Your spa experience

[Artemis908]

Wondering if anyone can recommend any spa services in particular. Also, has anyone made their reservations on the website? Wondering if it's available on every ship. I want to get my nails done the first day I can, it's a birthday gift from my mother. :)

[jchiefs13]

Save your mom a few bucks and get it done the day before you leave ;) To me... the spa is not where I want to spend my money. Those folks there that push other products are a real turn off (not that everyone working there is like that).

[Marie51]

Wondering if anyone can recommend any spa services in particular. Also, has anyone made their reservations on the website? Wondering if it's available on every ship. I want to get my nails done the first day I can, it's a birthday gift from my mother. :)

 

I do not make reservations on the website because I would rather take advantage of the daily specials that are always offered. However if you want your nails done then go ahead and make a reservation on the web for the 1st day. Be aware that if you get a massage or other body treatment they will try to sell you all kinds of products. Just say no upfront.....otherwise they will hound you.

[mgoblue19]

Save your mom a few bucks and get it done the day before you leave ;) To me... the spa is not where I want to spend my money. Those folks there that push other products are a real turn off (not that everyone working there is like that).

 

I do not make reservations on the website because I would rather take advantage of the daily specials that are always offered. However if you want your nails done then go ahead and make a reservation on the web for the 1st day. Be aware that if you get a massage or other body treatment they will try to sell you all kinds of products. Just say no upfront.....otherwise they will hound you.

 

I concur with everything being said. I'd do stuff off the cruise first (better deals on land). If you must use the spa on the cruise, take advantage of the deals offered on ship.

 

Everyone in my girlfriend's large family cruise group who used the spa said that they were pushy and expensive...ok service, but nothing special or worth the price hike for being on a ship.

 

That's just their experiences...they weren't all wowed after leaving the spa.

[BillOh]

Defining pushy a bit, yes, its my experience that all of the spa staff will try to push some expensive product add on, (They are probably required to do s0) but I've found a quick no thank you shuts it down quickly and that is that. I am in agreement that there isn't anything in the spa you couldn't get on land a lot cheaper, but it can be a good place to use OBC that you wouldn't normally spend cash money on.

[sousak78]

As the spa on the ship is comparatively priced to the spas here in Bermuda, I like to use the spa on the ship as an excuse to try a new and different treatment I wouldn't ordinarily try at home.

 

I tried the Thai Poultice massage when I was on Oasis. Didn't care for it - being kneaded by the poultices wasn't all that relaxing and the therapist bruised my calves something awful. I looked like a zebra for the remainder of my cruise.

[Artemis908]

I actually was going to get my nails done before I leave and my mother insisted I wait until I board the ship because we are spending 4 days in London beforehand and she said my nails would get chipped by the time I got onboard (which is true). I figured since she is paying for it, why the heck not? :)

 

I don't tend to go to spas in general (though the Hershey Spa is probably the best spa I have ever been to and it's about 1 1/2 hrs from me). But it's a nice treat when on vacation. I am definitely going to wait and see what deals they have when we board but I figured I'd get my nails done right away so that I'd have pretty nails for the majority of our cruise. :)

[sleepybert]

My last couple of cruises I didn't get the high pressure sales tactics. Not sure why, I have gotten them in the past. Maybe I just got lucky a couple of times :)

[B_Mc]

I have not experienced pushy sales, but the deals on port days are far better than booking in advance IMO! They're usually packages, a sample of services grouped together, not necessarily a deal on a manicure but if you're looking for pampering you'll enjoy it!

[praline3001]

Yes, the ladies at the spa are really pushy with the products. The last time I had to be extremely blunt with her for her to stop pushing.

 

I bought a few things but was not about to spend $70 on a teeny tiny pot of eye cream gel :rolleyes:

 

Then later that same evening, the same spa lady called me at my room to see if I had changed my mind.

 

Last spa I went to on a cruise.

[Artemis908]

Princess was the same way, they got my mom to buy over $100 worth of stuff. I ended up buying something but only because it was Bliss and I buy Bliss products anyway, it wasn't too expensive. I was surprised by how pushy they were.

[praline3001]

Princess was the same way, they got my mom to buy over $100 worth of stuff. I ended up buying something but only because it was Bliss and I buy Bliss products anyway, it wasn't too expensive. I was surprised by how pushy they were.

 

Its a shame too as I am sure the majority of women would love to go to the spa on the cruise but don't want the hassle of being pushed around after.

[AFsouth]

Pretty close to a ripoff, you'd think that they would wise up by now. No pushy selling, just give good service.:)

[betsyl]

I actually was going to get my nails done before I leave and my mother insisted I wait until I board the ship because we are spending 4 days in London beforehand and she said my nails would get chipped by the time I got onboard (which is true). I figured since she is paying for it, why the heck not? :)

 

I don't tend to go to spas in general (though the Hershey Spa is probably the best spa I have ever been to and it's about 1 1/2 hrs from me). But it's a nice treat when on vacation. I am definitely going to wait and see what deals they have when we board but I figured I'd get my nails done right away so that I'd have pretty nails for the majority of our cruise. :)

 

It's definitely more expensive to get a manicure, pedicure or massage than back home, but it's a fun vacation-thing to do, in my opinion. And if you happen to get a coupon, use it -- it'll usually at least cover the tip. I always write on the form that they give you to fill out in advance, that I'm there just to relax and am not interested in the products. That way I'm not hounded. One of the best massages I ever got was on Liberty. Also, if you also like to go to the casino or play bingo or buy cocktails, sometimes it's cheaper to go to the spa!

[praline3001]

It's definitely more expensive to get a manicure, pedicure or massage than back home, but it's a fun vacation-thing to do, in my opinion. And if you happen to get a coupon, use it -- it'll usually at least cover the tip. I always write on the form that they give you to fill out in advance, that I'm there just to relax and am not interested in the products. That way I'm not hounded. One of the best massages I ever got was on Liberty. Also, if you also like to go to the casino or play bingo or buy cocktails, sometimes it's cheaper to go to the spa!

 

I think it depends on the employee as well. I have had them lean against the door and not let me pass why they kept giving their sales pitch :eek:

 

I did have 1 great girl back in 2007. I really liked her and she did a great job and didn't push. She was leaving after our cruise was over and going back home. She couldn't handle the pressure of the sales quotas.

 

But the call to my room was the worst for me and I swore at that point I would never do a spa on a cruise. Luckily we have a spa close to my house that I go to if I need to relax and want to spoil myself. :D

[TNT]

I agree that I wouldn't book on website. I would definitely take advantage of port days, specials or coupons. With that being said, a spa treatment of some sort is one gift I always give myself on a cruise. I usually do it on the day my husband scubas. The lime and ginger scrub is my favorite.

I usually tell them as soon as they start their sales pitch, I'm not interested. I have had one that didn't let up.

Also, I had a manicure not long after boarding Oasis. I think it was called fire and ice. I can't remember exactly, but I think the brochure read 40 or 45 minutes. They were running behind and there was only 35 minutes until muster drill when they called me in. I asked her about the time and she said she didn't know where I got my information, but it was only 30 minutes. I told her that's how the brochure read and I was told it was wrong. Before the last coat of polish was on my nails, the announcement was being made for all staff to assume their stations. It was as far from relaxing as I've ever had. So, make sure you allow plenty of time for your birthday gift. Enjoy!:)

[sherilyn70]

While I enjoyed my free massage in the spa... I did experience extreme pushy sales. From the start of the experience the people signing me in all the way to the end of my massage. I kept telling them no thanks on a special "detox" treatment that they claimed was great for Fibromyalgia. After about 10 no answers they then brought out the pack of treatment to still try and sell to me for use at home at a later date! Thankfully I'm good at saying no and handling that type of high pressure tactic, but it did take away from the experience.

[dacjam]

We just got back from a spring break cruise on the Mariner of the Sea. My TA gave me a free massage and I was glad I didn't pay for it. It was one of the worst I've ever had. Thankfully the massage therapist didn't push anything. She just told me to use hot water on my shoulders when I showered at home. My husband and I did the Rasul for fun. That one we did pay for. They were 25 minutes late and the room wasn't setup at all. We got the impression that no one every uses it on the Mariner and they forgot it even existed. I did see them advertising a 14 day no-chip manicure. I wonder if you could find somewhere at home to get one of those done. I wonder if it works.

[lorrdean]

are you having false nails done? if so why don't you get your nails done when your in London, the day before you sail maybe, your mum could still pay giving you your birthday treat then:)

[sherilyn70]

I did see them advertising a 14 day no-chip manicure. I wonder if you could find somewhere at home to get one of those done. I wonder if it works.

 

Yes, Gel nail polish is more common now but also a lot pricier. I considered it right before my last cruise but decided against it. It's supposed to be rock hard and doesn't chip.

[burtonnm]

I actually was going to get my nails done before I leave and my mother insisted I wait until I board the ship because we are spending 4 days in London beforehand and she said my nails would get chipped by the time I got onboard (which is true). I figured since she is paying for it, why the heck not? :)

 

 

Just a suggestion.. have you ever tried gel polish? It's a special kind of nail polish that uses UV light to set it (rather than air drying) and it lasts 2+ weeks without chipping (it's true- I've had it many times!). It costs a lot more (around $45) but you could probably spend the same amount on land for a gel manicure that you would for a regular manicure on the ship.

 

But I also agree with you- if your mom is buying, why not?

[Mama24]

I had a manicure when I was on Freedom. Apart from being "scolded" for the condition of my nails :o, it was fine, but definitely a one-time experience. Very expensive, and the constant pushing to buy overpriced products got a little irritating.

 

Made my hands look pretty, even if it only lasted a day or so. :rolleyes:

[Host Faith]

I remember getting one of those port day specials on the Serenade when we were in St. Lucia. I had two types of massage and a body scrub. I had a really nice experience. Once the attendant started the sales pitch, I told her (very firmly) I wasn't interested, and she left it at that. Didn't feel that pressured at all and had a nice, relaxing massage.

[wolfegizmo]

I've had the hot stones massage on most of the cruises I've been on. I only get this massage when on a cruise and it's a special treat for me.

I always wait until we're on board to book as we get discount coupons in our booklets.

I always tell the therapist at the beginning that I'm not interested in hearing about or buying anything extra. For the most part, I've had wonderful massages and no sales pressure.

[praline3001]

Last night I started looking up the RC spas to find why they are so pushy ..more so then anyone else on the ships.

 

I read sad story after sad story of those girls :( Made me want to cry and at the same time it made me feel extremely lucky to be an American and entitled to our labor laws.

 

RC does not own the spas, they basically rent/lease whatever you want to call it to the company. So its not RC being pushy. I was happy to read that much.

 

I guess it was the sheer volume of girls that had horrid experiences working for the spa that made me so sad.