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!

 

[imbelle]

I would spring for length of cruise Rainforest Room passes to get some relaxing chill time every day of your trip.

 

[danceintherain]

If it's something you want to do, then do it.

I can get excellent massages at home for like half what they are on DCL. I also have a lot more flexibility in my schedule when I'm home. DH has less discretionary time at home, so I'm always more willing to push him into a massage on vacation.

Beyond that, if you don't have kids, then absolutely treat yourself to these types of luxuries while you have time. (unless you plan the childfree life) Cruises are lovely with kids clubs available, but fitting "everything" in is just more challenging when you have more opinions to deal with. I prefer to leave my time open, so I have a lot of flexibility during breaks from my kiddos, while on vacation. The last cruise we were on, even 60 minutes without outside demands was rare.

So, if you're sitting there thinking "I would love nothing more than to get a massage," then don't talk yourself out of it. Time is finite.

 

[minniebeth]

I would spring for length of cruise Rainforest Room passes to get some relaxing chill time every day of your trip.I

I'm a HUGE Rainforest Room fan and try to get a length of cruise pass on each cruise we do~ We just sailed the Magic and my biggest regret is getting the pass for the length of cruise. The Rainforest room on the Magic (and Wonder) is just so small, and it was busy literally every second of the day. When we could get in, it was not quiet, nor relaxing because there were people hovering waiting for you to get up. Some people treated it like social hour. Of course, ymmv, this was just my experience. I would pick a treatment over the Rainforest, just my opinion

 

[AquaDame]

I'm a HUGE Rainforest Room fan and try to get a length of cruise pass on each cruise we do~ We just sailed the Magic and my biggest regret is getting the pass for the length of cruise. The Rainforest room on the Magic (and Wonder) is just so small, and it was busy literally every second of the day. When we could get in, it was not quiet, nor relaxing because there were people hovering waiting for you to get up. Some people treated it like social hour. Of course, ymmv, this was just my experience. I would pick a treatment over the Rainforest, just my opinion

I am grateful we were able to change our minds when we saw how wee the rainforest room the Magic is! I thought they at least had the hot tubs and heated loungers but no tubs and fewer loungers than I presumed given the # of folks they sell length of cruise passes to.

 

[minniebeth]

I am grateful we were able to change our minds when we saw how wee the rainforest room the Magic is! I thought they at least had the hot tubs and heated loungers but no tubs and fewer loungers than I presumed given the # of folks they sell length of cruise passes to.

I'm so glad you were able to pass on the pass! (haha) I wish we thought of asking if that was a possibility when we first experienced it! I'm sure there would have been others who would have booked it in our place. We were on the Panama Canal cruise and it was pricey for not being able to use it!

 

[Sleepyluke]

We have never done the length of cruise pass but looking at it for the Treasure. When do you book it, is it at check in, PIF date, when you actually do pay in full if early, or at 30 day check in? I have seen a couple versions so just checking. And for those that have done it, on the Treasure did you think it was worth it?

 

[AquaDame]

I'm so glad you were able to pass on the pass! (haha) I wish we thought of asking if that was a possibility when we first experienced it! I'm sure there would have been others who would have booked it in our place. We were on the Panama Canal cruise and it was pricey for not being able to use it!

We were too..! You likely could have, but it is not like they advertise it.... I'm sorry you experienced that. It was exactly our fear the moment we walked in.

 

[AquaDame]

We have never done the length of cruise pass but looking at it for the Treasure. When do you book it, is it at check in, PIF date, when you actually do pay in full if early, or at 30 day check in? I have seen a couple versions so just checking. And for those that have done it, on the Treasure did you think it was worth it?

When you are able to book your port excursions and spa treatments that is when you will find the length of cruise pass under the spa section.

I did find it worth it, but it was during the throes of my worst insomnia and I really needed a place that wasn't the room where I could be a slug after a long sleepless night. Normally I am more go go go, but I did truly love the outdoors area the Treasure has, and we were almost always able to find a warm lounger when we wanted one. I'd get it again, for sure. My husband was more tepid and not being able to see the ocean from the area made him antsy. In that regard the Dream class is superior. We also were never able to get in the hot tub as folks just would not seem to share...