If you’re going on a Mediterranean cruise, you might be wondering what to expect on embarkation day, in ports & on the cruise ship. This was our first Princess Mediterranean cruise & it wasn’t what we expected!
We are onboard Enchanted Princess on a 7 day Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Rome.
In today’s video I share how some Mediterranean cruise tips, as well as answer viewer questions about going on a mediterranean cruise, as well as cruising with Princess. From embarkation day to formal night, I answer some of the most common questions.
I also answer an awkward question that came up among the questions.
*Please note that this cruise was hosted by Princess Cruises as part of a press trip. All opinions & thoughts expressed are my own.
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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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Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic
36 Comments
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.
Glad you cleared that up. We go out to dinner late here probably 10 or so… we do tapas until 1230 at night 8:06
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!
Cruise on our bucket list 😊where is your white button up shirt you are wearing when in Spain? Been looking for one, thanks
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.
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, does anyone know which electrical sockets Princess cruise ships have please. Will be going S’oton to Norway. Thanks in advance.
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!
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.
Thank you for doing the comparison with Celebrity cruises. I’m a creature of habit and have only done Celebrity.
We’re considering branching out now that the value has been reduced on Celebrity. We really do enjoy the atmosphere of Celebrity so I’ve been hesitant to branch out.
Love 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.
Have u ever done a MSC cruise? Thoughts??
Great video as always. Btw it's called Plaça Catalunya, not Playa Catalunya lol. Plaça = Square, Playa = Beach. (local here, in case you didn't guess it)
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!!!
I’m curious, were they charging $2.40 for cookies on board the ship?
Thanks Ilana for your work to keep your followers informed and for your professionalism.
Thank you for your opinion! We are going to take the same boat next weekend 🎉🎉 can’t wait to enjoy it 🙌🏽
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.
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.
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.
Hi Ilana. What language is primarily spoken on a Mediterranean cruise? Did you have any communication barriers due to language?
pickpockets are every where; leave your cash passport onboard
which excursions? did you visit uffizi vatican cordoba seville brera capodimonte venice athens ? how much did your final bill cost?
two nights before and after is excellent suggestion
etias advice?
mnac picasso? castello sforzesco? last supper?
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
I am going on a Mediterranean cruise in 2 weeks leaving out of Rome how was the exchange rate. Should I get Euros from my bank or wait until I get to Rome.
We recently cruised on Sky Princess as a wheelchair user. I found the ship impossible. The public spaces were too small for the amount of people. The one time we got a sandwich at the international cafe it was stale. There was no where you could sit and look at the sea. Could not get near the buffet. Tables too close together could not get in
The theatre was so small disabled seats for wheelchairs were right at the front. Too close. Geleto you could not get because people used the chairs to watch the shows. I won’t go although I could. Havnt cruised for many years and I won’t be going again
I want to do the same cruise…and enjoy the same cities, but it really costs me a TON because I am traveling single! Any ideaas or tips to get cheaper cruises for just ONE person?? Many friends/kids/ cannot afford to go with me!
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.
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.
God forbid that we miss the ship. Would it be better to have passports with us and not in a safe on the ship?
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.
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