Cuise Vacations -- Real Vacations

Of all the reasons I love being on a cruise a major one is that it is really a vacation for me! Our first cruise was truly my first real vacation.

Usually when we go on vacation there is still so much work involved (and I'm not counting camping as a vacation). My husband, friends and I have taken a few vacations. We have had a really good time but I always come home exhausted.

Even when we went to Hawaii for our two-week vacation, I ended up cooking several meals while there. Which means I had to take "vacation time "to plan a menu, grocery shop, prepare the meal and yes -- then there is clean up!

But when we have chosen to cruise for vacation, the only thing I have to do is unpack my luggage. That's it! Everything else is done for me.

On our first cruise, when I opened my luggage I found that all of the clothing that I had spent all that time ironing was in great need of being re-ironed. This, however, was not a problem. The cruise ship had a care-free laundry service on board. I simply put the clothing that needed to be pressed on a hook in our room and the very next day they were delivered looking better than they had when I packed them.

So on the next cruises we've gone on, I simply didn't iron my or my husband's chothes before packing. When we got to our stateroom I simply used their laundry service. We were so surprised at how inexpensive it was. My husband is the one who suggested we just let them press the clothing once we are on board. We even send our formal wear out and it comes back beautifully pressed.

Each stateroom is personally attended by a ship's stateroom attendant. We were so impressed with how well they cleaned and prepared our room. The stateroom attendants were amazing! We have always been surprised by how friendly they are and how tidy they keep our room.

We have had both Balcony and Ocean view staterooms. We found that they were both great! I think that if we were taking a cruise to warmer climates we would probably prefer the balcony room. When we took a cruise to the Bahamas we loved eating on our balcony. It was wonderful being in the sunshine, hearing the water as it rushed by the ship and all from the privacy of our personal fresh-air balcony. It was really a treat to order room service and have a beautifully prepared meal brought to our room. This, of course never costs extra. Really! Some mornings we decided to have breakfast in bed instead of going out of our room. We enjoyed that as well. It's really nice to have the ability to make these kinds of choices without being charged extra.

We were a little wary of getting and "ocean view" room. Was it just some room down in the ship that had a small glass hole in the side? We found that the ocean view rooms were way beyond our expectations. They were spacious and we loved being able to see out the large windows and to have all the day light come in. We would definitely make this choice again, we were not at all disappointed. After all it comes with the same great service, making our vacation really a vacation!

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All this and pampered too!

Just one of the things that I loved on one of our latest cruises was being treated to a trip to the amazing day spa that was on board our incredible ship!
We received a flyer in our room stating that the on board Day Spa was offering some Pampering Packages. I thought it sounded great. My sweet husband took advantage of the offer and surprised me by setting up an appointment for me to go and be pampered.( As if the cruise its self wasn't enough.)

Upon arriving to the day spa, I was given a soft white robe to change into, and then I was presented with a chilled glass of sparkling champagne. I was given some time to relax while enjoying the tastes of chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne. There was no rush to continue with the sauna. I was told to take my time. When I was ready, I could go in and enjoy the sauna for as long as I liked. I did enjoy being in the sauna. I found it to be quite relaxing. Afterward, I was able to take a shower before my massage started.

When I was already relaxed and ready, my masseuse came for me. She took me into a beautifully decorated room where peaceful quite music was being played. She then asked me a few questions about the massage I would be receiving; she offered a deep tissue massage or a relaxation massage. I choose the deep tissue massage. She told me to go ahead and get ready and she would be right back.

Within just a few minutes my massage began. At this point I was whisked away to a place of tranquil, relaxation. She used some delightful aromas to enhance the already stress free and care free environment.

The massage was unbelievable and it was an hour long. I can't express how pampered I felt. I would have to say that this was one of the most favorite surprises my husband has given me. I would encourage anyone who takes a cruise to take advantage of the special offers given by the Day Spa. It is a sure way to make the one you love feel pampered!