sopandbass
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2004
- Messages
- 324
It's 6 degrees tonight in southeastern Michigan. That means with the windchill factor, it feels something like -47. As I gaze at the moon's reflection on our glistening, frozen driveway, my mind wanders back to a time not so long ago...January 13-20...when the Caribbean sparkled with fireworks and the warm night wind was filled with, "Hey, Mickey, you're so fine...you're so fine you blow my mind...". Ah, good times.
This was our (DH, DD6 and me-DW) 4th DCL cruise, previously having been on a 4-day Wonder adventure in April 2004, an Eastern Magic jaunt in January 2005 and a delightful Double Dip in May 2006. I wrote an extensive cruise report about the 2005 trip. This time, I thought I'd just share a few highlights with anyone who might want to read about them.
In no particular order:
The Spa Villa
Time at the spa is always a highlight on our DCL cruises. I try to pamper myself every once in a while in real life as well but these times are just special on the cruise. I wrestled with my conscience about paying so much for some Alone Time but trust me, if you can swing this at all, its absolutely great. DH had snagged a 10:30am appointment for me on Thursday, a sea day, when the 90-day marker hit I believe he actually got up at 3am to do that if I remember correctly note to self: kiss his feet in gratitude the next chance you get.
It was a lovely, sunny morning. DD wanted to go swimming and DH agreed to take her so after breakfast in our room, I skipped off to the Vista Spa. Soon, they took me to the Villa, asked which treatment I would like to choose (Swedish massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Ginger and Lime Salt Glow with ½ body massage, a Hydralift Facial or - my choice an Elemis Marine Facial), showed me around and then had me sit out on the veranda where my feet were washed and exfoliated. I was given a choice of different therapeutic salts for the hot tub there were 4 kinds and you can have them all added to the water if you wish. The therapist left and I had about 25 blissful minutes in the hot tub, watching the ocean go by thinking about how blessed I was appreciating the water temperature which wasnt scalding but warm and soothing wandering what was happening at my workplace but not really caring realizing I probably should have put on sunscreen so switched sides in the tub in case my shoulders were baking listening to the strong but pleasant wind whip around the veranda glad that I wore my bathing suit because if someone craned their neck from Deck 10, theyd be able to see a little bit of me in the hot tub and I didnt want to frighten anyone who would have already been hanging in a precarious, treacherous stance on the railing. Then I was called inside for my facial which was divine, although the newage (yes, it rhymes with sewage) music is not my cup of tea. One song was lovely though and I tried my hardest to remember the lyrics of which there were only 2 and they were repeated about 63 times so youd think I could recall it but no. After my facial, I wrapped up in a nice robe and headed to the giant chaise with multiple, various shaped pillows to lounge with some lovely tea and fruit. In about 2 minutes well, actually 20 but time flies - the therapists gentle voice let me know it was time to get ready to leave. Over 2 hours had flown by and at that moment, I realized that I didnt care how much this cost because whatever it was, it was worth it.
There was no sales pitch (I had written that on the form I filled out before heading to the Villa) and I floated away from the spa a very satisfied customer.
Palo Brunch vs. Palo Dinner
We did both. Problem solved.
We went to brunch on our first cruise but I didnt really remember it, sadly. So, we made a Monday reservation and I remember this one this time! It was GREAT. Two things come to mind I rediscovered the joys of champagne and DH and I had some great conversation and food. DH and I were meeting up at Palo and I arrived first. PJ handed me a Bellini-like concoction with summer fruits and champagne and the cruise officially got underway. Sashas great service and suggestions made the meal superb. The seafood! The pasta! Dont get me started on the Chocolate Pot de crème thingie. I definitely recommend brunch.
Brunch was on Monday at 11am. We had reservations for dinner on Tuesday in an attempt to rein in our gluttony, DH thought he had cancelled that one. On the way out from brunch, though, I couldnt help but want to come back and have chocolate soufflé so I stopped by the desk to see if they had anything open on Thursday. Low and behold, they still had us down for Tuesday. Desperately wanting to have dinner there both nights but realizing we should spend SOME time with DD, I asked if we could switch that ressie to Thursday. They had 8pm open. Done.
Now Thursday is semi-formal, lobster night in the regular dining rooms. DH had heard that they served lobster at Palo on that night as well. Oh man, do they serve lobster!!!! It came with this great bisque risotto it was spectacular. Toni was our server we remembered him from our cruise in May but before we could tell him that, he looked at us and said, Youve been here before you sat over there last time. I couldnt believe it how sweet was that? We asked him how he was and if hed gotten back to Spain lately we talked a lot about his homeland before. He brought us extra things as usual. The food was so wonderful the carbonara is fab that was our side dish during dinner. Then, with reckless abandon and no pride whatsoever, I ordered 2 chocolate soufflés. Toni still brought a side of panna cotta with our soufflés, which somehow got eaten in the fray. Dessert with dessert on the side is one of my favorite cuisine concepts.
A footnote I saw Toni the next day he was serving up at Goofys Galley and I went to get fruit while DD played in the Mickey Pool. He never once, either at dinner or at Goofys Galley, laughed directly at me for having 2 souffles. I commend him for this.
The Fuzzy Math of Room Service
I ordered 3 chocolate chip cookies. They sent 9. Clearly, whoever plates the chocolate chip cookies for room service previously worked someplace like the Pentagon.
Its Fun to be Tinkerbells Mom
When we went on a Double Dip cruise in May, some kind and generous soul distributed goodie bags on Pirate Night. Remembering how fun that was, our DD6 mentioned that we should do that this time. Yeah, it sounded like a great idea. It's all fun and games until someone goes overboard.
Hi. My name is Sharon. Im an Oriental Trading-aholic.
Do you know how much pirate stuff you can get on Oriental Trading? We started with POTC little goodie bags. Okay, thats innocent enough. Then we saw the Pirate Rubber Duckies. Very sweet not scary for little ones excellent. Then the Pirate Treasure Box Bubbles okay, bubbles go along with deck parties. Well, we need Treasure Maps and Eye Patches, right? Rats, I must have left the eye patches at home well, Im sure well have use for 50 eye patches throughout our pirate lives. Gold and silver coins, of course. Pirate finger puppets this is a family affair. That should be enough. Tattoos whats pirate night without tattoos? I couldnt stop. It was too much fun! And it was fun running around delivering them our DD resisted the urge to knock about 90% of the time as we stealthily hung the bags on peoples mail-fishes!!!!
We loved the trip. We enjoyed meeting people from the DISboard. We hope you enjoyed your trip if you are reflecting from some other frozen tundra and/or we hope your Disney dreams come true if your cruise is upcoming.
Peace.
This was our (DH, DD6 and me-DW) 4th DCL cruise, previously having been on a 4-day Wonder adventure in April 2004, an Eastern Magic jaunt in January 2005 and a delightful Double Dip in May 2006. I wrote an extensive cruise report about the 2005 trip. This time, I thought I'd just share a few highlights with anyone who might want to read about them.
In no particular order:
The Spa Villa
Time at the spa is always a highlight on our DCL cruises. I try to pamper myself every once in a while in real life as well but these times are just special on the cruise. I wrestled with my conscience about paying so much for some Alone Time but trust me, if you can swing this at all, its absolutely great. DH had snagged a 10:30am appointment for me on Thursday, a sea day, when the 90-day marker hit I believe he actually got up at 3am to do that if I remember correctly note to self: kiss his feet in gratitude the next chance you get.
It was a lovely, sunny morning. DD wanted to go swimming and DH agreed to take her so after breakfast in our room, I skipped off to the Vista Spa. Soon, they took me to the Villa, asked which treatment I would like to choose (Swedish massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Ginger and Lime Salt Glow with ½ body massage, a Hydralift Facial or - my choice an Elemis Marine Facial), showed me around and then had me sit out on the veranda where my feet were washed and exfoliated. I was given a choice of different therapeutic salts for the hot tub there were 4 kinds and you can have them all added to the water if you wish. The therapist left and I had about 25 blissful minutes in the hot tub, watching the ocean go by thinking about how blessed I was appreciating the water temperature which wasnt scalding but warm and soothing wandering what was happening at my workplace but not really caring realizing I probably should have put on sunscreen so switched sides in the tub in case my shoulders were baking listening to the strong but pleasant wind whip around the veranda glad that I wore my bathing suit because if someone craned their neck from Deck 10, theyd be able to see a little bit of me in the hot tub and I didnt want to frighten anyone who would have already been hanging in a precarious, treacherous stance on the railing. Then I was called inside for my facial which was divine, although the newage (yes, it rhymes with sewage) music is not my cup of tea. One song was lovely though and I tried my hardest to remember the lyrics of which there were only 2 and they were repeated about 63 times so youd think I could recall it but no. After my facial, I wrapped up in a nice robe and headed to the giant chaise with multiple, various shaped pillows to lounge with some lovely tea and fruit. In about 2 minutes well, actually 20 but time flies - the therapists gentle voice let me know it was time to get ready to leave. Over 2 hours had flown by and at that moment, I realized that I didnt care how much this cost because whatever it was, it was worth it.
There was no sales pitch (I had written that on the form I filled out before heading to the Villa) and I floated away from the spa a very satisfied customer.
Palo Brunch vs. Palo Dinner
We did both. Problem solved.
We went to brunch on our first cruise but I didnt really remember it, sadly. So, we made a Monday reservation and I remember this one this time! It was GREAT. Two things come to mind I rediscovered the joys of champagne and DH and I had some great conversation and food. DH and I were meeting up at Palo and I arrived first. PJ handed me a Bellini-like concoction with summer fruits and champagne and the cruise officially got underway. Sashas great service and suggestions made the meal superb. The seafood! The pasta! Dont get me started on the Chocolate Pot de crème thingie. I definitely recommend brunch.
Brunch was on Monday at 11am. We had reservations for dinner on Tuesday in an attempt to rein in our gluttony, DH thought he had cancelled that one. On the way out from brunch, though, I couldnt help but want to come back and have chocolate soufflé so I stopped by the desk to see if they had anything open on Thursday. Low and behold, they still had us down for Tuesday. Desperately wanting to have dinner there both nights but realizing we should spend SOME time with DD, I asked if we could switch that ressie to Thursday. They had 8pm open. Done.
Now Thursday is semi-formal, lobster night in the regular dining rooms. DH had heard that they served lobster at Palo on that night as well. Oh man, do they serve lobster!!!! It came with this great bisque risotto it was spectacular. Toni was our server we remembered him from our cruise in May but before we could tell him that, he looked at us and said, Youve been here before you sat over there last time. I couldnt believe it how sweet was that? We asked him how he was and if hed gotten back to Spain lately we talked a lot about his homeland before. He brought us extra things as usual. The food was so wonderful the carbonara is fab that was our side dish during dinner. Then, with reckless abandon and no pride whatsoever, I ordered 2 chocolate soufflés. Toni still brought a side of panna cotta with our soufflés, which somehow got eaten in the fray. Dessert with dessert on the side is one of my favorite cuisine concepts.
A footnote I saw Toni the next day he was serving up at Goofys Galley and I went to get fruit while DD played in the Mickey Pool. He never once, either at dinner or at Goofys Galley, laughed directly at me for having 2 souffles. I commend him for this.
The Fuzzy Math of Room Service
I ordered 3 chocolate chip cookies. They sent 9. Clearly, whoever plates the chocolate chip cookies for room service previously worked someplace like the Pentagon.
Its Fun to be Tinkerbells Mom
When we went on a Double Dip cruise in May, some kind and generous soul distributed goodie bags on Pirate Night. Remembering how fun that was, our DD6 mentioned that we should do that this time. Yeah, it sounded like a great idea. It's all fun and games until someone goes overboard.
Hi. My name is Sharon. Im an Oriental Trading-aholic.
Do you know how much pirate stuff you can get on Oriental Trading? We started with POTC little goodie bags. Okay, thats innocent enough. Then we saw the Pirate Rubber Duckies. Very sweet not scary for little ones excellent. Then the Pirate Treasure Box Bubbles okay, bubbles go along with deck parties. Well, we need Treasure Maps and Eye Patches, right? Rats, I must have left the eye patches at home well, Im sure well have use for 50 eye patches throughout our pirate lives. Gold and silver coins, of course. Pirate finger puppets this is a family affair. That should be enough. Tattoos whats pirate night without tattoos? I couldnt stop. It was too much fun! And it was fun running around delivering them our DD resisted the urge to knock about 90% of the time as we stealthily hung the bags on peoples mail-fishes!!!!
We loved the trip. We enjoyed meeting people from the DISboard. We hope you enjoyed your trip if you are reflecting from some other frozen tundra and/or we hope your Disney dreams come true if your cruise is upcoming.
Peace.
And who could LIVE without Oriental trading co. - it's an addiction!
Anybody wanna trade homes and come out to California? It was 86 last week and we'd really like some "winter" weather.
