So, after reading about lines for Palo and lines for the Spa (I hate waiting in line), I went ahead and booked a Spa Day at the local salon/spa for the day before we leave. Spa day on Friday, travel Saturday, get on the boat on Sunday. We are going to skip Palo - with kids in tow, our first cruise and a four day, plus plenty of opportunities to drop the kids with Grandma and eat well at home, it didn't seem worth the hassle. Maybe next cruise.
For $250, I'm getting a facial, massage, cut, manicure and pedicure, plus lunch (I decided to do this when I realized I really needed a pedicure for the cruise, and I would need my regular manicure, and be due for a haircut - and at that point, why not get the massage and facial and make a day out of it - I'd already have spent $150). The same services would run about $300 on the cruise - plus take six hours of cruise time on a short four day, when I'm not sure the kids will enjoy the clubs and would rather spend time with my husband than getting a pedicure. I could call the spa and book a month out for a time that was convienent for me, not change the kids schedule (they are in daycare) and I get an "extra" day of vacation too.
Anyway, I thought I'd pass this idea along for anyone else who thinks a spa day sounds lovely, but doesn't want the hassle involved with the spa on the boat, and has something in the affordable range for a spa near them. I'm sure for a lot of people, getting their massage on the ship is half the fun....but I realized I was looking forward to the massage, not necessarily the massage on the ship.
For $250, I'm getting a facial, massage, cut, manicure and pedicure, plus lunch (I decided to do this when I realized I really needed a pedicure for the cruise, and I would need my regular manicure, and be due for a haircut - and at that point, why not get the massage and facial and make a day out of it - I'd already have spent $150). The same services would run about $300 on the cruise - plus take six hours of cruise time on a short four day, when I'm not sure the kids will enjoy the clubs and would rather spend time with my husband than getting a pedicure. I could call the spa and book a month out for a time that was convienent for me, not change the kids schedule (they are in daycare) and I get an "extra" day of vacation too.
Anyway, I thought I'd pass this idea along for anyone else who thinks a spa day sounds lovely, but doesn't want the hassle involved with the spa on the boat, and has something in the affordable range for a spa near them. I'm sure for a lot of people, getting their massage on the ship is half the fun....but I realized I was looking forward to the massage, not necessarily the massage on the ship.
