30 budget garden ideas savvy tips for big and small plots alike

Table Of Content

• Painted Ceiling and Flooring
• Modern Backyard Ideas
• Smarten up a plain set of furniture
• Low-Cost Backyard Seating Ideas

Creating a quick and easy garden path idea doesn’t have to be an expensive or arduous project. From bark nuggets, slate chippings, gravel or pea shingle, there are a number of easy lay options that are also practical underfoot and good looking, too. 'While it’s easy to assume that designing a stylish, low-maintenance garden requires a significant investment, this doesn’t have to be the case. With a little thoughtful planning, it’s possible to create an inspiring space without breaking the bank.

Painted Ceiling and Flooring

It’s only natural to find plenty of plants in outdoor spaces, but when working with truly small square footage, they can be more than just beautiful. Slim, tall plants like bamboo or evergreens can help soften neighborhood noise and while creating a cozy enclave that feels protected and private. Easy-to-care-for ornamental grasses offer a low-maintenance alternative that can add visual interest and a pop of color while also helping to define a space. When planning your tiny patio, think of ways that plants can do double duty. Designing a small patio often means you’ll need fewer materials, so you might be able to splurge on pricier pavers, outdoor floor tiles, or unusual plants.

Modern Backyard Ideas

If you live in a warm climate, all it takes is tossing a mango seed in some soil – you'll have a fruiting tree in about four years. Speaking of soil, if you're serious about growing anything at all in your garden, adding compost to your existing soil will get you amazing results. And if you learn how to make compost yourself, you won't need to buy any, ever. You can buy a compost bin if you prefer, but if you don't want to spend any money, you can just have a compost heap in an inconspicuous area of your garden. Labor costs can be more than 60 percent of a garden redesign, so spend time considering what you can do yourself.

Smarten up a plain set of furniture

43 small backyard ideas that will transform even the tiniest of spaces - Yahoo News

43 small backyard ideas that will transform even the tiniest of spaces.

Posted: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

If you have never tried to build something out of wood, this project is for you. In fact, you’ll find her step by step instructions easy to follow. Another unique and creative idea from Anita is this wine barrel table. Similarly, Marty at Marty’s Musings created an amazing hangout spot with a recycled brick patio and fire pit. On the other hand, Meredith at The Pallet Muse created romantic lighting with a DIY Chandelier with soft candle lighting and cafe lights.

To make the most of it, use lighting to illuminate trees, beds, water features and sculptures and it will feel like a completely different space at night. Waterproof festoon lights are a flexible, temporary and cheap solution to lighting your garden, and they will create a comfortable and casual atmosphere. The cheapest option (other than a few plants in pots, like those above) is to start with fast-growing climbers, such as clematis armandii or wisteria. Another option is to use hanging planters with plants that trail, or to create living walls. Covered patios afford homeowners the opportunity to play around with materials and textures.

These budget garden ideas will get you inspired to transform your space, without splashing the cash. Our cheap garden ideas can still pack a punch when it comes to freshening up your space. They're perfect if you don't want to splurge all your savings on your plot. Well, Sara at Birdz of a Feather totally transformed her small yard with some amazing backyard patio ideas. Here's another easy way to spruce up your backyard fence on a budget!

If your ambition is to be self-sufficient with your kitchen garden, learn to grow everything from seed. Buying pre-grown plants is more expensive and also isn't suitable if you want to try organic gardening. And, for many vegetables and fruit, you only need to raise your plants from seeds once – you can then start producing your own seed for the following year's harvest.

DIY Backyard Accents

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All you need is a good quality primer that you can apply once you've cleaned the area you want to paint and marked off the design. Once dry, paint your tiles in the chosen colour – make sure it's for outdoor use – and finish with a good quality sealant. White, as with interiors will reflect and brighten and provides a neutral background for your outdoor dining scheme. 'If you're looking to create a vibrant wildflower garden, using seeds is your best bet.

Grow fruit trees from seed

To help spark some inspiration and motivation in you, we've rallied up our favorite cheap backyard makeover ideas that you can accomplish before going back to the office on Monday. Add tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and other tasty edibles to landscape beds. This strategy maximizes space, and low-cost edibles are lovely, too. They add plenty of color and texture to the landscape at a low cost. Cut landscaping costs with a simple spade by using it to create garden edging. The trench will prevent lawn grass from creeping in and form a tidy outline.

Plant daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths by the end of September, lilies, alliums, and crocosmia in September/October, and tulips in November. You can find out innovative ideas for how to plant daffodil bulbs in our guide. If you're cutting back bushes or trees in your garden, check to see if you can reuse any of your offcuts before condemning them to the brown bin or compost heap. You can use all kinds of recycled treasures to create an interesting abode.

Wendy At Lane and High participated in a backyard makeover challenge and updated her space for less the $100. Be sure to check out all the details of her backyard transformation on her blog. As a result, she now has a beautiful space for outdoor entertaining. This little makeover totally changed the look and feel of her space without spending a lot of money. Her patio furniture was looking a little worn yet the bones were still in great shape.

Not only is it a place to relax and unwind, but also a functional space for entertaining and dining. However, with a vision for a larger gathering area, we pushed back the hillside and created this paver patio. After taming some of our hillside and adding destinations like fire pit area, we definitely needed stairs to access these areas. She loves to get her hands dirty and transform vintage and discarded pieces.

‘Great-value bistro sets are perfect for balconies or smaller gardens. They are easy to fold away, too,’ says Gabrielle from John Lewis. Buy a small decorative tree, like an acer, palm, olive or apple - try Aldi and Lidl for affordable versions - and either plant it in the ground or pop it in a planter. The latter is a better option if you're renting so you can bring it with you when you eventually move. Before you point out that pre-grown trees can be super expensive, it's important to note that this idea is a slow burner.

This may seem like an expensive idea, rather than a budget garden one – but you really can create your own outdoor kitchen without spending a great deal. All you need is a BBQ or pizza oven – which you probably already have - a corner to keep it in and some extra worktop space for food prep. Get creative and make your own garden shade ideas out of an old sail or sheet and attach it to a wall, tree or fence using thin rope.

Backyard ideas on a budget: Create an outdoor retreat for less

Table Of Content

• Up Your Gardening Game With a Shed
• Go Black and White
• Build your own trellis
• Repurpose Containers for Planting
• Low-Cost Backyard Seating Ideas
• DIY Outdoor Towel Rack with Shelves

If you’re looking to make a splash for less, add a stock pool a la Bri Moysa of Emerson Grey Designs. Want to make a patio from scratch, but not willing to put in that much elbow grease? This patio refresh from the Grit and Polish offers the best of both worlds, making it the perfect backyard idea on a budget. Or, if you don’t have a deck or patio in your backyard, you can always build one from scratch.

Up Your Gardening Game With a Shed

Get creative with your choice of blooms and foliage and create perfectly circular displays that can be dotted throughout your border or patio. Our guide on how to plant a last minute spring container is full of advice. Makeover the garden shed and create a stylish WFH spot that you can escape to over the summer months – all it takes is a pot of paint and a sunny afternoon. Instead of discarding old glass jam jars and containers, repurpose them and make jolly mini planters for herbs or flowering plants. Use leftover acrylic spray paint if you have any, or alternatively use old tester pots of paint, though you may need to seal jars with clear varnish to give a harder-wearing finish. Wendi has 10 DIY ideas that she did in 30 days to spruce up her backyard patio.

Go Black and White

For those after a more old-world feel, choose a pergola, a lattice, or a trellis to create a structure for cascading plants—like wisteria, grape vines, or climbing roses—to take hold. These options also allow for dappled sunlight to shine through, so they’re ideal for someone who isn’t looking to entirely block the sun’s rays. Mark out the area that you want to cover and remove any loose grass and soil. Take a permeable membrane, available from DIY stores, and pin it to the route of the path. Choose small pebbles (up to 0.6in or around 16mm) as they are more comfortable to walk on, and then rake for a smooth surface. Fill a pot with potting compost mixed with horticultural grit or Perlite (both widely available at garden centers).

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Build your own trellis

Make your own mini planters using spray-painted tin cans suspended with garden string. Toni at Design Dazzle has created a beautiful backyard patio complete with many great ideas. Certainly this unique outdoor table idea would be a fun addition to your backyard patio. Undoubtedly adding lights to your backyard patio creates an alluring affect. For instance, April at Love Our Real Life  refreshed her existing backyard patio furniture with spray paint.

Bench-style seating covered with cushions creates a lot of space for entertaining, and opens up the rest of the yard to place a dining table and chairs. A large wood fence and high retaining walls enclose this small patio. However, plantings along the walls add greenery and life to the space, and a small patio chair provides a separate seating area from the dining set up.

Repurpose Containers for Planting

'Spring onions and celery are two kitchen staples that are easy to regrow from their root base with a couple of inches of stem attached' he explains. Odd numbers appear more natural and pleasing to the eye than even numbers, so aim for small plant groupings of three, five and so on. Repetition creates unity and will help to draw the eye more smoothly through the garden. Use a sewing machine to join together, adding a long zipper on one end gusset and then a small carry handle on the opposite end. Once complete, fill with bean bag beads through the back zipper opening.

If money's tight and investing in potted plants and bulbs seems too pricey, then consider sowing some wildflower seeds instead. ‘Look for the best place to sit in your garden, whether that’s for a morning cuppa or a drink after work. A place to sit and plants are the very foundations of a garden for me, whatever your budget might be,' he says.

DIY Outdoor Towel Rack with Shelves

Try making a cheap and cheerful hanging centerpiece to position above the table. Make your outdoor furniture look even more inviting by adding soft touches to your chairs and benches. Pillows and blankets are both good choices for sprucing up your backyard ensemble and infusing texture, warmth, and color into the space. Throws are an especially great idea, as you and your guests can snuggle under them if the evening gets chilly. Want to get your tan on but CBA with lying down on hard concrete?

Whether you’re curling up with a good book, enjoying a meal al fresco, or simply admiring your garden, a patio never fails to offer an excellent vantage point. But, if you're looking for some fresh patio ideas, consider stenciling a cool design on the floor. A simple drip hose, available in the garden section of most box stores, can be an excellent low-cost irrigation system for a small-space garden. Use the drip hose with a timer, and watering chores are nearly hands-off. Plus you'll avoid wasting water and money by directing water to exactly where it's needed.

Instead of investing in a pergola or shade structure, plant a tree. For a fraction of the cost of a manufactured structure, a small tree will provide shade, color, and texture that changes with the seasons if you are willing to be patient as it grows. Twinkle lights and outdoor string lights of all sorts instantly transform a small garden for just a few dollars. Thread the lights over tree branches and along hedges to illuminate the perimeter of your space. Cedar boards are often the most expensive part of a raised bed garden.

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Instead of purchasing plants to anchor each season, rely on multi-season plants to do it all and keep your garden budget low at the same time. Some beautiful multi-season plants for small spaces include magnolia, dogwood, peony, and holly. Give your fence a fresh coat of paint for instant impact in the garden.

When planning your outdoor patio, consider the various available styles and hues of concrete. For example, experts recommend choosing darker grayscale colors for an elevated, contemporary look. A covered area will feel more like a room, so it’s important to make sure there is a focal point that draws you and guests to the area. This can be as simple as adding an attractive outdoor rug or a freestanding firepit, or going all out with an actual fireplace for a more formal look and feel. We're loving this coffee table which offers a sunny boost of yellow to the plot.

You could even display them on a junkyard find like a step ladder to create a really cheap but effective garden feature. The more bells and whistles your patio has, the harder it will be to maintain. Something that looks like it’s out of The Secret Garden will require pruning and maintenance. But embracing the minimalist—or even brutalist design trends—creates less clutter, so the only thing you might need to do is weatherproof with outdoor furniture covers. A concrete patio, as opposed to a small patio with gravel, is also easier to maintain in all types of weather.

Cruise Ships

Table Of Content

• Family Harbor Ocean View (Obstructed View)
• Deck 8
• While I purchased drinks à la carte, my friend pre-purchased an unlimited drink package for $55 per day.
• Havana Premium Vista Balcony

Outside of the spa, we also found an adults-only sundeck with quiet zones, hot tubs, daybeds, and cabanas that were free to use throughout the day. This was an unexpected treat when we wanted to enjoy a sunny day, but not get caught up in all the deck party action by the pool. I had all the space I needed in my room, but other than naps or bedtime, I rarely spent time there.

Family Harbor Ocean View (Obstructed View)

There was too much going on with planned activities and ship amenities for me to stay in the room. Each cabin was 185 square feet and meant for one traveler with a single bed. I thought this actually made the room appear much larger as it didn't have two beds like I'm used to in cruise ship staterooms. On several evenings of the cruise, this venue becomes the Punchliner Comedy Club offering both family-friendly and adult-only shows. Be sure to check the Fun Times program for the most up to date days and times as you won’t want to miss these great comedians.

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Deck 8

In the gym, you'll find a wide range of cardio equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, bikes and rowing machines. There's a studio in the middle of the gym for classes, most of which carry a fee. Sign-ups begin on the first day of the cruise and tend to book up early, so if you want to get your spinning fix, stop by shortly after boarding. Personal training and nutritional consulting are available for a fee.

While I purchased drinks à la carte, my friend pre-purchased an unlimited drink package for $55 per day.

This indoor trampoline park is one of the few activities onboard with an additional fee, but an hour of jumping is only $12 during the day and $18 for the special Glow party at night (and that includes a T-shirt). It is common for cruisers to compare several ships before booking, especially when there’s some flexibility in the destination. Despite the differences in size and itineraries (Mardi Gras is bigger and sails to the Caribbean instead of the Mexican Pacific coast) these cruise ships are similar in many ways.

Another favorite nightlife venue of mine is the Panorama Atrium with its rotating roster of musicians. This cocktail space might have a solo musician one hour, a blues guitarist the next, or my personal favorite, the rock violinists who combine pop and classical music. It can be tough to secure a deck chair beside the pool on sea days, but I've never seen a line form to enter the pool or thought it felt overcrowded once inside. Carnival has so many onboard activities for all ages, but my all-time favorite thing to do on a sunny sea day is slip down the water slides. Panorama has two main slides, both of which I find to be thrilling. I particularly enjoy Carnival's "welcome aboard" deck parties, which are a beloved tradition on embarkation day and I feel the excitement of cruising from the moment I step onboard the Panorama.

Guests staying in spa cabins get access to the thermal suite as part of the cabin fare. How about watching the latest Blockbuster hits (or sporting events) on a cruise ship with light ocean breezes and complimentary popcorn and blankets? That’s right, at the Carnival Seaside Theater, you can do just that! The Dive-In Movies on Carnival Panorama are the perfect place for a relaxing family night or a romantic date night. So, whether you enjoy comedy, action, or both, be sure to check the Fun Times program for the latest movie titles and showtimes playing on the big screen. View Carnival's cruise ship staterooms, including suites, balconies, oceanviews and interior staterooms.

Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship: Overview and Things to Do - Cruise Hive

Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship: Overview and Things to Do.

Posted: Sat, 30 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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Kids this age are welcome to sign themselves in and out of the club, so often they roved in packs along the pool deck and buffet. Karaoke competitions, games, even a cruise prom are provided, but we noticed that most teens enjoyed hanging out on the stairwell in the general vicinity between Decks 6 and 7 forward, as an alternative to the club. Self-serve launderettes are sprinkled throughout passenger hallways (one on each deck that has cabins) and include two to three washers, dryers and an ironing board. The Havana Plaza on Deck 5 aft is accessible only to passengers staying in those staterooms. If that isn't enough to do outside, you'll find random foosball tables around the upper decks near the Beach Pool.

Cloud 9 Spa Ocean View (Walkway View)

If it's music you want, or gaming, or shows, or group singalongs or a comedy club or flights of beer or a long evening of wining and dining -- you can find it onboard Panorama. Days go by quickly on Carnival Panorama, because it's hard to fit everything in. Carnival's newest attractions, Sky Zone, is smartly placed on Deck 7 forward next to the pre-teen and teen clubs.

This meant I had more room to spread out and I never felt cramped. It was so good to be back on a ship, and I've now sailed 11 more times since then, with a handful of sailings booked in the coming months — including on the Panorama. And while I've sailed a similar itinerary on Holland and Princess, I find that the Carnival Panorama offers a similar experience for far cheaper and doesn't skimp on activities, dining, and exciting places to visit.

A private yacht it’s not… but leave the sailing to us — you’d rather be relaxing anyway. Cruising goes great with sunshine… and for a room where the family can expect a little extra of the sun’s gold streaming in through their window, check out a Family Harbor Ocean View stateroom with obstructed views. All Family Harbor staterooms feature a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. And while you sail along, the whole family will enjoy not only exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, but more great perks around the ship.

Kids will love the gigantic water slides and water park that take up a significant chunk of top-deck real estate. Couples looking to escape the crowds will find a haven on the adults-only Serenity sun deck. Thrill-seekers will enjoy the SkyRide, the SkyCourse and --first on Carnival Panorama -- the SkyZone trampoline park. Add in the constant stream of activities around the ship, most of them free, and you'll see how the vessel delivers on value.

They also feature linens from the Carnival Comfort Collection, a full private bathroom and more. For more elaborate steam rooms and heat chambers, you'll want to buy a pass to the thermal suite. Buy a cruise-long pass or stay in a Cloud 9 Spa cabin, which includes cruise-long access in the fare.

Carnival Panorama Cruise Ship, 2024, 2025 and 2026 Carnival Panorama deals, destinations and pics

Table Of Content

• Family Harbor Deluxe Ocean View
• CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's new Transpacific Journey on Carnival Luminosa ship (
• Carnival Panorama Itineraries
• Suite (HS)
• Thermal Suite on Carnival Panorama
• Aft-View Extended Balcony

As you’re enjoying your seven-day cruise vacation and itinerary to visit Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta on the Mexican Riviera, there’s a whole universe on board for you to experience. But first, we can’t wait to shout it out — Carnival has the first-ever indoor Sky Zone® trampoline park and challenge zone at sea. Think about how much fun you and your kids would have playing gravity-defying dodgeball and basketball or having a nighttime glow party on a cruise.

Family Harbor Deluxe Ocean View

Each time I've sailed Carnival Panorama, the water slides end up being my favorite way to spend an afternoon. I think they're kid-friendly but have just enough thrill factor to keep adults running back up for another turn. I follow it with a dip in the pool, and it's pretty much my definition of a perfect day at sea. In fact, had we shared one cabin, according to my research on Carnival's website, we would have only saved about $50 each for the week.

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's new Transpacific Journey on Carnival Luminosa ship (

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

Carnival Panorama Itineraries

Plus, there is even a specialty drink menu to help you let loose, laugh it up, and have a great time. During our cruise, there were two comedians that rotated shows during the first half of the cruise and two brand new comedians for the second half of the cruise. In addition to familiar favorites like Soulbound and Celestial Strings, Carnival Panorama debuts two brand new main theater Playlist Productions. Broadway Beats highlights classic show tunes with a New York City twist.

A Cloud 9 Spa Suite is the ultimate in both stateroom and spa accommodations. There's room for you and your things - with a large room and balcony - and a walk-in closet. The soothing in-room whirlpool tub will help you stay relaxed after your relaxing spa treatment.

And even though Panorama always sails the same Mexican Riviera itinerary year-round, I never grow tired of this cruise. I already have another Panorama sailing booked for my spouse and I this year, and I can't wait to sail with a friend again — or by myself — on what has become my favorite budget-friendly cruise. The Atrium Bar is also a good spot to catch featured performers, including rock violinists,  throughout the day and all evening. Additionally, the ship's main stage usually offers three production shows with rock, blues, soul, and a few Broadway favorites. These performances are free and don't require seat reservations or tickets.

Conversely the other new show -- Rock Revolution, the Summer of seemed to drag a bit, despite exciting choreography and a live rock band. There's no plot in the show, which features well-known music from the 1960s and 1970s. Here, the LED screen features a constantly changing backdrop of trippy images, but your eye is more likely to be drawn to the band, which play on a stage that extends out into the audience. The highlight comes during Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, when a fleet of drones supplement the action on the stage.

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You can also buy day passes and sometimes two-for-one special are available on port days. The complex has heated ceramic loungers, a large whirlpool, a Hamman, an aroma steam room and a dry heat chamber. At night, there's live music inside on a small stage, mostly country and classic rock. Guy's might not be your first thought for an evening tipple, but we found quite a few inventive drinks here to kick off -- or end -- the night (including a nonalcoholic menu). If your group likes to sail a little closer to the waves — or just in a calm location at the aft of the ship — choose a Family Harbor Cove Balcony stateroom. You’ll find your outpost a wave-watcher’s paradise… and while we can’t promise, you just might catch a living, swimming marine biology lesson from your railing!

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Between the varied itinerary offerings and ship amenities, time and again I have found that Panorama has something for everyone. Similar to the towel animals room stewards provide in the cabins, crew members set them up throughout the pool deck area on all the chairs to greet the morning crowds. My favorite way to spend the evening is in the Liquid Lounge, where three times each week a different stage production includes popular music and a dance team. Dancers and singers perform hits from Stevie Wonder, Adele, Simon & Garfunkel, and other Top 40 selections. I'm always delighted to find a brewery in the middle of the ocean. Carnival has breweries onboard its ships, either in Fieri's smokehouse or at the RedFrog Pub & Brewery.

Free shuttle bus service for cruise ship tourists is provided by the port authority. I'm a frequent cruiser and have stayed in a variety of cabin styles over the years, from mini-suites all the way to interior rooms on the lower decks. I've done so on many ships on cruise lines including Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian, and Princess. If you don’t mind spending a little cash for a unique experience, then you should take the family to the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast. For just $6 per person, you can enter the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. Accompanied by the Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2, and friends, you can feast on a colorful breakfast.

Continuous age-specific tumble events happen throughout each cruise in this 3,000-square-foot thrill-a-minute activity spot. We designed Carnival Panorama balcony staterooms for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, and this stateroom features a balcony that's even wider than our standard balcony. Enjoy the extra outdoor space, along with all the standard Carnival stateroom amenities. After an evening of dancing, you might want to soothe those achy muscles in the Cloud 9’s Thermal Suite. Available for an up-charge, you can purchase passes (either port day or week-long passes) to the thermal suite on Carnival Panorama to enjoy ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. This area features heated loungers, a therapy pool, dry heat saunas, steam baths, and more.

But sometimes I want a break from the buzz, and that's when I head to the Serenity deck. This is a quiet place just for adults to escape the crowds and party vibe.Serenity Adult-Only Retreat has tons of lounge chairs, daybeds, cabanas, and secluded hot tubs all free for use night and day. Family life is the sweet life, whether on land or at sea… and especially when in a Family Harbor Suite.

Beach Pool is centrally located and surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas, including seating within the pool. I enjoy this pool early morning and late evening, when it's a bit quieter without the DJ and impromptu dance parties. Like other cruise ships I've experienced, my cabin bathroom was petite, but included a shower stall, a sink with mirrors above, a storage shelf beneath, and so many towels I was never wanting for more. While inside rooms start at just 185 square feet — compared to ocean view cabins that start at 230 square feet — I thought it was comfortable.

This stateroom features a unique nautical décor inspired by the craft of seafaring itself. The whole family will also enjoy exclusive access to the nearby Family Harbor Lounge, plus more great perks around the ship. Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space...

A bit of editing and/or time management would make this show better; it ran 45 minutes, which is long for a Playlist Production show (most of which cap at 30 to 35 minutes). Escape to the Cloud 9 Spa™ when you feel like being pampered with a massage, a facial or a soak in the Hydrotherapy Pool, or you just need to unwind from the day by relaxing in the thermal suite. Or hide out in the Serenity Adult Only Retreat™ area, where you can nap or finally finish that book you’ve been reading for a year.