The history of the spa on a cruise ship began way back in the 1950s when the Queen Mary boasted the luxury of three steam baths and a caldarium, but even on this great ship spa treatments that you would expect to be availabletodaywere unheard of.If you wanted a massage for your aching limbs it would probably be a brisk brush down with liniment from the ships doctor.Now cruise lines are keenly competive keeping up to date with all the latest spa treatments, and offer some of the best facilities in the world
Celebrity Solstice AquaSpa spans two stories with panoramic sea views, boasting the most popular spa amenities and a state of the art fitness centre.The magnificent waterfalls and fountains that surround the Solarium pool make the AquaSpa one of the most beautiful at sea. Costa Cruises Pompeii Spa has roman steam baths, Jacuzzis and pools offering everything passengers could ever need to feel and look their very best.Costa Cruises Samsara Spa has a Thalassotherapy pool and a thermal mud room to nourish the skin using steam and three different types of clay.Holland Americas Greenhouse Spa has a heated glass-enclosed seawater hydrotherapy pool a marvellous and relaxing way to relieve tired and aching muscles.Their thermal suite is modelled on the Roman baths, providing different heated rooms for the ultimate in relaxation and pampering.P&O Arcadia also offers the facilities of a Thermal suite with aromatic steam lounges, and a dry floatation room and hydro pool.
Pampering has become an essential part of a cruise holiday and there can be no better way to start your vacation than at the NCL Mandara Spa, one of their popular spa treatments is the indulgent Sun Ritual.First the body is exfoliated with a lime and ginger body scrub, then massaged with oil and finally a self tanning cream is added to give you that healthy sun tanned glow.
The decor and ambience of cruise line spas has also undergone a total transformation, now strong Asian, Ayurvedic Indian, Balinese and Thai influence not just the surroundings but also the treatments you can expect.Crystal Cruises have used the principles of Feng-shui to design their spas with sunken footbaths and weightlessness beds.
Spa treatments are not only for the ladies, now cruise line spas include an array of treatments for men as well.Carnival has responded to the need to incorporate men into their spa treatments and now offer a full-service barber shop with a Deep Cleanse Mens grooming session.Also honeymooners and couples can book spa treatments together.P&O Cruises have a private spa room for couples and Costa Concordia Oriental Villa suite offers packaged treatments just for couples.
Staying slim whilst on a cruise is now a lot easier with the introduction of slimming spa treatments and on-board healthy eating options.Carnivals Spa fare has menu symbols showing calories, sodium content, and low fat options, whilst the majority of the cruise lines also offer healthy eating options as part of your dining experience.
Cruise Spas are also now offering more medical and advanced rejuvenation treatments.Acupuncture for example is now available on several ships, notably Holland America who first introduced acupuncture to its fleet back in 2006.NCL offer the very popular slimming treatment Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction which helps fluid drain from trapped fat cells and smoothes out the skin.Another popular treatment offered by NCL Spas is Micro-Dermabrasion which helps with dull and discoloured/ sun damaged skin.
Costa Concordia has 55 Samsara Spa cabins and 12 suites which have direct access to their spa facilities.
Some of the best spas are now floating at sea, from personal one to one consultations, up to date facials and therapeutic treatments, body toning and fitness centres, or just for sheer indulgent pampering.Now not only can you bring back some great memories of the wonderful places you have visited on your cruise holiday, combining your time away with a spa package and you could also bring home a new you.
About the Author of this post – Amanda Barnes is a regular guest author for Ideal Cruising, the UKs premier independent cruise specialist.