Massage Therapists on the DCL's.

[CyKosis]

My question is in regards to the Spa/ Massage therapists on the DCL’s. In Canada we have Registered Massage Therapists (RMT), with my benefits most of my treatments are 100% covered by my company up to a maximum per year.

These are only claimable if the person is a RMT. Ive been to some spas were the masseuse’s weren’t RMT’s. I was wondering if the US has an equivalent to our RMT designation and if so, are the therapists onboard the DCL's RMT’s/ US equivalent?

 

[fltink]

It my understanding that MOST of the therapists on DCL are actually trained onboard. They are not licensed massage therapists. A DCL therapist told us this herself, after another therapist bruised up my sister in-law's back!

 

[backtoTX]

The real question is do I gotta go to Canada to get a job that pays for massages!

Does it have to be "medically nescessary", or can you get one after a long day at the office?

 

[NancyDVC]

Actually, my last massages on DCL were by a physical therapist. The physical therapists were from the UK, Europe and the Phillipines and trained in their home countries. Being a physical therapist I asked about where they were trained and both of them were working at DCL hoping to get jobs as physical therapists in the US. As physical therapists we receive training in massage therapy as part of our basic degree (presently an entry level doctorate in the US and bachelors degree in most other countries.)
As for licensing massage therapists here in the US that is done state by state as is licensing for all medical professionals (nurses, doctors etc.). There is no national licensure, although there maybe national certifications for some professions which are different.

 

[CyKosis]

The real question is do I gotta go to Canada to get a job that pays for massages!

Does it have to be "medically nescessary", or can you get one after a long day at the office?

It does not have to be medially necessary, we get a limit each year which does not roll over, so if you don't use during that year, you lose it. So if your tired and just want a rub down, all you have to do is book it, get a receipt with the therapists RMT license number and submit it to benefits. 2 weeks later I have a reimbursement check.

 

[CyKosis]

Actually, my last massages on DCL were by a physical therapist. The physical therapists were from the UK, Europe and the Phillipines and trained in their home countries. Being a physical therapist I asked about where they were trained and both of them were working at DCL hoping to get jobs as physical therapists in the US. As physical therapists we receive training in massage therapy as part of our basic degree (presently an entry level doctorate in the US and bachelors degree in most other countries.)
As for licensing massage therapists here in the US that is done state by state as is licensing for all medical professionals (nurses, doctors etc.). There is no national licensure, although there maybe national certifications for some professions which are different.

Thanks for answering my question, Ive just had some really bad experiences from therapists who never went to school and were 'employer trained'.

 

[NancyDVC]

Glad to be of help. And to make yourself more comfortable ask about their training. My best friend was reluctant to have a massage and so we asked more questions than most guests. But our massages were delightful!!!

When in doubt ask!

 

[flexsmom]

The spa staff on-board are employees of Steiner, which is the company that operates the spa. They are trained by Steiner - not on the ship - and then they are assigned to a ship/cruiseline. Steiner runs spas on a variety of ships/cruiselines - so many of them don't know what ship or line they are going to until well into their training. Once they "graduate", they head off to the ship.

I'm really interested in the comment about the staff being trained on-board - that's completely different from anything I've ever read or heard from a spa employee.

 

[koalagurl]

The spa staff on-board are employees of Steiner, which is the company that operates the spa. They are trained by Steiner - not on the ship - and then they are assigned to a ship/cruiseline. Steiner runs spas on a variety of ships/cruiselines - so many of them don't know what ship or line they are going to until well into their training. Once they "graduate", they head off to the ship.

I'm really interested in the comment about the staff being trained on-board - that's completely different from anything I've ever read or heard from a spa employee.

I was told the exact thing; that they are contractors for Disney Cruise, not employees. They are trained then told what ship they are on.

 

[m4travel]

Steiner is one of the premiere suppliers of spa staff for cruiselines. You can usually assume a spa staffer is a Steiner employee. (I'm sure there are other companies who do this, but I haven't run into any, yet.)