Extreme Pampering

[kakalina]

OK Let us admit that it is very easy to get used to the marvelous pampering aboard our favorite cruise line. What is your most favorite way to be pampered on your cruise?

Mine would have to be the complete 1 hour body massage with all the trimmings. So relaxing, so enervating, and so so lucious.

[middle-aged mom]

Gosh, maybe this doesn't sound like much to get excited about, but I REALLY liked not having to 1) make a bed, 2) tidy a room, 3) plan, shop for, or prepare a single meal, 4) clean up afterwards 5) schlep anyone in a car for a week. You get the idea. :)

Great topic for a thread, Kakalina. Terrima Kassih ( or however you spell "thank you" in Bahasa Indonesia.)

Karin

[jhannah]

I'm with Karin. While spa pampering is a wonderful thing, I most enjoy the "I ain't gotta' do a cotton-pickin' thing" pampering of cruising. ;)

[NoNoNanette]

We were SO pampered on Royal Olympia!

Being a Greek line, we brought miniature Greek Flags to put in our dining room table flower arrangements.

Much to our surprise and delight, the Maitre D' kissed the flags and then kissed us. He was SO knocked out by that gesture.

After that, he began sending "special" Baklava to the room every night....and made it clear that it wasn't "ordinary dining room Baklava".

On one evening, we were too wiped out to go to the dining room. Didn't he call us to make sure that all was well! Explaining how tired we were, he told us that he was sending a "surprise". My gawd! There was a knock on the door, and they began rolling in carts of food for us. Escargot, filets, lobster tails, duck, desserts, you name it.

I've never felt so very "loved" on a cruise ship! I was saddened that they quit their Caribbean cruises. :(

I can't imagine ANY cruiseline topping my handsome Greek!;)

[kryos]

I'm not really a spa kind of person ... but my idea of pampering is just the fact that I am in a relaxed environment where my every need is going to be attended to. Want some good food? It's never far ... and the best thing is that I don't have to wait in line at the supermarket to buy it, nor do I have to worry about preparing it or cleaning up after myself after I've enjoyed it. A drink? Just signal that bar steward over there and he'll run over to get my order. Something to do? Take your pick. There's lots to choose from in the daily program. Some good entertainment after dinner? There's a show every night ... not to mention something going on in every lounge.

These are the simple things that make me feel pampered. These and the fact that my cabin is never far, and when I'm ready to retire to it at night ... or even for an afternoon nap ... the bed is always neatly made and waiting for me.

For me with my normally hectic lifestyle, it doesn't get much better than that. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[shonuf]

Kryos, I couldn't have said it better. We know what the good life is all about.

[bdcbbq]

I always feel pampered in the casino, whether I"m losing or not. Of course since I'm always losing...

[SDHALFAN]

I'm with MoM (Karin) and Kryos (Rita) and Shonuf (Susan):

I don't need no stinkin' massage, etc., just the fact that I am waited on hand and foot is pampering enough for me.

Roll on October 22nd when I board the Zaandam.

Valerie:D

[CruisinNana]

I love coming to the cabin late at night and finding the lights turned down just right so it feels peaceful and serene and that comfortable bed is pulled down and ready for me to crawl in for a wonderful night's sleep. That is pampering at its best for me.

[thomasale]

I love coming to the cabin late at night and finding the lights turned down just right so it feels peaceful and serene and that comfortable bed is pulled down and ready for me to crawl in for a wonderful night's sleep. That is pampering at its best for me.

Now that's a word picture!!!

[Preacher's Kid]

One of the ways that I felt most pampered was when the gentleman handing out trays for breakfast (I want to say his name was Suni) in the Lido asked for our names. We told him; then every day afterward he always greeted us by name. This was on the Ryndam 4 years ago. It was my very first cruise and it was one of those inimitable gestures that just hooked me on cruising. What I intended to be a "once in a lifetime experience" evolved into an annual "girlfriend" cruise. The girlfriends changed from year to year (they get married, my sister, my mother), but the experience is always wonderful.

As for spa pampering, my favorite is the hot stone aromatherapy massage. Mmmm.... heaven. :D

Karenlynne

[hammybee]

Gosh, maybe this doesn't sound like much to get excited about, but I REALLY liked not having to 1) make a bed, 2) tidy a room, 3) plan, shop for, or prepare a single meal, 4) clean up afterwards 5) schlep anyone in a car for a week. You get the idea. :)

Great topic for a thread, Kakalina. Terrima Kassih ( or however you spell "thank you" in Bahasa Indonesia.)

Karin

Ditto.

[NoNoNanette]

One of the ways that I felt most pampered was when the gentleman handing out trays for breakfast (I want to say his name was Suni) in the Lido asked for our names. We told him; then every day afterward he always greeted us by name. This was on the Ryndam 4 years ago. It was my very first cruise and it was one of those inimitable gestures that just hooked me on cruising. What I intended to be a "once in a lifetime experience" evolved into an annual "girlfriend" cruise. The girlfriends changed from year to year (they get married, my sister, my mother), but the experience is always wonderful.

As for spa pampering, my favorite is the hot stone aromatherapy massage. Mmmm.... heaven. :D

Karenlynne

We had a similar incident on the Grand Princess. We'd order coffee and juices each morning. On the 4th or 5th day, we got a phone call from room service... "Mrs. XXXXX, shall we send up your coffee and juice? We noticed that you hadn't put your order in!".

That call impressed the heck out of me. ;)

[Scrumpy]

I love room service, especially a hot breakfast. It is the best way to start the day and I can linger over coffee for a very long time. I'm also a big fan of spas and love massages and body wraps. My favorite spa thing on HAL ships has got to be the alpha capsules which I can't find locally :)

[kryos]

I love room service, especially a hot breakfast. It is the best way to start the day and I can linger over coffee for a very long time.
Definitely got to make it a point to try this on my next cruise. For some reason, I just never seem to order room service ... for any meal. And ... since I have a balcony on this upcoming cruise ... guess it's time I experienced this luxury for myself! :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Mountainveiw]

Room Service with fresh coffee as you wake up...I'm glad I booked a veranda.
Does anyone have the prices for Spa Treatments on the Noordam?

[Bramcruiser]

I'm with Karin. My expectations are lower too. I just am happy not to be doing anything that appears to be housework - cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. Having someone clean the bathroom, make my bed and cook my meals is a fantastic idea.

However, where I do feel special, being able to look out at the ocean or at some lovely landscape from the ship and pinch myself saying "I can't believe I'm here". Beats home or work anytime.

[Bramcruiser]

.

After that, he began sending "special" Baklava to the room every night....and made it clear that it wasn't "ordinary dining room Baklava".



It wasn't Baklava made out of something you could smoke was it?:D

I didn't say that too loudly did I?:rolleyes:

[SDHALFAN]

It wasn't Baklava made out of something you could smoke was it?:D

I didn't say that too loudly did I?:rolleyes:


Bramcruiser:

You are so bad! (or maybe just a child of the 60's - I remember those "brownies" that were so popular way back when. I only tried one and that was enough, believe me).

As an aside: I am not running for any political office and I never inhaled.

Valerie;)

[bdcbbq]

Bramcruiser:

You are so bad! (or maybe just a child of the 60's - I remember those "brownies" that were so popular way back when. I only tried one and that was enough, believe me).

As an aside: I am not running for any political office and I never inhaled.

Valerie;)

I assume you chewed and spit?:D

[SDHALFAN]

I assume you chewed and spit?:D

Gee Bruce:

I just don't remember:confused:

Valerie:D

p.s. Bruce is also my brother's name - that I do remember:)

[Blackneto]

We have four kids 11 and under.
So my wife is looking forward to a week of no cooking, laundry, and "MOMEEEE!!" or "HONEEEE!!" She has some "pampering" things planned but being served in any capacity is really attractive to her right now

My idea of pampering is the G&T doesn't stop till I fall asleep and that somebody wakes me up for supper.

[babyher]

The best pampering for me is the "I don't have to do a blessed thing but have fun and relax " aspect. :)

[SanDiego Single]

I think I have to agree with everyone here. I love waking up and having breakfast served to me where ever I want. I love not having to make my bed or worry about planning the day. If I want I can just wake up and do nothing. And after doing nothing I can go and have a pedicure or watch the ocean go by.

[ANSalberg]

I think my idea of "Pampering" after being retired for some years and cruising a fair amount -and NOW having the time to go on much longer cruises -is waking up in a NEW and DIFFERENT world [ and cruising took us there] China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand -and on the opposite "side" -going into places I'd only read about- Amsterdam, London, Istanbul,Venice.....Each cruise to us is NOW the biggest adventure we could ever have imagined during our working years........Anne

[middle-aged mom]

I think my idea of "Pampering" after being retired for some years and cruising a fair amount -and NOW having the time to go on much longer cruises -is waking up in a NEW and DIFFERENT world [ and cruising took us there] China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand -and on the opposite "side" -going into places I'd only read about- Amsterdam, London, Istanbul,Venice.....Each cruise to us is NOW the biggest adventure we could ever have imagined during our working years........Anne

That's another great entry on this thread!:) I agree, travel to far-flung destinations, and the time in which to do it, is the ultimate luxury.