Do i have to make an appointment ahead for a massage on a cruise?

Question

Im going on a cruise this summer on carnival inspiration. this is my first cruise and i dont want to bother the planner just yet until i can get all the information i can find online first. I noticed on the carnival web site they do massages and i really want one done maybe even when the ship leaves and when its on the way back. but i need to know if i need to book it ahead of time and how much because i am also putting money now to the side. any web site would help for now if you know any that can give me more information.

Answer 1

Yes, you have to make an appointment for any spa treatment. You can do it on the ship. Some of them will offer a coupon for taking a 'tour' of their spa facilities. They do give you a tour, and try to get you to book some of the higher end treatments.

Massages are pricey on cruise ships though. My husband and I got a couples massage on our last cruise and we paid $269. We did have some 'member' coupons that gave us some additional discounts.

The thing to remember is the spa will offer better deals on treatments on days you are in port. But they're not going to advertise the specials until that day. Days in port, people are not on the ship and, naturally, the ship isn't making as much money. If you can stand staying on the ship while at port, you'll save a lot of money.

Answer 2

you might have to.

Answer 3

I have been on the Carnival Celebration and the Carnival Miracle.  Both times, I got a full body massage.  Both times I booked my massage once I was on the cruise.  I did both massages the first day at sea first thing in the morning.  Carnival Celebration was approximately 10 years ago.  But Carnival Miracle was two summers ago.  I believe (if I remember correctly) it cost around $150.  But it was well worth every dollar.  I'm also going to summer on the Carnival Legend and the first thing I am doing is booking the cruise.  You may want to check on line for the exact cost, but it was somewhere around that, but I don't believe more than $200.  You will love it.  Have a great time!

Answer 4

If you're set on having a massage at a particular time, it might be a good idea to make a reservation ahead of time [at least soon after boarding].  You'd have to check Carnival's website to find out how far head of time you can do this [I mean before you board].  Probably sail-away wouldn't be that difficult, if the spa is even open then, because everyone will want to be at the sail-away party or at least up on deck to watch sail-away.  Coming back, the spa won't be open on the morning of return.

You could find more details about this at CruiseCritic.com.  Click on "Boards", then go to either the Carnival board or see whether there's a topic on spas.  You can do a topic search within the board; if you don't find an answer, you can post a question and you'll get your info.  [To post questions, you have to join, but it's free.]

Spa treatments are fairly expensive and they sometimes give you the "hard sell" for spa products - just so you know.