Getaway, Thermal Spa worth it?. Cost?

[Jim The Lizard]

Thoughts?. My parents are cruising on Getaway next January, my dad doesn't like sun and pools. If we leave him to the casinos, I worry about my inheritance (kidding). My parents have cruised the Gem with me a few years ago, but are loyal to RCCL; my excellent experiences and loyalty with NCL convinced them to go this route. However, I don't do the thermal spa (i'm one of those crazy people who obsess about Vibe, running to Headliners on Escape, my favorite ship!). Parents are mid 60's, fun but not big drinkers or explorers. This is my mom's retirement cruise, they want to chill and pick out their own entertainment as they go. So, I'm thinking about purchasing the Spa as a small thanks for not killing me while I was growing up.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Blondie008]

Thoughts?. My parents are cruising on Getaway next January, my dad doesn't like sun and pools. If we leave him to the casinos, I worry about my inheritance (kidding). My parents have cruised the Gem with me a few years ago, but are loyal to RCCL; my excellent experiences and loyalty with NCL convinced them to go this route. However, I don't do the thermal spa (i'm one of those crazy people who obsess about Vibe, running to Headliners on Escape, my favorite ship!). Parents are mid 60's, fun but not big drinkers or explorers. This is my mom's retirement cruise, they want to chill and pick out their own entertainment as they go. So, I'm thinking about purchasing the Spa as a small thanks for not killing me while I was growing up.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

What a wonderful gesture - I am sure they will appreciate it!

Cant go wrong with a thermal suite pass. Even on hot weather cruises we have enjoyed our thermal suite early morning - and for a later afternoon nap before our evening out.

We have yet to experience Getaway's SPA (have a spa room soon on G'away) but have enjoyed EPICs - and even Jade's although its tiny. We also cruise Aquaclass on Celebrity and surprisingly their thermal suites are not a patch on NCLs - even the smallest on NCL is better than Celebrity's cold and uninviting spa.

 

Its just lovely to have. If your Dad doesn't like sun - then the spa will be the perfect place to relax and enjoy the views.

Kudos to you!

[coffeyk]

The spa is definitely worth it. We loved the Getaway spa last August and have booked it for the Epic Saturday.:D I believe the cost was $199 pp. I think it sometimes sells out so I book it ahead of time. I found it incredibly relaxing and peaceful.

[Action Dave]

Hi: We bought the spa package last year on our Getaway cruise..It was awesome...Not overly crowded and we spent a lot of time there..Getaway is a big ship and lots of people so the Spa was a

great escape for us. Absolutely loved it...In my opinion the best deal in town.:D

:D

[Carolina Girl 99]

We have sailed on Getaway twice and had thermal spa passes both times. It's a nice, relaxing retreat away from the crowds (and out of the sun for your Dad) and I would definitely purchase again. You get a $20 discount if you pre-purchase them online before your cruise!

[BirdTravels]

The thermal suite on the Getaway is wonderful. We have sailed on the Getaway and her sister/cousin megaships 12 times and have always gotten a Thermal Suite pass.

[Seminole1975]

I purposefully picked a spa mini suite on our Baltic Cruise in September to have access to the thermal spa. It is wonderful! I liked it on our Caribbean cruise but I think I will enjoy it more in a colder climate. My DH and DB went there every day and loved it!

[zqvol]

Just got off the Getaway and will never waste the money on the thermal suite on an "away" class ship again. There is one large pool kept at the same temperature, with different "jet areas". The hot tub is the same temperature as the pool. Yes there are sauna and steam rooms and the salt room, but really it is just a semi quiet area to relax. I say semi quiet because the pool pumps are so loud you cannot hear yourself think.

 

If I were on one of the older ships, like the dawn I would not hesitate to buy the package. IMO the suite on the older ships is much nicer than on the newer ones.

Edited March 13, 2017 by zqvol

[Carolina Girl 99]

If I were on one of the older ships, like the dawn I would not hesitate to buy the package. IMO the suite on the older ships is much nicer than on the newer ones.

 

zqvol- any experience with the thermal suite on Jade? We have a cruise booked for Dec 2018 and trying to decide if I should put that in the budget.

[PhillyTravelBug]

The thermal spa was worth every penny. Anyone would appreciate the gift...just for the relaxation aspect and to get away from the crowds

[Huntingdon1701]

zqvol- any experience with the thermal suite on Jade? We have a cruise booked for Dec 2018 and trying to decide if I should put that in the budget.

 

I was on the Jade a few months ago. It was very good, with the caveat that the hot tubs, saunas etc are all in separate men's and women's sections. As a solo traveller that was fine for me, but if you're spending time with someone of the opposite sex your together time will be limited to using the heated loungerwith their great view over the front of the ship, plus the unique flavoured waters you get there.

[$hip$hape]

The thermal spa was worth every penny. Anyone would appreciate the gift...just for the relaxation aspect and to get away from the crowds

WE were on the NCL Escape's TransAtlantic in 2015.

With so many sea days, I purchased the Thermal Spa Pass in advance for the two of us.

(It was a gift for me DW) Shortly after it was "sold out".

My DW enjoyed it much more than I. ( I thought it as kinda boring; I'd rather be in the casino :evilsmile:)

 

However, for our next cruise, on the NCL Bliss Crossing, I booked a Spa Balcony,

which includes the use of the Thermal Spa. So nice to have.

[inga418]

My sister in law was on the escape recently and purchased the thermal suite package. They said they would not do it again, only due to spa staff walking around hounding them to try other spa packages like acupuncture, facials, massage etc. She said it was hard to relax, peacefully. Anyone else have this experience? I'd like to try it but don't want to feel like I'm on a beach in the Dominican being hounded by vendors.

 

Sent from my SM-G530R4 using Forums mobile app

[$hip$hape]

My sister in law was on the escape recently and purchased the thermal suite package.

They said they would not do it again, only due to spa staff walking around hounding them to try other spa packages like acupuncture, facials, massage etc. She said it was hard to relax, peacefully. Anyone else have this experience? I'd like to try it but don't want to feel like I'm on a beach in the Dominican being hounded by vendors.

Odd. WE didn't see any staff other than the attendant picking up towels and glasses pax left behind.

Maybe hounding is something new?

[perditax]

My sister in law was on the escape recently and purchased the thermal suite package. They said they would not do it again, only due to spa staff walking around hounding them to try other spa packages like acupuncture, facials, massage etc. She said it was hard to relax, peacefully. Anyone else have this experience? I'd like to try it but don't want to feel like I'm on a beach in the Dominican being hounded by vendors.

 

Sent from my SM-G530R4 using Forums mobile app

 

Never had this happen in three trips with the thermal suite passes, including the Escape last October. Is it possible she's exaggerating a bit about the ladies at the very front entrance to the spa?

 

I feel like we'd hear a LOT of complaints if sales folks were actually interrupting people on their lounger / tile lounger naps.

 

And believe me if this happens on my upcoming cruise I will be the one letting people know. That destroys the whole point of the thermal suite.

[untailored bostonian]

Thoughts?. My parents are cruising on Getaway next January, my dad doesn't like sun and pools. If we leave him to the casinos, I worry about my inheritance (kidding). My parents have cruised the Gem with me a few years ago, but are loyal to RCCL; my excellent experiences and loyalty with NCL convinced them to go this route. However, I don't do the thermal spa (i'm one of those crazy people who obsess about Vibe, running to Headliners on Escape, my favorite ship!). Parents are mid 60's, fun but not big drinkers or explorers. This is my mom's retirement cruise, they want to chill and pick out their own entertainment as they go. So, I'm thinking about purchasing the Spa as a small thanks for not killing me while I was growing up.

 

We are in our late 60's, and sailing for 2 week on the Getaway. We are looking into the spa pass too. I have only done the spa pass on the Dawn. I personally spent 4+ hours a day in the pool and the lounge chairs there. No noise. No hoards of human flesh. You only need so much vitamin-D. If it is raining or very windy, that is not your problem. It is also cool if the mid-day heat bothers you.

 

The Dawn's spa set up was less elaborate, but it has a pool that was much larger than what the spa pool looks like on the Getaway. That said, you needed to use ladders for access to the Dawn's pool, and this appears to have a set of steps with double railings for ease of access. On the Getaway there are more "thermal room" options. The Salt Room sounds interesting The heated loungers are interesting too. Neither of these were on the Dawn. The padded loungers were fine and several books got read on them, when they did not just send me to "The Library", a euphemism for nap. The loungers on both ships look out over bow for one of the best views on the cruise.

It was worth the price for us. For two weeks it will be a bit expensive, but we will get more enjoyment from that that 14 nights of specialty restaurants.

[untailored bostonian]

Just got off the Getaway and will never waste the money on the thermal suite on an "away" class ship again. There is one large pool kept at the same temperature, with different "jet areas". The hot tub is the same temperature as the pool. Yes there are sauna and steam rooms and the salt room, but really it is just a semi quiet area to relax. I say semi quiet because the pool pumps are so loud you cannot hear yourself think.

 

If I were on one of the older ships, like the dawn I would not hesitate to buy the package. IMO the suite on the older ships is much nicer than on the newer ones.

 

I liked those noises. White noise to block out other peoples "whispers". I am not a Suite person, but the Spa Suite had my interest. I believe though a regular balcony then the Spa Pass is less expensive.

 

 

What other bonuses do a suite grant these days on the Getaway? We did a suite on the Dawn and that meant breakfast and lunch in Cagneys. That was nice.

[perditax]

I love the water noise too. That said, I'm fine with people swearing off the thermal suite--more space in the warm pool for me. :)

[purpletequila]

My sister in law was on the escape recently and purchased the thermal suite package. They said they would not do it again, only due to spa staff walking around hounding them to try other spa packages like acupuncture, facials, massage etc. She said it was hard to relax, peacefully. Anyone else have this experience? I'd like to try it but don't want to feel like I'm on a beach in the Dominican being hounded by vendors.

 

Sent from my SM-G530R4 using Forums mobile app

 

I was on last November and not one time did I even see staff in the thermal suite area other than to refill towels etc. You check in at the spa desk, they take your card and walk you to the door and that's the last you see of them. I was never, ever asked to buy anything or even have it mentioned to me.

[perditax]

I was on last November and not one time did I even see staff in the thermal suite area other than to refill towels etc. You check in at the spa desk, they take your card and walk you to the door and that's the last you see of them. I was never, ever asked to buy anything or even have it mentioned to me.

 

Yeah, I am extremely skeptical of this story. Like you, I've only seen staff restocking items and keeping the deck from getting too wet near the pool.

 

But if it happens to me I will be the first person to start a thread about it. :)