TRAVELogists

The original Azamara ships ("R-Class") had a great complimentary men's steam (no sauna).  With so many refits, I can't tell you what the PURSUIT will offer now, in terms of Men's Sauna/Steam, but I think it is very optimistic that you would consider this a deal-breaker anytime before mid-2022.  Would love to hear about your experience and that it is a good -- and safe -- one.

We left Jan 5th on our 77-day South America and Antarctic voyage, and all things looked well. Somewhere along the way, the world became infected and we were in a pandemic.  I congratulate Holland America (ms Volendam) for taking immediate action in sanitizing and taking precautions against infection.  We remained virus-free for our return to Ft. Lauderdale.  Regarding the Spa area on the ship, the men's sauna (no steam) is still active and was quite social until the buzz about coronavirus caused me to discontinue my twice-daily visits to gym and sauna.  Discreet visits were difficult when social distancing required a six-foot distance between bodies.  Who knows what the future will hold for us in our quest for a relaxing sauna on the high seas?

Hey, twodjs:  I enjoy your comments very much. Thanks for confirmation that HAL will not disturb the men's sauna layout. I'm on the VOLENDAM (South America ~ Jan 5th>Mar 22nd 2020), having cancelled our WC on Pacific Princess, due mainly to their policy of charging for their steam and smaller sun deck.  Will check in after this voyage with any updates.  Smooth Sailing!

1 hour ago, TRAVELogists said:

PLEASE SEE "UPDATE" AT END OF THIS COMMENT > Hello, Repositioner.  We traveled on the CORAL PRINCESS about ten years ago and it was re-fitted in 2019... so I don't know how accurate my info will be.  We enjoyed the smaller size of the ship and the service and food were quite good.  On our voyage, there were gender-specific saunas, cozy but friendly, at various times of day.  I found that 10am and 3pm were very social and the guys that used the sauna were mature (save a few officers during passenger meal hours) in-shape and sophisticated, which made for good conversation.  I'd be interested to hear your review of the updated ship; hope the sauna is still there and still included at no extra cost. Bon Voyage. 

UPDATE!  After submitting this comment, I checked my "Archived Travel" book and found notes on our experience aboard the Coral Princess.  One in particular read, "Great Spa & Sauna!"  I now remember that the Sauna was a daily TREAT and indeed, a great set-up.  I would sail on her again.

Hello, Repositioner.  We traveled on the CORAL PRINCESS about ten years ago and it was re-fitted in 2019... so I don't know how accurate my info will be.  We enjoyed the smaller size of the ship and the service and food were quite good.  On our voyage, there were gender-specific saunas, cozy but friendly, at various times of day.  I found that 10am and 3pm were very social and the guys that used the sauna were mature (save a few officers during passenger meal hours) in-shape and sophisticated, which made for good conversation.  I'd be interested to hear your review of the updated ship; hope the sauna is still there and still included at no extra cost. Bon Voyage.

Welcome, BEJWEE, hope this thread provides a lot of info for your future voyages.  I like Oceania; you mentioned that your steam/sauna was included in your fare.  Were you in a suite?  On the Pacific Princess (R-class/small ship), steam is no longer included except for top suites. 

Hello, SteamMates >  Anyone been on HAL's Volendam this year? On my last cruise I found separate (gender-specific) steam rooms at no additional charge included in the Spa facilities.  We were on six back-to-back voyages, so had new guys every two weeks. NEXT TRIP: 77-day South America / Amazon / Antarctic Cruise (again on the Volendam).  Hope all facilities are intact.  Thanks for any input. 

Earlier in this thread, I commented on the PACIFIC PRINCESS spa and fitness center as having a complimentary steam room (gender-specific).  With the re-fit, it is now under the greedy management of the Spa and no longer available without a weekly or full-cruise PA$$.   "Another one bit the dust!

Just returned from 60 days on HAL Volendam to find the Men's Sauna intact. Mornings (after workout) and afternoons (3pm)  seem to attract a mature, intelligent group of guys, European, Canadian and American.  Dinnertime and just before closing will usually find a couple of officers.  Of course, the itinerary and sea/port days make all the difference in what type of guys will be utilizing the Sauna.  Almost any day was sure to find friendly guys willing to share the heat.

NOTE:  The Volendam goes into dry dock in OCT/2019 and I could not get much info on how it will affect the sauna.  An officer told me that only cosmetic changes would be made, carpeting, upholstery, new paint, new look for the cabins and no additional cabins will be installed.  Next up > 51 days on the Amsterdam (not the Niew Amsterdam) in OCT/2019, South Pacific, r/t San Diego.  Will keep you posted.

Hey, RD ~ You may be tired of hearing this question, but your LIST sounds like a great addition to my cruise file. What are you suggesting to those of us who do not have Excel?  Is there a way to print without buying the WORD software package?   I'd be happy to contribute current info after my next cruise (HAL Volendam FEB-APR 2019).  Thanks!

BTW, thank you, fp60, for your notes on Oceania.

We'll be on the ms Volendam in Feb/2019 (60 days) and will check out the facilities after their 2017 re-fit. I've always found HAL's steam rooms agreeable and European in feeling.

Hey, guys... Have not seen any posts regarding one of my favorites ships, ms Pacific Princess (formerly a Rennaisance 640-pax vessel). Their gender-specific steam (no sauna) is very pleasant, seats about 8-10 guys on a circular bench. Two showers, plenty of amenities and big towels. Afternoons (and mornings, after breakfast) can get very social and friendly.  Just out the door from the steam/changing room is a small sun deck ($) that books up early on long cruises. Oceania has two of these R-Class ships, I can only assume they are the same.

Yes, I enjoyed your post regarding the Koningsdam; anxious to sail on her. Thanks.

MEN'S SAUNA update: I have a couple of voyages booked and wanted to comment on the Men's Saunas.

9 SEP 2017 > ms Rotterdam. My past experiences with HAL have been excellent, due in part to their included (no charge) saunas. Most of the guys using the sauna are usually fit and friendly European and follow the accepted "undress" code of towel only. Past trips include > Rotterdam, Volendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Zuiderdam & Statendam. All of these were before any refitting, so I'm basing my review on that condition. Men's Sauna is separate, with showers, sauna, lockers (small) and plenty of fresh towels. There is no steam unless you pay for premium spa package. The saunas are pretty quiet, afford privacy and usually hold about ten guys. Busy times are around 3pm and just before closing time.

JAN 2019 > ms Pacific Princess. Although she has just had a major refit, I'm glad to see that the steam room was left intact, as a part of the gym. I have only done World Cruises (8, so far) on the PP, so the passengers are a bit different from a 14-day run through the Caribbean. The steam room (there is no sauna) is adjacent to the workout area and offer two showers, a circular tile seating area, holding about 10 men, lockers (nice size) and plenty of fresh towels. Citrus or cucumber water is always available to help you rehydrate. In my experience, there are as many crew members (officers) as passengers using the steam room and are very friendly. I've had good encounters and remain in touch with several "steam buddies". I will review the refit configuration after the cruise.

Additionally, I recall the ms Coral Princess as having an extremely fun sauna (no steam). 3pm was like "happy hour" and lots of friendly, compatible mates.

I am a little bewildered at some of the comments from gay passengers sailing on Cunard vessels regarding being "accepted". The only one whose acceptance is important to me... is me.

My partner and I just returned from a voyage on the Queen Victoria (SYD to SFO) and encountered six gay couples, most of whom were friendly and approachable. In our dining room (Princess Grill) there were four 2-tops with gay men, all of whom were friendly. The staff (especially the Maître d'hôtel) was extremely warm and accommodating. By the way, the DR is beautiful, with large view windows and the food was 5-Star. No special requests (and we had a couple) went unfulfilled.

The gym/spa/sauna was a popular meeting place and gay and straight men mixed congenially. We experienced no homophobia on this ship (or the QM2), so go with pride and the knowledge that you are you, and straight people do not expect (or ask for) your acceptance. Bon Voyage!

My favorite ship, 640-pax Pacific Princess, (see also: Ocean Princess, Azamara, Oceania) has separate steam (no sauna) for men and women. I agree that steaming should not be encumbered by shorts or towels - must be naked - so this fits the bill. Plenty of towels, showers, good locker space and iced lemon water to cool you. Just off the steam/locker room is a semi-private deck for sunbathing and a large thermal whirlpool and outdoor shower. The deck is divided, men on starboard, women on port, but you may cross over if you are a couple. There is a daily charge (unless you're in a suite) which includes deck service of snacks and drinks... and if you take a lounge up front, you can even sunbathe nude, which is my choice. I know that there are guys who sun in this area without paying the fee; there's no hassle from the staff.