Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Hydrotherapy pool free for Suite passengers?

mina

By mina,
in Holland America Line

Recommended Posts

ejbmorr

ejbmorr

Posted
Posted

Our experience on the Oosterdam was that use of the hydrotherapy pool was $15.00 per day or a package price for the entire cruise. The package price varied but, when asked, they sometimes work out a "couples" rate for the entire cruise. Wait until you board the ship and go to the spa desk to ask. The Holland America phone customer service reps do not have information on anything but the stated daily rate usually.

Now, to the difference between the hydrotherapy pool and a hot tub or whirlpool tub. The hydrotherapy pool has reclining benches made up of metal tubes that are perforated with holes that vigorously expel air bubbles. It is like a wonderful gentle massage. At one end of the pool, there is also a round area with more actively circulating water. There are also a couple of other water therapy gizmos (I do not know the technical business of this) that put out fine or heavy water sprays.

Anyway, it is all wonderful and one of our favorite places each day on the Vista ships. There are also special additives to the water in these pools- mmmm.

One note: The new hydrotherapy pool on the Rotterdam VI is quite diappointing. It is the size of a large hot tub, not a pool, and definitely not as appealing as those on the Vista ships as it is in a room with other exercise equipment, not a beautiful quiet place of its own. Hope this helps! EM

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pucarter

pucarter

Posted
Posted

We purchased the Hydrotherapy Passes for our weeklong cruise on Zuiderdam last year. For us, it was worth EVERY penny and we're going to do it again on this upcoming cruise.

 

The Z's pool was as EM previously described. In addition, it was in a very beautiful room with a skylight directly above the pool. Along the side of the pool were thick-padded loungers and chairs -- perfect to nap in after a relaxing soak.

 

Besides access to the Hydro pool, you also gain entrance to the Thermal Suite. In that beautiful room are floor-to-ceiling windows with giant heated ceramic lounge chairs -- that doesn't sound too comfortable, but with a couple of towels (provided throughout the spa), it is really relaxing. We watched our sailaway from Cozumel from two of these chairs and it was Heaven! You also get to use the saunas (dry and wet), steam room, and there were four "aromatherapy" showers with scented water.

 

We felt that it was quite the indulgence without going so far as having spa treatments. The best part of the whole package, for us, was that only adults over 18 can enter. Despite the fact that it was tucked in next to the (VERY NOISY, especially in July) Lido Pool, the atmosphere inside was very tranquil. Thank God for noise-proofing glass -- it really worked! ;)

 

I believe we paid $150 for the entire cruise for the both of us...it could have been $135 -- I don't remember -- but we plan on doing it again! It was that nice.

 

Hope that helps you... :D

 

Rebeccah

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pucarter

pucarter

Posted
Posted

Well, for us it was just a relaxing getaway from the hectic sold-out summer crowd. Then again, I don't think it would have been worth it if we were trying to attend all the activities on board...because there ARE limited hours (it's only open from about 8 AM 'til 7 or 9 PM)...but we were on a relaxation cruise when we used it, so it was perfect! :)

 

My suggestion to anyone considering it would be to take the spa tour on embarkation day. That's what sold us.

 

Oh...one more thing...they limit the number of passes they sell, so it's not overrun with people. That was another aspect we enjoyed. We almost always had a lounge chair, or a seat on the bubbling bench, or a tiled (I said ceramic before -- they're actually really beautifully tiled recliners) seat...

 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did if you choose to partake next time! :D

 

Rebeccah

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LAFFNVEGAS "Live from...." Rare

LAFFNVEGAS

Posted
Posted

Besides access to the Hydro pool, you also gain entrance to the Thermal Suite. In that beautiful room are floor-to-ceiling windows with giant heated ceramic lounge chairs -- that doesn't sound too comfortable, but with a couple of towels (provided throughout the spa), it is really relaxing. We watched our sailaway from Cozumel from two of these chairs and it was Heaven! You also get to use the saunas (dry and wet), steam room, and there were four "aromatherapy" showers with scented water.

 

I think the Thermal Suite is the BEST Part:p I definitely plan to buy a week package for our cruise in 3 weeks. I have bought several books and plan to just totally relax and read. Now if I could just find a way for them to servce me Champagne in there:cool: Those heated ceramic chairs actually are quite nice. They heat up but not a constant heat it is graduated then comes back down. They face out this big windows looking out at the ocean. Then since the aromatherapy shower are also in the same room when even anyone uses it then the scent fills the room. It is sooooo wonderful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
arzz

arzz

Posted
Posted

On the Zuiderdam in June they allowed us a free pass to try out the therapy pool and the thermal suite for the afternoon after our scheduled spa treatments on our first day at sea. An excellent way to see if you would like to purchase the week long pass.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WISCruiser

WISCruiser

Posted
Posted
I believe we paid $150 for the entire cruise for the both of us...it could have been $135 -- I don't remember -- but we plan on doing it again! It was that nice.

 

Would anyone happen to know what the price would be for a Solo cruiser... it does indeed sound delightful.:o

Link to comment
Share on other sites
robertmartha

robertmartha

Posted
Posted

ejb

 

What kind of exercise equipment was in the area? Is it actually in the gym area? Someone posted that on one the the updated r or s class ships that this feature had been added to noted that the "pool" was in the same "room" as the sauna's, heated loungers and showers vs the two seperate areas on the vista class. I would think this would have to be in a seperate area so that those who did not purchase a package could not use the facilities.

 

For my wife and I - its the first thing we do once we board (after we check our dining table) is book the pass for the week for both of us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mina

mina

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you all for the clarification -- it sounds wonderful - we had to pay for the thermal suite on Princess - and loved it -- hardly anyone in there.

 

to NLG - you are right I ws confusing HAL with Celebrity. I do not mind paying $150 for us to use -- keeps the crowds out -- for some reason I was thinking it was about $150 per person which is pretty high. So -- if I just now spend an extra four hours or so in there instead of sitting at the tables in the casino -- well.... then I will do better than breaking even and be relaxed at the same time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pucarter

pucarter

Posted
Posted

Hey everyone -- just wanted to bump this back near the top...

 

We're sailing on Zuidy tomorrow...if I get a chance, I'll post the Hydro-pass prices while I'm on board! If not, you'll have to wait until Monday-week. ;) :D :D

 

Rebeccah

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bepsf

bepsf

Posted
Posted

There's another thingy in the spa that was really cool too.

 

It's sorta like a warm waterbed that's wrapped around you so that you're floating in the warm water, but not wet...

What's that called again? And is that part of the weekly pass?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LAFFNVEGAS "Live from...." Rare

LAFFNVEGAS

Posted
Posted

What's that called again? And is that part of the weekly pass?

 

Brian, no it is not I wish it was. it is actually part of a treatment you pay for. I think it might be with the mud bath or something like that. When we were on the Westerdam last March and did the tour I got to try it and it was great. I actually tried about everything on the tour. I also like the Alpha capsule but then I do not mind heat. At that time they had a great package with three session you also got a pass for the day for the Hydrotheropy and Thermal Suites. I think the whole thing was $99.00 I thought it was a great deal. I am hoping for something like that on the Oosterdam. I know that the special change from ship to ship and week to week are seem to never be the same:(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Gala62

Gala62

Posted
Posted

Hi all,

 

Just returned from our first cruise and we loved using the hydrotherapy pool on the Zui. The actual technical name for it is "Thalassotherapy" pool and they are popular in Europe. I was chatting with the Spa manager and she said the idea is that if you use all the different jets correctly its like getting a full body massage. One of the nice features to it is that there are rails along the interior of the pool to hang onto if you're using the powerful jets on your back or legs.

 

So relaxing and quiet, surprising since it is next to the Lido pool. We just loved it. Didn't get to the Thermal Suite, but we will next time!

 

The day pass was $15 per person for each facility (Thermal or Hydro). Now I can't say for absolutely certain, but while I was in line, 2 women bought the full passes and were upset because it was much more than they had paid on another ship. I want to say they paid around $250 each for unlimited access for the week....I think that's right. They claimed they had paid $150 on the other ship (this amount I do remember because it seemed like a great deal!). The manager was nice but firm in the pricing, so I don't know if the Zui is pricier for some reason. Perhaps someone else will have more definite information, sorry, wish I'd paid closer attention at the time.

 

Hope this helps a little!

Gail

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...