Official thread for Sept. 21 Wonder!

[jott3]

Hi, Wishing on a Star. You can add this to your running list. We are staying on deck 7 in a category 8 oceanview stateroom (porthole).

 

[jordanyosh]

ahhhhh....This thread was almost on the 3rd page. Couldn't let that happen

Looking forward to the Spa.....I've done the last 2x and let me tell you....heaven on earth. I did the Massage/Facial for 105 minutes...that was still not enough for me. I think I must have drifted off a few times as there are some minutes I don't really recall......Cannot wait......

 

[jordanyosh]

bump

 

[Stimpy]

jordanyosh,

As a guy, how did you like the massage and facial? Everytime we go somewhere where there is a spa, I always get a facial and sometimes other things. I've been trying to talk my DH into doing something in the spa also, but he feels uncomfortable since he's a male Any advice on convincing him it isn't just for women?

Wishing on a star, congrat to your DS! You must be proud (and a little nervous too!)

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ohhhh man... A spa massage has got to feel simply wonderful, no matter if you are a man or a woman!

Just recieved some info on shore excursions... And now that I have ours all booked, I am READY to go! Found a good rate at Atlantis... Heard a great review on the Seahorse Snorkel Adventure at CC... and read up a little on the Port Lucaya Marketplace area.

And, just read the most WONDERFUL new trip review from a 4 nite back in April, over on the review board. By Pizziedust "Better Late Than Never" Starts out with a personal welcome aboard by Mickey and Minnie, and ends with everyone in tears after leaving the ship... (Including their 13 year old son!) Check it out!

 

[jordanyosh]

After years of travelling for work and staying in a new hotel/corporate apt every month, my back needed some work. Unfamiliar beds, combined with me holding all my tension in my shoulders, has made my back very tight.

I try and get a massage 3-4 times a year. Last year on the cruise was the first time I had a facial. I could've done w/o it as it didn't really do anything for me. HOWEVER, they did massage my neck, scalp and shoulders while some of the goop was on my face. Now that was incredible. So i'm doing it again just for that.

As far as convincing a guy to do massage, I have no real advice. Until they get one, they have no idea. My family and friends know that if they are around long enough, someone is rubbin my back. So I never had issues with them. I know a few of my guy friends don't like strangers touching them and they also don't want to get nekked. What can you do.....maybe the only thing I would suggest is to find someone you know that is a guy that has done one and likes it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Know just what you mean Jordan! I have some curvature of the spine, and my back always aches. I think DH could nearly be a chiropractor after all the rubbing and shoving that he has done on my back!

Hey, didn't Barb get Tony hooked on the Spa? Seems like they look forward to spa treatments when they cruise... I know that I have read, like in trip reports, some really really great accounts of men, and their first experiences at the spa! Just couldn't tell you exactly where to find them now.... I remember one guy who kept referring to the woman that assisted them at the spa as "the Goddess" LOL!

And, as far as convincing a guy that a spa is not just for Women... Two words... either
"Surial Bath" or
"Cabana Massage'

It might take YOU simply making the reservation so that he has to kind of ALLOW you to drag him there (for the first time...) The actual experience might do the convincing!!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Good idea to make the reservation for him. Look at this site www.castawayclub.com They have all the treatments posted. Just sign him up for the basic massage....

Oh and if anyone wants to find me on this trip, the last 2 DCL cruises I somehow always ended up in Wavebands having a few drinks by the bar.... especially later in the evening.

 

[Stimpy]

Thanks for the advice!

ALso wanted to bump this up!

 

[jott3]

Let's try to get some more details and bump this up before it gets buried again!

Has anyone else decided on shore excursions or spa treatments?
What dinner seating do you have?
Who is trying for Palo reservations?
Anything else?

We probably won't do any other shore excursions or spa treatments than the ones already listed (Thanks, Wishing on a Star!). We will probably get off the ship in Freeport to look at the little shopping area near the dock.

We have the early dinner seating. Last time with DH we had the late seating, so I thought I would give the early one a try.

We are going to try for Palo reservations for Wednesday night.

My Mom wants to play bingo at least once and I want to go to the Dueling Pianos at least once (DH and I loved that the last time - they even played one of the songs we requested!).

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey Jott3,

We too are thinking about going over to the Lucaya Marketplace for a little while... But, not to shop... To walk over to the beach with DS... ( 5 year old boys just LOVE shopping !!!! ) I am wondering how much you know about taking a taxi there and back? I hear it can be expensive? But need to do more research... Anyhow, if you thought that you two would be going over there for any approximate length of time... like 2 hours or so... It may be beneficial to share a taxi? I have heard of people ready to return to the ship who have waited quite a while, because the taxi drivers do not want to make the trip until their taxi is nearly full???

We have late dinner seating... (Have requested TAPT) I just could not imagine tearing myself away from the afternoons excitement so early to make the early seating. I figure there is always plenty of good food, so nobody will starve! Also, without a day at sea, when the ship sails at 5:00p.m. from Canaveral and Freeport.... That will be the only real time to enjoy cruising, out on deck. I want to enjoy all the daylight out on the open sea that is possible.

Okay, we ARE making reservations for Palo! For that last night, for just the two of us.... This means that I will have to be first in line to get what we want! We are thinking 6:30p.m. on that last night... Sunset is just after 7:00p.m.

Anyone else!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Jott3,

As previously posted, I will be doing the massage/facial spa treatment again and maybe another as well

We have the early seating. I am a little bummed about this, as this means we have the early breakfast on Disembarkation Day.
But oh well.....my cousin wanted the earlier time because of the little one so I understand.

We will definitely do Palo again. Last cruise we had the best service I have had anywhere--ever. We don't know when we will make reservations, yet......But you'll see me in line making my reservations. I will be the one right in front of Wishing on a Star .

I plan on relaxing as much as possibe. So that means alot of pool time, at the quiet pool. I am the only single one of our group, so I like to be more independent......

 

[jott3]

Sorry, Wishing on a star, I was not planning on taking a taxi in Freeport. Another poster said there are some little shops just off the dock in Freeport. That's all we were going to look at.

If anyone knows where to find that post, please let me know. I think it was in a trip report, but I just spent 30 mins. looking for it and I can't find it now!

Jordanyosh, I'll be the one right in front of YOU at the Palo reservations. No, probably not because we are not arriving in FL until 11:08 that day.

 

[Wishing on a star]

__________________________________________
I will be the one right in front of Wishing on a Star
__________________________________________

Only if you can run faster than me!!!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey Jott3,

Yes, I have heard that there is a bit of shopping there. Maybe like a small straw-market. (Also hear that industrial docking area is really yucky.) And, I have also heard that getting a taxi into Port Lucaya and back can cost quite a bit... We don't really want to spend a whole lot just to kill a couple hours.... So, we'll see????? We may not disembark at Freeport either.

 

[jott3]

The person in the trip report said their taxi into town cost about $40, though I am not sure how many people that was for. She said she went there to do shopping, but would have skipped it if she had seen the straw market area near the dock. I haven't seen much about the Freeport beaches.

 

[jordanyosh]

The only shore excursion that we may do is one of the Dolphin Encounters......The seniors in our group may do one of the city tours in Nassau,but I am not sure......

Wishing.....if you get hit from behind when you are running to get your Palo ressies, it was me. I have no shame I hope you know I am really not like that.

If you are ever in the mood to have some great quiet time go up to the decks either late at night or early in the morning. It is so peaceful to be outside and enjoy being at sea when no one is around.

 

[Wishing on a star]

That quiet time sounds so wonderful and relaxing! Thanks for the comment Jordan! I was wondering, like it shows on the DCL video, is Topsiders closed off at night... or do some people hang out there to relax, enjoy the breeze, and watch the sea go by? Or, do you just relax on deck 10, or deck 4?

 

[jordanyosh]

I have actually done it all. Usually after Wavebands closes, I take my drink and walk around. Yes, Topsiders does have people hanging out....but after awhile, it is very quiet. Very nice and soooo......I hate to use the word...magical. One year it was even raining, but even that was nice.....

 

[Stimpy]

We have the early seating.....with a 4yr old we had little choice! No plans for Palo's.....but for the right price I might pretend to be one of you on line! (joking!)

We're planning on getting to the terminal early. I made ressies at Chef Mickey's for breakfast so we don't get there too early. My DS is usually up at dawn, so he'll be ready to go to the Mickey ship!

I'm hoping for a facial on Freeport day and still trying to convince DH to get a massage.

I just switched our car rental from Avis to Budget and got it cheaper. We're renting a car from MCO to WDW for 3 days and returning it to Cape Canaveral before the cruise, then we'll get one for the day when we return to port. Since our flight home doesn't leave until 5:30, I figure we can do something that day.

Has anyone done Kennedy Space Center with a young kid? I think we might do that for a little while but maybe skip the 2 hour tour.