Spa opinions

[katiec786]

Hey all

We are headed on the Wonder to Alaska in a few weeks - it’s our honeymoon and first ever cruise.
When our booking window opened I snagged myself a 50 min massage appointment for one of our sea days. With the exception of getting married 2026 has been ROUGH and I thought it would be a nice little treat for me.
As we get closer though, I’m wondering if it’s actually worth the price. For reference, the last time I got a massage was a nice place in our home city and was probably about 70% of the price Senses charges.
Has anyone had a massage on the wonder and loved it? I know they tend to try and upsell and am prepared for that, outside of that aspect was the massage itself really good?

Thank youuuu!

 

[MamaMermaid]

Personally, I don't think it's worth it. It's LOVELY but so pricey. I'd rather get a massage at a great place locally for a fraction of the price and put that money towards something else on board -- dining, merch, excursions, etc. Just my thoughts

 

[Chuck96]

Congratulations! The upsells with Senses tend to be pretty strong...they push pretty hard. That said, this is a very special occasion and if it is important to you to treat yourself a bit, you should seriously consider the massage. I tend to let my wife get a treatment on cruises, but do not go myself. That's my compromise!

 

[Mommb]

I have enjoyed my massages on Disney cruises but I haven't done one lately because they are expensive. The question is, would you likely treat yourself to a massage on land? If so, then do that, and use the savings for something else on board. However, if you need a treat and don't think you'll do it without the cruise, then go for it.

Another option, if you're into that sort of thing, is to get a manicure and/or pedicure. That is also more expensive than a comparable treatment on land, but the total cost is less and you get to sit in a massage chair (which, for me, almost justifies the additional cost).

 

[laurelew]

I didn't get one myself but my husband who is not a huge fan of cruises or Disney did both a massage and a facial on our recent trip on the Wonder out of San Diego. He said the spa was the highlight of the trip for him. We have a masseuse we regularly use at home who I love. My husband said the massage on the cruise was even better than the massage he gets from her.

I was very worried in advance for him regarding the upsell I've heard about but it didn't seem to impact his experience at all. He told me he just politely declined.

We also had a very challenging 2026. I think as long as it is in your budget to do so, you should treat yourself and not overthink it.

 

[cruisehopeful]

My husband has had very good experiences with massages in the spa and he's very picky/critical.

I didn't enjoy the upselling and I just don't go anymore. That said, sea days are a great time to do it.

 

[katiec786]

Thank you all for the feedback!
My husband has essentially told me it’s his treat as he knows I was starting to overthink it and also knows I’ve been putting off going to get one - for some reason it feels like a silly luxury when we’re at home but makes more sense on a honeymoon cruise

 

[AquaDame]

I agree... if you cant treat yourself on your own honeymoon when can you..?

I prebooked a massage on our last cruise and it ended up being timed perfectly... I had also booked an hour personal training session that left me hobbling for days! She fixed me up 80% of the way and I felt so much better afterwards I "let" her convince me a second session was truly necessary to clear the rest. It helped that she offered a bit of a discount on the second. The two were night and day... first was all work, second all relaxing. I regret neither. She did not convince me to do a third though (at even higher discount).

They do offer you extras, but a no is treated with respect and she did not offer more than once (though she did offer a couple different things).

The personal trainer on the other hand... now THAT was a hard sell. He tried to book me every day of the dang cruise! He had said we'd do a body composition at the end of my session so I did not think it odd when he brought me into his office. Even when I said no, I did not want to do this that often, and even when we literally couldn't find a time that would work any way for the both of us in the next few days he still countered with well what about 5am and suggested I did not care enough about my health if I could not make that work. I told him multiple times I would not come at 12:30pm as I'd be eating lunch, and had no intention of working out for a couple hours after that (he worked me HARD, did I mention I was sore for days? Like, painful to slowly go up stairs for days sore?). He just kept repeating 12:30pm, 5am, and I eventually had to say no, we are not doing this, I am leaving now. I was so glad I hadn't booked anything more*... I never would have made it!

*truthfully I had booked two sessions... one on day 2 and another on day 8. My intent had been asking them for a plan I could utilize at home, work out on my own for the first week after and then come back with any concerns or questions on the second session. I cancelled the second one, and received a call from the manager apologizing for his behavior.

 

[DonnerB]

The last massage I had on DCL was on the Fantasy when they offered the discount on a port day...it was a last minute thing with my mom. It was good - better than fine.

But I have a monthly spa membership at home which offers far better pricing and none of the sales talk, along with the use of the spa amenities (think Rainforest Room with no heated loungers). Hard to justify the service for me (the upsell just really kills the vibe), but as a special treat like this...totally (although I'd still probably choose a day trip to a nice hotel on land for a couple's massage). I usually spring for the length of cruise Rainforest Room pass, but on our Alaska cruise we didn't even do that. There was just too much activity to make proper use of it!