What comes to mind when you think of a spa treatment? Massages in quiet rooms with soft lighting and relaxing music? Standard spa fare, of course. But what about panoramic ocean views, the gentle sea breeze, or personal attendants catering to your every whim? Not your everyday spa experience, but part of what makes enjoying the spa on a cruise ship so very special.
Today’s luxury cruise liners have made relaxation a priority and now offer some of the most incredible spa options available anywhere in the world, whether on-land or at-sea. From Canyon Ranch classic services to unique, regionally inspired treatments, onboard spas are now center-stage on most cruise lines and have reached a new level of sophistication.
There are hundreds of interesting options from massages to manicures and more, but here are the most unique spa treatments we could find; our top six “twists” on the typical spa experience.
1. Oceania Cruises
Experience the profound pleasures of Canyon Ranch in a spectacular setting – Oceania Cruises’ fleet of luxurious ships. Opt for an Ocean Scrub, a wonderfully restorative, exfoliating body treatment that cools skin on contact.
The treatment includes dry brushing with Dead Sea salts and soothing applications of biodynamic honey and Red Flower Ocean essential oils. Follow it up with a dip in the private, open-air Thalassotherapy Pool overlooking the ocean.
What makes it unique? Dry-scrubbing stimulates the lymphatic system, while the honey and oil leaves skin supple and calm. But the combination of therapeutic massage followed by the healing benefits of salt water in a wonderful, open-air giant whirlpool spa is the wow factor.
Insider Tip: Reserve your treatments as soon as they become available–our experts can help–and know that the onboard spa will be particularly busy on days-at-sea and on any formal nights.
2. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
The Gemstone Anti-Aging Facial on Regent ships is a luxurious facial treatment featuring products enriched by gemstones, precious minerals, amino acids, botanicals, peptides, vitamins and algae for complete nutrition and anti-aging benefits. Arm, hand, foot and leg pressure-point massage using gemstone wands for healing and clearing will leave you totally relaxed, and your skin balanced and rejuvenated.
What makes it unique? Complete with pearls, rose quartz, amethyst, and other gems and minerals, it's more like a treasure chest than a spa treatment. The real reward will be how nourished, hydrated, calmed and firmed you’ll feel 80 minutes later.
Insider Tip: Using the spa showers are a great way to pamper yourself and also prevent any conversations with your cabin mate over who is the first to use the shower in your stateroom.
3. Viking Cruises
The LivNordic Spa and Wellness Center on Viking's ocean ships combine Nordic health traditions with the latest in spa and wellness. Try the Nordic Bathing Experience; a thermal suite which includes a small pool, sauna, snow room, cold water splash bucket, and hot stone relaxation lounges. You will go from hot to cold (to even colder!) which helps your lymphatic system detox your skin, relax tired muscles, and boost circulation.
What makes it unique? Reflecting the Nordic tradition of hot and cold bathing experiences, this authentic Scandinavian experience at-sea includes a snow grotto where snowflakes magically flutter from the ceiling through chilled air and environmentally friendly saunas.
Insider Tip: Too much lactic acid build-up can cause your muscles to function poorly and will often lead to fatigue. An ice bath will immediately reduce swelling while flushing lactic acid out of your body.
4. Cunard Lines
On Cunard’s luxurious Queen Mary 2, the coffee isn’t only for drinking. The SpaClub offers a unique experience called the Black Olive & Coffee Firming Polish, an energizing scrub that blends coffee, black olive, crushed almond, neroli, orange and lemon peel and fresh lemon juice. The benefits include anti-inflammatory properties, temporary reduction of cellulite, improved circulation, reduced eye puffiness, and smooth skin.
What makes it unique? You’ll exfoliate, tone and come alive with an intensely vitalizing scrub that’s equal parts spa treatment, coffee break and Chopped episode. Wrapped in revitalizing fruits and superfoods for 50 minutes—finishing with a light application of cardamom oil—you’ll be saying both “Ahhh” and “Mmmm” at the very same time.
Insider Tip: We can book your spa days in advance to ensure you get the day, time, and treatment you want. Reservations can normally be made up to 60 days in advance of your voyage, however within 7 days of most sailings any spa reservations must be made on board.
5. Seabourn Cruises
Aboard the ultra-luxury ships from Seabourn you’d expect to find ultra-luxurious spa treatments as well. None are more extravagant or unique than the 24 Karat Gold Facial, a gold-leaf mask that helps tighten your skin and facilitate the removal of toxins. Just one gold treatment will instantly brighten your complexion, soften and smooth the appearance of fine lines, and produce a lasting youthful glow.
What makes it unique? It’s a mask made out of 24-Karat gold! Need we say more? Harnessing the beautifying powers of gold, this unique facial worthy of King Midas himself will restore your face’s luminosity and leave your face silky, smooth and radiant.
6. Paul Gauguin Cruises
Based in the South Pacific, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers a variety of interesting spa treatments, including massages that incorporate Tahitian sand and volcanic rock. The most unique spa treatment of them all, the Pinch & Roll, uses a special Polynesian technique involving specific movements designed to "remodel your silhouette and tone your skin." It may sound a bit painful, but it's actually quite revitalizing and one of the most requested spa treatments on ship.
What makes it unique? Although relaxing with a spa treatment aboard The Gauguin ship—more luxury yacht than cruise ship—is already incredible, you can elevate your experience by indulging in an over-water massage during the day you’ll spend on Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin’s private South Pacific paradise.
Paul Gauguin's signature Pinch and Roll massage.
There are dozens of wild and wonderful spa options at-sea, and our CruiseInsider advisors know which are the very best!
Let us help customize and reserve your relaxing experience one of these unique spa treatment, or help you plan one of the more tried and true experiences by calling 1 (877) 734-6858.
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