Did you ever use the Elemis Products you were sold at the Spa?

[Crazy Cruzer]

I just read another thread about the SPA on board where a courageous poster admitted they succumbed to the heavy sales pitch SPA therapists often throw at you to buy their expensive products AND that the item she bought is still sitting on her shelf unused.

 

OK, I guess I'll admit to it too. Over a hundred bucks of stuff I didn't have the guts to say no to is quietly aging in our bathroom cupboard.

 

Are we alone? Tell us about what you bought and why and if you use, or used, your purchase. Do you feel ripped off or are you happy with your purchase?

[Xport]

But in case you are not aware, you can avoid the spa sales pitches by writing the words "No Products" at the top of the pre-treatment questionnaire...

Edited August 12, 2011 by Xport

[Ems2]

I had a problem with swollen ankles after a very long day walking around Rome! They were still swollen considerably the next morning so I stayed onboard whilst DH went ashore.

 

I knew there would be a spa treatment that would help and treated myself to a lovely relaxing sea salt leg massage.

 

After my treatment my feet and legs felt so much better and the oedema had reduced, then came the sales pitch! The therapist was very pleasant and professional but she proceeded to try and sell me 4 different products. I did succumb to the tube of Aloe Vera gel, which I used twice and is now in the bathroom cupboard.

 

My treatment and the one product I felt compelled to buy cost me $118!!

 

The therapist then led me up to the gym for an assessment on how much fluid my body is retaining!! One of the gym personnel hooked me up to a machine and told me the results revealed I would need 9 months treatment to get rid of it. The total cost of this, which turned out to be dietary supplements containing seaweed, was over £500. Being a nurse I was very sceptical and found it really hard to say 'no thank you'.

[fleckle]

But in case you are not aware, you can avoid the spa sales pitches by writing the words "No Products" at the top of the pre-treatment questionnaire...

Thank you! Thank you!

I am probably not the only one who did not know this.

 

It will be great to eliminate the awkwardness of needing to explain to the massage therapist that you do not wish to purchase any products and do not want the sales pitch.

[Ems2]

Wish I had known that little gem! Thank you. :)

[Can'tstopcruising]

In all fairness, some of their products are very good.

 

For years, I have been using the Instant Refreshing Gel and I find it does make my neck and shoulders feel better. I like it so much that if I run out, I ask a cruising friend to buy me some.

 

One of my friends recommended California Sun Glow. I bought it, use it in the summer and enjoy it very much.

 

If you are not intimidated by The Pitch, there may actually be some product that you would like and would use.

 

Sometimes I get a pitch, sometimes not. I listen politely (unless I am in a hurry!!) and take it from there. If am not in the mood to listen, I have no trouble saying so.

[vickila]

While getting a Fire & Ice Manicure ($45) for what on LI is $7, the manicurist recommended Musclease - due to arthritic fingers. I've been using it ever since. You never know. $61/bottle but since it's an oil -- goes a long way. Thankful for the suggestion as it really does work.

Elemis Musclease Active Body Concentrate

Use as part of a fitness program, this nourishing concentrate eases muscle spasm and stressed joints.

[bighairtexan]

My first cruise was well over 20 years ago. I was a bonehead and bought a bunch of Elemis products. Used them a couple of times. I probably still have them stuck in the back of a cupboard. Anyone want them? They may be antiques.

[CruisinCadie]

DH and I did a couples' massage workshop, basically how to massage each other's backs more effectively. I can't say we remember or use all the steps, but we got to keep the bottle of massage oil. It's a very pleasant lemon grass fragrance, and we are slowly but surely using it up. I much prefer it to the cheaper baby oil we were using--less greasy and better smelling.

 

Kathy

[eadien7]

My mother succumbed on our Baltic cruise a few years back. Later in the cruise she returned them for a full refund.

[texancruzer]

I guess I don't get it.......why not use them ??? I bought a bunch ($$ wise) on my last Princess cruise. I am using them more or less regularly. While I am not sure they are really doing exactly what they claim to do, I'm sure not gonna just let them sit on the shelf.....?????

 

BTW: I love the milk bath ..... I do not take baths but it says right on the bottle you can use it like a body lotion, so I do......love the smell and it leaves you feeling like silk !

 

Also, why is it so hard to just say NO ? If you are in the dining room and someone asked you if you wanted hot sauce on your filet mignon.....would you have a problem saying NO ! ???

[mylove]

I love elemis but i don't buy them on the ship.I buy them on ebay but i will admit i did fall for their sales pitch in the beginning but i love the milk bath,awesome product....

 

Kimberley

[EatonDoolittle]

I also use Muscle Ease and Refreshing Gel - Mix them together and use on a stiff lower back, or any other problem muscle area.

Love it

[kitten2729]

I must admit I do love Elemis but wouldn't buy anything onboard. Did get caught out the first cruise - ended up buying some La Therapie products which are still lying in a cupboard. Buy most of my Elemis online or duty free.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

I've bought a few products on board over 10 cruises and have used them. I've not bought everything they have tried to sell me. On one cruise I returned some products before disembarking for a full refund.

 

Mary Lou

[fleckle]

.....Also, why is it so hard to just say NO ? If you are in the dining room and someone asked you if you wanted hot sauce on your filet mignon.....would you have a problem saying NO ! ???

Because it is our understanding that they make a commission on the products they sell. Therefore it is uncomfortable for some of us to say no because we feel that we are disappointing them.

 

If someone in the dining room asks if I want hot sauce, he does not receive any additional money if I say yes so it does not make a difference to him one way or another.

[Cruise Junky]

Because it is our understanding that they make a commission on the products they sell. Therefore it is uncomfortable for some of us to say no because we feel that we are disappointing them.

 

If someone in the dining room asks if I want hot sauce, he does not receive any additional money if I say yes so it does not make a difference to him one way or another.

 

Same scenario though... What would you say to the sommelier if he came around to sell you a $120 bottle of wine that you didn't really want? Never feel guilty for saying no.

[texancruzer]

Same scenario though... What would you say to the sommelier if he came around to sell you a $120 bottle of wine that you didn't really want? Never feel guilty for saying no.

 

Ok, you did a much better job making this point than I did...thanks:D

[Cruise Junky]

Ok, you did a much better job making this point than I did...thanks:D

 

Yeah, hot sauce was a stretch :p

[eileen & jay]

In all fairness' date=' some of their products are very good.

 

For years, I have been using the Instant Refreshing Gel and I find it does make my neck and shoulders feel better. I like it so much that if I run out, I ask a cruising friend to buy me some.

[/quote']

 

 

Years ago I went to the Spa for a manicure, and once completed, the manicurist massaged my neck and shoulders with the Instant Refreshing Gel. Well, it was fabulous and I was sold on the Gel... pricey but so worth it. Nordstroms sells the Elemis line of products.

 

Last year on the Equinox, I ran out of hairspray and with none (even in the little area near the casino) to be found except in the Spa, I paid $15.00 for Elemis hairspray. I normally use Pantene, it was hard to sign that sales slip, but I needed a fix(spray) desperately. $15.00 for hairspray is outrageous even Elemis.

 

Just my thoughts...

[fleckle]

Same scenario though... What would you say to the sommelier if he came around to sell you a $120 bottle of wine that you didn't really want? Never feel guilty for saying no.

LOL! The sommelier typically comes around briefly to ask if you want any wine and does not subject you to a prolonged and elaborate sales pitch, (at least not without further encouragement on your part).

 

However, if I had just spent an hour with the sommelier massaging my body so that I was totally relaxed before trying to sell me that $120 bottle of wine, proclaiming it to be the magic elixir that will not only relieve my pain but make me 10 pounds lighter and 10 years younger, then yes, I admit that I might have some hesitation about saying no to that sales pitch as well. :D

[spursdebs]

i was looking forward to doing spa stuff it did not even occur to me that the therapist would try and flog me stuff, i am very good at saying no but i don't want that on my holiday and my skin is so sensitive to products it would be a complete waste of money, and i really don't buy into the hype of expensive creams make you younger, i follow my grandmothers tried and tested ponds face cream £4 and cold water and i KNOW I don't look 51! lol so i will be using the above very useful tip of NO PRODUCTS THANK YOU ......

 

 

debs

[Crazy Cruzer]

Glad to see I'm not in the minority in being crazy enough to buy this stuff.

[2SeaWithMe]

I also bought the muscle refresher gel and I liked it. Was it worth $50? Not sure.

 

I found a similar product that has the same active ingredient (arnica) much cheaper and I get good results, so I'll probably not buy it again.

[CHEZMARYLOU]

LOL! The sommelier typically comes around briefly to ask if you want any wine and does not subject you to a prolonged and elaborate sales pitch, (at least not without further encouragement on your part).

 

However, if I had just spent an hour with the sommelier massaging my body so that I was totally relaxed before trying to sell me that $120 bottle of wine, proclaiming it to be the magic elixir that will not only relieve my pain but make me 10 pounds lighter and 10 years younger, then yes, I admit that I might have some hesitation about saying no to that sales pitch as well. :D

 

I'd buy it in a nanosecond and enjoy every sip. :D