– Part 1

As some of you know, I recently convened The Wright Resort Phenomenal Life Empowerment Cruise to the Caribbean, October 27 – November 3. Close to a dozen people participated in a beautiful, empowering and life-affirming experience that provided a taste of The Phenomenal Life; a BodyMindSpirit immersion that combined the benefits of an Empowerment Salon with the amenities of a luxury cruise liner, Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam and the adventures of our excursions to Grand Turks; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas.

In my next few blogs, I’m sharing select highlights, not only to offer an insider perspective on some of the power, magic and joy of the experience, but to demonstrate why self-care is so vital and how a cruise vacation is a delightful form of self-care par excellence! 

Connecting Face to Face

Although we had engaged in two Group Empowerment Calls prior to the Cruise and were all from the San Francisco Bay Area, we didn’t actually all meet together until we boarded the Nieuw Amsterdam in Ft. Lauderdale. Part of our initial orientation to the ship was an Emergency Drill that required us to report to assigned stations on the 3^rd floor promenade deck. Not only did we have a name and room roll call, but explicit instructions were provided about the proper use of a life jacket and life boats hoisted above our heads, boats that would be lowered for us to climb into during an actual emergency….a sobering and necessary order of business.

Thereafter, we were released to continue initial unpacking and touring of the ship. While several cruise ships were embarking from the same port, I was fortunate to discover the Silk Den on the 11^th floor; an intimate and royally adorned Asian – décor lounge, dripping purple and gold, dimly-lit lanterns with a panoramic view of the entire port plus the ocean. One of our group members joined me and we nestled into the comfy plush chairs and watched each cruise liner sail out over glistening waters as the sun set. Now, I knew I was in the right place at the right time to be elegantly and royally initiated into the Phenomenal Life.

Once our own ship pulled away from the port, we went straight to the Greenhouse Spa where I encouraged staff to provide a tour. Totally impressive and a very easy “Yes” to the Greenhouse Retreat and Pool Package. Self-care being my priority, I already knew where I’d be spending my time, in the hydrotherapy pool and on the thermal tile lounge chairs viewing the ocean daily! Totally indulgent relaxation for the stressed, fatigued or weary traveler, open to another taste of The Phenomenal Life!  And needless to say, my second favorite spot on the cruise!

Word had gone out to our group to meet for dinner in the Main Dining Room, which is the point that we all met face to face for the first time, a rendez-vous characterized by excitement, relief, joyful anticipation coupled with first class service and a sumptuous array of dining options. After introductions and socializing, I reminded everyone that we’d convene our first on-the-cruise Empowerment Salon the next morning in the Stuyvesant Room, conveniently situated on the 3^rd floor, just past the Signature Shops with attire, accessories, jewelry, souvenirs and sundries….They were asked to bring the Evolving and Embracing The Phenomenal Life Cultivating a Legacy of Empowerment & Enrichment Tool-Kit, their journal, an item for the Altar and an open mind and heart.

The Empowerment Salon

To summarize, we circled, invoked, stretched, placed our objects and symbols of The Phenomenal Life on the altar, and dived into lively interactive discussion about the qualities and characteristics of The Phenomenal Life, exploring ways that we are or are not living The Phenomenal Life, and choosing what we may want to release or embrace to embody more of the qualities we want to experience. Salon members were asked to engage in Conscious Observation; that is while on the cruise and on the island excursions to look for, journal about and reflect on examples of The Phenomenal Life; to consider ways that anything they observed or experienced could become incorporated into their life and finally to consider how might it make a difference in their life….

As each person removed their altar item, they selected an Angel Card…of course each one perfect and relevant for the recipient. All in all, a beautiful mutually supportive bonding experience that continued to grow throughout the week.

As this was our first day at sea, everyone was able to engage in the activities that appealed to them or those they were simply curious about; and there were myriad choices from Digital Workshops, Culinary Arts classes, Reflexology, Acupuncture & De-Tox Classes, of course the Casino, Art Auctions, First Class Entertainment each night, plus after hour partying with Show Host Jazzy, including Junior and his Steel Drumming poolside each day.

You don’t have to guess where I went, that’s right, the spa!

This was also the first formal night. Needless to say the transformation from swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts and sandals to dress-up attire was actually fun….the ship’s photographers were everywhere, capturing the glamour, unique styles and big smiles.

An awesome start and delicious taste of The Phenomenal Life…to be continued…