massages

[amyanne826]

Does anyone have any input about onboard massages? We are going on the crown princess in october and made a reservation for a couples massage. I have since heard that onboard massages are not a good idea, that the massage therapists dont do a very good job and with paying so much i am not sure if i want to do it now. whether it is good or bad reviews i would like to know peoples opinions so i dont waste my money. thanks

 

[Mbandy]

Ahoy amyanne826 and =welcome to Cruise @ddicts =sailor

I don't know where you heard that massages on a ship are not a good idea but I have my suspicions.

Susan has gone for a massage lots of times on board and she has never had any complaint at all. She goes for a massage about once a month when not on vacation so she would probably know if they didn't do a good job.

I always say no "woulda coulda shouldas" on vacation. If you think you'd enjoy a couples massage then go for it :thumb

=funsign on your cruise

 

[amyanne826]

thanks for the input. we really wanted to go i just did not want to waste that much money. But i think we will go for it. thanks

 

[Cruise cutie]

:wave I have had massages 3 x on ship.. they were excellent, just be forewarned the staff are "enforced" by the company that owns the spa employees.. they are told to "push" their gels, lotions etc, and they are PRICEY..=eek.. NOT worth the huge costs JMHO..
I won't buy their stuff, and very politely tell them No thank you..tip the person for the nice job, and on my way..enjoy!!....Joanne

 

[Mbandy]

=yeah Joanne makes a good point about the selling of the products. Susan does the same as Joanne, she just says no thanks and does tip well. I do believe I heard that some of the spa products they sell were not FDA approved but I wouldn't swear to that.

I spoke with Susan after I posted above and she confirmed that the massages on board were just as nice as any she's had.

 

[Conniemc]

Well, I have to disagree. I get massages regularly at home. I found the cruise lines charge 150% of what a good masseuse at home (northeast)charges and they were not very good. I got burned twice. No more. I'll wait till I get home. Now if getting a massage is new to you and you think it would be fun to get one at sea, go for it. But I can assure you, they are very overpriced.

 

[strollerfreak]

[quote Conniemc]But I can assure you, they are very overpriced.[/quote]

This is true, but FWIW isn't everything on the ship pretty over priced anyway?

We had a couples massage on our cruise that we just got back from. The masseuses that we had were perfect for us...my husband's masseuse tended to use a deeper pressure, my masseuse used a lighter pressure. Though we both agreed that we had had massages before at home that were just as good or better, and of course were cheaper, but hey, we were on vacation!!

The only thing was that we were confused/mislead as to what exactly to expect. We were told that we'd each have a masseuse working on us at the same time, and that after our massage we'd have use of the couples room (with a big spa bathtub). Another couple that also booked a couples massage was told that there was only one masseuse for the two of them, and while one was being worked on, the other would have hot stones or something on them, and that they'd have the couples room afterwards. Turned out that we had two masseuses, but we were pretty much escorted out of the room when we were done (after they had tried to push the lotions, etc of course!).

 

[Conniemc]

Yeah, I ordered an in cabin reflexology and neck massage. Two women showed up and worked both areas at the same time - NOT what I wanted. They blew out of there in 20 minutes sharp. I went down to the spa to complain that I ordered a 40 minute massage, broken down into two areas. They refunded half of it, which was appropriate. The woman who did the neck was EXCELLENT and the one who did the reflexology was horrible. She had no idea what she was doing. I wouldn't do it again. The whole point was to relax in my cabin lying down for the reflexology and sitting up for the neck. Instead (picture this!) they had me sitting up with my legs up at an angle (really uncomfortable!) and I was supposed to ENJOY that? I also specificially requested a male, since they tend to be stronger and do better reflexology. Despite the fact that the only male masseuse was clearly gay, they said they only send in same sex people. I said, what if the WOMEN were gay? Ha.

Nothings cheap??? Cigs are cheap!!!! :thumb

 

[green]

I had a massage on our first cruise, and I loved it! It was the first time that I had had a massage, and I have had several at home since then, but they were not as good. My masseuse was very good, and the experience was totally relaxing. It was expensive, though. Massages cost more when the ship is at sea, rather than in port, but they are still expensive. Mine was over $100 without tip. One of the things that I liked best was that the masseuse used hot oil, which really felt great. I have inquired about this at home, and many places use cream, instead, because they don't have shower facilities for after the massage. "Cruise Cutie" was right about the masseuses pushing the lotions. She wanted me to buy two different ones at $50 apiece, and I did end up purchasing one. My wife and I also attended a session where the masseuse taught us to give massages to each other. I did purchase a massage table, some books, and a hot oil warmer when we got home, but we haven't used it as much as I would like because we have been busy with a lot of things, but I am going to make it more of a priority.

 

[amyanne826]

Thanks for all the input. I think we will still get the massages. I know they are overpriced, but we dont vacation very often and never just the two of us, so we will splurge.