Hello all!
Now I know why I wanted to sail this cruise so much... I've already had a blast, gotten relaxed and pampered, well wined and dined, finished reading an entire book, AND I'M NOT EVEN HALFWAY THROUGH THE CRUISE YET! Wow, this is the best feeling! So many times on the shorter cruises you feel like you barely arrived when it's already time to pack and head home. This is the first trip in a long time that's really felt like a true vacation.
Yesterday and today are both sea days, which is the reason why I love to cruise. Sure, visiting ports is interesting, but just hanging out on the ship while it's underway to your next destination is a whole lot more relaxing. And with the Panama Canal crossing coming soon (Sunday), there's a buzz of excitement in the air. I'm not sure what time we'll enter the canal, but we plan to be on deck to watch!
Last night I treated myself to a spa treatment, specifically the "Ladies' Night" package. For $140 I received a full body massage, scalp massage, facial, as much time as I liked in the Tropical Rainforest, a glass of sparkling wine, and a gift ("Dermasque Purifiant," a mask). It was just wonderful! And while I only spent 45 minutes in the Tropical Rainforest, it reminded me how much I love it there and I plan to return again soon. For those who heard about my experience with "Ladies Morning" on my December 2004 cruise (big disappointment!), this was much better and well worth the money! I highly recommend it.
After the spa I went back to change into my "semi-formal" attire -- ha! I'd read that the westbound cruise only had one formal and one semi-formal night, so I didn't bring that much in the way of dressier clothes. So either I read wrong or they changed it, because we have FOUR nights on this cruise (two formal and two semi-formal). I didn't bring enough clothing! So I had to get a bit creative, but it worked.
Mommy and me in our "semi-formals"
Dinner was in Lumiere's, during which we were graced by the presence of Belle and Beast. Each diner also received a trading pin -- the females got a Belle pin and the males got a Beast pin. Our friend Bruce remarked that the kids should have gotten a Chip pin, which I agreed would have been appropriate.
Alexander got fussy before I'd finished my entree and I found myself out in the atrium, pushing him in his stroller to lull him to sleep. Fat chance, mom! Alexander was enchanted with his surroundings, and wound up meeting both Cinderella and Genie, as well as several PassPorter readers who'd spotted us.
Alexander gets a hug from Cinderella
After dinner Dave headed off to an adult ventriloquist show while I went back to the stateroom to put Alexander to bed. Again, wishful thinking. He was up for a few hours after that. I did get him to try on the big sombrero we bought for his Uncle Chad, which was utterly charming.
Trying on Uncle Chad's sombrero
Today has been very relaxing so far. We slept in (again!) and ate lunch in Topsider's. Then Dave went to the live auction, where he informs me he bid and won an apron from Animator's Palate. He also bid on a Lion King item, but it got too expensive too quickly. After the auction we put Alexander in his swimsuit and went up to deck 9 to frolic in the Mickey ear for toddlers. Alexander had a fun time in the water -- he liked trying to catch the water coming out of the fountains. I had expected a mob scene here, but it was really quite enjoyable.
Catching the water in the pool
I loved the pool!
At the moment Alexander and his Daddy are taking a nap -- another pleasure of a day at sea. A nap sounds pretty good to me right now, too.
More later!