First on ship & still Spa full - Ideas?

[scuba diver]

We just returned from our week of paradise on the Magic. Everything was great! However, we were very disappointed to not get a reservation for the Suriel Spa Treatment.

We were the first people in line to get on the ship Saturday morning. I mean we were really the first ones on the ship to follow the "special" people.

DW went immediately to make spa reservations. I went to book our Palo Reservations. DW was the first in line to book spa reservations and all the times for the Suriel Spa were already booked. They put us on a waiting list, but we never were called.

We were able to get the rest of our spa treatments.

Is there a way to book the Suriel Spa ahead of time, maybe some type of special package? The spa people could not (or would not) explain it.

Any ideas?

 

[tlgoblue]

Same thing happened to me on the 1/25 sailing. It is My understanding that Concierge books these high demand treatments in blocks. I was never called either, but did call them and got a "cancellation". Sorry you didn't get to do the bath. I don't understand why this is different than other times we've sailed. Ive' heard some other taies of concierge bookings on popular, resevation only events, only to be left with several unfilled cancellations or no-shows. Too bad for those who depend on tips for their living. Nope. You're not alone.

Tracy

 

[my3kids]

Wow...I can't believe that. We weren't first onto the ship but I did go straight to the spa. No problems...I think I was the first Surial booked. I don't understand how it was full so quickly unless something was wrong with that area and while they said "full" what they really meant was"broken!" We did get the appointment and I'm sorry we did. The steam didn't work, the water would only come out cold.....all in all, kind of yucky. Next time I won't go directly to the spa, I'll jump in the Mickey pool with the kids instead.

 

[tlgoblue]

My3kids,

I think I've seen a few of your other posts, regarding your Surial experience. I was wondering if this was a recent experience? As far as the facility being broken, we called back on Sunday, and were able to get the only cancellation, ("So far"), for the next day. The spa was in perfect working order, and immaculate. We had a 1:30 appt., so not the first of the day, as many have suggested doing to avoid any less than clean conditions. One thing I noticed was they have stopped using the red mud. The attendant said there were a few people who reported reactions. I was thinking the rec mud was what was turning so many people off, as it did look pretty yucky in there after it had been used. Just a thought.

Again, sorry to both of you. We love the surial, and hope you give it another try. At $68.00, it is one of the better Spa values, and one of the most hassel free. (Never experienced any of the high pressure pitches that some of the other treatments promote)

I, too, wish I knew the secret to getting a Surial ressie. Maybe it's a simple matter of $$. But I'll be first in line in September, and will call back every day to secure a spot for DH and myself.


Tracy

 

[my3kids]

tlgoblue: We went in November, so sort of recent....although not recent enough! The thing that really upset me was the attendant showed us the button for steam and turned it on. She explained the rest of the treatment and then I asked about the steam because I didn't see any. She said Oh yes, the steam is on. Well, not having been in a spa's steam room before I took her word for it since she had checked it for us. After she left I still didn't see or feel any steam and tried and tried to make that button do something. We put the mud on, but no steam ever came to ease it off. We tried to rinse it off but no hot, or even warm, water. Finally, in the last couple of minutes of the hour, steam started pouring into the chamber. Duh??? I thought it didn't seem to be working before the girl left.

Maybe the absense of red mud makes it seem cleaner. All those bottles and tubes of products in there in the little cloth covered table. With what it sounds like is going on in there, how in the world do they keep all that sanitary. Big yuck factor for me! The rooms just seemed to be dirty.....perhaps the red mud stained and it was clean, just didn't look so much so???

Anyway, if I hadn't gotten an appointment when I was near the front of the line, I would have been very disappointed, so I guess I'm glad I did go....but having been there, done that....I won't be knocking anyone down during the ressie rush next time! I found that someone else's 'don't miss' can in fact be a 'please miss' for me. Heck....I had a grand time at the vegetable car race and I'm sure there are alot of parent's who couldn't wait to get out of that. To each his own, I guess.

 

[tlgoblue]

I had a grand time at the vegetable car race and I'm sure there are alot of parent's who couldn't wait to get out of that.

LOL! Haven't tried that one yet. I'll have to drag the kids with me to try it. Any chance to embarrass them! I keep threatening kareoke (sp?). Yes, to each his own.

Smiles!
Tracy

 

[ducklite]

The concierge definitely do get a huge block of times for all treatments that are reserved for concierge guests, but opened up once the concierge guests have all had a cance to book. My advice would be to call later in the day teh first day and see if they've released any times.

We did the surial, it was OK, but we won't be bothering to do it again.

Anne

 

[SC Minnie]

We also did the surial and didn't see what all the hoopla was about. It was OK to try but we won't be lining up to do it again.

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Originally posted by my3kids
Finally, in the last couple of minutes of the hour, steam started pouring into the chamber.

Hey, that just made me think of something! The spa at my local club has an internal thermometer which needs to cool to a certain temp before the steam can kick on. Maybe we need to find the suriel bath's sensor and cool it, then press the button.
Our only problem was the floor drain not working. You had to tip toe thru super hot ankle deep muddy water to get out, or keep letting it run out into the other room. I imagine that's not an easy area to maintain.
I too join the club of 'been there, done that'. But I'm glad I (we) checked it out.
Oh, here's my idea for it's replacement... (could be a new topic thread)
Spend $68. on something nice for ME, send the kids to the kids' club, go back to the room...
Oh, there's now a use for those little lotions with Goofy and Minnie on them. (hummm, character play??) Somebody STOP ME!

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

We've been on 3 cruises and did the surial all 3 times. The first two times it was great! We loved it and the equipment worked. The last time and I do mean last time we had the same experience as my3kids. The steam never came out and the water was freezing cold! Picture two naked, mud covered adults scraping mud off with towels and you get the picture. When we got out I informed the attendant I wasn't paying. I'd done the treatment twice before and I knew what it was supposed to be and that wasn't it. Well while I was getting dressed she grabbed my husband and got him to sign the bill after I had told her no! Oooo was I mad.

 

[tlgoblue]

Tiiiigergirl,

That must have been infuriating! Did you contact the Steiner Company? Rae has posted a number to call, on a different thread. (or was it that long ago that it would'nt work to comlain now?) The last time Goblueguy and I used the chamber, he had a hard time getting the water in the regular shower to warm up, but the water in the steam chamber was fine. (when I tried it, everything was fine. Maybe it has a long run of pipe or something. I swear at my house, I send ten gallons down the drain before I get hot water. My hot water tank is on the complete opposite side of the house as my bathroom!) Which water is everybody talking about that was freezing? I'm not one to complain, but I certainly would if I had the experiences some of you have had! Many of the treatments I've had there have been a bit lackluster. (Better than nothing at all ) I sometimes get the impression that they really would rather be somewhere else. Understandable, but that is their job. Still don't complain, except to GBG.

Tracy