An Upscale Downtime Journey

Well, eventually, we all come to the realization that as we get older we need “downtime”.

If you recognize and pay attention to this very basic need, you understand that it truly is a needed part of life that we often overlook. 

For me, I learned early in life that MY fix to this issue is cruising. So that brings me to share this latest installment, in the fine art of doing nothing. 

We are currently on a Holland America cruise ship, the M.S. Noordam and are in the middle of 6 sea days from Vancouver to Honolulu. This is the beginning segment of a South Pacific 28 day cruise which, sadly, I do not have time for. That issue is, however, the entire reason for the downtime I speak of.

We are fortunate to be staying in what is known as a Neptune Suite and that is why we think of this trip as an Upscale Downtime Journey. When staying in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, you have unlimited access to the Neptune Lounge which has food and coffee and a place to go that offers the luxury of privacy and exclusivity.

It also has a fantastic oversized veranda that includes room to enjoy breakfast and chairs with ottomans to relax in.

Another indulgence that is often available but I have never tried, is the spa. During this trip, Barbara and I decided to join this group of wellness seekers on our 6 day cruise getaway and thoroughly enjoyed having the access.

I am really enjoying the thermal suite, which includes the Hydro Thermal Pool,

And something that I reveled in, the wet steam rooms and mosaic tile thermal beds,

Barbara also enjoyed a hot stone back massage and several foot treatments. She is feeling “wonderful dahling”.

They only sold 40 of these passes out of 1950 passengers, so we did truly feel like an exclusive traveler on this Journey. 

Since the theme was to slow down and enjoy ourselves and each other, we did not purchase any internet package and after I stopped twitching, it was great to live on the outside of the bubble, albeit for a short period, and just relax.

I went to several computer and photography classes, maybe enjoyed too many classes of….uh…. Grape juice, and just watched people and of course ate pretty well. 

As I write this, I think again about the benefits of the cruise vacation and how YOU make it what you want it to be. Just choose wisely and get good help with  advice when planning your Journey.

Follow this prescription for a well deserved dose of Upscale Downtime, and you cannot go wrong!

ALOHA!