Surial Ritual Chamber (Rasul)

[ksumom]

Does anyone know if this is still available? I've read about it on Barb's site and thought it might be fun!!

It is not available in the spa reservations online, so didn't know if it's still there or just can't book till onboard.

Thanks!!

 

[TiggerKing]

I recall reading on another thread that it is still available, but is one part of the spa that cannot be booked until you board. Hopefully someone will confirm this information.

 

[DrCavin]

Yes, still available via on-board booking only

 

[Jsme]

Lots of fun too.

 

[goofymama]

what is rasul??????? Inquiring minds want to know

 

[Laurabearz]

DH and I are intereseted in doing this, but we have to coordinate a FLounders reservations in order to do it.....

ANyone know what hours the Rasul is offered???

 

[mokehil]

Does anyone know if this is still available? I've read about it on Barb's site and thought it might be fun!!

It is not available in the spa reservations online, so didn't know if it's still there or just can't book till onboard.

Thanks!!

We did it on July 2 West Coast. It was fun. Instead of bringing water we brought champagne! Booked it on board. Tip about keeping the water on to cool our feet was a good one.

 

[Mom24Princesses]

We did it on July 2 West Coast. It was fun. Instead of bringing water we brought champagne! Booked it on board. Tip about keeping the water on to cool our feet was a good one.

What about other frozen / drinks treats smoothies.
Just what can you bring in? Big mug of soda? Ice?
Just thinking. . .

266 days and counting until we all sail away on the Magic
333 days until 20th Ann NO KIDS on the Wonder
Melanie

 

[Bbethparsons]

DO IT! You will love it! Hubby and I did it on our first Magic cruise and loved every moment of it. Worth every dime!

 

[Jsme]

As stated above it is important to keep the cold water running once you entered the sauna room. It tends to burn places you might not want burnt if you do the X rated version. You can also ask for more towels. Very good idea as well. I did not know they would let you take alcohol in the rooms. I am really surprised since it gets so hot and it can raise your blood pressure (LOL) and the the combination of champagne.....

 

[cookleitz]

Our experience in booking the Rasul was that the times that it is available are very limited. We were on the ship very early, but maybe the spots were jsut all taken by the time we got there.

Chris

 

[Peg911]

I can't stand it--what is Rasul???????????

 

[gemjoy]

I can't stand it--what is Rasul???????????

I'm with ya Peg!
I've been wondering this myself...
Okay...... GIVE IT UP EVERYONE???
What is "RASUL"

 

[gemjoy]

Hmmmmmmmm....... maybe we can figure this out!
I know it involves MUD (from a very funny previous post) he-he!!!
I know it involves HEAT (sauna heat??? body heat??? BOTH OH MY...
From everyones remarks ~ I think I should book this for DH and I.
If only I could find out what it is!!!!????

 

[myboysmom]

Here is a PG version taken from another site (I wasn't sure if I could post the link). I think it sounds very fun and because we have to share our room with our children a little chance for some quality adult time.

NOTE: As of April, 2004, the name of the surial was changed to the rasul. That is the name by which it is also known on Royal Caribbean's ships.
As a veteran of double-digit Disney cruises as a couple with no children, I consider myself an "expert" in the best onboard activities for adults. Often, I am asked which one is my all-time favorite, and I'd have to answer: "THE SURIAL BATH!!!" This experience, now known as the rasul, is some of the best fun that a couple can have on board the ship.

What, you might ask, is a surial bath? Basically, it is one of the best bargains offered by the spa. It can be a G rated experience, or you can bring it up to X...it's all up to you. The facilities can hold up to three people, but by its nature, this experience is more geared for two. Technically it could be done by family members if you are just interested in a relaxing steam bath experience, but it is more geared to being shared by romantic partners.

First, you undress in the locker rooms and don robes that are provided by the spa (you can be nude underneath or wear a swimsuit). Then, an attendant escorts you to your own private "playground." This private area is actually two rooms...a shower/sitting area and a large steam room. The attendant shows you various bowls and bottles on a table, which include one or more types of mud that are supposed to be applied to specific parts of the body (although it is a lot more fun to use them as body paints), salt or a tube of exfoliant, and aromatherapy products such as massage oils, lotions, and gels. Shampoo and conditioner will also be provided, either with the products or in a dispenser in the shower.

The attendant will then leave you for the next hour, and as she put it the first time we experienced this, "Make your own fun!" Depending on just how much fun you want to get into, you may want to bring some extra towels from the locker room. Towels will be provided in the room, but the tile floor is hard so it's always nice to have some extra cushioning just in case you are going for the full X rating.

Technically, you are supposed to apply the mud as directed, then let it soak in as you lounge in the steam room, and finish off by washing off with the aromatherapy products. But somehow I don't think that things usually happen this way. Realistically, you can pretty much do whatever you want (wink, wink). I suggest having a mud fight and hitting up your partner for a massage with the wonderfully soothing oils.

You have an hour, and just in case you don't have a water/steamproof watch, the attendant will knock on the door with a "ten minute warning" as your session draws to a close. You don't have to open the door; simply knock back to acknowledge that you heard the signal. In all the times we have done this, we have always had complete privacy. However, I have seen message board reports of attendants walking in...perhaps that happens if you get a voyaristic attendant. We have never had any problem with this.

Some people have reported problems with getting the steam to start. The start button can be finicky, so if it doesn't kick on the first time, hold in the button for several seconds. You may need to do this a couple of times to get things steamy. Once the steam starts billowing in, be careful because it can be quite hot on your feet. In the steam area, there are three alcoves with hoses and showers to sit in. The shower water is usually warm, but the hose water is cool. I have very low blood pressure (not a medical condition; normal for me), so I am most comfortable when I run a continual stream of water on me while enjoying the steam. The room can get extremely warm.

Interestingly enough, people seem to either love or hate this treatment. I've seen many reports on the internet, and there's seldom any middle ground. I think it all depends on the type of people you and your partner are. Are you adventurous? Does the idea of a mudfight sound appealing or yucky? Do you like steam rooms, or do they bore you? Are you into trying spa products, or do you hate being oily and full of lotion? Does an hour alone with your partner in a hot, steamy room sound really neat or like 60 minutes of tedium? Consider these questions carefully before booking this treatment.

I think that the rasul/surial is especially good for honeymooners and for people with kids who rarely can escape for a little private time. Hubby and I don't have children, so that isn't a problem for us, but we just think it's really neat. We don't even have a usual plan. Sometimes our experience gets the full X rating, and other times it's just a relaxing G-rated romp. We have lots of fun either way.

This treatment has gotten quite a reputation on the internet, so appointments can fill up quickly. If you are interested, it's best to get to the spa about 15 minutes before appointments start being taken on embarkation day. The spa is located on Deck 9, as far forward as you can get on the ship.

Have fun, and keep it clean (not!!!)

 

[Jsme]

I can't stand it--what is Rasul???????????

LOL...can be lots of fun. It can be relaxing and it can be naughty. Depends on what you are up for....

The rasual is a private chamber for 2 adults that is actually two rooms. The room you enter is a get ready room lol...it is where your lotions, muds, and shampoos are located. This is also where you towels and shower are located. The other room is a private sauna (very hot) room.

Do you get the picture? You can have fun and be naughty or you can just go for the relaxation of the treatment. As I said the sauna gets hot. You would not want to burn any areas of your body. There is a cool water hose supply you can use to keep things cool and interesting. I highly suggest you use it. You can also request more towels. I would do this as well.

You are locked into this room by the CM who has the key. You can leave at any time but only she can come in. She will not do so without you knowing it. When you have 15 minutes left they knock on the door to let you know how much time is left. When we did this last October, we did not have to lock the door ourselves the CM locked us in. And yes believe me I checked to make sure it was locked. But someone has posted back to one of my posts on another thread about the rasual that this is not true. You must lock the door yourself. I am not sure why they had to, but I know we did not. Heck I was not getting nude and covered with mud unless I was positive no one was coming in on me.

I did not know the Rasul fills up quickly. We had no problem in making the appointment we wanted. We did make the appointment the first day we were there for 2 days later. I know we went up pretty early in the afternoon. We actually thought our appointment was 30 minutes later than what it was. There was some confusion on the time on the card and the time that was in the appointment book. The CM called and asked us if we were coming and we apologized and told her our card said it was for 30 minutes later. She said it was no problem to come on up. I guess the more that is written about it the more it has become popular.

 

[Peg911]

OMG-- based on that -- it's not an option--- it's a must do for the honeymoon!!

 

[thiscloud]

when we did the surial/rasul in '01, it seemed like there were two locks on the door, one where the door automatically locked when it was closed and could only be opened by the cm's keys, and then a second one that would normally be locked from the inside with a ... turning thingy (i don't know how to describe it, but like a deadbolt lock), but the turning thingy wasn't there, and instead there was a small flat circle covering it. the circle had a slight indentation down the middle, and i used my nails or my kttw or something to turn that, so we locked it from the inside as well. like jsme said, "Heck I was not getting nude and covered with mud unless I was positive no one was coming in on me."

 

[Jsme]

"Heck I was not getting nude and covered with mud unless I was positive no one was coming in on me."

Could you imagine it now. Cover with mud...having a little fun...and oops walks in someone. OMG!! I would have died. We even clean up the first room before the CM came in. For some reason there was mud in odd places.

 

[TiggerKing]

Okay, like Peg said, this is becoming more of a requirement the more I read about it!

Just one question, anyone recall the cost of it?