Conquering My Fears on My 50th
Noreen and her husband, Rick, in the Yukon.
May 29, 2012
by Noreen Nettles
They say it’s never too late to learn new things. I’d like to add to that saying: There is nothing like a milestone birthday – say, turning 50 – to propel one to actually take up that proposition. Ever since I saw a PBS documentary about Alaska’s White Pass Railroad, I’d really wanted to do go there … someday. Except my fear of heights and water made that dream seem all but impossible to fulfill.
However, as my 50th birthday approached, I began to want to face these challenges that had bedeviled me for years. I convinced my husband, Rick, (who had no desire to cruise because he used work on cramped seismic ships) that I wanted to see the Alaska of that TV show, and the way to go was by ship. Perhaps he was amazed by my bravery, but he agreed and we booked our Alaska voyage aboard Golden Princess. Could there be a more appropriate place for a “golden” birthday?
Of course the first step was flying to Seattle – and I also had a fear of flying. But I had been working on that one on previous flights, so it wasn’t too bad. I was more apprehensive about boarding the ship. But once aboard that big, beautiful (and very stable) ship, I felt surprisingly secure and almost magically my fear of water evaporated!
I became so comfortable on the ship that soon my favorite thing to do was to sit out on our balcony, feet up, gazing at the ocean, watching as the whale tails and spouts, eagles, fjords and other incredible wonders unfolded in front of me.
But the big day – the day I would face my fear of heights – came in Skagway with my highly anticipated trip aboard the White Pass Railroad. It turned out to be the high point (literally and figuratively) of the trip, and even more amazing than the documentary!
The first leg, our Yukon experience bus ride up the mountain, was tough – I felt pretty buffeted from heights. But when we stopped in Carcross for lunch I relaxed a bit, and got to play with sled dogs and watch for wildlife, including more eagles, the peculiar sight of a porcupine in a tree and even a bear crossing the road. But I was still pretty anxious for the train ride back down.
Somehow I ended up sitting on the side of the train that overlooked the most drop-offs. I could see straight down the steep mountain cliffs, thousands of feet below. Oh dear! I prepared for the worst. But somehow the sense of awe overpowered any feelings of fear. It was thrilling to see the treacherous drops that would then segue to a snowy bank, dotted with colorful wildflowers breaking through. I had to laugh when someone on the train said, “Have you ever noticed how people who are afraid of heights are the first to look over the side?”
What better birthday gift could I give myself? I really did feel “golden” – I had conquered fears that had limited me for 50 years! My birthday became a celebration of new experiences. Not to mention an opportunity to pampered by the Golden Princess crew.
I know I wasn’t the only person with a birthday on that voyage, but the crew made me feel like it was my special celebration alone. They made quite a fuss of my milestone birthday – balloons, singing … amazing chocolate cake.
Turning 50 wasn’t a day to feel old, but a truly golden day to begin seeing life a new way and begin planning all the other challenges I wanted to conquer. I learned a lot turning 50 – especially that facing your fears can be a lot of fun! I can’t wait for my next adventure!
Noreen lives in Houston, Texas and has enjoyed one cruise with Princess.
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I am so glad that with so many fears you over came them. and 50 is not old I am 57 and so glad THE LORD has blessed me and I have no fears and have traveled all over have gone twice to Alaska and loved it. If for some reason I get a little frighten I just stop pray and my fears leave me Enjoy your life and travel while you have good health and breath to do it with. Life is short don’t wait till tomorrow which for some it will not come.
I used to be quite the homebody a few years ago… I’ve discovered the joy of travelling and now that I am older I want to go go go… Think I make Rick nuts lol but thats OK. And you are right, life is short and I plan to enjoy the rest and make up for what’s I’ve missed.
It was nice to read your story and am glad to hear that you have overcome the fears. What better way to do that on a Princess cruise. My husband too didn;t want to go on our first cruise because of being in the canadian navy durning the WW II but once we boarded the Dawn Princess for our first cruise which was an 11 day alaska cruise and land tour, we are now about to book our 5th cruise for next spring, You are never to old to travel as long as you have your health because my husband will be 87 in Sept. of this year and still looks forward to our travelling.
tell you what, we have our 50th annerversy almost apon us, and yet we still have the bug, we to have been to a lot of places, the world has a lot to offer, no matter how old you are, in our minds we are still in our thirties, and enjoying it all with Princess, what a lovely way to travel, have fun you all, my name is Ray, My wifes name is Terina, bye for now
Noreen, we’re so glad you overcame your fears and celebrated your 50th with Princess! We hope your experience inspires your next journey!
Noreen, Thank you for sharing your story. I have been on one cruise with Princess and enjoyed every moment of it; I am not 50, however my youngest daughter will be 50 on June 1, 2012 and was part of our totally enjoyable family cruise, 2002. I have the picture on my television to remind me of the joy we had, looking forward to another one of these days. May God bless you every day of your life.
Good on you Noreen:) Life is far too short to sit and worry about your fears, get out and enjoy what life has to offer. My husband was afraid of travel but 12 years ago he thought he might like to do a little short cruise just off the coast. I came home with brochures for Alaska and talked him into it, and we live in Australia. We have now cruised many times and some for great lengths of time. It was the best thing I could have done for him and we have seen some wonderful parts of the world. Now you have the trvel bug I am sure there will be no stopping you. Good Luck…
I loved reading about your experience. I have known you like forever and never realized you had those fears considering we used to walk down the side of the 18 mile creek and sit by the water and play with the crayfish or should I say just observe them. I knew you were afraid of your own shadow though ( Union St on windy nights) lol. I am glad you got the experience and enjoyed every minute of it. Love and miss you girl.
LOL Pam – we have known each other indeed forever. These weird phobias started as I got older (couple bad flights while in my early 20s) and never comfortable with water past my knees. Glad doing them makes them go away!
In 1981, my husband booked us on a 4 nite 3 day Cruise, and I didn’t want to go, but did not want to go. We did go, and now 88 Cruises later, WITH 32 CRUISES WITH PRINCESS, and a Cruise 20 Oct.2012 on the Sapphaire Princess (28 days) ; a Cruise 28 April 2013 on the Ruby Princess (26 days), and a Cruise on the New Royal Princess 9 Oct.2013 (18 days we feel that there is no Guarantee On Tomorrow, and we love Cruising with Princess Cruises, and so off we go.
We meet so many wonderful people when on the Cruises, and have come away from a Cruise with so many New Friends, and some of them continue to Cruise with us.
Cruise and travel while you can… No amount of money can ever equal all the Memories we now have of all of our Cruises that we have taken.
Well done, Noreen! There is no better way to overcome your fears than a cruise aboard one of the Princess ships. I did the Voyage of the Glaciers cruise in 2005, after travelling from Australia accross the world to do it. I still cherish the wonderful time we had to this day, and look forward to doing it again in September, 2013. Keep cruising!!
Oh my gosh- I love these pics esp. the ones of Kaedyn! They are exquisite! The one with her hands under her chin is my fviroate. Are Trey’s freckles getting darker? He looks like Kyle in these. So cute.
This brings back happy memories of the most wonderful holiday we had, part of which was on the Golden Princess to Alaska where we experienced what Noreen describes. We have a photo of ourselves in the same place! May you now experience many more happy sailings. We had a great voyage on Sun Princess round New Zealand and home (Brisbane) just before Christmas. It too was memorable.
Hi there,
My wife Angela and I had our first cruise in 2009 when we sailed on the Sun Princess from Fremantle, Western Australia, for 17 nights to Penang, Langkawi, Phuket, Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore and return, and it was utter magic. Would recommend Princess Line to everyone. In November this year we are cruising around New Zealand on the Sea Princess and are looking forward very much to it.
In May, 2011, we had the big holiday, touring the Canadian Rockies by coach with Cosmos and cruising the Inside Passage to Skagway, Alaska, and we are still in awe of the whole trip. Truly spectacular and awesome.
Princess is still our choice.
Bob and Angela McLachlan.
I love reading the Princess blogs on why people have travelled with Princess. I have only travelled with them once as my travel companion went and got married and none of single friends can afford or fancy cruising and I cannot afford to cruise on my own. There are so many wonderful places to see and hopefully one day I will cruise with Princess again but till then keep your stories coming. Thank you all
I understand where you are coming from Ann – It is expensive to cruise on our own with that single supplement.
I did the Alaska cruise on my own in 2008. I had wanted to cruise to Alaska since after my first cruise in 1992 (which was to the Carribean). I’m so glad I finally went!! It was awesome!!! Hopefully it won’t be so long before I go on my next cruise! LOL
I know it miight not be ideal but they can find you someone to share a cabin with so you can avoid the single supplement. Just a thought. Take care and hope you go cruising soon!!
Thanks Becky! I will keep that in mind.
great story mate and congratulations did the same trip to there from sheffied england last september to celebrate my 60th skagway was fantastic (red onion saloon was fab , well done.
Our very first cruise was on the original “Love Boat” in the Mediterranean.- we were hooked!
20 odd cruises later (most on Princess) we are looking forward to sailing on the new Royal Princess next year. There is nothing better than cruising for seeing the world, having a relaxing vacation, eating well (and often!), and being pampered and entertained all day every day.
Hi, wondering when is the best time to go to Alaska everyone, past experiences count so much, have cruised with Princess 6 times in the past but never to Alaska, it`s my choice for my 60th next year. Thank you. Delma..
My friends and I did the cruise to Alaska over the week of July 4th. Weather was beautiful (a rain drop or two), and not too hot and not too cold (needed a jacket aboard to watch whales, etc.) and people fantastic. Great time to go.
Hi Betty, thank you so much, sounded just the perfect time to go, I`m so looking forward to this time next year.
Hi Delma – As far as I’m concerned anytime is the best time to go to Alaska. Did my first Alaska cruise in June, 1976, on the original Island Princess, and have done enough to now be counting them on my toes as well as fingers (can you guess Alaska is my favorite destination). Having said that, the only thing I’ve found about going later toward the end of the season is the wildlife is beginning to prepare for fall and winter and may not be as visible as during June, July and early August.
Hi Carla, thank you, you do love cruises, as I do, I will be making Alaska my next holiday, so looking forward to it and will take all your information on board. Thank you so much.
Hi Delma, We did the Alaska trip out of Seattle two years ago. We had a wonderful time and sailed on the 11th September. The weather was extremely kind to us and we saw so much wildlife,even a bear at Juneau. Also if you like a bargain the souveniers shops are selling their merchandise at up to 50% off.
Glad you and your husband had a great time. My wife and I did the same crusie a few years back on Princess and went to the Yukon and stopped at Emerald Lake..now that was cool. You really can’t go wrong with cruising…the staff and your fellow ship mates are easy to be around. I wish the world had more nice people like on cruise ships.
Wonderful story Noreen. I loved the Princess cruise to Alaska and the train trip….amazing!! This is your one life, this time around, enjoy every minute….funny how as you get older it is easier to face and conquer your fears. My biggest….spiders, but at my grandsons 5th birthday I held not only my breath, but a tarantula and lived to tell the story!!! And for my 65th birthday I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. Admittedly I have NEVER been that scared in my entire life, but I did it and lived to tell the story, show the video and laugh at myself. Would i do it again….ummmmmmmm, I’ll just say maybe. Now, what is next? Enjoy the adventures of your life! (and Princess is a great way to do it!)
Wonderful story Noreen! We have had two wonderful cruises to Alaska and both on Princess. My husband was fearful of heights as well but went on the White Pass railroad trip to the Yukon and loved every minute of it! We cruised in August both times and the weather was great. We love Princess and just returned in Aoril from a two week Hawaii cruise aboard the Sapphire…a beautiful ship! This was our 12 th cruise, 7th on Princess.
We are cruising on Sapphire Princess in Alaska in July, a 50th Anniversary trip. So looking forward to it. We have sailed with Princess on 3 cruises, always a great time. So nice to read everyone’s blog and get the inside story on your adventures. This will help us to book our excursions.
We are heading to Alaska this summer and we were just looking to see what excursions we should book. Your comments on the train ride convinced us to choose that excursion. It was one we were considering, your story helped us make a choice. Thanks!
We celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary on a Princess Cruise around Australia last July. This was to duplicate our 25th Wedding Anniversary when we traveled the Pacific Islands to Fiji on a Russian cruise ship. What a difference 25 years makes, when comparing the two cruises. The Russian ship was quite basic – the Princess line is luxury and was a wonderful experience. That is why we have now booked a Cherry Blossom Cruise from Australia for Ruth’s 75th birthday next March.
noreen–i have that same photo of my husband and i in front of the yukon sign—when i saw your picture and story it really took me back!! we did the same excursion, and everything about it was wonderful. do you remember how BEAUTIFUL it was and every stop just took your breath away? good for you, for just doing it in spite of your fears! we’ve been on the alaskan cruise twice–both times on the beautiful sapphire princess, and my husband wants to go back AGAIN next year! and for anyone else reading this–this excursion that includes the train and the sled dog puppies and lunch with all the donuts you can eat is just the BEST!!!
Noreen,
My husband and I are going on a cruise to Alaska this September to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We went to Alaska our first time on on honeymoon and we always promised ourselves that we would always return. Well, we are, this time on a cruise. We are really looking forward to it. Turning 50 is nothing, just being able to enjoy something you really want to do is great. I celebrated my 50th birthday a whole year (birthday is in December) in 2009 with friends on a Caribbean cruise on Princess in April of 2009. It was great. Enjoy cruising. It is a wonderful experience.
Loved reading your story,I overcame my fears when I was approching 50 also.I had never even given cruising a thought until my cousin booked a cruise.I was really scared of being on the water but I did it.Well thats all it took,since then I cruise every other year no matter what.Then my Mom was diagnosed with cancer,so our next cruise we had to fly,needless to say ,took my first flight then.Still dont like to fly,but I love cruising so much that if that what it takes to get me there than so be it.Hopefully when we retire we can cruise more often.
White Pass is a Canadian Railroad, not Alaskan. Glad you enjoyed the trip!!!!
I too conquered my fear by taking my first cruise on my 60th birthday. I was too afraid of the motion sickness I had when I was younger, and was fearful that my whole week would be spent ill and confined in my room in bed. But I’ve always wanted to cruise and kept seeing all of the awesome ads on TV, which inspired me to give it a try. So I planned my first cruise in the dead of winter for a Western Caribbean and it was a fabulous experience. I went on the Crown Princess and was so impressed that this year I took 2 cruises and am ready for number 5 and 6 next year. All on Princess which I love. I also rode the White Pass railroad and loved it – inspite of my fear of heights. As you said, the awesomeness of the view surpassed my fears. Good for you spending your birthday in this remarkable way. Hope you get to experience that many more times, as I have.
Good for you. We have a picture in front of the sign also, did the same tour. My wife and I have been to Alaska 3 times on Princess. We always do land portions in conjunction with the cruise. It took me a while but I have convinced my wife, she is now 62 and I am 67, to do THINGS. In the last several years among other adventures, we have been snorkeling with sharks and rays in Belize-ziplining in Roatan, Honduras-hiking on a glacier in Alaska-last Alaska trip, we rode the haul road from Fairbanks to Deadhorse/Prudhoe Bay. This was in June 2011 and , on 3 June, the Arctic Ocean was still frozen and we walked on it. It was 13 degrees with a 30+ mile per hour wind. We have more adventures planned.
You gotta do things and really have fun.
My husband and I love crusing and have been on about 5 cruises and looking forward to our next adventure. We both are in our 50″s and have sailed with Princess to Alaska just like you. We took a helicopter ride to a dog sledding camp on a glacier. What fun! We have also swam with dolphins and went horseback riding to see Mayan ruins in Mexico on our cruise adventures. There is just so many things out there to do and see so enjoy all your future adventures!
My husband, Don and I also a photo of us at the same location from our cruise and shore excursion in September 2005. We went on that cruise 4 months after I had major ankle surgery and only 1 month after being able to walk again. Congratulations to you on having the courage to “bite the bullet” and overcome your fears.
I’m glad you conquered your fears and took a chance! I went on that same excursion and would go again, absolutely loved it!
My wife and I are going on our 4th cruise this coming December. This time on the Golden Princess from Los Angeles to Hawaii. Haven’t been on the Golden before but, from what you say, we’ll have a wonderful time again.
Forgot to mention that my wife and I are both totally blind travelling with our 2 Guide Dogs. We get wonderful service from Princess. It all started with Alaska 4 years ago on the Dawn Princess.
Good for you, Noreen!!! “They” say, “Do something every day that scares you”….could be something like what you did or even changing jobs, meeting new people, moving or taking yourself out to a movie…Loved your story and Happy Birthday! ps…I’m taking my husband on a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon for our anniversary in August!…Wish us luck.
I will be turning 60 year and we will be on a cruise back to Alaska and I will get to celebrate my 60th birthday on the ship. I want to take the White Pass Rail trip. Thanks for posting the information about it. We celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary on the one we took last year and it was so worth it. I can counting the days until our next one. Alaska is the best place to go. I would like to move up there to live.
Sound interesting really. When I was in 12th standard, on my birthday my father travel me only half an hour on local ferry service, at that time I have seen cruise for the first time and decided to be cruise traveler after become an independent.
Congratulations on taking your “brave pills” and doing something completely out of your comfort zone. Now that you’ve tried sailing, there’s nothing to stop you. By the way, if you went in 2012, we were on the ship with you. Yes, Princess knows how to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. My husband had his 65th birthday on Golden Princess.
All these comments about cruising bring back so many memories. We’ve had so many wonderful cruises on Princess. It’s a lovely life.My suggestion? Buy travel insurance. After a number of cruises, we decided to get the best insurance offered, and we needed it! Princess really came through for us. We were on our third Canal cruise, and got as far as Punta Arenas, Costa Rica, and my fall bladder gave us a fright. I spent the night in the ship’s hospital, and it was wonderful. The doctor and nurses were from Scotland and truly knew their stuff. As it turned out, we all decided it would be best to end the cruise in Costa Rica, & Princess handled everything under our insurance policy: interpreter, Transfer from port to the hospital in San Jose, airline tickets home. I did miss the prime rib dinner that evening. Can’t say enough good things about Princess cruises.
Congratulations! I agree that turning 50 is the greatest time to conquer a fear. I also had fear of water so I learned to swim. Greatest thing I’ve ever done for myself…and my semi-retirement present at age 55 is a cruise to Bermuda this week! Next stop Alaska…
Thanks for your story, My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in August and I surprized him with the trip to Alaska in Sept. 2012 we have never gone on a cruise because of my fears of the water but when I seen the inside passage it looked calm so what better way to do my first cruise, I have alredy booked the trip on the railway it looked great, looking forward to the R& R, oh yes already booked a massage too. Happy 50th wishing you many more trips.
Noreen,
My husband and I are taking this same cruise on the Golden Princess to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, June 23rd. The cruise sails on our anniversary and we are so excited. Reading your comments has made me even more excited about our upcoming White Pass Railroad trip. Thanks for sharing with us.
Congrats on a wonderful adventure Noreen, so happy you had such a great experience. I am hoping to get up to Alaska in the next few years. Im 56 years young and still anxious to travel. I think my husband would have loved it, but he passed last Sept so now its up to me to go see it for both of us. Happy Birthday and many more returns, never stop adventuring.
Belated happy birthday. I love your story. I too have a fear of heights and took the same trip. I loved it. I found the train experience to be exhilarating.
Congratulations on facing your fears and living life!!!!!!!!!
My husband and I are going on our 1st cruise ever this coming August. Alaska, here we come, and we are very excited, Hope that the Star Princess meets all our expectations.
Hello Noreen,
What tour/excursion did you take to see all that you saw and what side of the train (if you are looking at the engine) is the side to see all the drop offs? I enjoyed reading your story.
Two years ago my wife and I took the trip to the top of the pass and back to Skagway and what an experience. I to worried about the sudden drop offs from the train at first but within ten minutes I was standing on the platform between coaches taking pictures for the entire trip both up and down. This year we are taking the bus trip to the Yukon and returning by train as this is our third trip to Alaska in the last seven years; and, we are celebrating our 80th and 70th birthdays and our 24th anniversary by taking the land and sea tour. This is nothing for my wife as at age 78 she rode with a NASCAR driver on a NASCAR track at 139 miles per hour.
Thank you Noreen for your story. I am booked on the Sea Princess for this July to
Alaska. This will be my first cruise EVER! I had the opportunity many times in the past but had always turned it down. Frankly because I’ve been on small boats and double hulled canoes here in Hawaii and have gotten very sick. I finally decided to take a chance on a “BIG” ship. Unfortunately, my wife refused to go but at least I’m going with my mom who’s 82 and about 10 other family members. I am still a little apprehensive but I’ve been reading all these blogs and comments and researching cruise ships and shore excursions and now the anticipation is replacing the apprehension. I am hoping that my experiences will be so memorable that I will be able to convince my wife to accompany me on the next one. You’re story and comments by others here really help get me “psyched” for this trip. Thanks again.
Forgot to mention I’m doing the Bear Creek zip lining in Ketchikan, Float plane glacier tour in Juneau, and White Pass train ride in Skagway. Not bad for my first cruise ever huh?
We are going on our First cruise ever on July 7th on the Diamond Princess to alaska and I can’t wait. I too had to twist my husbands arm. We will be celebrating 35 years of marriage. We have booked several excursions but I really want to try the zip lines. My husband says no way, don’t know if I’m brave enough to go it alone. Still love the thrill at 52, will let you know if I go for it.
kelly that’s the cruise we are going on too. besides my husbands b-day this is a belated celebration of our 41st anniversary. Looked at zip lining too but opted for snorkling instead. Hope you have a great cruise
wow I really enjoyed your story. I ate 63 will be taking a Alaskan Cruise (our first cruise ever) in 22 days. Iam TERRIFIED to get on that ship. Your positive attitude helped a lot. Knowing I probably won’t be the only fearful one is comforting. My husband and best friend will be celebrating there 65th bdays on the ship. We are looking forward to that also. oh and by the way we are doing the railway ride also. Iam happy for you and hope my experience will be just as good.
wow I really enjoyed your story. I at 63 will be taking a Alaskan Cruise (our first cruise ever) in 22 days. Iam TERRIFIED to get on that ship. Your positive attitude helped a lot. Knowing I probably won’t be the only fearful one is comforting. My husband and best friend will be celebrating there 65th b-days on the ship . We are looking forward to that also. oh and by the way we are doing the railway ride . I’am happy for you and hope my experience will be just as good.
Great story, Noreen. I was at the same Yukon sign last week!
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I am going on my first cruise this July. Can you please provide the tour company you went with for the White Pass Rail as it sure sound interesting. We you very tight on the departure and return time of your tour?
I’m glad the crew took care of you on your birthday cruise because when my wife and I booked a cruise for her 50th Birthday and the Crown Princess Passenger Services dropped the ball big time. We didn’t get our champagne with our mini suite, we didn;t have the Bon Voyage Champagne in our room on arrival as promised, and my wife never got her birthday cake during the formal dinner even after I requested it before the cruise and twice on board with passenger services. I even tried to have the cake delivered to our table the last night but it never arrived. When I approached the Head Waiter after dinner he told me that there were too many people and he can’t keep track of everybody. I asked to see the reservation sheet and in comments there was not a thing noted. I had called Passenger Services to confirmed that my wife would be getting her Birthday cake that night. Nothing happened. I contacted the Corporate Passenger Service when we got home and pretty much blow off as a petty problem. In fact I was completely ignored on two follow-up letters. Oh, we got one balloon on our door at the end of the week. I was totally disgusted with the on board Passenger Service and with the Corporate Passenger Services Departments. Princess Cruises state that they have a professional Special Events Staff for special occasions. After what I experienced I think they were all on vacation or they are the most inept staff I ever delt with. I had worked overtime for two years to take my wife on a 50th birthday cruise and this is how we got treated: we were ignored on several times during and after the cruise by so called professional Passenger Services. We had a great steward and the cruise directors were fantastic, but the cruise line forgot to celebrate my wifes birthday even after several reminders. Next time I’ll skip the Special Celebrations Program and bring my own champagne and decorations then I won’t be disappointed.
You can purchase the tour on line so that the tickets are in your room when you board ship. We purchase all of our land excursions on line from the comfort of our home.