I used to attend each spa raffle on a cruise ship’s embarkation day. In any case, who can resist getting one thing free of charge for what looks as if very minimal effort, proper?
Some would even name it a proper of passage for first-time cruisers, and a free therapeutic massage is a reasonably tempting reward.
However after dozens of cruises, I made a decision to spend my time elsewhere throughout sailaway, and listed below are a couple of the explanation why.
1. You must be there to win it
Most mainstream cruise strains have one thing generally known as the spa raffle. Cruisers normally get hooked on the thought after getting a tour of the spa and thermal suite.
The prize will be something from a free therapeutic massage to hair or pores and skin therapy. And since these therapies can price over $150 with out gratuity, it appears affordable to no less than give it a go.
Entrance into the raffle is free, however the catch is that you must be there to win it. I’ve been to many raffles the place the one that gained didn’t present up and one other title was drawn.
So, what’s the large take care of having to be current? Properly, there are simply many different issues I love to do as soon as I get on a cruise ship to prepare for my cruise.
Time spent listening to a presentation to all of the great spa therapies on board is time I’m not unpacking, doing my e-muster drill, making restaurant reservations, or having fun with a mostly-empty pool.
Picture credit score: Cruise Fever
2. It takes too lengthy
It solely takes a minute to assemble everybody round and pull a reputation out of a hat, proper? However I’ve spent over an hour ready for that second. Throughout that point some smaller prizes are sometimes given out to encourage folks to remain for the entire thing, however that’s simply too lengthy for me.
I’ve been to some spa raffles that had been shorter, nevertheless it looks as if the previous few I attended had been getting longer and longer.
Let’s be trustworthy right here. Most individuals are solely there to get one thing free. They’ll take care of a couple of minutes of promotional materials, however everybody has their limits.
3. It will get too crowded
The raffle usually takes place within the health club space, however these areas aren’t made to carry over 100 folks.
The final raffle I attended had nearer to 2 hundred folks –it felt like–, and so they had been spilling out into the doorway of the spa.
Evidently, my foot fell asleep whereas attempting to stability on half of an elliptical machine. I used to be tempted to only get a exercise performed whereas I used to be ready, however I didn’t wish to be “that man”.
After most cruise strains did away with the single-file-line muster drill that passed off on the outer decks, I used to be glad to be freed from that crowded area. However the spa raffle gave me the identical vibes.
There are higher locations to spend embarkation day than in a crowd of anxious cruisers hoping to get one thing free of charge solely to be disillusioned and make a run for the exits.
Learn extra: 12 ideas for avoiding crowds on a cruise ship
4. It’s paying homage to a timeshare presentation
I do know, I do know, “these be fightin’ phrases”, however I imply this within the nicest method attainable. Whereas there isn’t the intention of guilt-tripping folks into reserving a spa therapy, I can’t assist however get that very same impression.
Everybody is aware of we’re there to get one thing free of charge, so just a little gross sales pitch is customary. It’s only a bit too “salesy” for me. It’s completely different on the extra premium cruise strains, so take into accout we’re nonetheless speaking in regards to the mainstream ships right here.
In case you’ve ever had a therapeutic massage or pores and skin therapy from a spa on a cruise ship earlier than, you may need skilled the gross sales pitch on the finish. Generally it’s merely for a bottle of lotion or scrub brush.
It’s normally a tough go for me. And many of the issues being pitched are therapies that don’t curiosity me.
5. I miss out on different sailaway stuff
As I discussed earlier than, there are such a lot of different issues I’d reasonably be doing on embarkation day than ready in a crowded room whereas listening to an hour of commercials.
There may be meals to be eaten, swimming pools to be swam in, exhibits to order, and a whole ship to get pleasure from.
I really like sailaways. There’s one thing about crusing previous all of the buildings and homes alongside the cruise port and watching the land fall beneath the horizon that provides me that trip feeling.
It’s calming, enjoyable, and one of the best ways to start out a cruise, even when it’s solely a 3-day crusing.
Backside Line
All of the above being stated, spa raffles are nice for some cruisers. In case you plan to guide a therapy anyway and wish to study extra in regards to the course of, by all means, attend that raffle. With bells on! And revel in each second of it.
I do know individuals who have gained the raffle earlier than and don’t remorse a second of it. So, take every part I’ve stated on this article with a grain of salt. Cruising is all about having fun with your trip in the way in which you see match.
As for me, I might reasonably simply pay for the spa therapy or thermal suite entry than need to endure one other raffle. Nevertheless, if I might submit my title after which return to my cabin, signal me up!
