5 Ways to Have a Spa Vacation on a Cruise Ship

by Erica Kritt, The Cruise Web Team

Going to the spa may be a weekly ritual for you, or it could be a special once or twice a year treat. However often you get to go, going to the spa should be a chance to unwind, revive, and refocus. Those are also things that can happen on a vacation, so of course cruise ships have had spas onboard for years, but it’s just in the past few years that the cruise ship spa experience has turned from a one hour service to something that can encompass your whole vacation.

Discover the ways in which you can make your next cruise like spending a week on a floating spa.

Your room can become your retreat.

Popular cruise line Celebrity, pioneered the idea of the Spa Suite. This is a special stateroom that comes with special spa products, a therapeutic shower head, and access to special lounges and restaurants. The success of Celebrity’s AquaClass has led to other cruise lines like Holland America, Seabourn and Norwegian Cruise Lines all adding spa suites.

(Read about Celebrity’s partnership with Destination Spa Canyon Ranch!)

Destinations can be spa ready.  

Your itinerary probably has one stop in a port where you can get a fabulous massage or facial treatment. Many European nations have Turkish or mineral baths and there are hot spring retreats in destinations from Hawaii to Iceland and the Caribbean. Massage is a specialty in Thailand and Sweden and in spots like Bali and Hawaii you may even be able to book a massage on the beach.

You can spend the whole day at the spa.

Many cruise spas feature relaxation rooms. These range from simply a private deck on the ship or a sauna, to elaborate lounges like those offered on the Celebrity Reflection. That ship has sensory showers, a cold room, and an Infrared sauna among several other rooms. As a guest staying in a spa suite access to many of these rooms are part of the package; however those staying in other staterooms can purchase one-day packages where you can spend an entire day in these inviting locales.

You can order from the spa menu.

Whether you are trying to keep an eye on your calorie count or you just want to eat clean, spa menus are where you should turn. Royal Caribbean offers their vitality menu in the main dining rooms and ships like Oceania’s Riviera and Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Mariner offer a special menu from Canyon Ranch Spa.  These meals are made with organic and sustainable ingredients. Celebrity even offers their AquaSpa guests a special restaurant named “Blu,” which serves well balanced meals to compliment a full day at the spa.

You can work up a sweat.

Along with expanded spas, cruise companies understand that fitness plays a part in any healthy lifestyle. Ship gyms have expanded and services now include exercise classes like spinning and Zumba. Many cruise lines also offer you the option of working out with a personal trainer while on-board. This is a great option if you are looking to kick yourself into gear.

Erica Kritt works at The Cruise Web. The Cruise Web is a travel agency that specializes in cruising. The expert cruise consultants focus on providing travelers with the best value for their time and money in finding and booking a cruise vacation!