Spas at Sea
Beccy Miller
Cruises are all about getting in some serious rest and relaxation, and what better way to achieve that than to spend some time in the spa?
Cruise lines are reacting to market trends and the desire for people to look after their health and wellness. As each new ship is built, the spa area onboard typically become larger and more impressive, and easily rival anything that you may find on land. Here are some of our favourites.
Cunard - Mareel Spa
Sail on Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria (and the brand new Queen Anne when she’s launched) and you can escape into the sanctuary that is the Mareel Spa, which they say takes inspiration from the oceans on which their ships sail to indulge your senses—mind, body and soul.
The spa offers a range of treatments, as well as an Aqua Therapy Centre which boasts a thermal suite, hydrotherapy pool and relaxation area. Try one of their sensory showers - enjoy cool fog with a crisp scent and blue fibre-optic light or unwind with a warm tropical rain shower infused with exotic natural aromas.
Aquamar Spa & Vitality Centre
The hallmark offerings of Oceania Cruises - exquisitely crafted cuisine, curated travel experiences and small ship luxury – continue in their Aquamar Spa & Vitality Centre where rejuvenating treatments like a basalt stone massage, full-body herbal wrap or a session of reflexology are available.
Oceania Cruises extend the focus on health and wellbeing out to their shore excursions too. With over 50 different options, from ancient mineral baths outside of Rome to a traditional teahouse in Myanmar, these Wellness Discovery Tours by Aquamar reveal timeless practices of cultures and cities around the world.
MSC Aurea Spa
The luxurious Aurea Spa is a relaxing paradise with amazing sea views for you to enjoy, as you relax your cares away. A team of expert beauty therapists will take care of your health and well-being whilst you choose from various services such as massages, aromatherapy facials and other treatments.
The spa has a thermal area, sauna, and steam bath, as well as an exclusive sun deck for express treatments. It also has a fully equipped fitness centre with instructors who can help and guide you.
Celebrity SEA Thermal Suite
Celebrity have an excellent range of spas throughout their fleet. The Persian Garden spa is offered on their Millennium and Solstice-class ships, whilst they've taken things up a notch with the Edge class and created the SEA Thermal Suite. This features eight distinctive therapeutic experiences, all inspired by nature, including a hammam, crystalarium, salt room and more.
Book an Aqua Class Cabin for a fully immersive, next-level wellness experience where access to the spa is free throughout your stay. Enjoy some great added extras like an exclusive restaurant called Blu, featuring carefully-designed, clean cuisine menus to aid your health and wellness, plus your own spa concierge.
Mandara Spa - Norwegian Cruise Line
If you’re looking for some ‘me’ time on your next NCL cruise, then head to the Mandara Spa. They offer everything from the classic treatments to the super luxurious - how about a 100-minute Aroma Spa Seaweed massage? Their thermal suite has a vitality pool and relaxing beds looking out to sea.
On their Breakaway class or Breakaway-Plus class ships, you can chill out in the salt room – a dramatic grotto surrounded with layers of body cleansing salt crystals, or the snow room, for an invigorating cool down.
Do you use the spa when you're on your cruise? Have we included your favourite?
