Canyon Ranch Spa.....never again!!

Curt, I wonder if the cruiselines "read between the lines", when it comes to the guest satisfaction surveys. We got really fed up with the infamous "Steiner hard-sell" years ago. Except for using our Elite port-day pass to the Persian Gardens, we never set foot in the spa anymore. So, on the survey, we just end up checking the "N/A" (service not used) box, when we get to the spa services section. So, I wonder if people staying away in droves is part of why X dropped Steiner, last year?

I would rather have competent employees at a spa trying to sell me stuff and just say no thank-you- then incompetent people charging more money and providing fair to poor service. Let's bring back Steiner!

I read through the materials from Canyon Ranch recruiting online. Part of me thinks that if people start emailing and calling them directly after a poor experience on a cruise, it might do something. No telling for certain, but can't hurt! Let them know that the ship-board product is giving the entire company a bad name.

I never understood why anyone goes to the spa. If you want your nails done why not just get them done before you leave on the cruise even then I think it is a waste of money.

I never understood why anyone goes to the spa. If you want your nails done why not just get them done before you leave on the cruise even then I think it is a waste of money.

i guess as they say different strokes for different folks. It is relaxing feeling pampered on vacation. i do not understand why people waste money in a Casino.

I would rather have competent employees at a spa trying to sell me stuff and just say no thank-you- then incompetent people charging more money and providing fair to poor service. Let's bring back Steiner!

You make a valid point about competence, service, and value for what you are paying. But, trust me -- these people (Steiner) did not take "no thank you" for an answer. :rolleyes:

After several incidents of having a fairly good massage ruined with that nonsense, I just decided to boycott the spa! :mad:

I am an admitted spa critic. But I will give the new vendor a chance, my last cruise was the last week of the last cruise of Steiner. Where I observed dismayed spa workers watch new mattresses being loaded for their replacements. I have friends who work for canyon ranch land spas and it is a former business of mine.

We have dropped money in spas the way others drop money in the casinos! So if it is good I will be there, if i feel like retraining the staff, or rewriting the training manual, than in the future I will focus on treatments before I leave. Especially my toes, I really do not want bloody toes!

i guess as they say different strokes for different folks. It is relaxing feeling pampered on vacation. i do not understand why people waste money in a Casino.

No, I don't waste money there either. :). I usually have a zero account at the end of the cruise.

You make a valid point about competence, service, and value for what you are paying. But, trust me -- these people (Steiner) did not take "no thank you" for an answer. :rolleyes:

After several incidents of having a fairly good massage ruined with that nonsense, I just decided to boycott the spa! :mad:

actually when I let them know that my nieces are physician's derm and plastic surgeon, the discontinue peddling "snake oil".

You make a valid point about competence, service, and value for what you are paying. But, trust me -- these people (Steiner) did not take "no thank you" for an answer. :rolleyes:

After several incidents of having a fairly good massage ruined with that nonsense, I just decided to boycott the spa! :mad:

I stopped going to Steiner Spas years ago on all three lines I cruise on, because of their hard sell and won't go back. I for one will give Canyon Ranch a try, as I've never been disappointed at their spa in Tucson. I've read just as many good reviews on the spa, as I've read bad ones on this thread and we all know that one person's poison is another person's wine.

NLH -- I went to Canyon Ranch many years ago -- in the Venetian Hotel. They had a really nice operation -- but then, Vegas is a very competitive market, when it comes to spas. As I said in my earlier post, I've only been on X once, since CR came in. The prices were pretty high -- and they did feature some port day specials. But, this being our first trip to Bermuda -- we stayed really busy on port days. May give them a try on our upcoming Holiday Cruise -- I do love a good hot stone massage! :cool:

My experience with Canyon for a hot stone massage was excellent over the summer on the Summit. No attempt to sell me anything, great massage and the therapist was very friendly and professional. No problems applying coupons either.

i guess as they say different strokes for different folks. It is relaxing feeling pampered on vacation. i do not understand why people waste money in a Casino.

You relax in a spa, I relax rolling dice. No different. In my case it's the excitement of the chase. And, no, I do not play poor odd slots. :)

i guess as they say different strokes for different folks. It is relaxing feeling pampered on vacation. i do not understand why people waste money in a Casino.

As you say, different strokes....I feel like a prisoner when doing my mani/pedi's....Can't stand sitting still that long! Not relaxing at all for me and I know I'm in the minority!

Thanks for posting. I will definitely remember to ask for confirmation of total price including gratuity before going ahead with anything in the spa. I can imagine it's very upsetting to have this sort of misunderstanding. I would be extremely upset if I felt I had been told it was one price and it ended up being almost double what I was expecting. Hope you managed to put it behind you and go on and have a great cruise.

I do think the mani/pedi's are expensive and I'd rather be sitting next to the pool with a cocktail than getting them done anyway so will just pay $40 the day before I cruise at home rather than $200 on board. But I do like a massage and I think those prices seem more reasonable so hoping to get one on my cruise in 2 weeks time.

You relax in a spa, I relax rolling dice. No different. In my case it's the excitement of the chase. And, no, I do not play poor odd slots. :)

As long as you are having a great time! That is what a vacation is all about!:D

As you say, different strokes....I feel like a prisoner when doing my mani/pedi's....Can't stand sitting still that long! Not relaxing at all for me and I know I'm in the minority!

Why don't you try doing them separately so that you don't have to sit so long?

I appreciate all of the comments. I just do not want this to happen to anyone else.

David YYC - My husband is awesome! I was just so startled! We were not a budget per se but it was just so much for a mani/pedi! And a $59 tip!!! At 60 years old I can honestly say luckily there have not been many things that leave me speechless but this kinda did. I am a seasoned traveler (20 cruises) and have never had this happen! I don't know who was running the spas in the past but I have always been treated professionally and pampered.

I have a gel manicure and pedicure regularly. It was just time to have them redone. I always expect to pay more on a ship and I don't have a problem with that. This was a Hawaii cruise with 5 days at sea then a 7 day port intensive cruise. As I had never been to Hawaii I wanted to maximize my port days.

Oh well...another life lesson learned!!

I had a gel manicure with with four repairs ( sculptured) on Silhouette last week. It was 128 with grats. I was told the price upfront and was pleased with the serivice . It is double what I would have paid at home, but It was the only "game in town". They offered a reg. polish 30 minute speed manicure for 34 dollars. My sister had that with no hassle of upsells.

I emailed Canyon Ranch on their website. I received the following response:

Dear Ms. XXXX

Thank you for your email regarding your recent Canyon Ranch experience in the spa aboard the QM2 . (Received an email immediately following apologizing for noting the wrong ship)

I am very sorry to hear that your experience was less than exceptional and am writing to inform you we have launched a full investigation of the incident. Canyon Ranch strives to deliver a superior guest experience to each and every guest and I apologize if we did not meet that standard during your cruise. Your feedback is extremely important to Canyon Ranch in assisting us to ensure we are providing world class service at all spas on both land and sea. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us.

Please let me know what you feel Canyon Ranch can do to set this experience right with you. We certainly want to make every effort to have a happy guest. I look forward to receiving your response and working with you to fully resolve this unfortunate matter.

With kind regards,

XXXXX

Corporate

Canyon Ranch

I requested a refund for the difference between what I paid and the amount I was quoted plus $15 gel and an 18% tip. I will keep you posted

I also requested they make a fleet-wide policy to give a written reservation confirmation including the fees as someone mentioned and to do additional training with their staff.

Just received a response to the email to canyon ranch. She offered me a full refund except the $20 cash! Way more than I asked for!! Good to know if you have an issue with your experience they will resolve the issue!! Ok..I will give them another chance!!

Just received a response to the email to canyon ranch. She offered me a full refund except the $20 cash! Way more than I asked for!! Good to know if you have an issue with your experience they will resolve the issue!! Ok..I will give them another chance!!

Great news! I have a cruise coming up and hope that the hairdressers are better then on my last cruise with canyon ranch. I assume that the talent pool for those stylist interested in living onboard is limited. Nothing like the land based salons. One more chance!

As you say, different strokes....I feel like a prisoner when doing my mani/pedi's....Can't stand sitting still that long! Not relaxing at all for me and I know I'm in the minority!

I am right there with you. Also includes hair cuts/styling. I hate to have someone else pulling at my hair. Unfortunately I cannot cut my own hair so have to put up with that, but I do my own mani/pedi's.

Just received a response to the email to canyon ranch. She offered me a full refund except the $20 cash! Way more than I asked for!! Good to know if you have an issue with your experience they will resolve the issue!! Ok..I will give them another chance!!

This was standard practice in the spa industry for some time, glad they made your experience right for you.

I have been to every Canyon Ranch location possible. There is a reason why they are one of the top spas in the entire world. Their menu of services is extensive, their employees love working for their company and this shows through their work.

Everyone knows that Canyon Ranch is expensive and it is not for everyone. Now, you put Canyon Ranch on a cruise ship, and you think the prices will go down? The prices on Celebrity are actually lower than Canyon Ranch's land based properties. $170 for a specialized mani/pedi is not unreasonable.

For the gratuity, the material states that an 18% gratuity will be applied to the service. Why on earth you would tip in cash and sign the ticket that states the gratuity is added is beyond me.

I travel to Canyon Ranch multiple times a year and my wife and I use their Spa onboard multiple cruise lines and never had a single issue.:)