Wellness & Relaxation By Cruise Line

Cruises are perfect to explore the world, one port at a time; but when you aren’t exploring, they are also ideal for some well earned pampering and relaxation. Looking out over the wake at the turquoise blue foaming sea and staring at the horizon is relaxing in its own right, but if you need more then read on to find out what else your hotel-at-sea can offer.

Whether you are the active type, (which I am definitely not, kalthough I should be), or someone (like me) who prefers to zone out and chill, there will be lots of options onboard to suit you.

Most ships have a programme of fitness classes, wellness seminars, spa and beauty treatments and even cosmetic procedures.

Here is a brief overview of what is offered by various cruiselines.

Azamara Cruises

If you are on an Azamara Cruise you are encouraged to “focus on you” with a visit to The Sanctum Spa. Azamara Spa is an oasis of tranquility and offers a range of treatments and therapies using Elemis Products.

The Sanctum Terrace is a private deck with a revitalising bubbling jet massage bath

Facial Glow services offer facials and skincare for both men and women .

Massage therapy includes a range of different massages including hot stone therapy, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and in line with Azanara’s ‘Explore More’ ethos, other exotic massage treatments from around the world are also on offer.

Body sculpting Includes an assortment of rubs and wraps.

For ultimate relaxation, you can also book half or full spa packages to build a program of your choice.

See full details in my related post here.

https://www.azamara.co.uk/life-onboard/spa-and-fitness

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Solstice® & Millennium®Class

There are a range of wellness facilities across the fleet. For example onboard Celebrity Solstice® and Millennium®Class ships (Eclipse®, Equinox℠, Reflection®, Silhouette®, Solstice®, Constellation®, Infinity®, Millennium® and Summit®) you will find Canyon Ranch, which is one of the world's leading spas. Here you'll find everything you need to feel and look fantastic every moment of your cruise; or simply unwind in the tranquil Persian Garden, where you can chill or enjoy steam and rain shower therapies. Plus if you book an AquaClass® cabin, you’ll receive complimentary access to the Persian Garden. We did this on Summit and loved this extra R&R option.

Canyon Ranch Aesthetics offers a range of non-invasive, non-surgical facial treatments performed by a trained physician.

Canyon Ranch Healthy Feet can provide a little TLC for your tootsies, with one of their Healthy Feet treatments, which have been specially designed to soothe and revitalise tired feet. The Foot Rescue sounds fab - it begins with a herbal salts bath to refresh your feet, and then calluses, corns and cracked dry skin are dealt with. Follow that up with a Canyon Stone Pedicure so you are ready to put your best foot forward on the dance floor.

Dream - is a new feature and is a “curated program of treatments, products, instructional classes, and expert lectures on mindful sleep” (Celebrity Cruises). I would definitely benefit from this one.

https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/onboard/relaxation/canyon-ranch-spa/

Edge Class Ships relaxation

The Spa onboard Celebrity Edge® and Celebrity Apex℠ takes inspiration from the elements to create an environment that is both in harmony with nature and yet undeniably luxurious.

At the heart of The Spa is the SEA Thermal Suite which includes a float room, heated loungers, an infra-red Sauna, Crystalarium (a meditation aromatherapy room which sounds like heaven), Hammam (sort of Turkish Bath), a Salt Room, Mist Aroma Steam Room, plus a Rainfall Water Therapy Room. Access is complimentary if you are staying in AquaClass® accommodation.

The Spa offers 124 treatments and therapies including the Salt Stone Therapy, Elemis Thousand Flower Detox Wrap, and Thai Herbal Poultice Massage - I think I am tempted to book a World Cruise just to have time to try them all. Elemis products and high-tech treatment tables further enhance your experience.

Head to The Advanced MedSpa if you fancy some cosmetic procedures such as Dysport® Wrinkle Treatments, Restylane® Dermal Filler Treatments, Thermage®, and Botox®. There is also something on offer called CoolSculpting®. Finish off the makeover in either the salon on barbers shop!

https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/explore/edge-class/relaxation/

Marella Cruises (TUI)

Champneys No Less

If you are travelling on one of the new Marella Explorer ships, you have really lucked out as both boast a partnership with the famous luxury Champneys brand.

Each of the Champneys onboard Spas features a full treatment menu, including facials, body wraps, massages, manicures, acupuncture and more, as well as a salon, wellness centre and stylish relaxation room that boasts comfortable beds complete with endless sea views. There is even a top deck infinity pool on Explorer 2! Plus those gorgeous Champneys products.

You can book couples treatment rooms with fabulous views, en-suite private saunas, hot tubs and even a private balcony!

Look out for my future post following my forthcoming Marella cruise.

https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/ships/marella-explorer/facilities/

MSC Cruises

On MSC Cruises head to the Aurea Spa for a well-deserved pampering session. You will love the relaxing yet luxurious surroundings of natural stone, precious woods and rich mosaics. Add to that a wonderful sea-view and high-tech beauty treatments, or a soothing sauna and traditional Balinese Massage and you will be drifting away in no time (no pun intended).

Every ship boasts a Thermal Area where you can enjoy a soothing sauna, a relaxing steam or an invigorating whirlpool bath.

You will also find a beauty salon offering a host of options plus a Jean Louis David International Hair Salon, together with a dedicated Barber Shop on every ship.

There is also a Medi Spa Centre offering range of safe and effective Anti-Ageing treatments.

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/on-board/spa-beauty-fitness/spa-beauty

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

The Mandara Spa onboard NCL Ships has been voted World's Best Cruise Spa by World Spa Awards, and justifiably so.

Spa

With over 50 treatments available, including hot stone massage and other classic and luxurious options, you are bound to leave feeling pampered. Choose from facials, massages, acupuncture and a full menu of services.

I love the sound of the Elemis Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage.

Thermal Suite

Treat yourself to a Thermal Suite Pass and you will enjoy the ultimate in heat and water treatments. Enjoy the Vitality pool or choose from heated ceramic lounge chairs, a Thalasso Therapy Pool, hot tubs, steam room, sauna, and tropical rain showers, or enjoy them all and leave invigorated and rejuvenated yet relaxed.

Salon

Enjoy being pampered with a range of luxurious Elemis products. There are hair treatments, plus pedicures and manicures on offer. In fact there is a full range of hair and beauty therapies available.

Salt Room

Salt therapy, also called halotherapy, has gained popularity in recent years as it is believed to alleviate respiratory problems, skin ailments, and to strengthen the immune system.

Some ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet are equipped with salt chambers designed to replicate salt caves from ancient Europe and beyond. The salt is ground into minuscule, breathable particles which are circulated within the chamber allowing you to benefit from their therapeutic properties.

Whilst this all sounds rather clinical, rest assured that you will be in very pleasant surroundings with self regulating ambient temperatures, soft lighting and comfortable chairs - in fact all the luxurious amenities you would expect of a world-class spa.

https://www.ncl.com/uk/en/why-cruise-norwegian/cruise-spa

P&O Cruises

The Oasis Spa aboard P&O ships is a haven of pampering and relaxation. If you crave “me time” you can choose from the most exclusive spa therapies, rejuvenating facials and massages, pick-me-up nail treatments, and feel-good hair styling.

The Retreat Is a luxurious alfresco space to relax and also offers salon treatments and the very latest in facials, manicures, pedicures, aromatherapy or massages, in one of the luxurious treatment rooms. There is also sauna and steam rooms.

P&O newest ship (currently) Britannia sets the bar high with its spa facilities. The Oasis Spa on this ship offers some new, innovative features and spa packages:

The Hydrotherapy suite includes heated loungers, therapeutic saunas, steam grottos and tropical showers. P&O Britannia also features waterbeds, a Saline Caldarium and a hydrotherapy pool with reflexology, massaging jets and air recliners.

There is an Oasis Villa - which is an exclusive use area where you enjoy a personally tailored spa experience for couples or small groups of friends. Think indulgently upholstered loungers, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries!

There is a Blow-Out, Lash and Brow Bar which has also been designed as an informal social space where groups can come along together to tend to their brows, lashes ending with a blow dry.

Foot therapy - To ensure you’re looking your best from top to toe, there’s also Foot Therapy which will offer express treatments such as foot baths, exfoliation and moisturising.

Salon - Staffed by qualified stylists and makeup specialists on hand to keep you looking glamorous and healthy, or even to give you a complete makeover if you fancy a change, including hair styling, colours, manicures, makeup makeovers and men’s grooming.

https://www.pocruises.com/onboard-activities/Spa

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises take Wellness and Relaxation back to basics by providing the NEW Princess Luxury Bed across the fleet , voted Best Cruise Ship Bed by Cruise Critics.

After the best nights sleep at sea, head to The Sanctuary - Adults Only Retreat featuring plush lounge furniture, attentive Serenity Steward service, soothing music, refreshing beverages and spa food, and even an open-air massage in your own private cabana!

For treatments, head to The Lotus Spa which has been named Best Spa on a Cruise Ship by Spa finder Wellness 365. The Lotus Spa offers a range of therapies such as aroma stone therapy massages and detoxifying ocean wraps. Or head to the salon to enjoy a manicure and pedicure.

The Lotus Spa Fitness Center is for when you are feeling energetic. With state-of-the-art fitness equipment, the Center offers exercise and spinning courses, free and machine weights, treadmills with ocean views, plus if you like to exercise outdoors, there’s a jogging track which makes you feel you are wave-running, Why not try a Zumba class to get the heart pumping, or a more relaxing Yoga or Tai Chi class? Staying (or getting) fit is easy in such lovely surroundings.

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/wellness/

Royal Caribbean

The Vitality Spa onboard all Royal Caribbean ships provides the opportunity to relax and re-energise, particularly after a long day exploring. The spa is split into three main areas: the salon, the treatment area and the fitness center.   You can unwind in the tranquil spa and indulge yourself with spa treatments – from massages and acupuncture, to manicures. You can get anti-aging facials, hot stone massages, hair treatments, teeth whitening and there is even a nail bar. plus if you are feeling a little more energetic you could try yoga and Tai Chi. 

Travelling with teens or tweens? Even they need the opportunity to kick back and relax. Designed exclusively for the younger cruiser, the YSpa program features a menu of specially curated spa treatments and services like manicures, facials for young skin and more.

https://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/discover-cruise-holidays/whats-included/spa/

Virgin Voyages

After a day in the sun I am definititely in need of some grooming and pampering to get ready for the night ahead.

Scarlet Lady, the First Lady of Virgin Voyages, will have the coolest ‘spoil me’ areas at sea including the fabulous Redemption Spa on Deck 5.  Designed by Knibb Design, this aquatic paradise and hideaway will be complete with hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, cold plunge pools, quartz beds, and rejuvenating spa treatments.

You can also chill out in the Well-being Pool-​ designed by Concrete Amsterdam. This is an area of restoration featuring a large whirlpool, two plunge pools, MyBeast, an artistic adult playground and fitness apparatus designed by Equilibria, as well as Gym and Tonic bar, which serves up fresh cold-pressed juices and handcrafted cocktails.

Stubble and Groom​, designed by Softroom, will be an intimate upscale barber shop - an oasis for men who enjoy being pampered and well-groomed. Stubble & Groom will offer a one-of-a-kind experience at sea with hot-lather shaves, haircuts, beard trimmings and the only male pedicure spa at sea overlooking a porthole ocean view​.

The Dry Dock will be a blow dry and hairstyling beauty bar complete with hair nourishing and scalp treatments designed by Softroom.

Mani Pedi Spa, a nail salon where a manicure or pedicure comes complete with some of the best ocean views on the ship. And of course it’s not just for the mani in your life😘

Squid Ink will be the first ever tattoo studio on board a cruise ship. Squid Ink will offer tattooing, permanent makeup and body piercing services. The studio will have two resident tattoo artists as well as an occasional guest artist from the World Famous Tattoo Ink Pro Team. Interior design by Softroom. Interior designs by Softroom.

https://www.virginvoyages.com/onboard/well-being