Best Cruises for Spa-Lovers

Best Cruises for Spa-Lovers

For many cruisers, a holiday on board a ship is a time for relaxation and letting your worries float away into the ocean. A spa is a standard facility found on board most cruise liners creating the tranquil surrounding needed for a bit of down-time. For some cruise lines a spa is a small relaxing extra, however for others they're a flag-ship facility with innovative treatments, small cosmetic procedures, a multiple-page menu of treatments and accommodation created with the spa-lover in mind with in-suite whirlpools and priority booking on treatments. If unwinding in the spa is where you'll usually be found on board a cruise we recommend booking with one of these cruise lines for your next trip out to sea.

Celebrity Cruises

It's no surprise that a cruise line that describes itself as modern luxury has a state-of-the-art spa. Depending on the ship you've chosen you might find yourself splitting your time between three: if you're on one of the Solstice Class ships you'll find the CanyonRanch Spa, The Relaxation Room and The Persian Gardens. Each of them decadent and unique in their own right, the choice of three spa areas already makes Celebrity a cruise of choice for spa-lovers.

However, where the spa experience really shines for Celebrity Cruises is their AquaClass staterooms. All of these relaxing cabins are located close to the CanyonRanch Spa so you'll never be too far a walk from your next treatment. On top of unlimited use of the spa facilities, AquaClass passengers also have exclusive use of their own dedicated restaurant Blu that specialises in clean cuisine. The staterooms themselves come with additional toiletries, Egyptian cotton linens, daily delivery of fruit teas, bottled water, aromatherapy diffuser, bathrobes and a personal spa concierge to arrange appointments.

Viking Ocean Cruises

Everything on board a Viking Ocean Cruise is inspired by the Scandinavian home of its namesake explorers. Admire the light and airy décor before sitting down to some traditional Norwegian food in the Mamsen Deli. Then relax in the spa with a traditional Nordic treatment - known as the Snow Grotto. While cruising in exotic climates, cool off in a room with freshly fallen snow to simulate your circulatory system before reawakening your senses in the sauna. Once you've experienced this must-try Nordic spa technique, feel as though you're swimming out to sea in the infinity pool or relax in the Winter Gardens.

Crystal Cruises

Find inner-balance and re-charge your chi while being pampered in the feng shui inspired spa onboard Crystal Cruises. The spa on board this luxury liner is not just designed to make you look good, but feel good as well. Treatments include Aroma Stone Therapy, Japanese Silk Booster Facial and Well-Being Massage while the onboard salon offers a pedicure using hot oils known as the Sole Delight Foot Ritual. Even the changing areas have been designed with luxury details in mind where passengers will find showers with multiple heads and side body jets. After (or before) your treatment relax in the secluded canopied relaxation area on the spa’s aft deck.

MSC Cruises

This Italian cruise line is known for its stylish and shimmering ships. The onboard Aurea Spa is no exception and is the perfect place to unwind the muscles after that day's excursion. The award-winning Balinese Spa offers an extensive menu of treatments including 20 varieties of massages, 19 body treatments and 19 facials. Couples can also receive a romantic massage together, and teenage passengers can indulge in the specialised teenage treatment list. Afterwords nourish your body at the spa bar with a healthy cocktail.

Spa lovers can also add the relaxing Aurea Experience when booking a suite or balcony cabin. It is the only package offered by MSC that includes activities dedicated to relaxation, including free access to the exclusive sun deck, well-being products waiting for you in your suite, a complimentary massage, unlimited access to the Thermal Room and a private on board wellness consultation.

Seabourn Cruise Line

You would expect the spa on board this luxury cruise line to offer the definition of luxury treatments. While all the fleet offers nourishing at-sea relaxation, it's the Odyssey, Sojourn and Quest ships that are the spa-lovers dream cruise. These two-deck spas are impressive considering the overall size of these ships and leave room for the secluded Spa Villas reserved for private treatments. Each villa features a bathtub, balcony lounging area, and a personalised spa package for those wanting their treatment in privacy. Treatments to consider are the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, Seabourn 24 Karat Gold Facial, Fire and Ice Manicure and Pedicure and the Kneipp Walk water therapy.

The Haven by Norwegian Cruise Line

Tucked away on the top-deck of Norwegian Cruise Line's larger ships is The Haven, a luxurious ship-within-a-ship. While NCL is marketed as a fun-filled family cruise line, the Haven offers passengers a calmer oasis to relax in while still being able to enjoy the energy on the rest of the ship. For spa-lovers, the Haven comes equipped with a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, fitness room and outdoor lounge area. All the Haven suites and villas have a luxury bathroom fitted while the dedicated spa-suites boast an in-suite hot tub and the Garden Villas come complete with a hot tub on a private terrace. The spa-suites also offer easy access to the Mandara Spa – treatments include teeth whitening, a four-hands massage, acupuncture, free tongue and pule analysis, men's shaving and botox.

Azamara Club Cruises

Azamara Club Cruises is determined to explore every corner of the world and design itineraries that create anticipation in their guests. Not to be outdone by the beauty of the destinations they visit, their two ships are stunningly modern and offer guests the perfect place to relax after a day exploring a new destination. Spa-lovers will appreciate the onboard spa with private sun deck, salt water bath, teeth whitening and their specially-priced spa packages. However, spa-lovers will experience complete tranquil satisfaction in their spa-suites. Located next to the Sanctum Spa, the suites contain their own glass-enclosed bathtub, rain shower, relaxing décor, daily delivery of healthy snacks, in-room spa music and spa credit for a treatment of their choice.