For those who have had a Couples Massage...

[MySecondHome]

When I make the reservation - I tell them - "If there is any type of sales pitch there will be no tip".

When I arrive for the massage/treatment - I repeat my statement.

So far it has worked every time.

I will use this too!!! Maybe this will work.

Sent from my iPod touch using DISBoards

 

[neg58]

Oh, I didn't do it, but someone from DIS I meat mentioned it was great. I was under the impression is the price is for both. It's cheap since the therapists only teach you a bit, but then the idea is that you give the massage to each other in private.

They had this as part of the enhanced Rainforest week pass on the Wonder, and I don't remember how much it was, but they had it available for the singles pass too. I asked how that would work with only one person and the staff just looked at me. I don't know if they were stumped or if they thought I was stupid, but I couldn't figure out, and still can't, how it would be possible for a single to give and receive a exotic razul.

I think they are just so used to up-selling everything they don't think that a couple's massage shouldn't have a single's price.

 

[ImDMous]

They had this as part of the enhanced Rainforest week pass on the Wonder, and I don't remember how much it was, but they had it available for the singles pass too. I asked how that would work with only one person and the staff just looked at me. I don't know if they were stumped or if they thought I was stupid, but I couldn't figure out, and still can't, how it would be possible for a single to give and receive a exotic razul.

I think they are just so used to up-selling everything they don't think that a couple's massage shouldn't have a single's price.

The Exotic Rasul is separate from the scrubs that are included in the Rainforest pass. It is a scheduled spa treatment and does not include Rainforest Room access. Mostly it's used for some mommy and daddy playtime without the kids, if you know what I mean, although I'm sure there are also plenty of people who actually pay attention during the instructions and actually do the scrub treatment. The scrubs they sell as an add-on to the Rainforest Room pass are meant to be put on yourself and then you sit in the steam room for a few minutes and let it do it's magic before washing it off in the showers.

 

[kiford]

On Feb on the Wonder, they had a 'couples massage' where you actually massage each other in private after they teach you a little bit - I think it was called Exotic Razul or something. Also, it was under $100. Is there something similar on the Dream/Fantasy?

Yes, on the Magic there is the Exotic Rasul which we always do. It's a private room with a shower, steam room and sitting area. They give you various oils, muds, shampoo, etc. and leave you alone for 50 minutes. Then they knock on the door and give you 10 minutes to get ready to leave. There's no instruction other than how to use the various muds and gels and the steam room. But that's OK - you have the time to figure it out yourself.

There is unfortunately no such thing on the Dream.

We've done the couples massage several times. We've been pitched each time but when we're not interested, we just say no or only pick one that we'd like to try and they've not been pushier.

I have a problem with the muscles in my hip and IT band getting very tight and each time that we've done this, they've really worked on it. Sometimes I didn't even realize just how tight they were and always felt great afterwards.

It totally depends on the individual you get. We've had nothing but great experiences.

 

[tink too]

The Exotic Rasul is a completely different experience from the couple's massage class. When you've booked the Rasul, you are given a brief description of all the lotions, treatments and showers, etc and then left on your own in the Rasul room with your partner. It's up to you what you do once you lock the door.

When you attend the massage class, you will be met by a massage therapist, taught some of the techniques and are given the chance to try these on your partner under their supervision. The cost is relatively low (compared to other couples massage offerings) and you can at least try these at home if you wish.

We have also had a couples massage and were not put through the sales pitch at all. They did casually mention the class option, which we decided to try since we were on a cruise with a lot of sea days. We were met by the masseur I had had during our couples treatment, and were given a good insight into basic massage techniques we could do at home. Again, no sales pitch was given and we even received a free sample of one of the Elemis products that had been used on my DH.

We've enjoyed all of our spa treatments and would definately return on future cruises. FWIW - we've only used the spa on the Magic (over 2 separate cruises), we didn't visit the spa at all on our most recent cruise on the Fantasy.

 

[lucyem]

We were planning to sign up for a couples massage on the Fantasy in April. You are all making me question whether it is worth it. We have also considered the week Rainforest pass and I am beginning to think that would be the way to go and skip the massage. A massage, let alone a couples massage is something we would never be able to do at home and the alone time in a hot tub sounds lovely. But the sales pitch at the end would certainly kill the mood and if the massage is just mediocre that would not help.

 

[kiford]

We might go on the Wonder next February. Is it 89 per couple or $89 a person. Was it worth it too you?

It's per couple. We've done it every time except this last on the Dream which doesn't have it. We're going on the Magic in June and I'll definitely book it. Maybe even twice.

 

[Smittycait]

We got a hot stone couple's massage last week on the fantasy. Our kid got sick while we were in there so we were allowed to get massaged seperately so one of us could be with our son. I got massaged first. Incredible and not sell or talking during the massage. So I was thrilled. She gave me a minute to get my robe back on and said she'd be back. When she came back she came with a box and a receipt. He charged my card 74 dollars for some soak without asking or saying anything to me. When I said no she said that it would make up for them preparing a Jacuzzi and verandah that we weren't going to use b/c our son was sick. So my boyfriend was next. I told her...you talk to my boyfriend b/c he's in charge of the money. He's not, but he has more of a temper. So I went back to the room to tell him it's his turn and I told him what happened. Well he went for the massage...enjoyed it...and then when she tried to get him to sign the receipt for the product he wrote refused on it and then asked to see the receipt for the massage and didn't give her a tip and told her she's sneaky. It's a shame they ruin such a wonderful experience with these tactics.

 

[wdwwishes]

I truly wish that DCL would speak to the spa regarding their spiel about the products and the pressure to purchase them. On our AK cruise even our DDs, after their little "salon day", came back with a list, yes a list written by their service provider, of products that they should have their parents come back and buy them. Really!!!??? What do folks think of this....they usually get into their "groove" once the treatment is complete. I think this year I'll tell them to hold their tongue, if they go any further with their sales pitch, they'll get no tip. I guess I "get it" but it really takes away from the experience and leaves me cranky. I think most of us agree that we've saved for the trip, the excursions etc. That's the whole point. Not their products. Anyway, a bit of a vent but I'm with the camp of leave me alone and let me relax.

 

[mom2jcg]

We were planning to sign up for a couples massage on the Fantasy in April. You are all making me question whether it is worth it. We have also considered the week Rainforest pass and I am beginning to think that would be the way to go and skip the massage. A massage, let alone a couples massage is something we would never be able to do at home and the alone time in a hot tub sounds lovely. But the sales pitch at the end would certainly kill the mood and if the massage is just mediocre that would not help.

I agree! I think I'm canceling. It's our 15th anniversary, and I don't want to get angry. Rainforest room sounds like the deal.

 

[mom2jcg]

We got a hot stone couple's massage last week on the fantasy. Our kid got sick while we were in there so we were allowed to get massaged seperately so one of us could be with our son. I got massaged first. Incredible and not sell or talking during the massage. So I was thrilled. She gave me a minute to get my robe back on and said she'd be back. When she came back she came with a box and a receipt. He charged my card 74 dollars for some soak without asking or saying anything to me. When I said no she said that it would make up for them preparing a Jacuzzi and verandah that we weren't going to use b/c our son was sick. So my boyfriend was next. I told her...you talk to my boyfriend b/c he's in charge of the money. He's not, but he has more of a temper. So I went back to the room to tell him it's his turn and I told him what happened. Well he went for the massage...enjoyed it...and then when she tried to get him to sign the receipt for the product he wrote refused on it and then asked to see the receipt for the massage and didn't give her a tip and told her she's sneaky. It's a shame they ruin such a wonderful experience with these tactics.

Thank you for sharing this. I think my husband would come unglued and would not make for a happy anniversary.

 

[tinkerone]

what about on cc? when you do massage there od they try and sell?

 

[Ichiban]

We recently did the couples massage and exotic rasul on our cruise. The massage itself was very good and even though I was expecting the sales pitch after the massage, I felt like it ended the treatment on an awkward and uncomfortable note. I also couldn't believe how overpriced the products were. Maybe they figure that people are so relaxed after that they will just say yes?

I actually preferred the exotic rasul, in part because there was no sales pitch after. In fact, the attendant let us use the rainforest room after our treatment, which was an unexpected treat.

 

[mk12a]

We did the couples spa villa on the Dream in January. At the end, they told us about the products that they recommended, I said "Let me think about it", and they said "no problem" and that was it. In hindsight, I don't know that I would spend that much money again. Once was enough. Don't get me wrong, the massage was wonderful, but it did feel kind of rushed, I couldn't get as relaxed as I wanted too. Also, we did it on Nassau day, and while we were out on the balcony, the Norwegian Epic was pulling into their dock, so everyone was staring at us (at least it seemed that way!) We always get the Couples Rainforest pass for the length of the cruise, it is well worth the money.

 

[caribbeandreaming]

Thanks for sharing your experience with this. I was just curious if we had overly pushy massage therapists or if this was the "culture" in the spa. I get massages and other spa services done at home occasionally, and I've never had anyone that wouldn't take no for an answer. That was a good tip about writing 'no sales pitch' on the form. I'll have to remember that for future reference. I forgot that the spa isn't actually owned by DCL so they don't have as much control over it I guess.

 

[disneyfan888]

Thanks for sharing your experience with this. I was just curious if we had overly pushy massage therapists or if this was the "culture" in the spa. I get massages and other spa services done at home occasionally, and I've never had anyone that wouldn't take no for an answer. That was a good tip about writing 'no sales pitch' on the form. I'll have to remember that for future reference. I forgot that the spa isn't actually owned by DCL so they don't have as much control over it I guess.

Oh it is definitely the culture of the spa. I have gotten different spa treatments every time we cruise, but since we took our first one, the one thing that has me on edge is that I know they will try to sell me products. It really does take away from the experience and they really push them. They usually offer more than one depending on the spa treatment and they will not stop until they offer everything. I have purchased a couple in the past, honestly sometimes I have felt pressured into buying, but next time I will keep saying no. Sometimes the products are more than the treatment itself!

 

[PizzieDuster]

I'm just wondering how your experience compares to ours on the Dream last year. We are thinking of doing another one on the Fantasy this year, but I'm not going to pay the money if what happened to us is pretty standard.

Basically, we were planning on a nice relaxing evening with massages, drinks, hot tub and adult time while our DS was in the kids' club (it was also our 10 year wedding anniversary trip). Our couples massage was wonderful; however, when it was over we were repeatedly pressured to purchase products by the ladies that did our massages. I wouldn't have minded them asking one time and then politely taking no for an answer, but they kept pressuring and haggling us to buy. DH and I stood our ground, but I was furious because it totally ruined the mood. It basically undid the relaxation I experienced during the massage.

FWIW - I did speak to the spa manager the next day who apologized. But she said they are salespeople as well and it was their job to sell products. She offered to let us change our tip amounts (which we didn't b/c the massage was outstanding) and gave us a 1 day pass to the Rainforest Room (which we never got a chance to use, unfortunately).

I'm just wondering if others have experienced these strong sales pitches?

Yes, this exact same thing happened to us. What made it unbearable was that my hubby had his own gal pitching products at the same exact time my gal was pitching products and it was loud (I was facing his back watching him shake his head back and forth, rolling his shoulders saying "no thank you"). To this day, my hubby will joke about how bad his "circulation" is. LOL I had a hard enough time getting him in there with me.

The last time I had booked Alone Time for myself and wrote "no sales pitch please." I still got a little sheet with the products recommended for me and she was going over them. I just interrupted her and said I had to get back to my daughter, sorry. And that was the end of it.

I am doing the Alone Time again on my next cruise! It was so worth it. I loved it.

 

[firsttimemom]

We had a couples massage in the private villa on the Fantasy in Nov. I wrote 'no sales pitch please' on my form but forgot to tell DH to write it on his. They never mentioned a word about products when we were done. Good thing bcs DH would have bought it not realizing how much $$$$ it all is.

 

[jelliott04]

I did a massage / facial combo on the Fantasy a few weeks ago.

I knew to expect the spiel so I listened patiently and then just told her that I wanted to see if I had any reactions to the products before I purchased them and if I felt they were worth it I'd come back for them. She was very nice, said "ok" and that was it.

I think getting the rainforest room pass for the week, might be a better deal than the massage. Buy it online before hand though because it is $27 a day (vs $16) if you buy it on the Fantasy.

J

 

[gometros]

The Rasul is only on the Magic and Wonder. It requires a special room that was not built into the spas on the Dream and Fantasy.

Yeah, special, as in double - lock, no interruptus