Parental
Love Boat
By
Patrick Witz
All parents love their children, but when it comes to Wedding Anniversaries…tenth, fifteenth, twentieth, on up, parents have to make an extra effort to set aside their parental responsibilities and affections to
focus on
their own relationships. How many parents
reach that pivotal empty nest milestone and sudden realize while
sitting alone together at the dining room table that used to seat five,
that they really don’t know each other. They look
at each
other and wonder who that person starring blankly back that has been
living vicariously through their children’s lives. Funny how
children have that unique knack of absorbing all attention
that’s
available beyond jobs and household maintenance. Dating and early
marriage loving couple interactions, teasing, and sexual
spontaneity is
for the most part lost or forgotten.“Oh, my God, he’s talking about us!” Some of you are saying right about now. Don’t’ panic! There is a way to rejuvenate, energize, and recapture some of those lost and forgotten marital arts. But wait, lets be honest here, aging parents regardless of wedding anniversary longevity must respect maturing bodies with limited and/or unused functions and capabilities to eliminate embarrassing emergency room hospital explanations.
Okay, the diagnosis is clear, so what’s the cure…a week long Western Caribbean Princess Cruise. The Caribbean Princess Cruise is the original “Love Boat” from the late 1970’s “The Love Boat” television series. The accommodations and amenities on board make cruising the ultimate parental marriage humdrum cure and sanity check away from the children.
Varieties of stateroom options are available, however in the Caribbean, it’s recommended with the breathtaking scenery and warm weather to book a balcony stateroom. Besides the balcony staterooms bring slightly larger, the balconied mini suites offer a separate seating area and some even have bathtubs. There are honeymoon suites available for the seriously adventurous. The balcony staterooms are a bit more expensive, but there are a number of deals and special upgrade packages available.
Affordable travel insurance is obtainable, just in case some unknown emergency comes up last minute (remember you have children) with coverage that’s extended to spouses and even non-related travel companions.
Just
envision everyday stresses and daily grinds of cooking, cleaning, jobs,
children’s homework, momma taxi driving here, there,
everywhere…all temporarily forgotten. Parents need to
embrace
Princesses’ signature line of “Escape
Completely”
aboard their magnificent vessels. That escape is easy considering the
“Love Boat” couple opportunities that are available
on board. The meals and foods offered throughout the trip are exquisite. Seating is available just for the couple alone or in small to large groups at a table. There are traditional seating times as well as at your own leisure dining. Fine foods are obtainable 24/7, and there are no preparations, cooking, pots, or dishes! The service is impeccable, catering to every need or request, including ordering one or all the appetizers, soups, salads, meals or deserts. Caution: weight gain, sugar imbalances, and over indulgences are immanent – pace yourself. Alternate dining restaurants such as Sabatini’s offers a seventeen-course two-hour meal, and the Painted Desert Steakhouse has superbly flamed steaks that would make a butcher envious.
For the romantic (husband hint), private dining in your stateroom on the balcony is available, and champagne with flowers can be delivered as well. If that’s too over the top, try following dinner at one of the fine restaurants with a movie, complete with cuddling blankets, popcorn, or ice cream, under the stars at the poolside movie theater. The on board Lotus Spa has couple’s messages and additionally offers couple’s message classes so they can “practice” on each other in the privacy of their own staterooms.
What better way to celebrate an anniversary then getting all dressed up in formal attire, men in tuxedos or suit, and her looking and feeling sensuously gorgeous in a sleek formal gown. Once looking like red carpet celebrities, the couple can attend a Princess Grapevine wine tasting, have professional photos taken, feast on fine foods, and toast with celebratory champagne, prior to a dance party where they can practice what was learned in the dance classes offered throughout the cruise. Then again, they may like to romantically sing to each other during Karaoke hour in the lounge.
Regardless of formal, smart casual, or island attire, couples can enjoy cocktails prior, during, or after the art auctions or fabulous production shows with singers, dancers, very funny comedians, superb solo guitarist, and wonderful piano entertainment throughout the ship. If a couple is more attuned to being extraverts, there are dozens of game shows to be had throughout the cruise challenging either the crew or other couples: Trivia; Do You Know More Then a Crew Member; Newlywed Game; Bingo; Scavenger Hunts; and Scattergories, to name a few. There is also an inexpensive internet café on board for those parents whom, after all the pampering and fun rekindling of their relationships, remember that they have children, and wish to stay in contact.
Couples can not only relax and enjoy the comfort activities on board, they can also exercise together in the fully equipped gym, participate in morning walk and jog sessions, or play eighteen holes on the golf
simulator. Then there’s the simple inexpensive easy way, just
walking the miles of stairs to keep fit verses taking the elevators.
Nonetheless, if the activities and/or the wives dangerously
over-exhaust their husbands, there is a staffed medical center
immediately available 24/7.The re-introduction to BK (Before Kids) relationships extends beyond the ship with an extensive list of shore excursions at each Port of Call. From simple informative tours to elaborate excursions, activities, and lessons, there is something for everybody at each port.
Undoubtedly, the biggest difficulty for both the shore excursions and the on board activities is coming to a consensus on what to do and when to do it as a couple. Regardless of the decision, it is sure to be enjoyable, informative, exciting, thrilling, or just simply relaxing.
Before you as parents reach that pivotal empty nest milestone, check out the “Love Boat” wedding anniversary opportunities available at Princess Cruise Lines to reignite that lost or forgotten marital spark. Don’t just live vicariously through your children’s lives, plan a trip, and set a date to rekindle those early marriage loving couple interactions, teasing, and sexual spontaneity. Life doesn’t stop after umpteen years of marriage; like a set-aside bottle of lovingly cared for fine wine…it may now look old and dusty, but once the essence is set free, you’ll come to realize it’s only gotten better with age.
Photos Courtesy Patrick Witz © 2008
© 2008 Patrick Witz