Millennium Spa Question

[Sailfish]

We are departing tomorrow night for our cruise on Sunday aboard the Millennium and I have a couple of questions regarding the spa. I am not new to cruising and have on occassion booked spa treatments with other cruise lines, so I know the drill. But I have never been on the Millennium. I understand the ship has a very nice spa area, complete with a restaurant but not all areas are open to the public and have fees associated with their use. I was wondering about a few things:

 

1. Besides the gym and spa treatments, what other amenities does the Millennium offer in the spa? Which are free and which cost extra?

 

2. I am going to assume there are steam rooms, jacuzzi's and saunas; is there a cost to use these facilities?

 

3. If you book a spa treatment, do you get access to the other spa amenities for free?

 

4. Since we are Elite CC members (thanks to Royal Caribbean) do I get some "pay" privileges in the spa for free or a reduced rate?

 

5. I've been reading that the restaurant in the spa is worth checking out. When is it open? Will it be open for lunch at embarkation? What are some specialities you would recommend I try out?

 

Thanks for your input in advance!

[Mrs_Tiki]

Hi Suzi,

 

It's been a while since I've been on the Millennium, but here's what I remember about the spa:

 

1. & 2. Other spa amenities available at no charge include changing area with showers and a dry heat sauna. (With a huge window looking out on the sea, great view!) As I recall the only steam rooms available were in the Persian Garden Suite, for which there is a daily price of approx. $25-30 or full-cruise pass for approx. $99.

 

The sauna is adjacent to changing room and is single-sex, but I think that the Persian Garden area is co-ed.

 

No real jacuzzis within the spa, but the Thalassotherapy Pool is free and open to all adult passengers. It is a salt water pool with massage jets in an enclosed area with wooden loungers.

 

3. I don't think that booking a spa treatment gives you access to additional services for free.

 

4. Sorry, I don't know about Elite benefits. We have not reached that level (yet!)

 

5. Aqua Spa Cafe is located adjacent to the Thalassotherapy Pool. "Celebrity Today" daily activity programs from a recent Summit cruise indicates that the Aqua Spa Cafe is not open on embarkation day, but is open for breakfast from 7:30-10:00 and lunch from noon-3:00 on other days.

 

In the past, I have especially enjoyed the chicken soft tacos and salmon fillets for lunch. They also had some yummy light desserts.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

 

Mary

[Sailfish]

Hi Suzi,

 

It's been a while since I've been on the Millennium, but here's what I remember about the spa:

 

1. & 2. Other spa amenities available at no charge include changing area with showers and a dry heat sauna. (With a huge window looking out on the sea, great view!) As I recall the only steam rooms available were in the Persian Garden Suite, for which there is a daily price of approx. $25-30 or full-cruise pass for approx. $99.

 

The sauna is adjacent to changing room and is single-sex, but I think that the Persian Garden area is co-ed.

 

No real jacuzzis within the spa, but the Thalassotherapy Pool is free and open to all adult passengers. It is a salt water pool with massage jets in an enclosed area with wooden loungers.

 

3. I don't think that booking a spa treatment gives you access to additional services for free.

 

4. Sorry, I don't know about Elite benefits. We have not reached that level (yet!)

 

5. Aqua Spa Cafe is located adjacent to the Thalassotherapy Pool. "Celebrity Today" daily activity programs from a recent Summit cruise indicates that the Aqua Spa Cafe is not open on embarkation day, but is open for breakfast from 7:30-10:00 and lunch from noon-3:00 on other days.

 

In the past, I have especially enjoyed the chicken soft tacos and salmon fillets for lunch. They also had some yummy light desserts.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

 

Mary

 

Thanks for answering my questions!!

[Cruising Bill]

I was recently on the Millennium. One day (I think it was the first sea day), the spa cafe had a dessert that was Cinnamon couscous. Sounds strange--but boy was it good. I highly recommend taking a stroll by the spa cafe every day to see what they have for lunch--they have some really nice and interesting items.

[Blondie007]

Sailfish, if you like peace and quiet, and real relaxation, then get a persian garden ticket from day one. Its lovely and NEVER busy. We only once found there was anyone else in there. It has three chambers. A turkish, eucylyptus (sp?) and another one cant remember name. There are water fountains and hoses in there, beautiful dimmed lighting and you move from chamber to chamber. The showers are those wall jet showers with various body jets...its really lovely. Great place to go to before getting ready to go out in the evening or first thing in the morning. Its not expensive, but do grab it first day to get the full use of your pass.

Theres also ice mountains (we had an ice and water hose fight in there :) )... it really is lovely. VERY tranquil and total bliss! They did a deal for two people, I cant remember how much but I know it wasnt expensive for the whole cruise.

You can ask for a tour first to check it out before buying your pass.

 

Another spa tip... the seaweed wrap and massage.. its total bliss! You feel like a turkey being wrapped for thanksgiving, but after you are wrapped, you sink into this chamber water bed thingy and its oh...BLISS!!!!

[casandbliz]

Sailfish, if you like peace and quiet, and real relaxation, then get a persian garden ticket from day one. Its lovely and NEVER busy. We only once found there was anyone else in there. It has three chambers. A turkish, eucylyptus (sp?) and another one cant remember name. There are water fountains and hoses in there, beautiful dimmed lighting and you move from chamber to chamber. The showers are those wall jet showers with various body jets...its really lovely. Great place to go to before getting ready to go out in the evening or first thing in the morning. Its not expensive, but do grab it first day to get the full use of your pass.

Theres also ice mountains (we had an ice and water hose fight in there :) )... it really is lovely. VERY tranquil and total bliss! They did a deal for two people, I cant remember how much but I know it wasnt expensive for the whole cruise.

You can ask for a tour first to check it out before buying your pass.

 

Another spa tip... the seaweed wrap and massage.. its total bliss! You feel like a turkey being wrapped for thanksgiving, but after you are wrapped, you sink into this chamber water bed thingy and its oh...BLISS!!!!

 

I have been on the Millennium once (and will be on her again in May), and did get a massage, but never did try the Persian Garden. I always wondered what it was like, and if it was worth the extra $$!!! Wonder how much for a 14 day cruise?? But after reading this post, I think I definately will check into it!! And it's fun to do a different type of massage than what you might get at home, so the seaweed wrap and massage sounds like a winner!! Thanks for the tip!!:p :p

[moondoggie]

After eight X cruises, I must share a secret I discovered on the second cruise. Unless you have an expensive suite, the showers and bathrooms in your cabin are SMALL. My DH and I shower before dinner, so, about an hour prior, I trot off to the T-Pool, use it for about fifteen minutes, then hit the spa changing room. I rinse out my swimming suit, and put it into the sauna, which is empty 99% of the time. Then I use the nicely sized showers, and sit in the sauna briefly to get my hair started on drying (it is long). After about five minutes, I exit the sauna, use body lotions and comb out my hair, and meditate quietly, enjoying the music for another fifteen minutes. Then retrieve my nearly-dried swimming suit from the shower, I return to our cabin to dress--DH has had all the time he needs to steam up the shower in our cabin, and we aren't fighting each other for space.

Once you try this, you'll be hooked!

[Blondie007]

I brought home a full aqua spa price list as well as all the dailies. When I get a chance, I will post them on a website so anyone can view them. The price will be on there for the persian gardens..I also have my account somewhere and it will tell me how much it was per couple for the cruise pass.

Incidentally, the seaweed wrap... I did it for 2nd formal night as my dresses were gettting "cruise food and drink tight"... 12 inch loss!!! Great litte boost and def worth doing if you feeling the pinch or having water retention.. But the nicest bit is when she wraps you in foil, and then the bed sinks... kind of a shock at first, but wow oh wow..its bliss! Like being simmered in a water bed:) The massage is after the wrap.. BLISS!

[Lois R]

Hi, the Aqua Spa Cafe is extremely nice. Most of the food is

what they call "healthier fare".

Cold plates for lunch including chicken, salmon and sometimes

a pasta dish. Prepared with veggies and/or fruit as well.

 

Breakfast and lunch.....both are a nice change from the

other venues. The guys who run it are the same ones

who serve you in the Specialty Restaurant (if you book

an evening there;) )

 

The Spa has a the T-pool, on the M class ships open

to everyone(adults). As for the Spa services, not sure what

the charges are for all the items offered.

Sometimes you do receive a price break if you book

something on a port day.

[Sailfish]

Hi There!

 

I am the original poster, and thought I would share my thoughts regarding the spa and gym aboard the Millennium, as I disembarked the ship only yesterday!

 

I went to work out every morning, except the day we went scuba diving in Tortola. My husband and I did the Rasul spa "treatment" after our day of diving, but had an opportunity to check out the spa, its staff and locker room area all week. I occasionally book spa treatments while cruising, so I could compare my experience to those I have had with other cruise lines. Because my spa experience tends to be on newer and larger ships, I was somewhat disappointed with the spa facility and gym aboard the Millennium. That said, I went 6 out of 7 days to the gym every morning, and appreciated the fact that at 7am it was never crowded! Here are my comments:

 

The Gym

 

The gym seems to be much smaller than that aboard other ships I have been on and had few machines I was familiar with. They Millennium had quite a few, very new, tredmills, cycles and elipticals with TV's, but only a handful of weight training machines, and very few standard types. There seemed to be more machines for legs than for the upper body; they did have mats, exercise balls and some free weights.

 

If your intention is to work out on a tredmill, cycle or eliptical, you should be happy with what the ship has to offer. But if you are like me, and have a workout regimen that includes both cardio and weights, you may be a little disappointed. It's better than nothing, for sure! However, the Millennium's gym is smaller and not as well equipped as gyms on other ships I have sailed on. Since this was my first experience with a gym on a Celebrity ship, I can't compare it to others ships in the fleet. But the ones I have been to on Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival were all bigger and significantly better equipped.

 

The ship had an aerobics area, and two treatment rooms on either side of the gym that was located on the bow of the ship. There were yoga and pilates classes, as well aerobics just about every day. Some classes had a small fee associated with them, but many were free, and well attended. The ship also had two personal trainers on staff.

 

Locker Room

 

The locker room was well equipped with lockers, a sauna and three showers. The showers had shampoo and body wash - no hair conditioner. The shampoo was the same as what is available in your stateroom. The showers were adequate, but nothing special. Our stateroom shower was about the same size, but the water pressure in the locker room was significantly better. There were no hair dryers in the locker room, and the dressing room was quite cramped; most other ships I have been on will alot more space to this area. The sauna was free and well maintained. The facility was kept clean, but the afternoon we had the Rasul treatment, they ran out of clean towels.

 

Rasul

 

We scheduled a Rasul treatment for me and my husband (a couple's thing) for the fourth day of the cruise. On day two, I visited the spa and asked a staff member to explain to me what Rasul was all about; this was a gift and at the time I wan't sure if my husband would be interested. A relatively new staff member explained to me the process and showed me where it would be done. There is a small two room area off of the Persian Garden, that contains a steam room and shower area. She said we would be applying an exfoliator and mask onto to one another in this small, enclosed area. The process is outlined on a piece of paper, and includes the use of Elemis products (which I already use at home). The normal cost for this is $91 and it would take about an hour.

 

On the day of our treatment, we checked in (about 5 minutes before our scheduled time) and were issued lockers. We undressed, put on robes they gave us, and were escorted to the Rasul Treatment Room. Just prior to going in, a staff member could be heard hosing down the treatment room. There was a small table with several containers of Elemis products - cleansers, face exfoliator, facial mask, salt rub for the body, mud for the body, body lotion, etc. On a prior visit, a staff members explained to me the step by step process (so I knew what to use first), but upon arrival, we were not given any instruction. I asked the staff member if we required any further instruction, and she said no! It would have been most appropriate for someone to tell us what to do, as my husband had never done this sort of thing before (nor had I), but I kind of got the feeling the person assisting us was too new to be of much help. It hit us about 2 minutes into the process, that we had no idea how to use the room's controls to rinse off or to activate the steamroom! Standing naked with product smeared all over our bodies, we were aimlessly pushing buttons here and there trying to get the shower to come on! It was so aggrivating that at one point, my husband threatened to leave!

 

All the products on the table were half full or less but we had more than enough to go around. The quality of the products used was outstanding - I use Elemis and Steiner products at home (which are very pricey). I found the treatment area to be very small and I questioned its cleanliness from the get-go. I don't know if they used a sanitizer prior to our visit, but the brief hosing we witnessed would be inadequate in my opinion. There was a very pretty cloth on the table and on the floor as you walked in that was soaking wet which kind of concerned me. Since this was my first (and probably last) Rasul experience, I have nothing to compare it to.

 

I went over to the front desk afterwards and mentioned in a very polite way, that we didn't feel we were adequately informed about how to work the room's controls. The staff member there replied that there was nothing to it. I didn't wish to argue with her so I left. I made note of our experience on my comment card. This experience won't deter me from going to the spa in the future and your Rasul experience hopefully will be better!

 

Persian Garden

 

The Rasul treatment room was off of the Persian Garden. There is a fee to use the Persian Garden, and it was not included with the Rasul treatment, so I did not use it. The area is very small, but those people we met who used it seemed to enjoy the heated tile beds and the steam room. There is a similar facility on larger Princess ships, that is bigger and a lot nicer. I used it briefly after my massage on the Diamond Princess and enjoyed it but felt it wasn't worth it for me to pay the daily rate; once was enough.

 

I am not a germaphobe by any measure, but there is the issue of cleanliness; regardless of cruise line or facility, I just don't feel these places are cleaned often enough.

 

Aqua Spa Cafe

 

The Aqua Spa area, that contains the enclosed thermal pool, also has a buffet style restaurant open for breakfast and lunch. They serve continental breakfast and light lunch salad platters. The choices were very limited and not bad, but not nearly as good as I had been expecting. Food is very subjective, so this is just my opinion. I try to watch what I eat, and found the items offered at lunch to be okay, but not worth the extra effort it took to leave my party behind in the main buffet area. The main buffet was fine - I always found something good, though it took some effort. Like I said, this was my opinion. Others we spoke to raved about the Aqua Spa Cafe!

 

Final Thoughts

 

We had an awesome cruise and I appreciated regularly using the gym. I didn't gain any weight - I was careful to eat moderately and to get lots of exercise (a must for me), so I am a happy camper!

 

The Millennium is smaller than the ships we usually choose to cruise. It also had a less active, older clientele, though President's Week (when we sailed) had 250 kids under the age of 18 onboard. Compared to the Freedom of the Seas (we were told that same week they 900 kids), you can see even on school holiday periods, Celebrity remains a more adult cruise (one reason we chose Celebrity this time).

 

If you want to avoid the crowds, head over to the gym before 8am or after 5pm on days at sea. On port days, the gym was never busy.

 

Good luck!