Photo above: The wellness studio aboard Cunard's Queen Anne—a work-out with oceanic views.
The height of shipboard indulgence is no longer a windowless massage room below deck. Any self-respecting spa at sea now addresses the full gamut of wellness, fitness, and beauty needs: HIIT classes and Pelotons, snow caves and IV lounges, Tibetan singing bowls and quartz treatment beds. And, of course, all manner of fillers, injectables, skin tighteners, and collagen boosters. (As the old adage has it, travel can indeed be transformative.)
But don’t choose a ship purely for its spa. The cruise lines’ spas do differ from one another—but mostly because each line’s architects design them. The latest Celebrity ships—Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent—have beautiful spas designed by Kelly Hoppen. Crystal’s gorgeous Aurora spas are the work of Tillberg Design of Sweden. The Mareel spa on Cunard’s new Queen Anne is by Sybille de Margerie, whose credentials include the Mandarin Oriental in Paris. But everything else—therapists, treatments, products, gadgetry—is managed by a dominant spa concessionaire, the Florida-based OneSpaWorld. (Some exceptions are Ponant, which works with French-owned Sothys; Viking, which uses LivNordic; and newcomer Explora Journeys, which manages its own spa and handpicks its partners.) Still, it’s useful to know what to expect. Here are some of the best spa “concepts” at sea:
Silversea
The spa on the Silversea's newest ships—Silver Dawn, Silver Nova, and Silver Ray—is called Otium, a Latin word that can mean leisure, contemplation, even sheer indolence. Silversea stands by that civilized ancient concept, and by the fact that for Romans, baths were not so much places to get clean as spots to eat, drink, philosophize, or just hang out. Don’t be surprised if, after your treatment, you’re offered cocktails and chocolates instead of cucumber water, or if this indulgent vibe permeates other aspects of the cruise. My therapist on the Silver Dawn sent bath crystals with the same delicious lemongrass fragrance she had used in my massage to my cabin as a turndown treat.
Celebrity Cruises
Did you go, er, overboard on a ship’s hospitality? A quick IV infusion of vitamins should turn things around. Celebrity’s spas, simply called the Spa on its newest ships, have IV lounges offering an especially wide range of potions, promising everything from hangover remedies to detox, slimming, “youthful radiance,” even relief from hot flashes. All very Hollywood.
Explora Journeys
The Ocean Wellness spas on Explora Journeys' two ships include two private spa “suites,” with their own outdoor relaxation space, and a thermal suite with salt cave, saunas, “ice fall,” and hydrotherapy pool, access to which is gratis, which is not the case on many other ships. There’s also a strong emphasis on fitness, with gym equipment on deck and Pilates reformer classes, which is rare at sea. You can also request a Technogym kit, including resistance bands and a foam roller, for your suite, and use the workout programming on the TV if you prefer to skip the gym.
Seabourn
While it may sound a little woo-woo, a sound bath, part of Seabourn’s Mindful Living program (in partnership with integrative medicine guru Andrew Weil), is a truly trance-inducing experience. The “singing” of the bowls seems to go right through you, and it leads to deep relaxation. “Mindful living,” which permeates the ethos of the spa and many of the exercise classes, also extends ashore, with “healthy” excursions, such as a forest-breathing hike in Corsica, or al fresco yoga atop Santorini’s caldera.
Viking
In keeping with its Scandinavian roots, Viking has Swedish brand LivNordic 0perating its award-winning spas. (It's part of Raison d’Etre, which works with hotel groups such as Aman Resorts, Four Seasons, and Kempinski.) A must is the Nordic bathing circuit in Viking’s thermal suite, which goes something like this: sauna, cold plunge, back to sauna, snow grotto, sauna again, repeat. You’ll feel remarkably invigorated—provided you don’t skimp on the cold plunge and snow grotto parts.
Cunard's Queen Anne
Cunard has teamed up with Harper’s Bazaar UK to create three wellness “journeys” in the new ship’s Mareel spa. Expect, over the course of three days, a combo of Elemis products (what the OneSpaWorld concessionaire supplies), spa treatments, and nutritional recommendations. Queen Anne's Detox Journey includes hot and cold treatments, a salt stone massage, a cryo sculpting session, and a flower detox wrap. There are low-alcohol, almost guilt-free cocktails throughout the ship, too. (Kombucha Bellini, anyone?)
Crystal Cruises
Crystal’s Aurora spa offers LED light therapy, said to reduce inflammation, improve skin texture, even reset your circadian rhythms, and long-lasting but noninvasive Thermage, which smooths and tightens skin and increases collagen production. (Downside of doing something like Thermage on a cruise? You may want to stay out of the sun after.) The Elemis Biotec facial, also available, will do wonders in the short term. But it all does speak to the growing seriousness of spas on cruise ships—and the appeal of going home “new."
The Rules of Spa-ing at Sea
These hacks will help you navigate
Sample the Products
Ships sometimes offer a chance to try out the spa’s unguents early on in the cruise, or even get a mini-treatment. It’s worth it, despite the inevitable heavy sell.
Book Treatments in Advance
That way you can plan your days. No point scheduling a soothing body wrap before a six-hour onshore excursion in the Mediterranean heat.
Consider a “Spa Suite”
Celebrity Cruises’ Aqua Sky Suites, part of the Retreat enclave, give you access to the Sea Thermal Suite, a scented spa haven. Regent’s top-tier Regent Suite has its own spa.
Snap Up Appointments on Port Days
There will be last-minute deals when everyone has gone ashore. Chances are you’ll have the ship’s thermal suite—hot tubs, whirlpools, saunas, showers—to yourself before and after treatment.
Book Way Ahead for Sea Days
With no one distracted by time ashore, spas are busiest. But carefully consider the time slots you want: A massage before dinner is rarely a good idea (think wild hair covered in essential oils).
Anticipate Formal Nights
Onboard dress-up occasions are preceded by a flurry of primping: blow-drys, mani-pedis, facials. If you’re planning on going all out for the captain’s cocktails, book your salon appointment early.
Beware “Lose Inches Immediately” Treatments
Many ships offer Ionithermie, a quick fix. But if you see results, “they’ll only last 12 to 18 hours,” per the American Academy of Dermatology.
This story appears in the Summer 2024 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW
Sue Bryant is an award-winning writer and editor specializing in travel, in particular cruising and experiential travel. She is cruise editor of London's The Times and The Sunday Times and also contributes to Cruise Critic, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Cruise Passenger, Travel Weekly, National Geographic Traveller and Insight Guides.
