For those who have had a Couples Massage...

[caribbeandreaming]

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?

 

[Candy Apple]

Yes, every time. The most recent time, on the Magic, we decided to try writing "no sales pitch" on our info cards, which I had read here would keep them from trying to sell to us. It didn't work.

 

[mom2jcg]

Ugh, this is making me want to cancel our reservation. I think I've talked my husband into his first massage, but he will be beyond angry if we've already splurged then are being nagged about spending more. Good question, OP. wouldn't have thought to ask.

 

[Reizo]

Ugh, this is making me want to cancel our reservation. I think I've talked my husband into his first massage, but he will be beyond angry if we've already splurged then are being nagged about spending more. Good question, OP. wouldn't have thought to ask.

No, please don't cancel your massage if you have put in the effort to convince your husband to try a massage. I think they're wonderful and worth it even if you're asked to purchase products.

We said no and still plan to book another massage on our next cruise.

 

[delauzons]

I have done it 3 times-once on Magic, twice on Wonder and I wrote no sales pitch. All 3 times I was not pressured at all. It was very nice. Not the best massage I've ever gotten but enjoyable adult time.

 

[gfamof4]

My husband and I had a couple's massage on the Fantasy two weeks ago. We were aked to purchase certain products at the end of the message. We said no thank you and nothing else was said. We had a pleasant experience.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

That was EXACTLY our experience with the couples massage we did on our first cruise on the Dream in September 2011. Actually that was the straw that broke the camel's back for me personally.

Before our massage DH had me do the Fire & Ice Pedicure. The chick took a chunk out of my toe with her nippers. She got a bottle of some mystery liquid to treat the open, bleeding wound but it was plugged up. Without a word to me from the time she took the chunk out of my cuticle, she checked over her shoulder to see that the manager wasn't looking (the spa manager was getting her hair washed nearby), removed her name badge, poked a hole in the end of the bottle with the name badge, fastened the name badge back on her uniform, then treated my wound with this mystery liquid. I. was. speechless. I was mildly entertained by her sneaky behavior. She behaved as if I wasn't going to notice any of her transgressions. But then I was also irritated because it hurt like the dickens. When she started lecturing me about my neglectful habits in an attempt to sell me overpriced products I crossed into furious. Furious! First of all, why would I be paying for your overpriced service is I had the time and energy to do all this myself??? Second, you don't know me. How dare you lecture me in such a condescending tone?!?!

Our couples massage immediately followed the toe hacking. I asked for pillows to prop my body up. I have implants so I can't lay on my stomach comfortably without pillows under my upper chest and upper abdomen. They brought me one. I needed more like 3. It's not like one can't imagine how this configuration would work and with past non-Disney massages the ladies I've had always were familiar with my plight because it's not all that uncommon. Laying on my stomach meant my open toe wound was against the massage table which hurt. Know how they ask you what areas need more attention, what do you like/not like, etc.? I told the gal who was massaging me that I carry all my stress in my shoulders. I prefer to have my hands & feet massaged more than anything. Then when she did the massage she barely touched any of those areas. Ugh. And I was tremendously uncomfortable from laying on my chest that long. At the end I was no more relaxed than I started out.

We got dressed then the sales pitch ensued. Lecture lecture lecture about how we should buy the massage oil and make the time to "treat" each other with massages. Blah blah blah. We're busy people. When we have quiet time together at home we're curled up relaxing, not trying to grease each other up with massage oil.

The sales pitch at the end was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. I was furious. That's no way to spend your vacation. I thought every bit of the services we had at the salon/spa on the Dream were a total waste of money beginning to end. The only thing I've had done at the salon since that first cruise in 2011 was last September. DH & I were on a short getaway for our anniversary. After our CC day I dreaded drying and straightening my hair before our Remy reservation. I was desperate enough to go back and have one of the gals dry & straighten my long, thick tresses. She was a lovely girl, very sweet and attentive. She was shocked at our previous experiences. I'd have my hair dried & straightened again but that's about it. I decided I'd stick to my usual pedis pre-cruise (better job, less cost, & I don't walk out with open wounds). If we need a couples massage to unwind again we'll do that local, too. My Dream massage was the worst of all the massages I've ever had and cost twice as much as I've ever paid before. No way am I throwing good money away for crappy service again.

I have heard you can request no sales pitch at the beginning of services since I've told my tale from our first cruise. If you're going for another couples massage, maybe try requesting no pitch when you meet your masseuse.

 

[ImDMous]

We've had massages several times and never had a problem. The massages were good, they recommended products to buy, we said No Thank You, everything was fine. They are just doing their job and it doesn't bother me. I usually tell them I buy my Elemis products from the website, which is true and they are cheaper.

I've never been very impressed with any mani/pedis I've had though. Kind of a hack job and the polish never lasts. The Fire and Ice one was definitely a waste of money. But now I know.

 

[jaulty]

I enjoyed our massage, but I felt that too many products were used between the hot tub and massage itself. I felt sick afterwards with all those different chemicals absorbed into my body and it took me the rest of the day to feel 100%.

 

[crafty91]

DW and I have done the couples massage on the Fantasy and it was a wonderful experience! Sure the spa is not "Disney affiliated" so they aren't going to sprinkle pixie dust like other areas but it was a good massage, with a great view and excellent time together. Just be firm when they offer to sell you products and if you know going in there will be a "pitch" it won't bother you to just say no thanks and certainly won't mess up a massage. Enjoy!

jaulty, I'm not 100% certain but I think I've heard that massages release toxins held in your muscles so during a massage they are released and do tend to make you feel a little "off". But drinking plenty of water afterwards will flush that right out.

 

[calker]

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.

 

[DizMagic]

We did the couples choice villa on the Dream in 2011 and got a soft sales pitch - politely said no thank you and had a wonderful time. Our more recent experience on the Fantasy was not as good. We did a simple couples massage. Like a PP, we too were asked the areas of concern which were barely addressed. the massage itself was not that good. My partner was not given any sales pitch by her masseuse. I really wasn't given a sales pitch either - just a simple suggestion that i try a "treatment" in the future. As there wasn't a question involved, i didn't feel the need to respond. Then the bill came - where $250 worth of products mysteriously appeared already on my bill. I crossed through them and did receive a credit. But yea, not really a good experience. Next time, we will save the money and get a massage at home (and more souvenirs on the ship)!

 

[gometros]

We've had the couples massage a few times, most recently a cabana massage on our last cruise this past fall, and I don't think they even mentioned any products.

 

[su_A_ve]

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?

 

[MySecondHome]

Same thing with me on the Dream in January. How do they expect you to want to come back if your relaxed mood gets ruined by pushy salespeople? I was not happy, and I felt I wasted my $$. Don't get me wrong the massage was great, but the sales push ruined it.

Sent from my iPod touch using DISBoards

 

[Feisty Fairy]

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?

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

 

[su_A_ve]

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

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.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

We had a couples massage on the Dream earlier this month. I loved mine, but my DH didn't really like it. He told his therapist at the beginning to be gentle, and that he liked a soft touch, but she said she beat him up. We did get a sales pitch at the end, and gave us a list of the products we "needed" $1600 worth!!!! We just took the card and threw it out when we got back to our room. The one thing we were both disapointed in is that you can't just relax in the hot tubs, etc as you can at other spas, you have to have purchased the rainforest pass to do that We didn't realize that going in...lesson learned.

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.

You are brilliant!!! I am stealing that idea!

 

[ImDMous]

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

It is $89 a couple. The Exotic Rasul has had it's own threads on here in the past. It can be as Exotic or Tame as you choose to be. It is a great deal because the scrub they give you is pretty expensive and they are generous with it. There are also all kinds of lotions and stuff to use. It was fun

 

[Meghatron]

I think it was called Exotic Razul or something. Also, it was under $100. Is there something similar on the Dream/Fantasy?

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.