Question:

My wife and I are booked on Celebrity Galaxy out of Baltimore on July 29th. This is just our second cruise, and I am looking for opinions about the Spa treatments onboard.  Since we have 5 full days at sea, I thought it might be relaxing for both of us to get massages or other treatments.  Looking for opinions on quality / value??  Thanks.

Response:

> My wife and I are booked on Celebrity Galaxy out of Baltimore on July 29th. > This is just our second cruise, and I am looking for opinions about the Spa > treatments onboard.  Since we have 5 full days at sea, I thought it might be > relaxing for both of us to get massages or other treatments.  Looking for > opinions on quality / value??  Thanks.

I have nothing helpful to add about the Aquaspa service, BUT I can tell you that I took that cruise and you will have a lot of fun ! — If you flame me, then the terrorists have won.

Response:

Peter, The spa aboard Galaxy is fabulous, and I’ve never experienced anything but excellent service from Steiner personnel. Spa treatments are often our biggest single expense item, and for good reason. They’re incredible! Quality is extremely high. Although prices tend to be about 25% higher than typical land-based offerings, I consider the whole package (treatment, ambience, etc.) to be very good value. This is my wife’s and my way of spoiling ourselves. Something we rarely (if ever) do between cruises. In May, a full-body massage aboard Mercury was approximately $65 for 30 minutes, and around $100 for an hour. Do the hour! You’ll feel like a new person. Enjoying an expert massage in a relaxing atmosphere, combined with the subtle movement of the ship is as close to Utopia as it gets. My wife also enjoys facials, and we both had a course of eye treatments on our last cruise. They both get top marks from us too. Occasionally you’ll encounter a little pressure to purchase Steiner products (usually associated with the treatment you just enjoyed). Try to resist making any purchases immediately after climbing down from the treatment table. It’s very easy to say "yes" when you’re feeling so relaxed :) The one exception is their pure lavender oil. We’ve found this to be a great buy. We loved Galaxy (and its Spa). I’m sure you will too Steve. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My wife and I are booked on Celebrity Galaxy out of Baltimore on July 29th. >This is just our second cruise, and I am looking for opinions about the Spa >treatments onboard.  Since we have 5 full days at sea, I thought it might be >relaxing for both of us to get massages or other treatments.  Looking for >opinions on quality / value??  Thanks.

Response:

Candy Does the Ionithermie treatment really work? And if it does, how long does it last? I have been tempted,but I have never tried it. I’m sailing on  Mercury in September so maybe…… Jean

Response:

Don’t know much about the spa treatments, Peter, but you are on the same cruise I will be on with my mom. We are on Vista deck, and you? June

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My wife and I are booked on Celebrity Galaxy out of Baltimore on July 29th. > This is just our second cruise, and I am looking for opinions about the Spa > treatments onboard.  Since we have 5 full days at sea, I thought it might be > relaxing for both of us to get massages or other treatments.  Looking for > opinions on quality / value??  Thanks.

Response:

> My wife and I are booked on Celebrity Galaxy out of Baltimore on July 29th. > This is just our second cruise, and I am looking for opinions about the Spa > treatments onboard.  Since we have 5 full days at sea, I thought it might be > relaxing for both of us to get massages or other treatments.  Looking for > opinions on quality / value??  Thanks.

I’d add only one caution to what others have said. On our last cruise, I had a foot massage that felt like exactly what I needed. However, the next day I had a rash on one foot, which I think came from an allergy to something in the oil she used. I have very sensitive skin; lots of allergies, and I need to be careful. I also had some prescription steroid skin stuff that fixed up the problem in a few days, so no big deal. If you have skin allergies, you might want try try something involving only a small area, like feet, and see how it works out. All the "aromatherapy" business sounds like an allergy minefield to me. I mentioned this to one of their masseuses once and she assured me that everything they use is "natural", as if everything I’m allergic to wasn’t. 73, JohnW

Response:

If you can trust their measurements, I lost 13.5" (measured in 6 places, but that’s about 2" lost).  The first time I had ionithermie I sat in the sauna for 5 minutes before the treatment and when I was done (only had one that cruise) my thighs were incredibly tight.  I kept them moisturized and the effect seemed to last for weeks.  I had two in January and two in May, both without the sauna before, and the results were not as good.  The mud and electrodes were the same, as far as I could see.  If I were you, I’d sneak a sauna first.  The tightness was really remarkable… and well worth it (and they usually discount on port days). Candy <– would like a cabin next to the spa just for the aroma! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > CandyDoes the Ionithermie treatment really work? And if it does, how > long does it last? I have been tempted,but I have never tried it. I’m > sailing on  Mercury in September so maybe……Jean

Response:

I found that rather than go for the expensive massages and so forth, just using the Thalassotherapy spa was sufficient – it was better than any massage I have ever received. You switch from the Thalassotherapy spa to the steam room back to the spa. After a few switches you feel so relaxed it’s like you’re a wet noodle. Much better and cheaper than a massage. I would return to Celebrity for the Thalassotherapy pool alone. I had a deep tissue massage too and it was great. Heidi

Response:

On our recent cruise on the Infinity to Alaska, my brother had a massage and said it was as good or better than his own masseuse.  My sister-in-law had a cellulite treatment and lost about an inch on each thigh.  She said it felt a little "weird", but liked the results and the service of the staff.  She used the Spa gym every day and gave it high marks.  The pool and hottubs in the spa are great and as suite occupants we had access to it (although I don’t think they were checking cabin assignments).  Try a sitdown in the sauna…on this ship there were great views of the Alaskan coastline  thru the large portholes, that beautiful aroma of cedarwood and it was incredibly quiet and peaceful. I had it all to myself one afternoon and it was heavenly!

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