OntarioBiMe

Hi Idros,
The Pride sauna/steam are both a good size.  I posted pictures in this thread somewhere.
As you enter locker room you walk through two very noisy, swinging saloon-style doors:

• lockers and a bench are to your left.  Lockers have key combinations so no need to leave your card with spa staff.
• very private shower rooms line the right side wall of the hallway straight ahead.  Shower rooms have lockable wooden doors, a small bench/changing area just inside the door, then the shower area itself with body jets and rainshower overhead.  Nicest showers I have seen and so much bigger than cabin showers, 3 or 4 people could probably fit.
• bathroom entrance door is first along left side wall.
• steam room is just after the bathroom (and directly across from showers).  Steam room has a full, wall-sized opaque window to outside.  Tile benches on either side facing each other, each holds 3 guys comfortably. Only natural light so nice and relaxing.  Glass door, usually fogged up but you can see in/out.
• sauna is just past the steamroom on the left.  Sauna has a single, 2-tiered bench and a window like the steam room.  Glass door.
• At the end of the hallway is a heavy door that elads to the gym and free co-ed hot tub.  The door is quite loud but closes slowly so it desnt actually latch shut until you are past the sauna.

All in all these are great facilities.  Never overly busy during my cruises but might get 3 or 4 guys at a time.  Late at night (last hour before closing time) is so relaxing and steam room is especially dark (I almost fell asleep once).  Late night is usually pretty empty but I have encountered Staff members enjoying the steam/sauna in their off hours and the ones I have met definitely share our love of these areas.

Enjoy!

found a picture of the Vista to show sauna's layout/size.

Just from memory but approx 20 feet past the spa reception desk you will find the gym entrance on the right side.  Directly across from the gym entrance is a small hallway.  From the desk turn left to enter the hallway (right to enter gym).

Standing just inside the mens locker door:

-the wall you are facing (10-15 feet away?) has sinks/towels directly ahead of you, lockers to the right (you can't see lockers from the door), a bench in front of lockers.
-the door to the sauna is on the wall to your left, maybe 10 feet ahead.  It is a glass door but you cannot see into the sauna from the locker room entrance.  You'd need to walk forward several steps and look left.  From the center of the locker room you can see through the sauna door but I think all you can actually see from outside is the sauna heater/rocks, possibly a foot of the bench.  Rest of the sauna is not visible from lockers.
-turn to the right and there was a bathroom with full sized, lockable door. then 3 (I think) showers.  The showers were frosted glass doors.
-I BELIEVE there was another bathroom or two on the right side wall between lockers/shower wall.

Locker room was always nice and clean, plenty of towels.  The main locker room door was pretty loud, when relaxing in sauna I could easily hear when someone entered, not loud enough to be annoying but noticeable. 

Speaking of the door, I recall a few times female staff opening the door calling out...not sure if they were looking for guys waiting on massages etc but one almost got a full frontal view of me exiting the sauna.

The sauna was a short L shape.  When you open the door you are facing a 2 tiered bench, holds 3 maybe 4 guys (per level but would be tight).  To the left is the short side, holds 1 guy (again, per level but that would be tight).    There is maybe 2 feet of space between the front of the bench and the wall so overall it is a very small/intimate space.  Sauna was always clean and in good temp when I visited (twice daily).  Was  never overly busy but I almost always ran into one or two guys, almost always friendly chats.  Overall, despite the lack of steam room etc I enjoyed the Vista sauna more than most others I have used.

Enjoy.

22 hours ago, spaBme said:

Sounds nice. How long ago were you on the Gem? I'm wondering if it wasn't "upgraded" or not? Hoping men's area is still there?

As of November 2019 the NCL Gem still had huge sauna, small steamroom, single person whirlpool n the mens only portion of the spa.  There are also 2 or 3 glass doored showers, a larger curtained accessible shower as well as a wide open, single cool down shower in the center of the room.  This is already a "for fee" area so I can't imagine them getting rid of it unless they decided to renovate and go full co-ed.

The free steam room in the gym locker room was still there as well as the glass doored shower right outside of the steamroom.

On 4/9/2020 at 5:02 PM, TRAVELogists said:

We left Jan 5th on our 77-day South America and Antarctic voyage, and all things looked well. Somewhere along the way, the world became infected and we were in a pandemic.  I congratulate Holland America (ms Volendam) for taking immediate action in sanitizing and taking precautions against infection.  We remained virus-free for our return to Ft. Lauderdale.  Regarding the Spa area on the ship, the men's sauna (no steam) is still active and was quite social until the buzz about coronavirus caused me to discontinue my twice-daily visits to gym and sauna.  Discreet visits were difficult when social distancing required a six-foot distance between bodies.  Who knows what the future will hold for us in our quest for a relaxing sauna on the high seas?

I'd love to hear more about the experience of  such a long cruise even if it was cut short.  It is on my bucket list for sure.

I am in a small, invitation only group who like to chat about past cruises, spa visits etc.  If interested send me an email.  tugger99 at live dot com  (or look at my signature)

On 5/17/2019 at 2:43 AM, FLSpaGuy said:

When are your next cruises? Would love to cruise when others that love the steam and sauna are as well.

My email is in my signature if you want to drop me a line and I'll share upcoming cruises.

I also have a group elsewhere, just a few of us who chat, invite only etc.

On 4/7/2019 at 12:16 AM, RydingWaves said:

Hi, just of the NCL Jade, April 1st.  On the Jewel Class ships (Jewel, Jade, Gem and Pearl) they have a sauna in the men's room of the Gym.  The thermal suite which was $219 for 10 days was single sex with all the works.  But they have changed the rules to state that a swim suit is required at all times.  These notices are posted on all doors and walls and entrances to the sauna and steam room too.  Everyone followed this except for me and another passenger.  

 

Unfortunately there were no detailed conversations in the steam room or sauna because of this rule.  Plus I never saw more than 8 other people use the spa.  I mean to say that I saw the same 8 people over the 10 day cruise, usually one or two in the spa at a time.  I have decided that I will not pay for a thermal spa on any future cruises as the single sex thermal spas are being phased out.

 

One other note:  on the Jade, they are remodeling the spa to match the other ships in the class in November of 2020.  The Jewel is being remodeled in September of 2020.  They are removing the whirlpool in the single sex sides and replacing them with individual tub style hot tubs.

 

Sad and silly to hear about the bathing suit required signs posted on the Jade.  I will stick to wrapping a towel around when I walk and sit on it in sauna, maybe one covering my lap just to satisfy the prudes.

My last cruise on the Gem there were no signs but will see if they are on her as well my next Gem cruise in November. 

Last Gem cruise there were no signs but 90% of all guys wore trunks anyway.  Me and one other guy sat on towels, another couple guys would wrap towels tightly,  everyone dressed for the pool! 

I got several odd looks walking from shower area to the sauna nude while carrying a towel to sit on and one around my neck for perspiration.  I am used to gym locker where everyone is nude (or maybe has a towel) from the moment they head from locker to shower to sauna/steam and back again

The Gem sauna was nice but boring, great place to just think in silence as rarely anyone there and when there was another guest(s) using the facility there was no chatting/small talk etc over the entire 11 or 12 day cruise.  Guys would keep to themselves in awkward silence. Wasn't until the final night, in the free steam room in the gym locker did I bump into a nice gent and finally got to relax and enjoy a friendly chat.

Hoping for the best for next Gem cruise!

Both the sauna and steam rooms have windows on the Spirit class ships BUT they are frosted so you can't see out of them.  You can see the shadows of people walking past the windows so guess they had no choice to frost them. 

Steam room has 2 tiled benches facing each other, each bench sits 2 or 3 comfortably, 4 if you squeeze in.

Sauna has a 2 tiered bench on right hand side that faces the sauna heater.  Each bench would hold 3 people but if 3 on top bench their feet might prevent 3 on bottom bench.

In my experience it was rare to see more than 3, maybe 4 guys in either at one time.  Mornings I'd share facilities with 1 or 2 other guys, night time (between 830pm and 10pm closing time) was very rare to see anyone, I'd occasionally a Staff member enjoying a steam late at night.
 

no one?

(yn)

Been watching prices drop and finally decided to book last night, first cruise longer than 7 days!

Traveling with family and looking forward to daily escapes to sauna/steam/hottub.

NCL Gem: Mens only section of the spa was huge and clean. Sauna is really big, around 150 sq ft and windows on 3 sides. At night there is one tiny light on the wall so it is pitch dark except for light coming through glass door. Temperature was perfect and when it got too hot the lower level bench was just right.

Steamroom, unimpressive small room, benches made of plastic and very hospital like. Steam and temps were good but way to bright a light in it. Would be much nicer with lower light, in actual face they dont need a light in there as plenty of light comes through the door.

Hot tub, small one person tub with jets....was enjoyable even if water temp was colder than poolside hot tubs. Since 99% of the guys wore swim trunks the entire cruise you get weird looks when getting in/out nude. I guess because everyone is in swim trunks in the co-ed section they just don't bother to switch to towel/nude....steam room in a bathing suit just feels so wrong and gross.

There were also a few loungers that faced the ocean view windows and TV, 2 tiny showers with glass doors, 1 accessible shower with a curtain, ice water coolers, 2 cooling off showers (again, nude gets looks/stares), more than enough lockers and always plenty of clean towels and robes to use. Two toilets near the showers and 3 or 4 sinks to wash/shave etc.

The entire cruise I would be alone or the only non-swim trunk wearing guy in a room full of men who seemed like lost husbands who had never used a sauna before. Never had a good conversation all week so preferred the alone moments.

Popped my head into the free steam room in the gym locker room a few times during the week and it was always empty. Same white plastic seating, same super right lights.

On the final sea day the spa was full of the lost husbands so I decided to visit the gym steam room. Spent an hour or so steaming/cooling off and it turned out to be the best "spa time" all week. In just under an hour I was joined a couple of different times and each time the Gent was super friendly and had the only good conversations I had all cruise.

Having had the experience, next time I'll save the cash and stick with the tiny and free facility next time.

I believe that they don't have any free on board, just a co-ed facility which you have to pay extra for.

 

The main reason we won't be sailing on these ships.

Not meaning to get too far off-topic, I can start a new thread but I am interested in what everyone does if they're on a ship without single-sex sauna/steam.

What does everyone do to replace their relaxation time? Use the co-ed facilities? Hang out at your or a buddys cabin or other?

Have a cruise coming up on a ship with only co-ed facilities at a hefty price, not even a shower in the locker room for after working out from what I read....am going to miss my relaxation time.

The jewel class ships all have a similar layout. They have a small change room attached to the gym, which is free to use. The change room has a small number of lockers, a toilet, a urinal, and a shower. There is a small steam room which seats two people, three if we don't mind getting close. Personally I would pay for the spa access, it is well worth the money.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks Twallo.

I'll get the pass but will likely check out the small, free steamroom once in awhile too....just to check it out. :)

I know there is a big men's only section of the pa that costs $$$ per day or per cruise. There are also apparently a free steamroom in the locker rooms?

Anyone who's been on the Gem, did you try both the paid and free facilities?

Was the free steam any good?

For the paid version, did you buy the pass for the entire cruise or just buy the daily pass? $199 seems pricey to me especially when in port 50% of the days. That said, if the paid for spa is that enjoyable it would be a small price to pay.

Found a subreddit some of you might be interested in. Not going to post here but will share with anyone interested.

Carnival Vista

Super small sauna, no steam room in mens locker. Two tier, l-shaped benches, seats maybe 4 on each level but it would be very tight.

 

Nice and hot, clean. Too many shorts-wearing loud talkers visiting while Wife is in the spa etc. Was a nice spot when these crowds weren't present.

 

Only 2 showers, no waterfountain (sinks available).

 

Trying to attach pictures of locker/sauna but boards are acting up again.

Email if you want pics of the locker/sauna. I will try to reply to any I receive.

Carnival Vista

Super small sauna, no steam room in mens locker. Two tier, l-shaped benches, seats maybe 4 on each level but it would be very tight.

Nice and hot, clean. Too many shorts-wearing loud talkers visiting while Wife is in the spa etc. Was a nice spot when these crowds weren't present.

Only 2 showers, no waterfountain (sinks available).

Trying to attach pictures of locker/sauna but boards are acting up again.

Anyone sailed on the Carnival Vista yet and can share facility details?

I see the deckplan includes a sauna but I've read there are both sauna and steamrooms in the locker area.

Can anyone confirm what facilities are in place and any details are appreciated.

If not, I will be sure to post what I find when I sail her next month.

Sailing on NCL Spirit in a few months. From what I've read there is a sauna and a steam room in men's locker. Great! Last NCL ship I was on only had co-ed facilities that cost extra.

Being my first European cruise can I expect to see any difference in behavior/attitudes when enjoying these facilities?

Guessing I'll see fewer gents wearing swim trunks than I do in U.S. ports (or those in the full shoes, shorts and shirt combo) :D.

Hoping that I can still enjoy peace and quiet, maybe a couple of like-minded gents for company with a friendly conversation or two mixed in.

Cool. Accepted the friend request, but I don't see anywhere for me to send you a private message. Maybe you can try sending me one?

Yes, same here. Not sure of the use of friends list if you cant message anyone. My email is in my profile...drop me a line if you like.

Awesome! I had a long chat with a locker room attendant on the Summit a few years back. He was very nice and very interested in my conversation. What type of conversation did you have with the staff member on the Pride? How "talkative" was he?

 

I like to alternate between sauna and steam to get a nice sweat. As far as the over-sized showers, you mentioned they were private. Do the wooden doors extend all the way to the floor, or is there a gap still? I bet the body jets are a nice way to relax and cool down after the steam. :-)

 

Feel free to ping me in PM if you'd like.

Conversation was friendly, we each took our turn speaking. Towards the tail end of the conversation he did all the talking though which was fine with me as he seemed to love talking and I was so relaxed I preferred to listen.

Yes, the doors are full length , lockable and very thick.

Body jets were very nice, just dont switch from overhead shower to body jets while in front of them and the first burst of water from them will be cold.

Added you as friend, I think thats the only way to PM.

Hello, I am cruising on the Pride this summer, and was wonder what your experience was overall? Did you ever find other guys to relax with in the sauna and steam room?

I have cruised the Pride several times and always bump into a few friendly guys while relaxing in the steam. I'm sure you'll enjoy as much as I did.

Last cruise I even had a very memorable conversation with a young staff member who was having a steam. Hope to bump into him again someday.

The sauna is also nice but I never got to chat with anyone in sauna.

One very nice feature of the Pride locker area are the very private showers. Big heavy wooden door on each one with a small bench to get ready/dry off at. Each shower had body jets as well.

Showers are much bigger than ones in the cabins, not sure of exact measurements but they are almost too big for just one person. :)

If anyone's interested about the Dream I just got off her (Jan 31 itinerary).

Steam room in men's locker was very hot, uncomfortably so at times. Three benches laid out in a U-shape, seating for around 6 or 7 possibly more but it would be tight. There is a sprayer on the wall by the door to cool off with.

There is a co-ed sauna out through the exit door closest the showers then keep left. No one seemed to know where the sauna was. Went in there nude under a towel and no one was the wiser.

Showers kind of smelled throughout the cruise....and despite glass doors you never knew if someone was n the shower stall unless the water was running and even then it was hard to tell which of the 2 showers was in use.

Steam room was very busy...many times it was too busy and a lot of guys who'd rather talk loudly about their excursions than relax and quiet conversations.

On the first sea day night temperature was just right and having a great conversation with a new friend and we were joined by a Gent from Louisiana. Was a perfect way to end the day. :)

get off ship, take taxi to Margaritaville, rent a chair, buy a beer and lunch, enjoy. You DO NOT need to buy a shore excursion to sit on a beach.

Thinking of wrong place? Magaritaville GT is 100 yards from the pier, no beach and chairs are free.

We had friends book one through Carnival.

carnival dot com/shore-excursions/grand-turk/poolside-cabana-rental-440035

I was on her in March and yes, steam and sauna are still free and men only. The steam room didn't seem to be as steamy as I recall but was re-tiled if not mistaken. I like it steamy but seeing who I am chatting with is nice too.

Sauna was broken when I tried it out. It did work at one point as I saw others in there.

Got to relax and make some new friends while doing my sea-day steam ritual. Made great use of the accessible shower as well for my after-steam showers :), what a treat.

Couple of the non-accessible showers seemed stuck on very hot temps, too hot for my liking :eek:.

Have never seen a male massage therapist on the Pride but that doesn't mean there isn't one. Maybe the muscular personal trainer does double-duty ?

Enjoy your cruise!