SPOIL YOURSELF IN THE SWANKIEST SPAS AT SEA
TICKET TO ADDED SPARKLE
REGENT CRUISES’ Seven Seas Explorer is its most extravagant ship, and it’s also home to the most luxurious spa at sea. The Canyon Ranch SpaClub’s treatments are inspired by exotic destinations.
You can be scrubbed with fresh lemons and coffee grounds, or if aching muscles are the issue, try the Ritual of the Arctic Sea, during which you’ll enjoy a deep tissue massage with Arctic berry and evergreen oils.
Our favourite indulgence is the Revitalising Ritual of the North Pacific, a six-part treatment that includes a bamboo scrub, rice bran wrap and acupressure facial massage. You’ll disembark gleaming (rssc.com).
PICK FROM A MASSAGE MENU
THE Norwegians are experts on the subject of well-being and Viking Ocean Cruises has tapped into this with its LivNordic spa on Viking Star. But if you’re envisioning a painful birch branch pummelling, think again. In addition to the eight treatment rooms, there’s a thermal pool, hot tub, steam room and snow room, and the spa menu includes three types of Swedish massage: mindful, deep tissue and detox. Yes, it might hurt (vikingcruises.co.uk).
STEP INTO THE SALT ROOM
SNOW rooms obviously weren’t enough for Norwegian Cruise Line — Norwegian Escape has a salt room, too. Not that we don’t love the snow room; flurries of snowflakes descend from the ceiling of this chilly chamber, where the temperature is kept at an icy-cool 14f.
The salt room, which is part of the ship’s thermal suite, is a colourful space where the air is infused with fragrant, therapeutic salts, said to improve respiratory health. Take a deep breath (ncl.com).
GOLD STANDARD TREATMENTS
COSTA CRUISES’ Samsara Spas have an Asian feel, with rice paper walls, wind chimes, teak buddhas and bonsais.
The best bit? Decor-wise, it has to be the gold-tiled heated stone loungers; treatmentwise, the 24-carat gold leaf mask. Passengers can book one of the Samsara Spa cabins, which have eco-cotton bathrobes, herbal teas, Elemis bath products and scent diffusers. Additional benefits include unlimited access to the spa areas and free visits to the thalassotherapy pool (costacruises.co.uk).
TRY A DIGITAL DETOX
CELEBRITY CRUISES, experts in the art of relaxation, have teamed up with Randi Zuckerberg (sister of Facebook founder Mark), who is an author and expert on the subject of balancing technology and well-being.
Randi worked with the cruise line to create the Take Care of YourSelfie spa programme. It’s available on all cruises apart from Galapagos sailings, and includes treatments designed for passengers in need of a digital detox.
Offerings include various off- shore adventures such as the Flash, Drive and Ride (a bicycle ride through Valletta in Malta) and Control ALT Delight yoga sessions and Texticure manicures (celebritycruises.com).