Ashleyb 11 Posted January 3 Report Share Posted January 3 Anyone done this massage? Is it worth the price and how was your experience? We will be on allure if that helps Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 28,236 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 If you have experience with land based massage venues it's pretty similar but they will do a hard sell at the end trying to push a range of products. It's more expensive compared to a massage on land but if its a special occasion perhaps it's worth it. They outsource the spa to a 3rd party that does many different cruise lines. Ashleyb and S0nny 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashleyb 11 Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 21 minutes ago, twangster said: If you have experience with land based massage venues it's pretty similar but they will do a hard sell at the end trying to push a range of products. It's more expensive compared to a massage on land but if its a special occasion perhaps it's worth it. They outsource the spa to a 3rd party that does many different cruise lines. I have never had a massage and was just looking at ways to splurge for my boyfriend and I! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jagnew 62 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 My wife and I did this about 2 years ago, and it was a great experience. Just be prepared for the previously mentioned upsell at the end and can give a strong No Thanks. Depending on your itinerary, and if you are flexible with when it can happen, there will likely be onboard deals that are cheaper than the cruise planner price. If you are willing to risk it, and/or get an off peak time, then waiting is beneficial. Ashleyb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashleyb 11 Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 8 minutes ago, jagnew said: My wife and I did this about 2 years ago, and it was a great experience. Just be prepared for the previously mentioned upsell at the end and can give a strong No Thanks. Depending on your itinerary, and if you are flexible with when it can happen, there will likely be onboard deals that are cheaper than the cruise planner price. If you are willing to risk it, and/or get an off peak time, then waiting is beneficial. Great, thank you!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 28,236 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 Stay away from the bamboo sticks option. DJsMrs and S0nny 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashleyb 11 Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 28 minutes ago, twangster said: Stay away from the bamboo sticks option. Okay Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeWhoWaits 1,288 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 7 hours ago, twangster said: Stay away from the bamboo sticks option. @twangster is absolutely right. I have never had a massage onboard, but my wife loved the Swedish massage and hated the bamboo massage (she was sore for days). Ashleyb and twangster 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hsweat22 11 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 Like others have said, its a great experience. They tried to push stuff on us before and after but it wasn't to the point that it ruined the experience. If its a special occasion I would go for it! We always get one on a port day morning. Ashleyb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 12,053 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 We tried it on our honeymoon, but it seemed overpriced for the "privilege" of being in same room as my wife to get a massage. You're not holding hands or looking deeply into each other's eyes...you're both face down on a table with eyes closed getting a massage. I think there's better value (and wider variety of massage choices) if you both book spa massages at the same time, but in different rooms. Jax, WAAAYTOOO, S0nny and 2 others 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WAAAYTOOO 12,132 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 Regarding the "hard sell" that inevitably comes at the end of the session.... I have found that I can cut them off at the pass by telling them before they even start that I am not interested in purchasing any products or services and please do not waste either of our time. You can do that in a way that isn't offensive and it saves a lot of time and pressure at the end. Once, I had them try and do their "schpeel" on me anyway (even after I had told them not to) and I just walked out. I didn't feel bad doing that as they had already been warned. MicDay, USCG Teacher, S0nny and 2 others 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJsMrs 160 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 For the same amount of money - maybe consider a different activity that might be more rewarding, in terms of memories or quality time together. The prices are inflated - which is to be expected, and the massages aren't terrible... but is there an excursion you could explore? Or a couples massage on land that might be better priced, support a local economy, and provide a better experience? I've had three massages on board various ships - and they've all been fine... but for the extra price I always had a bit of buyer's remorse at the end and I don't book them any more WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashleyb 11 Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 23 minutes ago, DJsMrs said: For the same amount of money - maybe consider a different activity that might be more rewarding, in terms of memories or quality time together. The prices are inflated - which is to be expected, and the massages aren't terrible... but is there an excursion you could explore? Or a couples massage on land that might be better priced, support a local economy, and provide a better experience? I've had three massages on board various ships - and they've all been fine... but for the extra price I always had a bit of buyer's remorse at the end and I don't book them any more Good point. We booked the excursions we wanted already and had some extra money left in our budget so that’s why I was even considering it. We may just get one on land before we go! Thanks for the advice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sharla 357 Posted January 4 Report Share Posted January 4 I visit the spa on every cruise, and a couples massage is fun, though other posters are correct, you're not getting great bonding time, there's no talking you're just in the same room. That being said we do enjoy this type of thing, it's just fun. And agreed, no bamboo, especially not your first massage! Ashleyb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashleyb 11 Posted January 4 Author Report Share Posted January 4 27 minutes ago, Sharla said: I visit the spa on every cruise, and a couples massage is fun, though other posters are correct, you're not getting great bonding time, there's no talking you're just in the same room. That being said we do enjoy this type of thing, it's just fun. And agreed, no bamboo, especially not your first massage! Thank you!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MicDay 162 Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 I LOVE massages!! I guess I'm too cheap to pay for the inflated price on a ship. Be careful with a deep tissue massage. If done right they are awesome but if they are done wrong, its very painful!!!! I have a feeling that a bamboo massage is like a bad deep tissue massage. Ashleyb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashleyb 11 Posted January 6 Author Report Share Posted January 6 34 minutes ago, MicDay said: I LOVE massages!! I guess I'm too cheap to pay for the inflated price on a ship. Be careful with a deep tissue massage. If done right they are awesome but if they are done wrong, its very painful!!!! I have a feeling that a bamboo massage is like a bad deep tissue massage. Thank you! DD474 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DD474 166 Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 On 1/3/2021 at 6:43 PM, Ashleyb said: Anyone done this massage? Is it worth the price and how was your experience? We will be on allure if that helps My Wife and I have done couples massages on every cruise. Kind of expensive, compared to a massage back on shore. But your on vacation!! So why not splurge. Ashleyb and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JimnKathy 219 Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 My suggestion is to get a massage a day or two prior to sailing in your hometown...it's a better value AND will really get you in the mood to relax and enjoy your cruise! Ashleyb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jax 552 Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 On 1/4/2021 at 7:18 AM, Matt said: I think there's better value (and wider variety of massage choices) if you both book spa massages at the same time, but in different rooms. +1 to this advice. We have never done the couples massage but I have tried a variety of massage services; all of which I loved. Watch for embarkation day spa promotions; I have jumped on these. Surprisingly, one of my best treatments at sea was a head/foot massage I won playing BINGO. Heavenly Ashleyb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jax 552 Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 On 1/4/2021 at 7:32 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: I have found that I can cut them off at the pass by telling them before they even start that I am not interested in purchasing any products or services and please do not waste either of our time. +1 to this! Ashleyb 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jax 552 Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 On 1/3/2021 at 9:34 PM, twangster said: Stay away from the bamboo sticks option. I would avoid the “brush” treatment that sometimes is part of a massage treatment. I found it painful and it was not a good look for my spray tan. Ashleyb and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Linda R 77 Posted January 11 Report Share Posted January 11 5 hours ago, JimnKathy said: My suggestion is to get a massage a day or two prior to sailing in your hometown...it's a better value AND will really get you in the mood to relax and enjoy your cruise! This is a great idea! I think we will do that next cruise JimnKathy and Ashleyb 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaryAA 91 Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 We got massages on our Explorer cruise last February. We were happy with the massages and didn’t have the hard sell for products. I get frequent massages in my hometown and the massage was as good. JimnKathy and Ashleyb 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
S0nny 274 Posted January 14 Report Share Posted January 14 On 1/4/2021 at 8:32 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: Once, I had them try and do their "schpeel" on me anyway (even after I had told them not to) and I just walked out. One day I will be this bold... but I can barely send back something I didn't even order at a restaurant On 1/11/2021 at 12:18 PM, JimnKathy said: My suggestion is to get a massage a day or two prior to sailing in your hometown...it's a better value AND will really get you in the mood to relax and enjoy your cruise! +1 to this! We did the couples massage on our last cruise, and I almost smacked my husband when I saw the price (to be fair... I am the cheap one in the marriage) The massage itself was relaxing... but no different than any couples massage we've had in the past. The biggest "advantage" IMO is the ability to use the Spa waiting area to relax and decompress from the ruckus that is cruise life. I think that might include access to the Thermal Spa on-board... but I couldn't look at our cruise-planner since RCCL had the audacity to cancel our April 4th 2020 cruise out of San Juan! My personal advice is to skip the massage onboard, and get a massage done where you can control the factors that may be important to YOU! That may be affordability, quality, variability, or quality ratings. We always arrive into the port town a day early... Why not get one done on land, skip the cruise "TAX", and get your vacation started with a "happy beginning" Ashleyb and JimnKathy 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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