What's with the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage?

[YayDisney]

I'm a huge massage fanatic - but I have never heard of this. I normally like Deep Tissue massage, but they don't seem to offer that and this looks interesting. Anyone have any reports??

Also, this is sold out for all the time slots for every day (I started to book stuff way too late). We board in a couple of weeks and I notice that people comment on the daily spa specials etc. . . Is it a better deal to book when we get on board?

I reserved a couples Swedish Massage, just to have something reserved, but the time is awful and swedish massage is usually not really very deep anyway - so should I just cancel it and book when we get there?

Final question, I read somewhere that they charge you for your booked activities on your first day - does that include the spa? or is that just for port adventures?

THANKS!

 

[jaygalterio]

Spa treatments are usually charged to your room after the treatment is done.

Your card is usually charged once you reach a pre-determined number of room charges. I have seen this be anywhere from $250 to $400. Not sure what causes the variations.

The Couples Massage is okay, but its sometimes cheaper / better to just get two single treatments. Occasionally you can luck out and get the treatment room with a view (the double room normally used for the Couples Indulgence treatment).

 

[Euphscott]

This particular massage was offered on the Carnival Magic two weeks ago. My wife and I sat through the tour and got a sample of this.

The massage is much like a hot stone massage where they use a foreign implement to perform the massage. In this case it's a gauze wrapped (or seems like gauze) bulb that the therapist fills with herbs, spices, and whatever weeds they dig up that are the healing article of the moment!).

All sarcasm aside, it was a nice feel as the bulb was rubbed on my neck. It gave a little tingling sesnation. My guess is a menthol or menthol like substance was included that aids in deep penetration of warmth and relaxation on the muscles. The allure I guess of this modality is that you get to take the bulb home with you for self treatments. I have no idea how long the item will remain effective, but at that point in time it smelled and felt real nice. The big problem though is that the spas on the ships are notorious for high sales pressure at the end in order to solve all your problems - in addition to a HUGE markup in price from a comparable massage on land. Also - the therapists are way overworked, so I question their ability to give that much pressure and effectiveness if you don't catch them fresh. I fell for a haevy port day special and went with that hot stone massage. It was meh...nice to relax, but about double what I'd pay for a treatment on land. And that was the port discount price!

Anyhow - YMMV - I hope I was able to give you a bit of an idea what you this offering is about...

 

[YayDisney]

Actually that was Very helpful. Thanks!!