I used to attend every spa raffle on a cruise ship’s embarkation day. After all, who can resist getting something for free for what seems like very minimal effort, right?
Some would even call it a right of passage for first-time cruisers, and a free massage is a pretty tempting reward.
But after dozens of cruises, I decided to spend my time elsewhere during sailaway, and here are a few reasons why.
1. You have to be there to win it
Most mainstream cruise lines have something known as the spa raffle. Cruisers usually get hooked on the idea after getting a tour of the spa and thermal suite.
The prize can be anything from a free massage to hair or skin treatment. And since these treatments can cost over $150 without gratuity, it seems reasonable to at least give it a go.
Entrance into the raffle is free, but the catch is that you have to be there to win it. I’ve been to many raffles where the person who won didn’t show up and another name was drawn.
So, what’s the big deal with having to be present? Well, there are just many other things I like to do once I get on a cruise ship to get ready for my cruise.
Time spent listening to a presentation to all the wonderful spa treatments on board is time I’m not unpacking, doing my e-muster drill, making restaurant reservations, or enjoying a mostly-empty pool.
Photo credit: Cruise Fever
2. It takes too long
It only takes a minute to gather everyone around and pull a name out of a hat, right? But I’ve spent over an hour waiting for that moment. During that time some smaller prizes are often given out to encourage people to stay for the whole thing, but that’s just too long for me.
I’ve been to some spa raffles that were shorter, but it seems like the last few I attended were getting longer and longer.
Let’s be honest here. Most people are only there to get something free. They can deal with a few minutes of promotional material, but everyone has their limits.
3. It gets too crowded
The raffle typically takes place in the gym area, but these spaces aren’t made to hold over a hundred people.
The last raffle I attended had closer to two hundred people –it felt like–, and they were spilling out into the entrance of the spa.
Needless to say, my foot fell asleep while trying to balance on half of an elliptical machine. I was tempted to just get a workout done while I was waiting, but I didn’t want to be “that guy”.
After most cruise lines did away with the single-file-line muster drill that took place on the outer decks, I was glad to be free of that crowded space. But the spa raffle gave me the same vibes.
There are better places to spend embarkation day than in a crowd of anxious cruisers hoping to get something for free only to be disappointed and make a run for the exits.
Read more: 12 tips for avoiding crowds on a cruise ship
4. It’s reminiscent of a timeshare presentation
I know, I know, “these be fightin’ words”, but I mean this in the nicest way possible. While there isn’t the intention of guilt-tripping people into booking a spa treatment, I can’t help but get that same impression.
Everyone knows we are there to get something for free, so a little sales pitch is customary. It’s just a bit too “salesy” for me. It’s different on the more premium cruise lines, so keep in mind we are still talking about the mainstream ships here.
If you’ve ever had a massage or skin treatment from a spa on a cruise ship before, you might have experienced the sales pitch at the end. Sometimes it’s simply for a bottle of lotion or scrub brush.
It’s usually a hard pass for me. And most of the things being pitched are treatments that do not interest me.
5. I miss out on other sailaway stuff
As I mentioned before, there are so many other things I’d rather be doing on embarkation day than waiting in a crowded room while listening to an hour of commercials.
There is food to be eaten, pools to be swam in, shows to reserve, and an entire ship to enjoy.
I love sailaways. There’s something about sailing past all the buildings and houses along the cruise port and watching the land fall below the horizon that gives me that vacation feeling.
It’s calming, relaxing, and the best way to start a cruise, even if it’s only a 3-day sailing.
Bottom Line
All the above being said, spa raffles are great for some cruisers. If you plan to book a treatment anyway and want to learn more about the process, by all means, attend that raffle. With bells on! And enjoy every second of it.
I know people who have won the raffle before and don’t regret a moment of it. So, take everything I’ve said in this article with a grain of salt. Cruising is all about enjoying your vacation in the way you see fit.
As for me, I would rather just pay for the spa treatment or thermal suite access than have to endure another raffle. However, if I could submit my name and then go back to my cabin, sign me up!
