Cruises Day Spas

Day spas at sea are becoming so advanced in luxury and technology they are giving their land-based counterparts a run for their money.

When the spa on a cruiseship is voted as better than land-based havens boasting yoga pavilions, acres of Zen gardens and vistas of mountain ranges, it has to be something special.

In the annual Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Spa Poll of spas in North America and the Caribbean earlier this year, Crystal Cruises won Best Cruise Line Spa. In addition, the line was ranked above pampering hideaways-to-the-stars such as Tucson's Canyon Ranch Health Resort, Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe and the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara.

The spas on Crystal ships Harmony, Symphony and Serenity have been carefully planned along the lines of the ancient Oriental philosophy of feng shui, which ensures the correct alignment of rooms, doors and windows to create the ideal flow of chi (energy) through the space. While the spas are concessions operated by international health and beauty giant Steiner Leisure - as are many of the spas on other cruise ships - Crystal's therapists have to undergo extra training in feng shui, Asian massage and the cruise line's own exacting service philosophy. It is this attention to detail, the cruise line says, that has won the votes of Conde Nast readers.

Gently clinking wind chimes, the splash of flowing water and the soothing scent of aromatherapy oils greet visitors to the spa. Treatments, using Elemis products, include the fantastic Aroma Stone Therapy (using hot stones and lots of oil to reduce muscle tension); an invigorating Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow; and the highly indulgent Ceremony of Earth frangipani body-nourishing treatment.

Crystal is not alone in investing in its spas. All newly built cruise ships devote vast amounts of space to health and well-being, and spa treatments are one of the biggest on board expenses.

It is the setting and service that gives a cruise line spa the edge. And for this you pay; spa treatments are adjusted to suit the cruise line's market. For example, Hot Stone Therapy in the Oasis spa on a P&O ship (operated by Harding Brothers of the UK) costs 70 (AU$170) for 75 minutes. On Princess ships, Chakra Stone Therapy treatment in the Lotus Spa costs US$158 (AU$218) for 60 minutes while the Hot Lava Rock Massage in Silversea's Mandara spa costs US$210 (AU$290) for 80 minutes.

Steiner operates the spas on more than 100 cruise ships and while each one looks different, they use the same products and offer similar treatments. Bucking this trend, Silversea, Norwegian Cruise Line and Orient Lines all choose spas by Mandara, an operator of over 50 land-based spas with a Balinese influence. Although Mandara Spa is now controlled by Steiner, its identity has been preserved. Mandara's philosophy is to mix Balinese treatments with conventional therapies so passengers will find offerings like Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap (a skin polish and Cleopatra-style milk-based body wrap), or a special scrub using pumice stones and ground Balinese coffee.

Other cruise lines have gone out on a limb, too. Radisson Seven Seas has recently installed the high-tech, high-end Parisian Carita spa brand - known for its sculpting and rejuvenating techniques - on all its ships, as well as thalassotherapy and holistic treatments. Cunard, meanwhile, has a spectacular two-deck-high Canyon Ranch spa on Queen Mary 2 and Hebridean Island Cruises' small ship Hebridean Spirit operates a mini-spa by E'SPA, famous for its fabulous aromatherapy products.

The big trend in the spa wars now is to offer new treatments and facilities. Couples on many ships highly rate the sensation of slopping around in mud together in the Rasul, a traditional Arabian cleansing chamber. Organic muds are applied to the body, while the effects of a gentle steam infused by herbs act to open up breathing, smooth the skin and revitalise. To complete the ritual, a warm tropical rain pours down from the dome of the Rasul and the muds are washed away. Several Steiner spas have a Rasul, including those on Royal Caribbean ships.

Many cruise lines also offer massage lessons for couples nowadays, as well as a his 'n hers massage, where you are treated together. More indulgent, perhaps, is Silversea's offer to treat passengers in their suite - perfect if you like to fall asleep and stay that way.

A lot of spas also devote time to undoing the over-indulgence that is symptomatic of cruising. The excesses of Week One can be remedied in Week Two with a few sessions of Ionithermie, which cost around US$300 (AU$415) for three blocks of 50 minutes. Your cellulite is wrapped in algae and zapped by fat-busting electric currents. Devotees swear this knocks three to eight inches off the thighs and stomach, although much of it will be fluid. But it is a quick fix if you can no longer fit into that tight black number for the Captain's gala dinner, and it does leave you with nice smooth skin.

More sensible, perhaps, would be to attend one of the nutrition seminars offered on board at the beginning of a cruise and spend the US$300 (AU$415) on some exotic facials. Both Princess and Royal Caribbean embrace The Zone diet (many of the crew follow it, too), which is easy, sensible and works on a cruise ship - provided you stay away from the midnight chocolate buffet. The seminars are free and a body composition analysis will only cost about US$30 (AU$41). Royal Caribbean offers a session with a personal nutritionist, as well as personal training in the gym. Expect to pay US$75-$80 (AU$104-$110) for an hour - a rate comparable to what you would pay ashore in a smart health club.

Facilities, too, are becoming more ambitious. The Thermal Suite on Royal Caribbean's Radiance-class ships (Jewel, Serenade, Brilliance and Radiance of the Seas) is an amazing discovery: just US$15 (AU$21) buys you a day pass to a tranquil paradise with heated stone beds looking out over the ocean, herbal saunas, aromatic steam rooms and rainforest showers. Even on sea days, the suites are rarely booked out and the US$15 is a great investment as you can come and go as you please.

P&O's Oasis Spa on Arcadia, which is due to be launched in April 2005, will also offer a thermal suite as well as a hydrotherapy suite and a dry float suite. Dry float treatments usually involve being wrapped in something delicious and floating on a kind of waterbed. They are absolute bliss and an unusual feature to find at sea.

On QM2, the Canyon Ranch spa offers a thalassotherapy pool with underwater air bed recliner lounges, neck fountains, a deluge waterfall, air tub and body massage jet benches.

Celebrity's AquaSpa facilities are all about beautiful and original designs. The spa on Mercury has a Moroccan theme while Century's spa resembles an indoor Japanese garden. Both ships also offer a thalassotherapy pool with gentle streams of massaging bubbles.

If you want to get the most out of a cruise ship spa, just remember a few basic rules: book as soon as you can, particularly for the sea days; only tip the therapist if you feel you've had good service (10 to 15 percent is fine); and do not feel pressured to buy the spa products during the inevitable hard sell - simply ask to take the price list and say you'll consider it back in your cabin. Finally, why waste precious spa funds on basics like a pedicure, which you can have at home? Do your nails yourself and blow the money on that frangipani float instead.

Written by Sue Bryant - 17 Spring 2004