Cruise ship spas have come a long way over the years. The earliest spas on most ships were little more than cramped rooms with barely enough room for a massage table and masseuse. Today, shipboard spas have grown into truly luxurious spaces where patrons can receive a full range of services to promote relaxation and well-being. In fact, these amenities are so popular that many cruise lines today offer special packages and stateroom accommodations for vacationers seeking a complete ocean spa experience.
Like the spas themselves, cruise ships have significantly expanded their services over the years is response to the needs and desires of their clientele. Visitors to these facilities can generally choose from a wide variety of options, ranging from ancient to high-tech, and Western to Eastern. Following are a few of the selections offered by many cruise lines.
Salon Services
Virtually all cruise ships have an array of beauty options available using top products and the latest techniques. For elegant cruise evenings, the salons provide professional hairstyling, manicures, and other standard services. Of course, shipboard salons are pleased to offer services for both men and women.
Traditional Spa Treatments
Beyond the usual salon styling services, cruise ships possess serene spaces where passengers can completely unwind while enjoying a broad range of relaxing therapies. Beauty treatments like facials, detoxifying wraps, and exfoliating scrubs are available on practically every modern cruise ship. For relaxation, every spa provides massages – usually several different kinds. Whether it is a Swedish, hot-stone, or deep-tissue massage, the spa services are generally among the most sought-after amenities on any cruise ship.
Eastern Spa Treatments
As Americans have learned more about Eastern medicine over the last few decades, the treatments have become available on cruise ships. Many ships offer acupuncture and acupressure (or reflexology) services to help patrons with their aches and pains, as well as to simply maintain their bodily energies. Also popular is Reiki, a technique in which a therapist places his or her palms on the patron’s body to redirect its energies and promote relaxation.
Medi-spa Treatments
Most shipboard spas offer a wide selection of high-tech cosmetic services, many of which are provided by licensed medical professionals. Tooth-whitening is a popular service for those who want to show off a flashy smile. Botox and dermal filler injections are also available to those seeking to smooth out their wrinkles in a quick and minimally invasive way. Many spas can also provide a regimen of ionothermie in which a clinician applies a special mixture of clay and algae, along with gentle electric stimulation to eliminate excess cellulite.
