Ideas to give my wife some time away

[HonoraryImagineer]

Our first disney cruise is coming up this fall. Its 4 days to nassau and castaway with me, wife, and two young daughters on Dream.

It's been a challenging year and she is a great wife and mom. I want to give her some special time to do something for herself. I'll take care of the girls so she can totally relax and doesn't wonder what's happening in the nursery.

I don't mind spending some money, but massages or Remy isn't really her thing. I think she would enjoy something relaxing completely to herself. I'm hoping to get a few ideas. Is there like a mud bath spa thing? Or a relaxing shore excursion? I could send her over to Serenity Bay on castaway, but I was trying to think harder. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

BTW, new poster but have been lurking awhile.

 

[srferson]

The Rainforest Room. It's quiet, inexpensive, and you can get a pass and come and go.
Not sure what link to give you or if I can. Honestly, I'd just Google DCL Rainforest Room. You'll see what it's all about.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I like the Rainforest Room idea. Would she go to a yoga class? There are excursions to Greycliff Manor where you may tour their chocolate factory and make your own or just opt to have an elegant lunch. There's snorkeling tours in the Bahamas. Would she like jet skiing at Castaway Cay? There are other things such as swimming with dolphins. But, as a mother, I know I would just spend my time wishing my family was experiencing things like that with me.

 

[Reese'smom]

I just want to say how sweet I think you are. Whatever you decide to give her she will be thrilled because you put thought into it and you are recognizing how hard she works. Kudos to you. You could teach a lot of husbands. I am lucky to have a husband that's a lot like you.

 

[MouseMomx2]

You might want to look into the Alone Time offering at the spa. You get some quiet time on a private verandah with its own hot tub and large, comfy lounger. They provide tea and a light snack while you are out there as well. Then you get to choose a spa treatment from the following list...

• La Thérapie HydraLift Facial
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Facial
• Elemis Deep Tissue Muscle Massage
• Swedish Massage
• Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow with half-body massage
• Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction Program

I highly recommend the Lime & Ginger Salt Glow w/half body massage.

 

[SwimMom2]

That is so thoughtful and considerate. I am sure that no matter what you think of, she will be thrilled.

It's hard to give suggestions without knowing more about her, but here's a short list of ideas:
Rainforest room
A tour on a topic that interests her. On my cruise here are some that were offered:
Art of the Theme Show Tour
Galley tour (ask your server or guest services)
A tasting ( these are usually alcohol related for 21+)
Acupuncture
Personal training/ a workout class
A lecture on your destination

Check your personal navigators in the For Adults section. There is something for everyone.

 

[dcassetta]

Does she enjoy going to the movies? You might see which films are playing on the ship on your sailing, and give her time to go to a matinee show on our own.

 

[MousseauMob]

You might want to look into the Alone Time offering at the spa. You get some quiet time on a private verandah with its own hot tub and large, comfy lounger. They provide tea and a light snack while you are out there as well. Then you get to choose a spa treatment from the following list...

• La Thérapie HydraLift Facial
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Facial
• Elemis Deep Tissue Muscle Massage
• Swedish Massage
• Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow with half-body massage
• Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction Program

I highly recommend the Lime & Ginger Salt Glow w/half body massage.

I second the Alone time. Even if she doesn't like massages, she could do a facial for the treatment, but the best part IMO was the private verandah on the comfy lounger with the tea and goodies and the personal hot tub! One tip, when I showed up, I had forgotten my swim suit, the attendant told me I didn't need one, that it was "private", but I ran back and grabbed it anyway and boy was I glad I did. I could see the overhang (forgot what it is called) for the bridge, not that anyone looked my way, but I still felt more comfortable having my suit.

 

[HonoraryImagineer]

Thanks for all the ideas, most of these are new to me so I'll google around.

Rainforest room and Alone time spa thing sound promising. Like MaleficentRN mentioned, she would probably rather have the whole family along to do something exciting like jet skis.

 

[ThisGirlLovesDL]

On the Dream, I found the manicure and pedicure were very relaxing ... and there's a great view of the ocean while you're sitting in a comfy chair.

The Rainforest is also amazing.

 

[MunFam]

I was on the ship for 15 days recently. I have a 4 year old and work in corporate travel, so I am used to getting away, getting spa treatments, etc. and my VERY favorite thing to do was get up early and go for a walk on deck before it got busy and then go have breakfast in the MDR all by myself. I'd have a mimosa or bloody mary. I'd read a magazine and relax. Then I'd head back to the room and meet DH and DD and we'd go to the buffet as a family. It was perfect. IMHO, a spa-day is a spa day. I did go to the spa, it was nice, but just getting away...and being in the quiet was nice, but I spent most of the time wondering what they were doing and then felt guilty that I was thinking about them instead of relaxing when we were paying all this money for the spa treatment. I'd also go to Shutters late at night and go through the day's photos and then walk the deck late while he did bed time. Those were the things that meant the most to me. I still got to spend tons of quality time with my family without feeling like I was missing out on being with them or doing something awesome wishing they were with me.

 

[Tigger1313]

I agree with the Mani Pedi, I loved the hot stone Pedi . it was so relaxing

 

[Fluffypants]

I'll tell you what I would want if I were her . . . a Cabana massage on Castaway Cay.
Whatever you choose, I am sure she will appreciate the thought!

 

[annacali]

I am a single mom and my parents watched my girls for an afternoon last week on the Fantasy. I was able to get a pedicure and facial and enjoy the Rainforest Room for a few hours. We did this on our last sea day so I didn't feel like I was missing out on something big with my girls---they were happily watching movies and in the pool. It was such a relaxing day---I loved it!

 

[budamacdvcr]

• Rainforest Room day pass or length of cruise pass - book it on embarkation day of cruise or you can preorder using this link - scroll almost all the way down http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/gifts-and-amenities/
• If she likes coffee first thing in the morning. Order thermal carafe from room service the night before. It stays hot and she can have a cup of joe when she wants without having to go to self serve
• If your kids do the kids clubs, they have open house where parents can check out what the kids are doing. You attend and DW can lounge in the adult only pool area
• Have girls go to kids club and you & DW can relax by the adult only pool
• Take daughters on whale dig on Castaway Cay and let mom relax on the beech for a bit
• If DW is like mine, wrinkles on clothes is not an option. First few cruises DW would go to public laundry room to iron before dinner every night. Remove this from vacation by taking all nicer clothes (keep one set for first night dinner) planned for dinners and evening and having them pressed on board. Laundry form and bag in cabin - just mark "press only". Very reasonably priced.
• If you can let DW sleep in a bit. Take kids to breakfast if you can keep noise level down. Order her room service (no charge other than tip) for a time she wants - a little morning mom time.

My DW does not like the Spa thing either so I have used all the above "little" things in the past with pretty good results.

 

[suzy021372]

My favorite alone time on the ship was being able to sit at the adult only pool with an umbrella drink in hand. It was great to sit in a quiet place without having to worry about kids drowning, yelling and splashing. Alone time doesn't need to be extravagant, just alone! Moms everywhere appreciate this!

 

[sharona]

I was on the ship for 15 days recently. I have a 4 year old and work in corporate travel, so I am used to getting away, getting spa treatments, etc. and my VERY favorite thing to do was get up early and go for a walk on deck before it got busy and then go have breakfast in the MDR all by myself. I'd have a mimosa or bloody mary. I'd read a magazine and relax. Then I'd head back to the room and meet DH and DD and we'd go to the buffet as a family. It was perfect. IMHO, a spa-day is a spa day. I did go to the spa, it was nice, but just getting away...and being in the quiet was nice, but I spent most of the time wondering what they were doing and then felt guilty that I was thinking about them instead of relaxing when we were paying all this money for the spa treatment. I'd also go to Shutters late at night and go through the day's photos and then walk the deck late while he did bed time. Those were the things that meant the most to me. I still got to spend tons of quality time with my family without feeling like I was missing out on being with them or doing something awesome wishing they were with me.

Ahhhh the elusive meal alone!!! The dream of many moms who usually spend meals doing for others. It's such a treat to be waited on and not have to worry about what princess will eat or if prince needs a diaper change. To eat hot food when it's served! Heaven...

I agree about the time away - it can't be a whole day or an excursion, that would have been too much for me too.

 

[Weedy]

My favorite things if my kids were still young would be:
Sleep late so take the kids out of the cabin to breakfast and then bring her back a plate and some coffee
Also dinner with my husband and no kids. Tell the kids this is Mommy's special night and they can stay in the club while Mommy has dinner.

 

[soniam]

Ahhhh the elusive meal alone!!! The dream of many moms who usually spend meals doing for others. It's such a treat to be waited on and not have to worry about what princess will eat or if prince needs a diaper change. To eat hot food when it's served! Heaven...

I agree about the time away - it can't be a whole day or an excursion, that would have been too much for me too.

That reminds me of the line in A Christmas Story where the boy/narrator says that mom hadn't had a hot meal to herself in 15 years and you see her having to keep getting up to things for other people without ever getting a bite of food

 

[Iamaplanner]

My hubby took the kids out and I took a NAP. All by myself. It was glorious. I just love to nap and never get the chance. It was a real treat