LittleMissMagic's 17-Day ~Pacific Princess~ Panama Canal **PHOTO REVIEW**

[LittleMissMagic]

I have never been on Princess, not sure if/when we'll ever get to do such a long trip, but I'm riveted, waiting for updates! I have read ALL of your reviews and look forward to each new installment. Your family seems like so much fun!

 

Thank you! I have so much fun traveling with my family - I'm glad you guys can enjoy them, too, through my trip reports!

[LittleMissMagic]

[Day 04] At Sea

 

This morning was our first spa day (since it was a 17-day cruise, we determined that we should have two spa treatments - one at the beginning of the cruise, and one at the end). Rachel and I got deluxe treatments since that's what our discount was good for. I got the chocolate indulgence (50th anniversary special) for research purposes, and Rachel (who hates the smell of chocolate) went for the seaweed treatment.

 

When you first visit the spa, you fill out a questionairre in which you answer questions about your health and rate your stress levels. I told them about my asthma, but other than that, I gave them a big thumbs up. I rated my stress level extremely low (not so in my normal life, but hey, I'm on vacation!) and didn't claim to have problems with dry skin or breakouts or anything. I did this because I didn't want them to sell me anything, and I thought that having very few problems might help minimize the amount of products they could "prescribe" to me.

 

Both times we went to the spa, I lucked out with the good masseuse (either that, or Rachel is just much more critical than me). She was young and really great at making me feel comfortable. She was friendly, but didn't talk too much (and she told me that I have an athlete's body! I love this girl!), and massage-wise, she applied just the right amount of pressure.

 

The Chocolate Indulgence is.... well.... not the most relaxing experience. It involved being rubbed down twice with chocolate, and then I had to get up and shower to rinse it off. Two showers! It did seem great for my skin - it was so soft afterwards. But if you're looking for a relaxing 50 minutes, the Chocolate Indulgence is not for you. Yes, there are relaxing times - mostly at the end, after you're done being rubbed down with chocolate - but it's a lot of up and down and scrubbing. Also, the chocolate is really hard to get off. Imagine being a miniature person and standing underneath a chocolate fondue fountain. I would scrub and scrub, and I'd get an area clean, but the chocolate would keep re-appearing. My masseuse would come in and rub my back down for me to get it off, so unless you have incredible behind-the-back reach, I wouldn't recommend this for the super modest person, either.

 

Also, I bet the spa workers are swearing the person who invented the mess that is Chocolate Indulgence. I left the shower full of brown goop. It was clogging up the drain, which made the water rise to my ankles. All of the towers were covered in chocolate. I would hate to be the person who has to clean that up.

 

Another pro for my masseuse is that she was AWESOME at not trying to sell me ANYTHING!!!! She didn't even write out a card with "health tips" for me (Rachel got one). She didn't "prescribe" me to one product - didn't even mention the names of products she used on me (ummm... Hersheys? Godiva? I would welcome a prescription to any type of chocolate).

 

Despite the mess of the Chocolate Indulgence and the two chocolatey showers I had to take, this was definitely one of my best spa experiences ever. And at the time, it was my best cruise ship spa experience.

 

After being wrapped in chocolate and seaweed, it was time for some grub. Rachel and I were super pumped that they were offering a Pub Lunch upstairs in the steak house. We were really sick of the buffet lunch food at this point, and the burgers by the pool were getting way too repetitive. (We forgot to remind Dad about the Pub Lunch, and he was ridiculously disappointed that he missed it. Really, he was still complaining days later.)

 

Menu offerings were Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, Steak & Kidney Pie, Ploughman's Lunch, and Bread & Butter Pudding.

 

I wanted everything and wished that I could try it all on different days, but Rachel and I both went for the Fish & Chips.

 

Pub Lunch by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 



Fish and Chips by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

The food was no extra charge, but the beer was at regular menu prices.

 

Pub Lunch by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

Rachel and I were seated at a table for four by ourselves, then they later added a young couple to our table. They were probably in their early 30s (which is a very small demographic on this ship), so we thought, yay, this should be fun. Rachel and I both tried really hard to talk to this couple, but they really wanted nothing to do with us. We asked them questions about where they were from (North Carolina.... hey, we're from South Carolina!), but unless we were asking them questions (after a point, it starts to feel like an interrogation), they didn't really care to talk to us. But it's not because they were an anti-social couple. No - they knew a bunch of older couples in the dining room and were very friendly and chatty with them. They just didn't like us.

 

Pacific Princess by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

Rachel and I spent the rest of the afternoon in our typical tanning location on the 11th deck.

Edited April 1, 2016 by LittleMissMagic

[KYBOB]

What is the green stuff on the plate.

[IECalCruiser]

What is the green stuff on the plate.

Not Victoria, but that is mushy peas.

[KYBOB]

Thanks! I thought it was guacamole. :) but could not figure out what that had to do with English pub food and could not think of what it might be.

[ar1950]

Thanks! I thought it was guacamole. :) but could not figure out what that had to do with English pub food and could not think of what it might be.

 

Yep, mushy peas. They sort of have the consistency of baby food peas. If you can get past that, however, they are reasonably tasty.

 

Being that this is a food comment, YMMV.:D

Edited April 3, 2016 by ar1950

[AF-1]

[Day 04] At Sea

 

This morning was our first spa day (since it was a 17-day cruise, we determined that we should have two spa treatments - one at the beginning of the cruise, and one at the end). Rachel and I got deluxe treatments since that's what our discount was good for. I got the chocolate indulgence (50th anniversary special) for research purposes, and Rachel (who hates the smell of chocolate) went for the seaweed treatment.

 

When you first visit the spa, you fill out a questionairre in which you answer questions about your health and rate your stress levels. I told them about my asthma, but other than that, I gave them a big thumbs up. I rated my stress level extremely low (not so in my normal life, but hey, I'm on vacation!) and didn't claim to have problems with dry skin or breakouts or anything. I did this because I didn't want them to sell me anything, and I thought that having very few problems might help minimize the amount of products they could "prescribe" to me.

 

Both times we went to the spa, I lucked out with the good masseuse (either that, or Rachel is just much more critical than me). She was young and really great at making me feel comfortable. She was friendly, but didn't talk too much (and she told me that I have an athlete's body! I love this girl!), and massage-wise, she applied just the right amount of pressure.

 

The Chocolate Indulgence is.... well.... not the most relaxing experience. It involved being rubbed down twice with chocolate, and then I had to get up and shower to rinse it off. Two showers! It did seem great for my skin - it was so soft afterwards. But if you're looking for a relaxing 50 minutes, the Chocolate Indulgence is not for you. Yes, there are relaxing times - mostly at the end, after you're done being rubbed down with chocolate - but it's a lot of up and down and scrubbing. Also, the chocolate is really hard to get off. Imagine being a miniature person and standing underneath a chocolate fondue fountain. I would scrub and scrub, and I'd get an area clean, but the chocolate would keep re-appearing. My masseuse would come in and rub my back down for me to get it off, so unless you have incredible behind-the-back reach, I wouldn't recommend this for the super modest person, either.

 

Also, I bet the spa workers are swearing the person who invented the mess that is Chocolate Indulgence. I left the shower full of brown goop. It was clogging up the drain, which made the water rise to my ankles. All of the towers were covered in chocolate. I would hate to be the person who has to clean that up.

 

Another pro for my masseuse is that she was AWESOME at not trying to sell me ANYTHING!!!! She didn't even write out a card with "health tips" for me (Rachel got one). She didn't "prescribe" me to one product - didn't even mention the names of products she used on me (ummm... Hersheys? Godiva? I would welcome a prescription to any type of chocolate).

 

Despite the mess of the Chocolate Indulgence and the two chocolatey showers I had to take, this was definitely one of my best spa experiences ever. And at the time, it was my best cruise ship spa experience.

 

After being wrapped in chocolate and seaweed, it was time for some grub. Rachel and I were super pumped that they were offering a Pub Lunch upstairs in the steak house. We were really sick of the buffet lunch food at this point, and the burgers by the pool were getting way too repetitive. (We forgot to remind Dad about the Pub Lunch, and he was ridiculously disappointed that he missed it. Really, he was still complaining days later.)

 

Menu offerings were Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash, Steak & Kidney Pie, Ploughman's Lunch, and Bread & Butter Pudding.

 

I wanted everything and wished that I could try it all on different days, but Rachel and I both went for the Fish & Chips.

 

Pub Lunch by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 



Fish and Chips by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

The food was no extra charge, but the beer was at regular menu prices.

 

Pub Lunch by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

Rachel and I were seated at a table for four by ourselves, then they later added a young couple to our table. They were probably in their early 30s (which is a very small demographic on this ship), so we thought, yay, this should be fun. Rachel and I both tried really hard to talk to this couple, but they really wanted nothing to do with us. We asked them questions about where they were from (North Carolina.... hey, we're from South Carolina!), but unless we were asking them questions (after a point, it starts to feel like an interrogation), they didn't really care to talk to us. But it's not because they were an anti-social couple. No - they knew a bunch of older couples in the dining room and were very friendly and chatty with them. They just didn't like us.

 

Pacific Princess by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

Rachel and I spent the rest of the afternoon in our typical tanning location on the 11th deck.

 

Well you tried to strike up a conversation. Not your fault they didn't want to participate. I bet you and your sister still had a great time with your family. Thanks for all the time you put into this report. Awesome post!

[JWJs]

 

What a fab review. Love your writing style and your family interactions.

 

It would be so nice to have a means to post some "thumbs up" for each one of your reports. AND...love the pictures you post...excellent photography!

 

We are looking forward to sailing on this ship in a few short weeks. I was getting seriously worried about the size of the ship and some other things but some of the Cruise Critic community calmed me down.

Edited April 4, 2016 by JWJs

[Steelers0854]

It would be so nice to have a means to post some "thumbs up" for each one of your reports. AND...love the pictures you post...excellent photography!

 

 

If you use the tapatalk app on your tablet or phone it now gives you the ability to give a post a thumbs up! Of course I would then be giving each of her posts a thumbs up. [emoji41]

[Valiamo]

The photography book I recommend is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. You can learn more about my gear and book recommendations on my "camera bag" page - http://www.victoriaonvacation.com/p/my-camera-bag.html

 

That is where I read it! Gonna get the local library to bring a copy in for me, will see if it is one I will add to the home library. Thanks a bunch

[nunuc2000]

Victoria... where are you?? :confused: Sure hoping you'll get a chance to finish your review... I miss your pictures. :(

[KYBOB]

Hopefully finals will be over soon and she is able to finish this. It is like a good book cannot wait to see how this turns out. I keep thinking of the saying I read on the floor of one of the Regals elevators; it is not the journey but the story you get from it. (May not be an exact quote). This so far has been a fascinating story and cannot wait to see how it turns out. Loved the part about not having the battery charger I was able to point out to DW on our latest trip when I forgot one of my pills and had to get them at a local pharmacy it was just not old people who forget things when packing. But she was quick to add must be an Architect thing. :).

[js4rq]

Loving your photo review! :D

[nunuc2000]

And still no sign of her... ?

:(

[greenie082756]

I sure hope she is okay. Its not like her to go away like this and not finish her review.

Does anyone know?? :(

[Steelers0854]

I sure hope she is okay. Its not like her to go away like this and not finish her review.

 

Does anyone know?? :(

 

 

 

I've followed her blog for years and she has always finished her posts, sometimes with a delay between the posts but this has been a long time. Hope Victoria is ok!

[westendgirl]

I've been wondering as well since the term is likely completed. Even checked her f b page. Nothing. We miss you Victoria and can't wait to see the final chapter! Hope all is well with you and your beautiful family.

[joand452]

I've been wondering as well since the term is likely completed. Even checked her f b page. Nothing. We miss you Victoria and can't wait to see the final chapter! Hope all is well with you and your beautiful family.

 

Hope everyone is all right!

[adjjb12]

She's on her twitter, life probably just got busy.

[LittleMissMagic]

Hi friends!

 

I'm really touched to find out that you were worried about my long absence and that you still want to read about my cruise!

 

It's been a really busy two quarters (UCLA is on the quarter system, so I just got out of school last week), and to brag a little bit, it paid off - I won a scholarship!

 

My dad came to visit last weekend, so I had the chance to show him around LA a little, and of course, take him to Disneyland. I also got a job working for my professor's firm this summer! And, I'll be teaching architecture at the teen camp later this summer. And this week, I'm headed back to the good ol' south to spend a little bit of time at home before cheering on our Distinguished Young Woman of South Carolina in Mobile.

 

I'm going to keep updating this thread as I can because I would like to finish it before my next cruise! :D

 

Thank you all for your support!!

Edited June 20, 2016 by LittleMissMagic

[Guest arowe6]

This thread (and your photos) have caused me to get the cruise itch again.

 

Time to book another...

 

-Andrew :)

[LittleMissMagic]

Okay, so there were only a few young adults on the ship, and water volleyball is what got them all together. Rachel and I had observed a few intense games of water volleyball the day before which lasted long after the scheduled time.

 

We decided to take a dip in the pool that evening (after the volleyball crew had their net taken away from them) and ended up with front row seats for a free show of water WWE. All of the young men decided to wrestle one another in the pool, two teams. This may sound disruptive, but it was around 6 PM, so the pool deck wasn't very full (well, it was never full, but at this hour it was particularly empty). It was very entertaining to watch. Really, we enjoyed the wrestling match.

 

Again, we pre-gamed dinner at the casino bar with our favorite bartenders, Reggie and EJ.

 

Cocktail Menu by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

This is Reggie -

 

The Isaac by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 



Martini by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

She told us how she taught Isaac (errr Ted Lange) how to make the Isaac on the 50th Anniversary Cruise. She had her picture taken with all of the Love Boat stars.

 

Martini by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

 

And the Isaac (errr the drink) -

 

The Isaac by Victoria Shingleton, on Flickr

Edited June 20, 2016 by LittleMissMagic

[RNGALNG]

Congratulations on the scholarship, the job, and getting through the last two quarters! So glad to hear that you are okay too! Welcome back. We all look forward to hearing and seeing more of this journey.

 

Were you giving us a tease about maybe an upcoming cruise??

[Steelers0854]

it paid off - I won a scholarship!

 

I'm going to keep updating this thread as I can because I would like to finish it before my next cruise! :D

 

 

 

Congrats Victoria!

 

Hopefully your next cruise isn't too far away, really enjoying your post.

[westendgirl]

Wow! Worth waiting for and hoping for more. Your life right now sounds very busy and very fulfilling. BTW I sailed with 'Isaac' and the crew on that cruise in December. He was so friendly and had many fascinating stories to tell. The Love Boat Crew have a genuine affection for each other and were a joy to cruise with.