VERY Disappointed in Vista Spa

[tinkerbelltamara]

My sister and I chose to have the spa pedicure at Vista Salon on the morning of our Nassau day (3-day Bahamian cruise). She had Marsha and I had JoAnn. I was highly unimpressed with JoAnn. DS started out before me (I'd left my KTTW card in the stateroom and had to run back to get it) and was still getting her feet pampered when I was done. JoAnn rushed through the entire process. I hardly got a chance to put my head back and relaxsince she was constantly trying to seel me products. Although DS had a better experience than I did, we both felt that we paid $55 for a sales pitch.

We did not enjoy it at all and will not return to the spa as long as it's being run by Vista.

 

[aprilgail2]

After the first time I avoided the sales pitch by just writing "no sales pitch" on the form.....was a nice quiet peaceful massage, facial etc after that!

 

[ivanova]

writing "no sales pitch please" on the form you fill out works like a charm.

 

[Disney Fans]

The spa service(just the people that work there not the spa in general) was also a disapointment for me during our 1st trip last year. I went through and heard everything they had to say and then booked the oxi-tank (thats what I call it), I did love it but when the CM put me in she said she would be back in a few min. to check on me and she Never came back. I had to get out by myself and let them know that I was finished. I wouldn't have minded being alone the whole time but she was suppose to be back to see if I needed anything or to change the temp. So I thought that was very poor service. So next time I will write no sales!!!!! Just want to relax.

 

[Miss Eeyore]

The Disney spas are run by Steiner......which manages spas on most of the ships. They can be very pushy with sales, but sometimes I have been pleasantly suprised by just good service and no sales pitch. Princess has broken the strangle-hold Steiner has had on all the lines by staffing the spas of their three latest ships (Diamond, Sapphire, Caribbean Princess) with a staff that actually works for Princess. I was very pleased with that spa, and there was NEVER a mention of product for sale.

 

[cruiser]

During our recent cruise we visited the spa a few times. One thing that we realized very quickly is that very few of these folks are even massage therapists. When my wife inquired with one of the gals she mentioned she used to do facials but had justed picked up doing massages. Given that they charge about 2x what a state-side masuse would charge we were pretty disappointed. My feeling is that it is pretty hit and miss, my massage was great, my reflexology was pretty silly, and in my opinion a waste of money.

I think it is Steiner in general, I do not think it has anything to do with Disney, just a benefit of operating outside the US. Pretty much anything goes.. Dont get me wrong I enjoyed my time there, but it did feel a bit like false advertising to me. I did not get the sales pitch, but my wife did, but we were kind of expecting it so it was not something that caught us off gaurd...

 

[tinknsnow]

How disappointing to not enjoy the spa, especially when it's supposed to be such a treat.

I had the opposite experience: my massage and facial were among the best I've had. Sooooo relaxing, I actually fell asleep during my facial (that was a first!).

The sales pitch was a bit annoying, but like the PP stated, I was expecting it so it wasn't as bad. Next time, I'll take the advice of "No sales, please" on my registration form.

 

[StuartMI]

I can sympathize somewhat. DW and I spent a lot of time there however at the end of the day, I guess we were satisfied. The Spa Taster we had was great. We will definitely get this again. The reflexology I had was, well, alright. It started off me hopping up on the table that they said "had a problem but had just been fixed!". No sooner did I hop up on the table did I realize the problem--one of the legs started to retract in on itself! So, had to switch to a different room and all was fine there. I actually fell asleep in the middle of it, however at the end even though I had "No sales pitch" on my form, she still hit me with it and it took all the energy I had to not say "Grrrrr quit making me tense back up, I'm not interested!"

Then, DW had her little algae wrap thing which she said was awesome, and then got a manicure and pedicure which were OK but her paint was chipping very very shortly afterwards. They of course re-did it no charge.

So, aside from the sales pitch, the table falling over, and the bad nail polish, it was good I suppose.

On the next trip we'll probably just do the spa taster a couple of times.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

My sister and I chose to have the spa pedicure at Vista Salon on the morning of our Nassau day (3-day Bahamian cruise). She had Marsha and I had JoAnn. I was highly unimpressed with JoAnn. DS started out before me (I'd left my KTTW card in the stateroom and had to run back to get it) and was still getting her feet pampered when I was done. JoAnn rushed through the entire process. I hardly got a chance to put my head back and relaxsince she was constantly trying to seel me products. Although DS had a better experience than I did, we both felt that we paid $55 for a sales pitch.

We did not enjoy it at all and will not return to the spa as long as it's being run by Vista.

I've had other treatments, but not a pedicure. Did you write you complain to anyone or write a letter? That is too much money to spend to receive mediocre service.

 

[my3kids]

I didn't like that spa either. I won't go back.

 

[Stimpy]

I've also had facials and wraps done and really enjoyed them. But I do agree about the pedicures. I had one done in the spa last cruise and quite honestly it stunk! I will never get a pedi or manicure again in the spa on board. It was definately too expensive for what they did and not relaxing at all. I get a much more relaxing pedi/mani at spa by my home for alot less money. Leason learned, I now make sure my tooties and fingers are pretty before we leave home

 

[mmouse37]

I agree wholeheartedly about the manicure/pedicure process.....the girl who worked on me was very pleasant to speak with, no sales pitch but I have had much, much better mani/pedi's stateside for MUCH less money. I almost gasped when she said how much it was....and I also agree that the polish started to chip very soon!

My DD LOVES the massages onboard and feels they are worth it....but I will stick to getting my mani/pedia before the cruise.


MJ

 

[FlynnStone]

I think if you are a person who regularly does a spa, in general, you will be very disappointed. I get regular massages, manicure, and pedicures - and you will not get that kind of quality from the staff at Vista. If you have never had a massage, or just want te experience of the outdoor cabana one, sure - you will love it, because its nice to pamper yourself. But when you compare it to a *real* massage therapist, or licensed nail person - its really just a mediocre experience (a very over-priced one, at that).

The one think I do not get regularly, and treated myself to on the 15JAN Magic cruise, was a facial. I was put in the "haircut" room, where my head rested in a shampoo sink with a rolled-up towel in the neck cradle. My "relaxing" facial was performed in front of everyone getting their hair done. Just like someone else had mentioned, my sister-in-law was put into the capsule... and LEFT ALONE, even though someone promised to come back. She was too warm, and her headphones were broken, but no one ever checked on her.

I will never do a Vista Spa service again.

 

[aprilgail2]

Just like someone else had mentioned, my sister-in-law was put into the capsule... and LEFT ALONE, even though someone promised to come back. She was too warm, and her headphones were broken, but no one ever checked on her.

The capsule was my favorite thing there....you have total control yourself of the heat or coolness so you really don't need anyone to come help you with that. Once it was over I was usually asleep until they came and let me out anyway so it was fine if they forgot me, I would just nap until then LOL..to bad it never happened, they were right there when it ended!

 

[Rachie0507]

I had a pedicure with JoAnn about two weeks ago and loved it. I'm not a spa person at home and did it on the cruise for an indulgance, so perhaps I don't know a lot about what I'm talking about, but it was very relaxing, I loved the outcome and I don't even recall her doing a sales pitch. Maybe the price was a little high, but I was willing to pay it for the atmosphere and experience of doing it on the cruise. I also had the Exotic Lime and Ginger Scrub/Massage the next day with Chantelle. I loved that to. I did get a sales pitch from her, but I used a line I heard here on the boards once, that I had to check with my husband and maybe I'll be back. Worked like a charm. I think bottom line is, if you're willing to pay it, they are going to charge it. I would use the spa again if we go back.

 

[disneygatorfan]

I had a facial once, and it was nice... but I have gotten much better one's at WDW, the nearest spa's to me, and they are cheaper believe it or not! I just mentioned I was not interested in purchasing product.

I do love the rain forest room, and it's been the only thing I have done with the vista spa since my first cruise. I have really never been very impressed with the treatment offerings and prices at Vista Spa. But the Rainforest room is a nice way to spend a day at sea, or the Nassau day.