First time massage

[JEANMR1]

Hello 

I have booked my first massage ever on the Mardi Gras. I’m a little nervous about a stranger touching me but I’m 50 years old and need to get over it. 
I was wondering if I have access to the rest of the spa that day or during the visit. 
Also, can you explain the process? Do they ask where you want to be massaged?  Would it be weird if I only wanted them to do my back for a Swedish massage?

thanks

 

[EllaDuChien]

They will sit and talk with you before hand about where your tension spots are.  Let her know that this is your first massage, she will explain everything before she does it.  I am not sure about access to the rest of the spa on the Mardi Gras. 

[karriec]

Make sure to let them know ahead of time if you are not interested in buying additional products.  My husband had a massage on our Dec. Pride cruise and they spent half the time trying to sell him product.   He was very annoyed.  

[EllaDuChien]

35 minutes ago, karriec said:

Make sure to let them know ahead of time if you are not interested in buying additional products.  My husband had a massage on our Dec. Pride cruise and they spent half the time trying to sell him product.   He was very annoyed.  

 

This does happen, no question.  On the Sunshine last week, I did get the product sales pitch, but she did give me my full 50 minute massage, the sales pitch was after that.  Hopefully your hubs did as well...otherwise I would certainly have said something. 

[sanger727]

So no, booking a massage will not get you access to any extra spa areas. 
 

typically they have you fill an information sheet out when you are waiting and there is an opportunity to circle spots you want massaged or x spots you don’t. For a 60 minute Swedish massage, back is perfectly acceptable but I would suggest including shoulders, neck, and arms. Usually they will massage you both face up and face down. You’ll just flip underneath on the blanket. But if you want to be facedown the whole time they can do that.

 

my best advise to a spa newbie is that they want you to enjoy it. Tell them

where you do and do not want to be massages. Back, neck, shoulders, arms, and legs are usually standard, but you can say no legs if you prefer. Chest, gluts, head/face are options but that’s personal preference. They should ask early on how the pressure is. Please tell them if you want it lighter or harder. I had a friend that enjoys spa treatments but hates massages. I found out that it was because she doesn’t like having tense spot massages with moderate pressure. She wanted light pressure throughout; but she never told her massuests! They can’t read minds and many people like having enough pressure that it hurts a bit. Others don’t. It’s perfectly fine, but they don’t know if you don’t tell them.

[slavigne5577]

I also write on the form that I DO NOT want to buy any products or hear anything about any products. This has worked for my husband and myself.

[Drazil65]

Make sure to let them know ahead of time if you are not interested in buying additional products

 

THIS...my hubby big massage person and booked one a few years ago on our cruise (dont remember which ship).  Never again, he said the hard sell was so aggressive that he came out of there more anxious then ever.  He clearly told the girl that he was not interested in products once she started and preferred to have no talking during session.  He said she was quiet for about 3 mins and then continued the upsell of products.  I understand from several people it can be same way in hair salon, aggressive product selling.

[CruisinTrkrs3]

Null

Edited January 22, 2022 by CruisinTrkrs3
Brain matter

[slavigne5577]

1 hour ago, Drazil65 said:

Make sure to let them know ahead of time if you are not interested in buying additional products

 

THIS...my hubby big massage person and booked one a few years ago on our cruise (dont remember which ship).  Never again, he said the hard sell was so aggressive that he came out of there more anxious then ever.  He clearly told the girl that he was not interested in products once she started and preferred to have no talking during session.  He said she was quiet for about 3 mins and then continued the upsell of products.  I understand from several people it can be same way in hair salon, aggressive product selling.

I have never had them try and sell during the massage. That is awful and the opposite if relaxation . If that happens I will request a manager or my money back after I tell them no and they continue. That should shut them up!!! But like I stated before, Writing it on the form (front and back) (in big writing) has worked for us.

[slavigne5577]

Just now, slavigne5577 said:

I have never had them try and sell during the massage. That is awful and the opposite if relaxation . If that happens I will request a manager or my money back after I tell them no and they continue. That should shut them up!!! But like I stated before, Writing it on the form (front and back) (in big writing) has worked for us.

Our friends forgot to write it on form and had to listen to 20 minute pitch. He refused to pay 18% gratuity. It was removed from his bill.

[nwcruiselover]

Every time I have had a massage at the spa they bombard me with products I “need” to improve my skin.  I always tell them no thanks and they usually stop the sales pitch.  On a recent cruise DH went for a massage and came back with $75 worth of products he didn’t need and hasn’t used.  Just make sure to tell then you are not going to buy any products.

[nlktx49]

My first cruise many years ago I went to the spa for a facial. The form they had me fill out first asked about what problems I have with my skin. They then used that information to sell me a lot of stuff I never used. That was a very expensive facial! I thought that was just standard procedure on a cruise, and I was much less likely to speak up.  Be firm and assertive, tell them upfront, no sales pitch, no talking during the facial or massage.Question any charges that shouldn't be on your bill.

 

Things like this, stories from other cruisers about their spa experiences, and the greatly overpriced services are why I never use the spa on ship. Carnival does not own or manage the spa, nor the stores, nor the casino, so they will not help you with any issues you have with them.

 

Being your first massage, don't let any experience there put you off massages. They are truly a wonderful experience, but use your hometown salon!

 

[Silent Penguin]

10 hours ago, slavigne5577 said:

I also write on the form that I DO NOT want to buy any products or hear anything about any products. This has worked for my husband and myself.

Me, too!    I was going to post this if it wasn't already posted.  

[Colorado Cruzer]

Just understand the experience you get on a carnival ship for massage is very different from most other massage places. You will have to spend time telling them no for about 50 products before you even get to undress...lol.  Also, you tell the person where and how you want a massage.  They don't dictate that at all.  be very clear - I would like my neck, shoulders and back done, nothing for arms legs or glutes. Also, I would reccomend you ask for medium pressure and let them know if you are uncomfortable with pressure immediately so you won't be hurting for days. You will be fine once you get past the hard sell of products. I will personally never book a massage on a carnival ship again because of the wasted time with the hard sell.  allow at lesat 1.5 hours for a 50 min massage.

Have a great cruise!

[wendrfl63]

I guess I have been lucky.  I have had massages on every cruise I have been on and only remember getting a hard sell on one about 15 years ago.  My therapists have always been quiet and accommodating with my requests.  I won't go on a cruise without getting a massage.   That's actually the first place I go after visiting our room is to the Spa to sign up for the drawings.  I also got a free facial once as a "model" and it was an amazing experience.  I wish all of you had the same type of experience I have had.  In my opinion it is definitely worth it!

[EllaDuChien]

2 hours ago, wendrfl63 said:

I guess I have been lucky.  I have had massages on every cruise I have been on and only remember getting a hard sell on one about 15 years ago.  My therapists have always been quiet and accommodating with my requests.  I won't go on a cruise without getting a massage.   That's actually the first place I go after visiting our room is to the Spa to sign up for the drawings.  I also got a free facial once as a "model" and it was an amazing experience.  I wish all of you had the same type of experience I have had.  In my opinion it is definitely worth it!

 

I've only had massages on my last two, but this has been my experience as well.  They will of course try to sell me products, but a polite no thank you has always been enough to drop the subject.

[TerReuv]

It sounds like it depends on the person you get whether you get a hard sell or not.  My hubby and I did a couples massage and we told them before we couldn't afford to buy anything so not to bother.  They did a great massage and after didn't try to sell us anything.  Later we received a $50 gift card and I went back to the spa and found one of the ladies and ended up purchasing the oil they used.  It was so smooth and the gift card covered it.  We have a lot of OBC for our October cruise and I was going to do another massage.  Hope my experience is the same as my first.

[Doggielover68]

On 1/22/2022 at 6:18 AM, JEANMR1 said:

Hello 

I have booked my first massage ever on the Mardi Gras. I’m a little nervous about a stranger touching me but I’m 50 years old and need to get over it. 
I was wondering if I have access to the rest of the spa that day or during the visit. 
Also, can you explain the process? Do they ask where you want to be massaged?  Would it be weird if I only wanted them to do my back for a Swedish massage?

thanks

 

I'm very self conscious so my first massage was weird, but it is very relaxing. They will ask you for your preferences. I don't like having my feet touched, so I always exclude them. They will leave you alone in the room to get undressed (at whatever comfort level works for you) and then get under the blanket. They uncover one section at a time as they are massaging you and then cover that section back up when they are done. They never uncover your "private" areas. There will likely be some upselling but just be up front and tell them you don't want to buy anything. I've never had anyone try to hard sell me into anything. 

 

 

[famof4togo]

I've had 3 messages on a Carnival ship and while yes they tried to upsell some items, I never felt it was pushy or over the top...it never took more than a polite decline.  I mean if you can handle the peddlers in Cabo or Jamaica etc....this should be nothing LOL