What is REAS?

[Kaitysmom]

I see it mentioned here and there, but I have no idea what that is? Is it a new package add on? (last cruise was Feb 04)

 

[lasmickey]

REAS = Romantic Escape at Sea. It's an add on that includes a romantic gift amenity delivered to your stateroom, a couples massage at the Vista Spa, Priority Seating at Palo for one night, Romance turndown service one night, and a champagne breakfast in bed one morning.

 

[Skallywag]

Just wondering if this is worth us booking. My husband I know would love the massage as he has back problems but I am not keen. Has anyone else booked and can advise on this. Could he have two sessions or could I have a facial or similar? Also we are travelling with our adult daughters so would we be able to make the palo reservation for them as well. Know this can be done in advance with this package or perhaps i am wrong.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[praisehisname]

Just wondering if this is worth us booking. My husband I know would love the massage as he has back problems but I am not keen. Has anyone else booked and can advise on this. Could he have two sessions or could I have a facial or similar? Also we are travelling with our adult daughters so would we be able to make the palo reservation for them as well. Know this can be done in advance with this package or perhaps i am wrong.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

We did the REAS package on our 2/5/05 cruise and it was worth every penny!!! My hubby has had massages in the past and loves them, I was a spa "virgin" and was very apprehensive. It was wonderful and I am now hooked! The girls who did our massages were very discreet and professional. They left the room while we got positioned on the tables and made sure to hold the towels up while we turned over. A very pleasant and relaxing experience!

As far as Palo, yes you can make the dinner reservation for your daughters as well. We were traveling with my parents, who did not have the package, and we could add them to our dinner reservation.

Yes, you can make your reservations in advance of boarding. Also, as a courtesy, we were able to book our brunch and tea (the additional cost still applies, you just get to make the reservation in advance).

We will definitely do the REAS on future cruises!!!

Denise

 

[karaeric]

Just wondering if this is worth us booking. My husband I know would love the massage as he has back problems but I am not keen. Has anyone else booked and can advise on this. Could he have two sessions or could I have a facial or similar? Also we are travelling with our adult daughters so would we be able to make the palo reservation for them as well. Know this can be done in advance with this package or perhaps i am wrong.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

The REAS is very worth it for non-specialty cruises. For the standard 3, 4, and 7-day eastern/western, it is worth it. You know exactly when the themed nights are ahead of time, so it makes the pre-booking so nice. If you are sailing on a specialty cruise and don't really know when events are being scheduled, it's less beneficial to have that pre-booking advantage.

Yes, one person from the couple can use both massages if one doesn't want to partake.

One lesson I learned about the champagne breakfast in bed...don't do it on the Castaway Cay morning. Ours was over 30 minutes late, and the screwed up our order to boot! I guess a ton of people order room service on the CC day, and the REAS people apparently don't get preferential service.

 

[salbythec]

One lesson I learned about the champagne breakfast in bed...don't do it on the Castaway Cay morning. Ours was over 30 minutes late, and the screwed up our order to boot! I guess a ton of people order room service on the CC day, and the REAS people apparently don't get preferential service.

Oh no this is what I had planned to do! I may have to change my mind now.

 

[jltturner]

We purchased the REAs for our May 22 Wonder cruise - mainly because I knew both my DH and I would want massages, and more importantly, wanted the ability to book our Palo and spa reservations in advance. When I made my reservations yesterday with dining services, she confirmed that before long ( she wasn't sure exactly when, but thought within a month or two?), that all cruisers will be able to pre-book their reservations online - and not just REAS purchasers. So you may want to find out more info on this, depending on when you're cruising - I think the advance reservations are the main reason people purchase this.

 

[barkley]

for those who have already done this-

what is the gift they put in the room?

what is the difference between regular turndown service and the turndown service they offer in the package?

how did you do the champage breakfast with kids? did you order from room service menu for them (or can you arrange to add them on for an additonal price sans the champagne)?

 

[PPFQP]

for those who have already done this-

what is the gift they put in the room?

It's a basket arrangement. There's a nice, metal rectangular basket, definitely worth keeping. There's a so-so silver photo album, chocolates, and champagne.

what is the difference between regular turndown service and the turndown service they offer in the package?

On the night of your Palo dinner, the stateroom host decorates your room with rose petals. We also had an extra special towel animal of swans in the shape of a heart.

how did you do the champage breakfast with kids? did you order from room service menu for them (or can you arrange to add them on for an additonal price sans the champagne)?

You'll find an envelope about your REAS package in your stateroom when you get there. It will tell your spa time and Palo time. There is also a form in there for ordering breakfast.You can have your breakfast delivered any day except the last morning. You just fill out what you want on that form (everything is listed, and you just put a check by what you want)H, and indicate what time you want it delivered. Then hang it on the door the night before.

We ordered enough breakfast for the kids as well. Obviously it wasn't "romantic" to share it with the kids, but it was delicious and fun for the whole family! We had mimosas, coffee, milk for the kids, eggs benedict for me, an omelet for dh, scrambled eggs for the kids, bacon and sausage, toast and bagels and pastries -- plenty for everyone!

Hope that answers your questions. We felt like REAS was worthwhile -- we would have booked a spa appointment anyway, and it was wonderful to have our reservations made in advance. All the other detals were just added niceties that we enjoyed.

 

[barkley]

thank you for the information, i am thinking that this may be well worth it. we would both be doing a massage anyway, and the advantage of not having to get into any lines (with the exception of registration for the kids clubs) would allow me to actualy enjoy the first few hours on board. i also like the idea of eggs benadict for breakfast in bed one morning (that every category of room on board Holland American Lines allows you to order anything from any restaurant spoiled me-but that is one of the only positive things i can say about HAL after comparing them with Disney).

 

[disdaught]

REAS means romantic evening at sea.