Spas & Salons
Slipping away to the spa is one of the best ways to spend a sea day and you’ll find spa and salon services on most modern cruise ships. Facilities vary depending on cruise line, however most ship spas feature pools, saunas and steam rooms alongside their treatment rooms, with newer vessels also offering extra facilities such as Hydrotherapy suites, Saline Caldariums and Hydropools. Other ships also feature outdoor ‘retreat’ areas such as the P&O Cruises Retreat and Princess Cruises Sanctuary, available for an additional fee. These adult-only areas often include an outdoor pool, hot tub and luxury loungers and cabanas, from which you can arrange massages, soothing music and healthy drinks and snacks.
Most cruise lines charge a reasonable supplement for access to the spa, around £25 in many cases, though luxury cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Silversea Cruises usually offer spa facilities as part of your cruise fare. Other cruise lines may offer free access to the spa for guests booked in certain cabin grades. For example, Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass cabins include access to the spa, a complimentary treatment package and access to exclusive spa restaurant Blu, where they can dine on healthy options and fresh juices.
In addition to use of the spa facilities, you will also find a wide range of treatments, ranging from massage, facials and aromatherapy, to medical treatments such as Botox and fillers. These treatments incur an additional cost, with many guests choosing to combine several treatments in a spa package. Most cruise ships also feature a salon within their spa, with highly-qualified stylists and beauty therapists on hand to provide services including hair styling, manicure, professional make-up, waxing and men’s grooming. These services are particularly popular on formal nights and it is advisable to book your appointment in advance to avoid disappointment.
Spa and salon treatments can be booked in a variety of ways including via your cruise personaliser prior to booking or by speaking to your cruise line’s customer contact centre before departure. If you wish to book treatments once on board, you may speak to the spa or salon reception or contact them using the direct dial option on your stateroom phone. Guests booking treatments prior to boarding will usually be offered the option of adding the charge to their on board account or paying for it upfront at the time of their booking. Treatments booked on board will be added to your on board account.
Guests visiting the spa and salon facilities must usually be over 18 years of age, though under 18’s may have spa treatments when accompanied by an adult and with permission from their parent/legal guardian. Whilst newer ships including P&O Cruises’ Britannia do offer accessible hydrotherapy suites for wheelchair users, older ships often do not. We advise speaking to your Cruise Expert or cruise operator for details of accessibility on specific ships.