A video. Your wish cruising South-Pacific to French-Polynesia:
Tahiti is main island, but not having much lagoons. The beaches on Tahiti nearly all have black vulcano sand and are quite far away from port in Papeete. White sandy beaches only can be found at hotel resorts. If you have time to explore, Tahiti has great rain forest. Papeete (port) is main capital and don't be disappointed when docking there, not the pretty port, you would expect.
Moorea, sister island, has lagoons everywhere around the island bc of an outer reef all around the island. And it has beautiful public beaches with white sand (Temae, Opunohu Bay/Ta’ahiamanu and very small Tiahura). Btw larger cruise ships are anchoring in Opunohu Bay, of which scenery is the most photographed one in French-Polynesia. And Moorea has great nature for water activities, for hiking and/or exploring by vehicle. Btw from July to October you can watch 🐳🐋whale mummies with there newborn babies passing by between Moorea and Tahiti.
Bora Bora has a limit to max 1200 cruise passengers a day. So, only smaller cruiseships are anchoring there. Beaches of Bora Bora are white and scenery you often can see, are mostly private beaches of hotel resorts. There is only one public beach (Matira). Note: Bora Bora is much more expensive and touristy than other islands of French-Polynesia.
There a lot of more islands and atolls to discover in French-Polynesia, for example Fakarava (UNESCO biosphere reserve) famous for snorkeling/diving.
Hope, this information about French-Polynesia is useful.
Greetings from Moorea (sister island of Tahiti) in French-Polynesia🌴 🏖 😎 🇵🇫 🇫🇷 🇪🇺 Monika
Wonderful info! Thanks 😊
Congratulations on your 300.000!
Love watching your videos. 🎉
Take a Ponant Cruise.
Azamara and Regent cruises, please, Illana
I would like celebrity the edge. We are going in September to Hawaii
Congratulations on 300K!
We start using an immune boosting supplement like Emergen-C 30 days before our trip. It really helps if your traveling during "flu season" to help prevent catching an unnecessary cold!
Great to hear 👏
Congratulations 300000🎉😂🎉🎉
Hello.. I'll be a first cruiser AUG of 2025 for my grandson's wedding. I have watched a lot of your videos, which is very helpful for me to prepare my family. We're cruising on Utopia of the Sea. Please post videos of the Utopia once it has been completed and set sail.
Thank you
thats what we try to do, take 2 cruises each year which gives us time to save for each :) we usually stay overnight in the home port to 4 nights. so we make it a longer holiday :)
Congratulations! You are rockin it!
I am sadden that some of the cruise lines, no longer do a 'sail away' party. One of my favourite 'sail away' party was when we sailed under the bridge at Vancouver on our Alaskan cruise, the bridge had loads of people waving and cheering as we went under it. Another was on a Fred Olsen cruise, we met up with the other two ships from the cruise line in Madeira, we all left around the same time, there was music on all the ships, we were cheering and waving to each other plus dancing and free drinks, what's not to like.
I would love to see your review of Star Clippers. I sailed them once and it was a wonderful experience.
We did a Norway, Iceland, Scotland trip a couple of years ago and I think Molde Norway is one of the most beautiful places I have seen you are literally surrounded by mountains. It was so majestic and awe inspiring. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Oh wow! We’re doing a 14 days cruise that includes that itinerary. The second half of our cruise includes the Gereiger Fjords.
Very nice!!
Please cover a transatlantic
🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations on reaching 300K subscribers!!
Congratulations on 300K!🎉❤
Congratulations on this milestone! 🎉Viking, Disney, and Seabourn tours and reviews would be nice. 😊
We've done the Norway itinerary on the Koningsdam, sister ship to the Rotterdam. One tip: in Rotterdam, try to stay in a cabin on the Rotterdam that is now a museum ship berthed near the cruise terminal. Or at list visit it.
I’m going to try & visit 👏
Congratulations on 300K! 🤩
Up next week for us. Similar. 13 nights on Silhouette. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Germany. Also, a first for us.
Re: helping people with their cruises, I swear by your packing list from your ultimate cruise planner! I've used it now twice for cruises, and the only thing I forgot on our last cruise was totally my fault (I checked it off the list when it wasn't packed). So thank you for that!
Awesome! I’m so glad to hear & thanks for your purchase ☺️
in the US, dogs in airports are for 💣 not green substances, and the tsa has said as much. cruise dogs ARE looking for for non💣 items
Congratulation on 300,000 subscribers. You do such a great job and you are always smiling.
Congrats. I’ve loved your videos. We cruise a lot. Especially since we have retired. Was our plan. Many ocean cruises, but we’ve started a few Viking. Just did Antarctica and the Nile. I’ve done the math. Sorta averages out. You have great information. Proud of your success. Happy Cruising.
I would like to see you take and review River Cruise lines.
Me too! I have to plan in advance I think so we’ll see when we can :)
Congratulations 🎉
visit the church in the attic in Amsterdam, it's a great museum
My last 6 Carnival cruises have had sniffer dogs in the terminal.
I am going to redo my first cruise…but in the opposite directions. I missed so much that was going on that I feel I need to do it again. Definitely doing more sunrises and sunsets, more dining options, different excursions! This time I am doing it solo.
Yay 300K!
My friend and I went to Norway end of March and the beginning of April, 16 night cruise with Saga cruise. It was fantastic. We had 2 nights in Bergen as there was a force 10 gale. We went to a place called Flam the town was very pretty and the journey up the mountain and sail up the fjords was spectacula. Try to get up early and just stand on you balcony there was like a blue hue over everything. Altar is about the artic circle and is also lovely, like the ice hotel but sadly you will miss that. Hope you have a wonderful trip. Ps Amsterdam is also great go to Anne Frank's house sad but very interesting.
Congrats!!!!!
Congratulations!!!!
Congratulations 🎉🎈🎉🎈
Yes communication is an issue on board ship. The employees don’t seem to be totally trained. They give out misinformation. It causes confusion and frustration.
Congrats 300k