Differences in staff in HAL's spas

[CJcruzer]

When we went to Alaska last summer on the Veendam, didn't partake of any spa treatments, however when I looked in, the girls at the desk seemed very reserved and not very friendly. This winter on the Westerdam, I tried a day pass for the thalasotherapy pool and thermal suites, and as I left the girls called me out by name to have a nice day! They weren't pushy, but very friendly, and made you feel good, even tho I didn't book any wraps, massages, etc... I did rebook the suite again for the other day at sea, and mentioned that I had missed the SUN GLOW demonstration, and one of the girls took me in to a seat, proceeded to give me my own demonstration, applying it etc and gave me the price of the special they had that day during the demo!!!

Am wondering if any other people have found differences in attitude or attention between the different Steiner spas on the HAL ships...

CJcruzer

[Candy]

I think that the British/South African personnel in Steiner spas are naturally reserved, and we Americans may perceive them as 'cold'. As I do not dress in expensive resort clothing, wear precious gems at the pool, or have the latest in designer eyewear, I am often ignored at the spa desk until I remind them I have pre-booked 3 pricey 'treatments', at which point I get a smile and some minor chit-chat. The next time I show up, I am picked out of a crowd and offered a thermal-suite key.

I have, however, had some wonderful 'therapists' who understand from the start that I will not buy product, prefer dark lighting and New Age Music, and leave a massive tip. One Ioni specialist was still on contract during a subsequent cruise, and I received some special gifts when I complimented her to the spa manager.

Speaking of managers, each time a new one signs on, he/she brings his own procedures and expectations, and may also have sales goals to meet. During this time of adjustment, the strain on the staff may result in sour moods. I try to keep an upbeat attitude, and am usually pleased with service.

Usually... not always.

Candy the ZuiderPrincess

[Willsot]

On our Westerdam cruise last summer we had considered using the Spa until we heard more from our two other dinner tablemate couples' experiences. They described very hard sell tactics from the staff who seemed pressured to push expensive products. Both couples made more than one visit in the course of the cruise and said that the situation did not improve. I know that they expressed their displeasure in their evaluative statements prior to disembarking.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Even though neither of us par take of any of the spa services, we have noticed that some of the girls are very friendly and will speak to you as yoiu as you enter and leave the gym while others say nothing and glare at you because you haven't booked any of their services. We have noticed this for years.

[Dena]

We have experienced this "cold" treatment on Princess even through we bought the Thermal Suite passes and also did a couples Rasul and tipped well. It could just be a cultural difference, but part of being in business is understanding the culture of your customers. I think the spa staff may have been instructed to be "cold" as this may be the atmosphere they are trying to create; I don't like it and won't be supporting it in the future.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

For the most part I have found all of them to be very friendly. I have found most to be very easy going about not pushing product. I just tell them nicely that right now I am not interested but I may check back later.

I do have a question for those of you that also frequent the spa. This past cruise I received something interesting. I often get different treatments although in Feb on the Oosterdam I did not recieve a treatment but in October I did. I had the 90 minute Aroma Spa Ocean Float with Well Being Massage. Oddly about the second day of the cruise I received a letter address with my name saying that I won a drawing that gave me $78 off that exact treatment making this treatment $120. Now in October the price of the 75 minute version was $210.00 and 90 minutes was $272.00 Now here is the kicker, I NEVER signed up for the spa drawing this cruise. :D My question is do they get a list of the female passenger and do they keep records of treatments you have received before on the different ships? I just found it odd that what I won was exactly the last spa treatment I had. Other than using the Thermal Suite which I do every cruise.

[GMoney]

The Steiner staff on the Noordam in March was the friendliest I've experienced at sea.

[Sayyadina]

I had a massage and a haircut on my one and only cruise. The massage was no better or worse than average, and the young woman who did it did use a nice product on my shoulders that made them cool and tingly all day (and tried to get me to buy some; didn't).

My haircut was hands down the best I've had ever, and the wonderful aussie that did it was just as great. She also put some stuff on my very red face (bad sunburn thanks to SPF 15 and Half Moon Cay) and told me it would not peel because how wonderfull the stuff was. I thought 'Yeah, right.' I was very surprised: it didn't peel. But she was definitely pushing me to buy it (didn't).

I also enjoyed gabbing with the manager, who was looking forward to getting her own office after drydock. None of the other staff were stand-out to me.