Spa and Beauty Services on cruiseships: some tips!
Looking for cruiseship reviews about the best in on-board spa and beauty pampering? Here’s Cruising Journal‘s latest review of what’s currently available aboard some of the world’s top major, premium and luxury cruiseline ships.
Major Cruise Lines
Aboard Princess Cruises‘ two largest ships, Regal and Royal Princess, the Sanctuary spa is strictly adults only. This palace of relaxation takes up the whole top deck and offers superb facilities. Guests can chill out in the vast relaxation lounge and admire its stunning ocean views. Or enjoy spa treatments while relaxing in the rock garden among ornamental topiary.
The Lotus Spa is managed by Steiner Leisure. It offers an extensive menu of treatments, some men-only. Choose from a range of body massages, including poultice or hot stone massage. Body treatments include body scrubs, wraps and face and body anti-ageing treatments. The Lotus speciality is the Royal Experience treatment, a 75-minute luxurious body and facial massage.
The Enclave is an extensive thermal suite, where guests can rejuvenate in the hydrotherapy pool. Or relax on heated stone or waterbeds. There’s also a whirlpool bath and a Turkish-style steam room called the Hammam. Sweat it out in the herbal steam room, the Caldarium, or take a dry-heat sauna in the Laconium. The Retreat pool is open to all adults and secluded poolside cabanas are avaliable for hire. These can double as spa treatment venues (spa packages available for half-day or full-day hire).
Standard full-day spa passes cost around $40 per person. Sanctuary packages ranging from around $60-70 per person are available on some Princess scenic cruises, depending on the itinerary, so check before you book.
P&O Cruises pamper their guests with a comprehensive range of on board beauty and spa services. Aboard Azura, Britannia and Ventura, guests can choose from an extensive menu of indulgent spa treatments when soaking up the relaxing atmosphere of the Oasis Spa and Health Club.
Featuring a Scrub Bar and thermal suite, the Oasis boasts a range of hot stone therapies. Full body treatments include wraps, bracing scrubs and Ionothermie. A choice of facials, anti-ageing and hand and foot treatments are also available.
Spa treatments can vary according to ship, so check before you book. P&O have made things easier with a Cruise Personaliser that allows guests to choose and book treatments before sailing (via your agent or call direct on 0345 355 111), but booking on board is fine, too.
Also aboard are fully equipped beauty and hair salons. Both offer all the expected services, ranging from brow tinting to nail art. The salon’s signature hair glossifying conditioning treatment makes the perfect start for a new cut or colour.
There are some great packages and discounts on offer. The Couple’s Pampering package for 2 is ideal for honeymooners. Best value is the Spa Sampler at £200. This entitles guests to 2 luxury treatments, a scrub bar treatment and complimentary fitness class. You also get a full day pass for the Retreat and Thermal suite. Other passes range from £275 to £800.
Another line offering great on board beauty and spa services is smaller outfit, Pullmantur. Guests aboard Pullmantur’s Horizon, Monarch, Sovereign and Zenith can enjoy luxurious spa and beauty treatments in beautifully restful surroundings. Monarch and Sovereign have the Spa del Mar, while Horizon and Zenith also have similar spas and salons.
The host of available treatments include Swedish, Thai and hot stone massage. There’s also a delicious-sounding chocolate therapy, as well as collagen and oxygen facials. Manis and pedis are on offer, too. Guests can sweat it out in the on-board sauna, or relax in one of the jacuzzis. The onboard spa shop stocks a range of goodies for beauty-conscious guests to take home.
The onboard salon provides the full range of services and beauty treatments, including full nail services.
Spa treatments are not included in cruise packages and are chargeable, although passes and deals may be available within the spa.
Premium Cruise Lines
Celebrity Cruises offers its guests world-class beauty and spa opportunities. Services are provided by go-to specialists Canyon Ranch Spas − ‘the most comprehensive spa at sea’. Guests can expect a top-notch pampering experience.
The Persian Garden is an on board oasis where guests can relax before and after treatments. Treatments include anti-ageing and vitamin facials, like the Ageless Oxygen Boost. There are several indulgent massage and bodywork options on offer. For example, guests can try the relaxing Aromatherapy Muscle Soother or the rejuvenating Awakening. Many tried and tested Canyon Ranch treatments, such as heat wraps and non-surgical face and body treatments, are available. The signature is the multi-sensory Detoxifying Ritual, which is based upon Hammam’s Bathhouse Rituals range.
In addition, the on board beauty and hair salons cater for guests’ beauty and hair needs, from brow tinting and teeth whitening, to a new haircut.
Beauty and spa treatments are not included in cruising packages. However, the salon and spa have their own great-value packages, including treatment discounts on port days.
Canyon Ranch is also managing Cunard’s revamped beauty and spa facilities on board its fleet. Here it’s restyled as Mareel Wellness and Beauty (Mareel being Old Norse for ‘phosphorescence of the sea’). Canyon Ranch has developed a completely new range of treatments for Cunard. These take inspiration from the mineral-rich sea itself, although treatments may vary according to ship. For example, a couple’s seaweed bathing suite is already available on the recently refurbished Queen Elizabeth. Queen Victoria has also been upgraded. Queen Mary’s refit will be completed by November 2020.
Guests can be sure that Mareel Wellness and Beauty will reflect the Canyon Ranch Spa approach to all round wellness. It features stress-busting treatments, including Ayurvedic and organic body wraps. There’s a menu of massages, full body and facial treatments. The signature here is the Seaweed Leaf Wrap, which promises to detoxify, soften and firm skin.
In addition, all Cunard cruiseships now feature an Aquatherapy centre, where guests can relax and benefit from the ocean’s transformative power. Acupuncture, reflexology and shiatsu are also available.
The on board beauty salon provides every service you would expect in a top-flight salon. Guests can even get makeup lessons. In addition, the fully equipped hair salon offers a full range of cutting, colouring and styling services. Men can enjoy a luxurious shave or trim.
Treatment costs are chargeable, but credits can be purchased. Treatments may be subject to change, so it’s best to enquire at the spa once on board or call Canyon Ranch Spa direct on +1 877 329 1924.
Luxury cruise lines
Guests aboard Regent’s Seven Seas Cruises ship, Regent Seven Seas Explorer, and sister ships benefit from Canyon Ranch Spa‘s on board services. The luxurious spa is situated in airy Regent suite and is dedicated to beauty and wellness.
The atmosphere is suprememly relaxing. Canyon Ranch has developed a range of delicious-sounding signature treatments and therapies for Regent Seven Seas. Both inspired by and incorporating local flora, ingredients include invigorating evergreen oils and Arctic berry.
The facilities and treatments have the same high standards and great products as those found aboard Cunard and Celebrity Cruises’ ships. Many of the ocean-inspired treatments are based in the Aquatherapy centre. Guests can benefit from the healing and rejuvenating effects of water. They can also enjoy the experiential showers, which can change from a light, refreshing rain to a monsoon-style downpour on command.
On board spa services are free to enjoy.
Viking Ocean Cruises ships all feature a Liv Nordic spa. Treatments have a very Nordic flavour. The spa’s themselves are as luxurious as you would expect and super clean. It is built around a central pool, so guests can lounge poolside during pampering. The range of treatments and therapies are distinctive. Bracing Nordic wellness is the focus. Swedish massage and deep cleansing treatments are a speciality. Follow your sauna with a revitalising romp in the Snow Grotto – if you dare! Treatments are designed to leave guests feeling recharged and rejuvenated.
The beauty salon offers all standard treatments, plus foot and hand massage, as well as classic and gel manicures. In the hair salon, try the Nordic Hair Ritual, or opt for a wash, cut and blow dry. Men can enjoy the Nordic facial.
Spa use is included in your cruise package, so pamper away!
Silversea offer comprehensive on board beauty, spa and relaxation opportunities across all their ships. The Zagara Beauty Spa boasts luxury facilities. Enjoy the sauna and steam rooms in superb surroundings. There’s a huge choice of treatments and an impressive array of massage options. Hydrating facials, non-surgical fat-reduction treatments and seaweed body wraps are just a few of the available treatments.
Botox, Dysport, and Restylane treatments administered by a licenced physician are available only on Silver Muse and Silver Spirit, so check what’s available on your ship on the dates you want to travel before booking. You can book ahead or in the spa.
The beauty salon offers guests top-to-toe pampering, including manicures and pedicures. There’s also a full-service unisex hair salon.
Spa treatments are not included in cruise packages and are chargeable. Ask in the spa for discounts and deals. treatment prices were unavailable at the time of writing.
Happy pampering, and don’t forget to share your cruising experience by writing a review for Cruising Journal!