Spa Experience

[magictam]

I'm taking my first cruise this year and I'm really looking forward to it. I can't thank everyone enough for all the valuable information I have received, but I don't recall seeing anything regarding the Spa services on board a HAL ship.
I have a massage therapist, so I'm really looking for some pampering:o . Maybe a wrap, soaking in the hot tub, stream room and what are those funky looking chairs lined up facing the windows (I've seen these in pictures).
Please let me know if it worth the prices, do you have to pay extra for everything in the spa or just those things that require service and how much is it?
So if anyone could please share their experiences, good/bad I would really appreciate it.

[Sale Away]

Those funky looking chairs are heated ceramic loungers and they are THE BOMB! I could lie in them all day. Spread a towel on it and fold one under your head, close your eyes, listen to the water running..... and just relax. The other thing I like is their hydrotherapy pool in the spa. They have these metal tubes (I can't describe it any other way) that are placed in the water in the shape of a lounger so you can lay down and let the bubbles surround you. There is a charge to use the area but we think it's worth it.

I haven't used the massage services on board. I used Steiner services on another line a number of years ago (they seem to run most of the spa services on the cruise lines) and was really disappointed with the massage I got. Haven't used the on board spa services since.

[magictam]

Hey Sail Away
Thank you for responding. I'm diffently going to try the "funky" chairs and whirlpool. I haven't spoken w/anyone who that the price of a cruise massage was worth it and as I truely like my therapist I don't want to be disappointed. Hoping they offer body wraps too.
Thanks again.

[SweetP2]

Hello magictam. I found the Spa Menu which lists massages, however, doesnt reference the thermalsuite nor the hydrotherapy prices.

Find a posting from Candy who is a Zuiderdam addict :) and within her posts she provides several links to resources. That is where I found the Spa Menu, there may have also been a link for the water therapys.

Enjoy your cruise and massage(s)!

[Candy]

The Spa Menu is in my sig below, but the Thermal Suite (containing the heated tile chaises) is extra, and seems to vary from cruise to cruise. There will be specials for week-long access, or towards the end of the cruise, a similar discounted package.

Candy the ZuiderPricess <-- Just booked Zuidy #8

[TriGirl]

My biggest complaint about the spa services is that no matter how much I've stressed the fact that I do not want to buy anything, they still do the hard sell at the end. Every single time I've gotten a treatment from them, they tried to sell me something. And one time the therapist kept telling me what she was using and how much it cost, just in case I wanted to buy after the treatment. That really ruins the experience for me, I don't want to sit there listening to why I should buy this product or that one.

The skills of the therapists vary, I've had some ok therapists and some not so good, none were great.

The last time I had a massage was last year on the Zuiderdam, I've decided not to bother anymore with any spa treatments on a cruise ship. IMHO they aren't worth the price.

[Candy]

After the first time I bought a pricey "detoxifying system", and my husband bought $210 worth of, essentially, bubble bath, I make it perfectly clear that I tip VERY WELL, but not if I'm solicited to buy product. I haven't been bothered since.

I usually book a series of 3 ionithermie treatments, and the products used + the suggested "maintenance" products can easily total $1,000. That's a couple of nights at the craps table for me :p

Candy the ZuiderPrincess

[watchdiva]

I'm like Candy - I inform the therapist prior to the start of the service that I prefer absolute quiet (which is true) during my sessions and that I do NOT want any sales pitch before, during or after. During one session, the therapist made a face while I was explaining how I preferred things to be and when I asked if it was a problem for her, and told her that I could cancel, she replied "surely not" - and gave me one of the best massages (sans sales pitch) that I've ever had on a cruise.

I know that they make commission on product sales - but wonder if spa management knows how many folks get so totally turned off by the pitch that they never return after their initial session?

[SweetP2]

Thanks Candy and Watchdiva for the tips on having a QUIET spa treatment...it's like when I go to the dentist...I like to veg out while having my teeth cleaned (odd I know)...very annoying when the hygenist keeps talking at me...I'm going to try the same approach on her and see if it works :p

Side question for Candy or any other HAL expert.

Q: I was viewing the EC Daily Program under Candy's sig and wondered what the number mean, appearing at the end of every line of detail?

For example: 1:00pm SHIP’S TOUR Lido Poolside Midship, 9

[parrottheadrn]

Hi, just off the Noordam and the number that you referenced in you question is the deck where the event is taking place. Hope that helps

[margretha]

I too love the spa - especially at midpoint where they have the "sales". We just did the Zuiderdam 2/17 and towards the end of the cruise they had a special "buffet" arrangement for $99. You could pick 3 types of massage (ankle and feet, head and neck, lower back and shoulders, etc.) from the
menu. All day you would see those of us who had the scalp/head/neck massage with our stringy but extremely fragrant hair because the massage ended with a frangiapani oil rubbed in. Wonderful. I too love to relax and not get sold so I too make it very clear: I tip but not well if I'm only seen as a body with a wallet to buy things. I stopped being bothered the minute I explained that up front. I think the spa people are primed to make the attempt by the company that employs them (they aren't HAL employees but the spa company's employees) and most times they seem a little uneasy doing it so I've found by telling them I'm not interested right off the bat lets us all relax. Oh - and after that $99. for an hour of 3 types of massages sale? The next day it was on sale for $89. Also, our daughter wanted her toenail color changed (don't ask) and so the attempt was to sell her an entire $75. pedicure. She refused and was going to go and suddenly there was a $15. color change option that also included parts of the pedicure process. I think the longer the trip, the bigger the sales toward the end. The soaps and amenities on HAL that are the spa products are wonderful too. margretha

[ltjr]

Just got back from 11 nights on the Noordam and had some great spa experiences. They offered the thermal suite (yes, those heated tile lounges are The Bomb! OMG!!) and therapy pool combo for $250 for 2 people for the 11 days. I think it was $150 or $175 for one person, and each room is $15/day. We loved both, though were hesitant to pay the $250 at first.

We each had a wonderful deep tissue massage, but took advantage of the "twighlight specials" that were from 6-10p.m. on 2 nights and paid $79. I also stated up front that I didn't need any products and had no pressure at all. I also did the "Shave of all Shaves" which was a great facial treatment, traditional shave, and a haircut for $85. Lindsay was wonderful and the treatment was great. No purchase pressure here either.

Though I did not do it this time on HAL, I did do a seaweed detox wrap and float treatment that included a massage on Celebrity in May. It too, was wonderful. A little pricey but probably the best overall treatment I have ever had on board. It was amazing. I generally tell the therapist how I like a massage -- deep tissue, amount of pressure, etc. -- and have not been disappointed yet. Some were better than others, but that's the case anywhere.

Pamper yourself. That's what it's all about on a cruise!

[dippy]

Pamper yourself. That's what it's all about on a cruise!

I did have a massage on my last cruise (I have had one on each of my cruises) but I think I will not on my next one. Simply, the cost is too much for me. My registered massage therapist charges $70/hour (Canadian $; no tipping allowed and no sales pitches). I cannot justify having a massage at double the cost and then have the sales pitches and the expectation of a tip on top of it. :(

I will spend the $15 for the hydro pool and other spa features that go with the access card but that's about it. My wife also agrees on this matter with me. However, she says that she will have her hair and my daughter's hair styled on one of the formal nights from the ship's hairstylists.:)

[MSammy]

Please keep the comments and info coming--I love this post.

[Nghthawke]

I had a wonderful hot stone aromatherapy massage on the Volendam and it was a highlight (so many highlights!!!) of my cruise. No hard sell whatsoever, the massage therapist mentioned that the products she was using were available if I was interested. I said no. And that was it. I didn't feel pressured in any way whatsoever. I haven't had a hot stone massage since that was on par with the one I had on the Volendam.

[Tommy123]

We were on our first cruise on the oosterdam with my children and we all booked the day at the spa, AWESOME. My wife and I had a couples massage well worth the 600.00 for the day, enjoy