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Men's Spa Facilities on Cruise ships: Which ones do you think are the best?


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In the spirit of sharing some good information related to spa facilities, I’ll pivot to a land-based facility that I’d highly recommend: JW Marriott Desert Springs. If you should find yourself in the Palm Springs area, this resort currently offers day passes for approximately $35 for the wet area of the men’s locker room of the spa. You can stay as long as you like and the amenities include a handful of digital showers (and plenty more “analog” showers, including a large private ADA shower), very powerful 8-person steam room, mild 6-man sauna, 8-man indoor hot tub and (in my opinion, the best item) a citrus-scented hammam for 8-10 men. One also has access to the coed, outdoor pool (clothing required out there, of course); however, clothing is optional for the extensive indoor section. Standard grooming amenities are also on offer and you can even order meals or snacks from the spa café (at additional cost). It’s a great facility and the crowd is generally a bit more sophisticated & mature than the heathens we’ve seen wearing sneakers & gym clothes INSIDE the steam rooms onboard 😳.

Also in the Palm Springs area (downtown Palm Springs, to be precise) the Agua Caliente Tribe of Indians will be opening their Cultural Center and Bath House in 2020 (possibly in the fall). That spa is literally being built above the namesake hot springs and replaces the Spa Casino that had existed there since the 1960’s. That older facility was well-appointed and also had a great crowd of gents...so I can only imagine a state-of-the-art, 21st century facility will only take that further. I’ve seen early architectural renderings and there were definitely separate men’s and women’s areas, with a clothing/robe-required coed area. I’ll try to keep everyone appraised of this new facility once it opens.

Safe travels, gentlemen, and let’s continue to share our observations of these relaxing amenities found throughout our travels....whether shipboard or shoreside!! 😉😎😊

Edited by GigglewolfOfTheSeas
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On 11/19/2019 at 9:41 AM, phoenix8 said:

After 36 pages and years of reviews... What is everyones go to cruise line?  Making plans for next year and need a solid "go to" single sex/ no pay option.  Is it still Royal?  

Sadly, most of the Cruise Lines are re removing single sex wet areas.

 

I have been on many of them, and I am confident to report that most Carnival ships, relatively speaking, still offer these amenities.  Of their fleet, they have the highest ratio of "still offer free steam/sauna", and that will probably become my "go to" Line.

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Just a reminder that all Holland America ships still have free single sex saunas. Most are small with 6 people being a tight squeeze. The two newest have the most roomy sauna options with floor to ceiling windows to the sea. Two others to consider are Viking Ocean and Seabourn. Viking offers a co-ed snow grotto in their main spa area and a separate men's area with sauna and cold plunge in the shower/locker area. All at no extra charge. No children on their ships. Seabourn offers smaller free single sex areas with a sauna in the changing rooms. No future plans from these cruislines to kill the free single sex areas, thank goodness!

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Hey, twodjs:  I enjoy your comments very much. Thanks for confirmation that HAL will not disturb the men's sauna layout. I'm on the VOLENDAM (South America ~ Jan 5th>Mar 22nd 2020), having cancelled our WC on Pacific Princess, due mainly to their policy of charging for their steam and smaller sun deck.  Will check in after this voyage with any updates.  Smooth Sailing!

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A situation occured on our Holland America Oosterdam which is the first I have encountered - but I'm sure was not a first for HAL. On this design ship, the free single sex saunas are next to each other. I heard some commotion outside the entrance door, so threw on a towel and stuck my head out to see the spa manager talking to a guest who had gone into the women's sauna. The guest had on a pair of trunks and "visually" appeared to be a man. Those saunas usually are clothing optional, so the women in there immediately contacted security. I thought he simply thought he wanted to sit in the sauna with his wife, so I suggested he get the paid spa package where the co-ed sauna is offered. But it turns out he said he identified as a woman and was very upset that he was being asked to leave. I believe there was some talk about getting lawyers involved, but the person in charge stood firm. A lot to think about here. I can see both sides, but I hope the result in NOT the removal of single sex saunas.

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2 hours ago, TexasCruiseDude said:

Royal Caribbean - Liberty of the Seas - any changes? 

 

I will be on the Liberty of the Seas for the December 29th 2019 sailing from Galveston. Was on this ship in 2016. I have not heard of any changes to the men's locker room and sauna area. Any changes you know of?

 

Thanks!

I was on liberty just over a year ago it still had a large sauna and steam both easily seat 10+ guys. It’s probably my favourite men’s facility outside of the paid Norwegian jewel class ships.  Hope you have fun let us know how it looks when you get back. I might have to book something out of Galveston again 🙂 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 12/13/2019 at 12:42 AM, GigglewolfOfTheSeas said:

In the spirit of sharing some good information related to spa facilities, I’ll pivot to a land-based facility that I’d highly recommend: JW Marriott Desert Springs. If you should find yourself in the Palm Springs area, this resort currently offers day passes for approximately $35 for the wet area of the men’s locker room of the spa. You can stay as long as you like and the amenities include a handful of digital showers (and plenty more “analog” showers, including a large private ADA shower), very powerful 8-person steam room, mild 6-man sauna, 8-man indoor hot tub and (in my opinion, the best item) a citrus-scented hammam for 8-10 men. One also has access to the coed, outdoor pool (clothing required out there, of course); however, clothing is optional for the extensive indoor section. Standard grooming amenities are also on offer and you can even order meals or snacks from the spa café (at additional cost). It’s a great facility and the crowd is generally a bit more sophisticated & mature than the heathens we’ve seen wearing sneakers & gym clothes INSIDE the steam rooms onboard 😳.

Also in the Palm Springs area (downtown Palm Springs, to be precise) the Agua Caliente Tribe of Indians will be opening their Cultural Center and Bath House in 2020 (possibly in the fall). That spa is literally being built above the namesake hot springs and replaces the Spa Casino that had existed there since the 1960’s. That older facility was well-appointed and also had a great crowd of gents...so I can only imagine a state-of-the-art, 21st century facility will only take that further. I’ve seen early architectural renderings and there were definitely separate men’s and women’s areas, with a clothing/robe-required coed area. I’ll try to keep everyone appraised of this new facility once it opens.

Safe travels, gentlemen, and let’s continue to share our observations of these relaxing amenities found throughout our travels....whether shipboard or shoreside!! 😉😎😊

Hi..I live out in PS, and was just looking at the Desert Marriotts website.  Seems as is non-hotel guest day membership is $45, and parking (not even valet) is another $17.  That seems kind of pricey... am I reading that right, or is there some lower cost I’m missing?

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will be on the Celebrity Solstice in November out of Auckland to Sydney.   We have an aqua class cabin to enjoy the spa facilities, but checking to see if anyone has been on the ship recently and if it had a single sex sauna or steam room?  

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All Solstice class ships have a single sex sauna only in the men’s changing room for the spa. 
 

It is a small, knee-knocker of a sauna and isn’t as nice as the pay for coed area. There are two showers and toilets in this area as well. 
 

Gary

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On 12/21/2019 at 2:07 PM, TexasCruiseDude said:

Royal Caribbean - Liberty of the Seas - any changes? 

 

I will be on the Liberty of the Seas for the December 29th 2019 sailing from Galveston. Was on this ship in 2016. I have not heard of any changes to the men's locker room and sauna area. Any changes you know of?

 

Thanks!

You can go to the web site: ***** and click on "cruise lines" at the top of the home page; then find the cruise line you are interested in;  then click the ship you are interested in; and on that ship page it will tell the last year it was refurbished as well as a wealth of other information (such as whether the ship has laundromats.) 

 

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We decided it mix it up a little bit and try out a budget minded cattle car for a change! We booked an Ocean Suite on the Carnival Victory tonight, which sails in a week on Feb 13th for 4 nights.  My expectations are tempered compared to the last trip on Oceania, however I still think it's going to be a blast, and welcome any tips from folks that have been on this ship, especially re the food!  I'm looking forward to relaxing with a few cold ones, people watching, and spending time in the steam/sauna area. Any input appreciated!  Happy new year folks.

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I was on the Victory years ago, but it appears that the deck plans haven't changed yet.  You will enjoy the free Sauna and Steam Room.  I've had lots of rewarding conversations in both, overlooking the ocean, what could be better?  The showers are really nice too.  With 3 showers on either side of the isle, and doors that don't latch, during wavy seas you get to see the person across from you as the doors swing to and fro.  Many a good conversation has started by simply showering before your sauna or steam.  Enjoy your cruise.

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Thanks for the info Ryding! Looking forward to the trip. I can't say that shower doors swinging open and closed sounds like a pleasant way to take a shower, but can certainly see sharing a laugh over it with others. Hoping we have calm weather!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

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 So I have a question.

 

I will be sailing on the Harmony of the Seas in March.

 

I am going to bite the bullet and get the pass.

 

I hate getting my bathing suit soaked with sweat, to wear it later.

 

IF I wrap a towel and make sure everything is covered, will anyone say anything?

 

Anyone had experience with this?

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On 1/10/2020 at 9:05 AM, tutzig said:

 So I have a question.

 

I will be sailing on the Harmony of the Seas in March.

 

I am going to bite the bullet and get the pass.

 

I hate getting my bathing suit soaked with sweat, to wear it later.

 

IF I wrap a towel and make sure everything is covered, will anyone say anything?

 

Anyone had experience with this?

 

When we've been on Oasis/Allure, we used the thermal suite, and everyone wore bathing suits. The one place with a modicum of privacy where you might be able to slip out of it would be in one of the showers inside the thermal suite area. You could always rinse your suit in the shower. You could also rinse it out in the men's locker room and wring it out rolled up in a towel so it isn't so wet.

 

Europeans who are likely used to mixed-sex saunas where nudity is often the norm might not mind, but I suspect Americans might not like finding a "naked" man in the mixed-sex sauna, even though you're fully covered in a towel.

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