Is the Rainforest Room awkward?

[wdwlovin'family]

I've been dreaming about our upcoming cruise (which is a year away, but it's always nice to think about) and have been thinking about the Rainforest Room and trying to wrap my head around the concept. Let me first say that I am *glad* that people wear their bathing suits for this (they do, right?) but I am just wondering, is it awkward going into the spa with your bathing suit for the purpose of standing in a shower/steam room with a bunch of strangers? How busy is the place? Do they only let a certain amount of people in at a time? How long to people stay in there? Is it like a couples thing and are people involved in a lot of PDA or would it be ok for my sister and I to go check it out. When my sister and I are together we usually are laughing till our sides hurt about one thing or another -- are we going to look too foolish? I mean, we can laugh quietly and all of that but I am just wondering. My husband doesn't know if he wants to even try it out -- he thinks it's rather odd. Oh, and I am assuming people wear flip flops in there, right?

I suppose we could just get a day pass and see how we feel. It kind of sounds neat but weird all in the same breath. I've never been one to really go sit in a sauna with people. Maybe I'm just too prudish for the Rainforest Room.

 

[rstout01]

My husband and I just did this last week. We are not huge spa people and only got a day pass to try it out. We spent an hour and a half there. Yes, people were wearing bathing suits. Most had flip flops, some just in bare feet. There is a locker room you go into to store your valuables (they give you a locker) and put your robe on. No one but us was in the aromatherapy showers so we went from shower to shower to try them out (and were laughing a bit ourselves), but they are open areas (no PDA observed). The sauna rooms are enclosed, but there were multiple people in some. It will be more crowded on sea days. The heated tile loungers and hot tubs seemed to be most popular (great views). We went on a CC afternoon and still had to wait for loungers (lots of people relaxing while reading a book), but managed to spend some time lying on them. It was a nice time, and I'm glad we tried it, but we didn't feel the need to go back more days - we had the kids with us on the cruise and just spent the rest of our adult time (which wasn't much - there was so much to do) in the adult pool area.

 

[Ikaikalani]

I loved the rainforest room on the Dream. It's not akward at all and the various rain rooms are really something (lightening, thunder, water temp changes, bird song, etc.), and found it to be the best surprise during the trip. If you're unsure, you might try this: as soon as we boarded the ship we headed straight over to the spa. They gave us a tour and then we purchased day passes for our at sea day. Note that they only sell 40 day passes per day, so get 'em early...they're not much, $12 if I remember right. But the point is...once you've taken the short tour, you can then decide if it's for you or not before buying the day pass

 

[ribeza]

Not at all! We've had passes for the duration of our cruises on Magic and Wonder (and will have on the Dream in March!) Have never seen PDA - it's not like that. Some people talk quietly - others don't even look your way. Some read in dry sauna and on chairs - have never seen anyone "hog" the space. Have seen couples at showers and fog rooms - but never felt uncomfortable - most seem to just enjoy the peacefulness. We've been at all times of day and it's never been crowded - often we're the only ones there! My husband jams to his tunes on his nano - I love the tranquil new agey music. Agree with OP - check it out on first day tour - we did - and LOVE it!

Now if it's PDA you're after - we met some couples at the Quiet Cove pool who raved about the awesome time they had with Exotic Rasul!

 

[justmestace]

Have you seen pictures? It's a pretty big room and they have lounge beds...you're not all sitting shoulder-to-shoulder like in a sauna. I don't find the hard tile loungers comfortable at all, but that's just me.
My friend (female) and I have gone in together, it's not weird...but I think most people go for the peace and quiet, so it's polite to be subdued in there.
Just wear your swimsuit with shorts and a tee shirt over it, put those in a locker before you go in the Rainforest. They'll supply the robes. And yes, flip flops.....I don't even walk on the carpet in my stateroom barefoot...I have this fear of athlete's foot.

 

[MrsPotatoHead425]

do you have to wear the robes? does everyone else have on the robes or are there some robeless people? Also, what is this exotic thing your speaking of two posters up??? LOL i'm curious now!

 

[Brumbie13]

Also, what is this exotic thing your speaking of two posters up??? LOL i'm curious now!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=22937625&postcount=3
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=22937992&postcount=4

And here's a thread that'll make you blush.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2661059

 

[justmestace]

do you have to wear the robes? does everyone else have on the robes or are there some robeless people? Also, what is this exotic thing your speaking of two posters up??? LOL i'm curious now!

No, you don't have to wear the robes, the OP just sounded concerned about walking around in her swimsuit.


Ahhh...the Exotic Rasul.......

But I don't think they have it on the Dream, nor will it be on the Fantasy.

 

[Bear3412]

No, you don't have to wear the robes, the OP just sounded concerned about walking around in her swimsuit.


Ahhh...the Exotic Rasul.......

But I don't think they have it on the Dream, nor will it be on the Fantasy.

Well then why am I getting all worked up if it ain't on the Dream or Fantasy? Sounds a bit counter intuitive, doesn't it, if not available on these ships? Especially considering the vessel names.

 

[AmandaRG]

Well then why am I getting all worked up if it ain't on the Dream or Fantasy? Sounds a bit counter intuitive, doesn't it, if not available on these ships? Especially considering the vessel names.

They are available on the Magic and the Wonder. It is fun and I loved the products!

 

[Mtinkerbell5189]

We loved the rainforest room on the dream, it was never crowded and at times we had it to ourselves. The showers were all very cold, and I am not one for a cold shower so I did not enjoy them. The one hot tub was broken when we were in there and would not get warm, and then when we went back later in the evening neither hot tub would get warm. Needless to say we did not get a pass for the next day, or mention it to the people at the spa (we should have).

Did anyone else find that all of the showers were cold?

 

[kcashner]

Rainforest on Magic and Wonder is much more basic than on the Dream. The cost for a single day pass was $19 in June on the Magic. This is a bit excessive IMHO. I've seen the cost steadily increase over the years (yes, I understand inflation), but at this point it has doubled since 1998 with no changes in the room. Since the Dream has so much more available (and requires more cleaning, etc), I can see a higher cost there...but the Magic may have exceeded my limit!

I've heard "stories" (mostly from spa CMs) about limiting the number of passes they sell, but I think that's a sales pitch. I have NEVER been denied a pass when I wanted to purchase one--whether a length of cruise, multi day, or single day. As to only selling 40 per day--I think that has to be wrong although I don't doubt that a CM said it. I've been in many times when I was the only person there, but also at times have seen at least 20-25 people in the various rooms. They also give rainforest passes as prizes at bingo and at some of the adult dance events....I'd imagine if they had "too many" paying guests, those would be the first thing eliminated.

Attire--swimsuit required. Most people wear a robe to walk in the halls; many take it off in the rainforest room and hang it on one of the provided hooks. Slippers are likewise optional--there are flip flops in the lockers or you can bring your own. There are plenty of singles using the facility as well as couples. It is not intimidating at all.

On the Magic, I've typically found that the showers in the rainforest don't work--hot or cold!