Now we have been to St Thomas before, and while we like it, it is a little to much like a Florida beach. Nice, but been there-done that. We jumped off for liquor and that was about it. Rum punch and Rum cream, but you'll hear about that later. So we decided for this day to be our Romance on the High Seas day. We woke up, milled around a bit, ate lunch, and got ready for our 2:30 Rasul in the Vista Spa. When I booked this for us Kevin was IMMEDIATELY excited. Mind in the gutter.

How was he to know that he would enjoy the actual POINT of the spa service more than the RUMORED use of this facility? When we walked into the spa I must admit I felt a little dirty almost when they said "Here for the Rasul?" The girl was nice and explained everything to us and led us to the locker rooms to "prepare". I do have one complaint about the "preparing" process, a tip if you will, that maybe others can use in the future: The rubber slippers that they leave in the locker room for you are TINY. I'm thinking a size 7 ladies, I happen to wear a 10. So I put them on and after wobbling around the locker room I realized that I would have to just wear the
crocs I came in there with. And the robe they give you isn't the biggest thing in the world, or the longest (I'm 5'9") so I felt a little EXPOSED. The robe barely covered my upper thigh (an area that doesn't see sunlight often enough as it is, let alone parade through a spa) so I opted to keep my underthings on for a little added protection. When I walked out Kevin laughed at my choice in footwear and I looked down expecting to see him in those little spa sandals so I could get a good laugh and what do I see? Crocs! Turns out he decided to keep it casual in the crocs as well. So off we go to our Rasul Room. Our spa girl lets us in and tells us to enjoy. Ok, we're in. For those of you who have never been before it is very dim lit, which I happened to LOVE. WAY more flattering on the thighs if ya know what I mean. The bench in front of us had lots of spa products on it and I immediately went to work. I was reading the back of labels trying to determine what was what and Kevin was standing there with nothing but his crocs on waiting to be "done". Now get all of your minds out of the gutter, he loves getting pampered so he wanted the whole treatment. We took turns with creams and scrubs and lotions and gels and everything they had. We put on some stuff that suggested you sit with it on a while so off to the steam room we go. THIS was Kevin's favorite part. He used to be a body builder and always said that the steam room/sauna was his favorite thing ever. I must admit, it was uncomfortable for me at first because you have a feeling of breathlessness that is hard to shake. But my dh taught me the key to steam rooms: Very shallow breathing. Once I did this I was fine and was able to sit in there with the door closed. It was HOT AS HADES in there and I'm sure whatever lotion or potion I had on sweated right off of me but I didn't care. It was very soothing. Whatever you do, DON'T push the little buttons on each side of the seats in the steam room. ICE COLD WATER hits you. I screamed. I expected some different sensation I guess. All in all, I loved this. I would do it again everytime we cruise. Ok, Ok, confession time. You want to know if we did "it" huh? You want to hear the details that confirm the "real" reason people do the Rasul. My lips are sealed. I will say that I had no reason for extra towels and I remained vertical the whole time, derive from that what you may.

But PLEASE don't think that that is the only reason to do this treatment. It is so much more than that. For me it was an unforgettable, relaxing experience with the one I love more than anything.

And they give you products at the end that are pretty KEWL!
So we get dressed and go to the spa counter to check out and I start looking at the facial prices. I turn to Kev and whisper the price to him and shrug. We aren't rich, yet not poor, but $130 seemed awful steep for a facial. He then asks the girl behind the counter if they have any openings for the collagen facial. What? Is this the same man that always wants to know what the difference is between Chanel mascara and Maybelline? The same man that insists on knowing why I buy shampoo from the salon instead of the Evil Empire (Super
Walmart)? Then there comes that old saying that I have grown to love: "Relax. We are on VACATION!" So there I stand, speechless, and I only have 1 hour until my facial.
After washing and drying my hair, it was time for my Collagen Facial. I have had plenty of facials before, but for this price I'm thinking it better be spectacular. It was! I can't remember the name of the girl that did my facial but she was AMAZING! It was so relaxing and afterwards my skin GLOWED. The facial included a massage on the neck, upper back, arms, feet, and scalp. I was in a state of pure relaxation. My favorite part of the facial was the collagen mask, that felt a lot like a wet, cold cloth on my face. After it was over (what?!? it has to be OVER?) the girl didn't do the "product push" I've read so much about on these boards. She simply asked if I had any questions about any of the products she used. I didn't and she left me to settle the bill. I tipped her $25, well deserved. So total I spent $155 and it was worth every luxurious penny. I walked back to the room on cloud 9 and as I entered Kevin KNEW what I was going to say: "You HAVE to do this next time!!!"
This was our night for Palo dinner, THIS was where the real Gluttony began. Up until then I was watching what I ate-careful to not overindulge too much-but at Palo I just let it loose! Pizza? SURE! Mushroom appetizer? I'll have 2

! Filet with Port Wine reduction and potato, which happens to be my favorite meal IN THIS UNIVERSE? Bring it on! And then the Holy Grail of all desserts: Palo CHocolate Souffle. I DREAM about this dessert (especially when I'm low-carbing). I CRAVE this at certain times of the month almost enough to book a cruise JUST TO HAVE IT! I have NEVER been let down. You're probley thinking that this doesn't sound like gluttony. Maybe you're right. The gluttony comes in when I add that I downed all of this with a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Yep. I was toasty. But my skin looked FANTASTIC.
The rest of the night is a little fuzzy. The day was fantastic and I will remember (most of it) always.
Up next, St Lucia. Will I FINALLY, after 4
DCL cruises put a pinky toe in the pool? Stay tuned

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