tanning beds - base tan - before cruise

Do most people get a base tan at a tanning spa prior to cruing the caribbean? I know tanning beds aren't the safest things around. But if a base tan helps reduce the chance of getting sunburned on the cruise then it is actually a safer way to go.
White as a ghost in Chicago,
Scott

[StarrAries]

Before I went on the Navigator in Nov. I went to the tanning beds 5 or 6 times to bulid up a base. Others on my cruise were not as prepared, judging by the red and white burn lines I saw peeking out of everyone's dresses on formal night. I never burned while on the cruise, and had a great tan by the end using oil and an SPF 15 on my face and shoulders. I highly reccomend using the tanning salon before the cruise even if you're not a big fan (like me).

[kissingtree2316]

Hi! I always go to the tanning bed about a month before my cruise leaves. Not only do I want to have a base tan so I won't get burned, but I also hate looking like a ghost when I put my bathing suit on for the first time in the season!

[Darcy]

Scott

I start going to the tanning bed about a month before I leave. I'm very light skinned and burn easily. I also use a high SPF while on vacation and so far I haven't gotten burned.

Darcy

[Bev Rach]

I used a tanning bed about 10 times before we cruised and I thought I had a base but I still burned on the beach. The sun just seems alot hotter than up here in Canada.Don't forget your sunscreen even if you have a base tan.

I went for the first time two weeks ago to a tanning bed and it freaked me out, I didn't like it, but I kept going back and now it's o.k. I will be on the Glory on 4-17 so I hope I will have a bse tan by then. I didn't like being closed up.

[cruise4fun]

I am a girl from Philly that burns every time I head to warm weather too and I am attempting one month of the tanning beds before I cruise to Bermuda to help prevent a ruined trip. I am not thrilled with the idea of tanning like that but I would rather use the beds than get sun poisoning.

you dont have to use the beds, they have hex to stand in also.
have a wonderful cruise!

[Sweetcharlotte30]

I went and got a base tan and so glad i did! I ended up burning a bit (esp. on my scalp where my hairline and forehead meet, I have a high forehead and they don't make sunscreen for scalps, ) I think I may have blistered if i didn't get somewhat of a base tan. Sometimes the too many margarita's impair your sun exposeure judgement. Don't drink and sun bathe! Blistering is way worse for your skin that a few sessions in the tanning bed. Yes I did apply sun screen, but after a few margarita's in the Mexican Riviera you sometimes forget to put more on!

Post Edited (03-13-04 20:35)

[Sara754]

Also if you dont think the tanning beds are safe, you can get a mystic tan.. i get them every time i cruise now

[Gal1974]

The Mystic Tans you have to be careful with, some people they turn orange and it does not look natural.

If your local tanning salon has a bronzer bed, try to get into it a few times first. I am very fair. Start out slow if you burn easily and figure out what works best for you.

I have been tanning since January to cruise next week! I live in MN and don't see alot of sun here (even in the summer I tend to stay away from sun). But when I cruise I do like to be out at the pool or on the beach so I tan to prevent burning and get a little head start

What are bronzing beds? Never heard of those....

Always get a good base tan before I cruise or go to an all-inclusive. Then don't have to worry about being burnt while on vacation.

Started tanning a month ago with 7 weeks to go.

I know, I know, I like to make sure I am well tanned before I go and this time I will be.
Usually only start 2 months before.

Definitely I recommend the beds before vacation. Wouldn't use them normally.

Have a great trip

Bronzing beds have uva, not much uvb rays. THey are a high pressure tanning bed.
You dont really want to start in one though, because your skin needs some uvb to get jump started. If you go at least 4 or 5 times, then you could do that one after that.

You can also do the airbrush tan. It is applied by a person, and the color is very natural looking. Lasts about 4 to 5 days pretty good.(I used to work in a tanning salon)

Good luck, we leave in April on a cruise and I have been tanning for two weeks.

I am a male and do the tanning beds for about 10 sessions before I cruise. My skin is fair so I need a little help. It really helped this time. I still used SPF15 and I never burned! But don't forget about the noggin. I use a cap but still but some on that bald spot.
Can't wait till the next one, Oct. 3, 2004!

[An72]

If you decide to undergo on tanning before cruise just apply a tanning product that is right for your skin. Only use products specifically designed for indoor tanning. Use protective eye wear provided by the salon. You may need to purchase goggles or winkies usually available in the salon, to protect your eyes. Keep your first tanning session to no longer than 6 to 10 minutes in a 20-minute bed. If the bed is very strong, tanning technicians may recommend you tan for even less time. Apply an unscented, hydrating body lotion or cream, after tanning which may prevent peeling and prolong your tan. Regularly check your skin for changes in the appearances of beauty marks, freckles or moles. Stop tanning and see a dermatologist if you notice any changes.

[averrette]

My husband is very fair skinned and he didn't tan before we went several years back and he got burnt up and was miserable. This last cruise we both started going a month before the cruise to tan. The only thing I would suggest is take it slow. Start at like 5-6 minutes and do that for a week. You will think you aren't getting anything, but you really need to slowly work into it or you will get burnt in the tanning bed. My husband went for a month and he never got over 12 minutes. Just a thought Happy cruising Even if you decide not to tan, one thing I have noticed is there is ALWAYS someone whiter and someone bigger than you on the cruise, so no worries

[krunch]

Agree with you 100%. I generally don't like to go to tanning salons either, but this is the only time I go to them...Before a cruise. I am going again this evening actually.

We just came out of summer so I have my "Farmer Tan" (, but I'm not a farmer ) I too until a week ago was as white as a ghost except my arms from wearing T-Shirts all the time. But if I go to a pool or beach and decide to pull off my shirt, this is going to look really dumb

I also find if I have this "Base" tan that I am much less likely to burn.

I live not to far to the North West of you in Manitoba, Canada. They are forecasting snow here next week, I can't wait to get outta here for a couple weeks!

Krunch

Originally Posted by Fascination - 3/29

Do most people get a base tan at a tanning spa prior to cruing the caribbean? I know tanning beds aren't the safest things around. But if a base tan helps reduce the chance of getting sunburned on the cruise then it is actually a safer way to go.
White as a ghost in Chicago,
Scott

[green_rd]

Wow - I'm amazed to see a thread revived after 6+ years.

Tanning in North America whether in the backyard or at a tanning salon does not prepare you for the Caribbean sun. Use lotion on your cruise whether you have pre-tanned or not.

[ginnyanne]

I usually get a base tan too, but I still apply sunscreen about every hour if I've been in the water. I have gotten the crap roasted out of me one too may times.

[An72]

As an additional Tanning Beds are often seen as better alternatives to traditional tanning, and it is easy to see why. Tanning under the sun exposes you to greater risks of developing skin allergies, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Tanning beds, on the other hand, provide ‘controlled' environments that not only make tanning a lot safer, but also a lot faster and much more efficient.

[david30101]

Where I live, it stays warm enougth through Nov so i can keep a tan going. Im taking a cruise on Nov 20th. So I lay out in sun for 2 days 2 hours each per week as long as the temp is over 60 and sunny and not to windy. Luckly I get dark quick and can stay that way for several weeks as long as I lay out about 2 hours a week.
I dont do tanning beds.

[kleo]

The only time I ever go to a tanning bed is the week before a cruise. It has now become part of my "cruise count down" ritual that gets me even more excited for vacation. Plus the base tan helps not to burn...enjoy your cruise!

[johnthed0g]

Interesting subject, I was expecting to see that with time people have seen these things are now regarded as dangerous, didn't think they still existed.

[krunch]

Lots of tanning beds still around jon. You can also still buy cigarettes and beer too !

Seriously, we got back mid November from 9 days on Spirit, Mexican Rivera, our 5th cruise, and I was in the tanning bed before that cruise. I find it really helps as I am fairly light skinned. I find I burn less easily after tanning in a bed, and I wear sunblock when on a cruise and in the sun a lot.

Krunch

[johnthed0g]

Originally Posted by krunch

Lots of tanning beds still around jon. You can also still buy cigarettes and beer too !
Krunch

People buy Cigarettes because they are addicted, I wasn't aware beer was particularly harmful, sunbeds however give people skin cancer just because they want to appear tanned, not sure they exist in the UK anymore, spray tan does though.

[badknees]

Unbelievable!!!
I had a friend and a niece who both thought they just couldn't go out in the summer unless they kept a tan by using a tanning bed. They are in their mid-40's now and their skin looks like leather. The skin cancer thing remains to be seen. Yeah! I know! Mind my own business. It's your skin.

[johnthed0g]

You can also take it the other way too, we used to go the Caribbean every year, one friend used to be so paranoid about the sun she used factor ''who knows what'' & went home as white as the came.

[Fern]

JMO, but coming home "pale" is not a problem for me!

I baked myself at the pool, coated in babyoil all day long, for too many years . I'm very happy that (so far) I haven't had any skin cancer's. I'm not about to take any chances at this point! I'm staying away from tanning bed's and the sun. SPF 30 is my friend .

[firster]

My daughter and I always go to a tanning studio and get a base tan before any island vacations. We are both fairly dark skinned and very very seldom burn. Last year on our cruise we got burnt badly even though we had a good base tan and were using 30 SPF sunscreen. I found 50 SPF in the second port (for about 3x the cost of getting it here) and we used it the rest of the cruise. So just because you have a base tan, don't think you can't burn - you should still be prepared with a high SPF sunscreen.