Top 4 Luxury Cruise Ship Spas
With people looking to unwind and escape life’s stresses, many turn to travel and wellness to rejuvenate their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. As such, an emerging demand for experiences combining the two is rapidly growing. Our “Top 5 Ultimate Luxury Wellness Holidays” post highlights that locations like South Africa, Thailand, and Bali are beckoning travellers seeking unique wellness experiences. But other than spa treatments and yoga sessions at your destination, you can also find these relaxing offerings en route. Luxury cruise lines have made spa experiences a vital aspect of the journey, allowing guests to indulge in high-class treatments and top-notch service on the ships. Despite being at sea, these cruises don’t skimp out on impressive offerings. Here are some of the best luxury cruise spas:
Celebrity Cruises
This award-winning spa concept offers a holistic approach to wellness, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, innovative treatments, and personalised service. Passengers can enjoy speciality massages, acupuncture, facials, and other rejuvenating therapies. Travellers can also experience destination-inspired treatments based on the places they’ll be visiting, creating an immersive and memorable moment. On the Celebrity Beyond Edge-class cruise ship, the central feature of the spa is the Sea Thermal Suite, a collection of eight distinct spaces for relaxing before or after spa treatments or fitness classes. These include the Rainfall Water Therapy Room, the Hamman Turkish Bath, and the Float Zen Zone. It also boasts cutting-edge technology, enabling you to partake in a zero gravity immersion massage, BIOTEC skin therapies, and speciality spa tables for customisable treatments for relaxation and restoration.
Explora Journeys
The Explora I luxury cruise ship took its maiden voyage in 2023, and it’s establishing itself as a top wellness travel experience with its world-class spa. Explora Journeys has crafted its onboard wellness offerings to reflect the luxury cruise line’s goal of curating an “Ocean State of Mind,” characterised by calm, unity, and inner and outer exploration. As such, its spa is inspired by the ocean’s calming presence and mirrors its soothing rhythm. It features 11 treatment rooms, including two private spa suites with an outdoor relaxation area to truly connect with the sea. It also offers unique facilities, including a multi-sensory experience shower with fragrances and colour lights, a Finnish sauna to help ease physical and mental stress and tension, a salt cave with Himalayan salt walls, and more. If you prefer simpler treatments, you can also opt for a massage or facial, which are equally relaxing and offer high-quality service. Its award-winning design creates the perfect ambience for relaxation and connection with oneself and the surroundings.
Seabourn
Seabourn is an ultra-luxury cruise line known for its intimate ships and personalised service. The spa onboard Seabourn vessels reflects this philosophy, offering guests a tranquil and pampering experience. Passengers can choose from an extensive menu of treatments, including massages, facials, and acupuncture. The spa also features a thermal suite with a steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. A unique feature of Seabourn’s spa & wellness offerings is its holistic approach curated with the partnership with Dr Andrew Weil, an expert and pioneer in integrative medicine. Under the Mindful Living Program, a certified and trained Mindful Living Coach guides yoga and meditation sessions, as well as seminars and lectures on various topics on well-being. Guests can both enjoy calming treatments and experiences and engage in educational classes, invigorating the mind, body, and spirit.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Mandara Spa is a popular choice for cruisers seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The spa offers a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments, as well as acupuncture and other alternative therapies. Passengers can also enjoy the steam room, sauna, and whirlpool. The cruise line’s Norwegian Joy ship was also revamped in early 2024, upgrading its spa offerings for more treatment and relaxation options. The newly introduced thermal suite features four senses loungers, a sauna, an ice room, and a steam room. Also new is the Kneipp haptic foot therapy, which massages guests’ feet as they walk across the pebbled moving stream, alternating between hot and cold foot baths.
For more on spas and beauty, travel, and lifestyle insights, visit Groomed & Glossy for guides and reviews.