Our day in Nassau

Okay, so this blog entry is a little late, I apologize. I’ll be honest, the longer you’re on this ship, the harder it gets to open a notebook or look at a cell phone. Also, the internet on this ship is LOUSY – it takes almost 45 minutes just to prep one of these blog entries.

BREAKING NEWS: Two, count them TWO stitches have now dissolved – oh wait, I’m being corrected – it’s three stitches are now dissolved. This information was delivered to me with the kind of excitement usually reserved for birth announcements or the appearance of the Virgin Mother on a piece of grilled cheese. Apparently, my rather tepid reaction to this news was not to Scar’s liking, so he pulled up his shirt, thrust himself about 2 inches away from my face and said “touch it”. It seems that only if I ran my fingers across the scar would I understand the significance of this event. Not being one who considers himself a talent in the laying on of hands, I replied “Get away from me”. For the record, we had no fewer than 7 scar checks yesterday. Thankfully, none of them took place on Nassau, which brings me to….


After my experience at the Contemporary last week, I started to think that I should really try and keep an open mind in going ashore in Nassau. Maybe I was too harsh – perhaps they had improved things since my last visit. After all, who would have guessed I’d give the Contemporary a 7.5 out of 10 when just weeks before I was calling for Disney to demolish the building and start again. So, I left the ship hopeful that maybe this time would be different, but alas, the magic of Disney isn’t powerful enough to transform the island – in fact, it was even worse than I remember. They apparently have given up on trash collection as the streets were littered with garbage bags and their contents. I could take only a few minutes in the straw market because, all kidding aside, it was just sad to watch. Here are these people trying to make a living and because their government is apparently inept at every level, they are reduced to selling cheap t-shirts and bad Louis Vitton knock-off’s.
Before the chorus of political correctness starts warming up, let me be very clear – I have nothing against the people of the Bahamas – it’s the government who collects the taxes and port fees from the scores of ships that dock there and does nothing to improve the infrastructure of the place. No one wants poverty – it’s thrust upon them by government failure, and this place is just a miserable failure. To make matters worse, we stopped in a few jewelry stores and I have to say, these people are completely out of their minds. Simple 14k Italian gold necklaces were $5,000, and that was after the ‘50% discount’ from $10,000. My honest assessment is that unless you’re planning a shore excursion over to Paradise Island, stay on the ship. If you’re looking for good bargains on jewelry, do the 7 night cruise to St. Maarten/St. Thomas – they have real deals there, but the Bahammas – sorry – it is, in fact, the arm pit of the Carribean. You’ll find better shopping deals at the stores on board the Wonder than you will in port – and I’m not the only one who feels that way. I did not talk to ONE PERSON who went ashore yesterday who enjoyed themselves – except those that went to Paradise Island, and even they had a few complaints.

Leaving Nassau is not as simple as just getting back on to the ship – there is a security line you need to go thru in order to get to the docks. I appreciate this, as they check both ship ID and photo ID very carefully before allowing you passage. It was here, however, that I discovered that I was apparently a fart magnet. Someone ahead of us in line (maybe it was the cousin of Chemical Ali) decided this was a good a place as any to give us all a sample of what was gestating inside his colon. Apparently, only some parents teach their kids that it’s really not okay to let one rip wherever you happen to be. My father’s parents can certainly be accused of this, as can the parents of at least two people on board the Disney Wonder. So, to all you Mom’s and Dad’s out there- stop reading this right now, go gather all your kids together, and have a nice long family talk about how FRIGGIN disgusting it is to fart in line while in public. Take your time…I’ll wait……….

Thankfully, we had a spa appointment booked at 2:30pm yesterday, and what an appointment it was. As I previously mentioned, we booked the couples Villas treatment. This was 3 hours of unparalleled luxury, and simply the best spa treatment I’ve ever had – and that’s REALLY saying something. This isn’t cheap – by the time I was done with tips, product and the cost of the service itself, I was out nearly $900. BUT – it was worth every penny. You start off by getting into a private Jacuzzi, on the balcony of your villas. The villas itself is a work of art, but adding a Jacuzzi to this is simply too much for words. Now, I should mention that Walter and I did this same treatment on the Magic and it was wonderful, so for this particular experience to exceed my expectations is something special. The balcony has the Jacuzzi, as well as an oversize lounge for two. You start off by soaking for about 20 minutes in the Jacuzzi, which was a huge help to the poor SOB who had to try and massage the knots out of my back. After that, you step into the villas, where two massage tables are side by side. Our therapists were Billie (a beautiful young lady from Canada) and Tom (an equally beautiful young man from Canada, who just happened to be her boyfriend – they met at sea and were the most adorable couple). I’m also pleased to announce that Tom and Billie did not fart once during our treatment.

Walter had Billie – I had Tom (because Tom was going to need ALL his strength to work out the cantaloupe size knots that were all over my shoulders). After a fantastic 50 minute deep tissue massage, we were flipped over for an equally relaxing 50 minute facial. Embarrassingly enough, I snored thru the entire facial. Now, in my defense, I can count on one hand with fingers left over the number of times I’ve fallen asleep during a spa treatment. You may have gathered by now that I tend to be a bit on the ‘high strung’ side, so it really is very rare for me to relax to the point where I actually fall asleep, let alone start snoring. Poor Tom – I hope I didn’t get any on him ☺
After the treatments, you retire to the lounge on the balcony, where you’re treated to fresh fruit and a menu of herbal teas to enjoy while you contemplate just how good you feel. In all honesty, I’m not able “write” this experience with any justice. You just have to do it. Ladies: don’t tell you husband what it costs up front – wait to spring that on him after it’s done – because that’s the only time he’ll say “it was worth it”. Also keep in mind that the price you’re quoted in the Spa and what you’ll actually end up paying are two different things. In this regard, the spa-bots are a little like used car salesman. They lure you in with one price, then nickel and dime you into another. But, even with that knowledge, I was a willing participant in this, so I have no complaints. Keep in mind that they usually end up bundling the tip into the ‘base’ price on the receipt your handed to sign at the end of the treatment.
We were too relaxed to dress for dinner last night – so we opted instead for casual dining at the Beach Blanket Buffet. In fact, dinner here is not a buffet, but matches the menu being offered in one of the regular restaurants. Last night the menu was from Animators Palate, and I was a bit of a pig – ordering appetizer, two entrée’s and dessert – all of which were anywhere between okay, and ‘Oh my god’ good. This is a really nice alternative if you’re like Walter and I and only have so much patience for getting gussied up night after night to eat dinner. Then again, we’ve been on the cruise so many times at this point, that the whole dining rotation thing and servers that follow you (like stalkers) is not as appealing as it was on our first time. I just want to relax, and dinner at Beach Blanket is a nice way to do it.

After dinner I had an interesting experience as I was waiting to get a chicken sandwich (insert oinking sound here) – a woman waiting on line for a hot dog (in more ways than one apparently) started making small talk. She was attractive, 40-something, and had two younger kids with her. At one point in our brief discussion she leans in and with a look I can only describe as downright creepy she asks me what I’m doing later tonight. I look over at her kids then lean in and say “My husband and I are going to bed early tonight”. Talk about barking up the wrong tree – but c’mon – hitting on people outside the Mickey pool – that’s just nasty. Perhaps she’s married to Chemical Ali and is looking for a break from the noxious fumes, but c’mon.

Anyway, that was our night last night and now I’m getting ready to head back to BBB for another dinner – until next time….

Pete


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27 responses to “Our day in Nassau”

  1. UrsulasShadow Avatar
    UrsulasShadow

    Geez, first the CM trying to buy you a beer, then strange women hitting on you…I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…Pete, you’re just too darn hot for your own good.

    Oh, and as my brothers used to tell me..
    “he who smelt it, dealt it”.

  2. Madi100 Avatar
    Madi100

    Thanks for the update Pete. I can’t wait to visit Nassau during our podcast cruise.

  3. Tonya2426 Avatar

    This entry needs a “Spew Warning” at the top. 🙂

  4. mommyceratops Avatar
    mommyceratops

    You know Pete I tried to have the fart conversation….My 7 year old told me he farted at school today and it smelled like his brother….My 4 year old wakes up every morning and yells “TARGET” and farts at anyone close. I wont even talk about my husband…because I am sure it was his you smelled miles away.
    So this just proves my point….no wonder I wish I could marry a gay man!

  5. happy2go2wdwmom Avatar
    happy2go2wdwmom

    That’s great that you were able to nod off to dreamland during your couples villas spa treatments—-how extravagant but, what a way to indulge yourselves—YOU DESERVE IT! I hope you can share about your Nassau “experience” in the next podcast.

  6. ladydanger Avatar
    ladydanger

    I agree with Mommyceratops, that conversation doesn’t always turn out well. My younger brother is 18 and 15+ years of discouragement haven’t had any effect in pushing him toward better etiquette in that area. Maybe we should have hit him whenever he did it? Too late now.

    Can’t wait until you get home and we can see the pictures you took of the Contemporary! I’m particularly interested in seeing the beautiful bathroom you described on this week’s show.

  7. dizneedoll Avatar
    dizneedoll

    Priceless, baby, priceless! Now folks, this is why The Dis and Pete are the best of the best when it comes to Disney websites. Where else would you get full farting disclosure and warnings about office sluts at the Contemporary?

  8. winotracy Avatar
    winotracy

    I see Nassau hasn’t changed since I was last there. On the Podcast cruise we will be heading out the Nassau for some rum and then back to the ship for the Quiet Cove Pool tour.

  9. maz Avatar
    maz

    I’m so enjoying your blog, and this cruise report is the best. Thank you for lightening my day.

    Farting – can be a competition you know!!

  10. kab407 Avatar
    kab407

    Thanks for the Nassau review. I think I may be hitting the Spa when we’re in port. Glad that you and Walter are having a releaxing vacation.

  11. thewho Avatar
    thewho

    Great update Pete!! Keep ’em coming.

    I think that woman would make a great govenor of NY.

    Also, why doesn’t that ever happen to me? I stood at the Mickey pool for two hours last summer and all I got was sunburned feet and a bunch of fries dropped on me.

  12. MenashaCorp Avatar
    MenashaCorp

    Blog good. Pete unselfish; many words. Should relax.

  13. Ken In Atlanta Avatar
    Ken In Atlanta

    One of my co-workers is Bahamian and I asked her about the Ports and she just rolled her eyes and told me to promise her, that if I ever go on a cruise I am to take a cab and have them drive me as far from the docks as possible.

    She said that away from the docks and in Nassau proper you can take history tours and enjoy the British Colonial style of the buildings. Apparently even the people of the islands can’t stand the docks.

  14. elemusing Avatar
    elemusing

    Pete – you must not be giving off good gaydar. hee hee

    Congrats to Walter for the disppating stitches. Sorry that you have to touch it. My husband had hernia surgery this summer and did the exact same thing. eewwwww. I don’t WANT to touch that!

    Thanks for the Nassau review. Please post some more if you can bring yourself to it.

  15. SamIAm Avatar
    SamIAm

    Pete, you are absolutely 100% correct… those spa-bots catch you when you can’t say no. I got fleeced for some night cream and vitamin C drops for you face because I didn’t want to look like the brown apple, but the nice white fresh looking apple… don’t ask, they got me hook, line and sinker.

    And honestly, I’ve seen your picture and you can’t blame a girl for trying… {{wink}}

  16. pperfectmom Avatar
    pperfectmom

    Pete, all I have to say is that you seem like a pretty fart smeller, oops, I mean pretty smart feller.

  17. aGoofyMom Avatar
    aGoofyMom

    I had a very different fart talk with DD6. She is an only child and has spent the first half of first grade trying to figure out why her classmates giggle at the word let alone the action. Then I picked up the book Walter the Farting Dog. DH is the official story reader & suddenly turned into a 7 year old boy. He couldn’t get through one page without the giggles. I make no promises for our group on the podcast cruise.

    I already have DH on board with us having monthly massage appointments, maybe if I had him read this entry…ahhhhhhhhh.

  18. cocowum Avatar
    cocowum

    Wow, Pete that picture of Nassau is scary!

    But that spa picture looks wonderful!

    $900… yikes, DH would kill me! Actually, I would kill me! =-)

  19. Cyrano Avatar
    Cyrano

    Now hear is a tag for Pete… now he’s a babe magnet :lol

    Really enjoying the blog and the cruise and spa sound great 🙂

  20. techdude Avatar
    techdude

    A question for Pete (or anyone else who knows): What’s the deal with the iPhone and roaming during the cruise? Are you just keeping it turned off, or did you get some kind of international roaming package?

    I’ve heard horror stories about AT&T’s international data rates and would like to avoid that post-cruise surprise.

  21. calypso Avatar
    calypso

    Sorry…sounds more like a “cougar magnet” experience. Besides, how do we know she wasn’t just looking for a baby-sitter? 🙂

  22. Dodie Avatar
    Dodie

    What kind of vibes are you putting out there man?!!

  23. maiziezoe Avatar
    maiziezoe

    Hitting on you in front of her kids??

    Damn… classy!

    Have a great second half!

  24. ladydanger Avatar
    ladydanger

    Ha! I wondered that myself calypso!

  25. Fredds Girl Avatar
    Fredds Girl

    Your guys’ spa day even *sounds* relaxing! I’ll be making a mental note about Nassau. So sad that they can’t get it together!

  26. miss missy Avatar
    miss missy

    “a woman waiting on line for a hot dog”

    SINCE SHE IS WAITING —>ON<—- LINE FOR A HOT DOG SHE HAS A LONG LONG WAIT lol I HAVENT HEARD OF VIRTUAL DINING YET !!!

    GLAD YOU HAD A GREAT SPA. THAT IS THE MOST FAV THING FOR ME TO DO TOO.

  27. nenner1 Avatar
    nenner1

    But the question of the moment is “Does PLuto’s Doghouse still serve chicken STRIPS or have they too fallen sadly into the nugget trap?”

    That’s what *I* want to know……;)

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