Spa Packages Prebook or Not?

[mommycruiser]

Hi we will be traveling on Meraviglia on 12/15/19 should I pre-book spa services or will there be better deals while onboard? Any advice is greatly welcomed.

 

 

[leos037]

you may get 50% off offers on board for the last day or port day but will pay service charges on it 

[mommycruiser]

Thanks for the info...so its safe to say that with pre-booking that includes tip or is that extra? I have always tipped but that's because I have never pre-booked. 

[leos037]

you actually not supposed to tip them -  I was waiting for a massage on Seaside when a lady tried to get change by the spa desk and was told no   

[mommycruiser]

Thanks for the clarification!

[floridian1]

According to the Seaside YC concierge - they told me when you prebook it does NOT include gratuity. If you purchase on board it DOES include gratuity. 

[ashank1m]

Besides the added gratuity, you will be getting lot cheaper pre-book than onboard.  Specially if you are planning to use more than one or two days, prebook you have (at least it did on my May booking) a week which was not avail onboard.  by booking for a week, it came out to be about 40% cheaper.  Also, did notice on my last three cruises with MSC they don't seems to have much special on board for discounts.

[April42749]

I prebooked a haircut/coloring, massage and facial.  I didn't tip extra and nobody stood around waiting for a tip.  One issue....I went to the spa as soon as I got onboard to book at my chosen times....and none of my chosen times (sea days, late morning or early afternoon) were available for any of my services. IMHO, they save the good times for full paying passengers.  This was on the Meraviglia in Oct.

[SirWolf]

13 minutes ago, April42749 said:

IMHO, they save the good times for full paying passengers.  This was on the Meraviglia in Oct.

My DW pre-booked the ‘cut & style’ package on MSC Meraviglia in September and made the appointment for the morning of sea day soon after we embarked. She had no problem scheduling an appointment (pre-booked package) on MSC Seaview in the afternoon of elegant night.

[perakcruiser]

12 hours ago, floridian1 said:

According to the Seaside YC concierge - they told me when you prebook it does NOT include gratuity. If you purchase on board it DOES include gratuity. 

He lied to you.

 

12 hours ago, ashank1m said:

Also, did notice on my last three cruises with MSC they don't seems to have much special on board for discounts.

I also realised that the some years before so common big discounts for spa have disappeared. But sure will be available when the booking situation is bad. So maybe not a bad idea to book in advance but leave space for one more promo on board.

[mommycruiser]

Thanks all for the tips!  I think I will prebook one day and leave the other one for a port day special.

 

 

[floridian1]

4 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

He lied to you.

well that is disappointing! At least I now know for next time. Thanks