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10 Spa Services You Must Try Onboard

A cruise vacation is already an unforgettable experience, but the opportunity to partake in spa treatments is quite simply the icing on the cake. Spa services are designed to pamper and soothe, whether helping you relax after a busy day or gear up for brand new excursions.

a stack of spa bath towels and soaps

There’s nothing like settling in for a 50-minute bamboo massage and then watching the sun set while you cruise to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Bahamas or Mexico. If you weren’t feeling the bliss before, you certainly will now. Here are 10 of the top spa services you really should try on your next cruise vacation.

1. Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage

What could be better than being wrapped in a mask of soothing seaweed and essential oils? When you combine that aromatic mask with a body massage, of course! The Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage offers two packages: the half-body and the full-body massage. You’ll be in seaweed heaven for a minimum of 75 minutes, with the option to extend it to 100 minutes. Try it out and pick your essential oil potion: Cellutox for detoxing the daily buildup of toxins or Musclease for inflammation and sore muscles.

2. Ginger Salt Body Scrub

There’s nothing quite like aromatic ginger root. When combined with refreshing lime, it opens your senses in a whole new way. Lime/ginger or frangipani (a luxurious tropical oil): which will you choose? Scrubbed down with fragrant salt, your pores will release built-up toxins and your skin will slough off its dry layer. Beautiful! Smooth and silky skin: your ultimate reward with the Intensely Cleaning Salt Scrub. The scrubbing treatment is followed by a 25- or 50-minute massage.

a woman holding a bowl of the ginger and lime body scrub

3. BIOTEC Skin Solution Facials

Everyone deserves clear, beautiful skin. In this treatment, you’ll receive an advanced-technology facial designed to work from deep beneath the skin surface. Take your pick from BIOTEC Radiance Renew, BIOTEC Blemish Control or BIOTEC Sensitive Skin Soother. The BIOTEC machine is combined with numerous active compounds to treat conditions like acne, rosacea and irritated skin. Each BIOTEC Skin Solution Facial service lasts 50 minutes.

4. Thai Herbal Poultice Massage

Along with acupuncture and essential oils poultices, a combination of Eastern and Western massage techniques transport you to a serene place. Each Thai Herbal Poultice Massage helps energize you for another day of adventures. Reinvigorated and refreshed, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running. Choose from 50-, 75- or 90-minute massage sessions.

5. Acupuncture

This ancient Chinese medical treatment is designed to balance the qi (chi) and help relieve you from many health issues. Do you suffer from conditions like arthritis, IBS, migraines, and regular colds? Give acupuncture a try! Relief from health issues will make your cruise vacation even more memorable. Each session is 50 minutes, and the initial consultation lasts 25 minutes. Licensed acupuncturists perform all treatments.

6. Hydra-Therapie Skin Nutritive Facial

Orbital Microdermabrasion is ready to give you a healthy glow. This treatment helps rejuvenate dull, lifeless skin and gives you the lovely skin you’ve always wanted. Whether you’re stressed or just want a bit of pampering, you can always come by for a Hydra-Therapie Skin Nutritive Facial. The 50-minute treatment is boosted by O2 infusion, which also helps reduce any signs of aging.

7. Hydrotherapy Pool

Part of the Thermal Suite, the Hydrotherapy Pool will revitalize and soothe your troubles away. Designed to replicate the natural bubbles of a hot spring, this salt water pool features lovely trace elements and vitamins; however, it’s only available on certain ships, including Carnival Dream®, Carnival Breeze®, Carnival Magic® and Mardi Gras. One extra perk? Water jets!

the hydrotherapy pool at the onboard spa

8. Pro-Collagen Grooming Treatment with Shave

Here’s a spa treatment just for you men. Get ready for a little pampering with the Pro-Collagen Grooming Treatment with Shave. Exfoliation reaches deep into your pores to pull out any clogged debris, and a double-close shave will leave your skin as smooth as a baby’s. The treatment also includes a mini facial to help lift off signs of aging. Plus, your stress and worries will melt away thanks to a gentle face/scalp massage and a refreshing hand/arm massage.

a man getting a face massage in the onboard spa

9. Deeper than Deep Hot Stone Massage

Balinese stones work their magic during this massage. Each stone is pressed deep to ensure maximum benefit, and it glides over your muscles thanks to the smooth surface. You’ll also benefit from frangipani body oil, which will offer up a tropical aroma with skin soothing benefits. The Deeper than Deep Hot Stone Massage is offered in 50-, 75- and 90-minute sessions.

a woman receiving a hot stone massage

10. Thermage® Skin Tightening Treatments

Cruise along and look your best thanks to the Thermage® Skin Tightening Treatments offered at the onboard Medi-Spa. This treatment is non-invasive and boosts sagging skin using radio frequency. Facial and body skin will see benefits, often with visible improvements after just one treatment. How about that? The next time you step on shore for your next excursion, you can flaunt your tighter skin and more confident self. A licensed medical doctor performs all treatments.

These are just some of the fantastic spa activities waiting for you, take advantage of them to ensure you have the most restful getaway possible. Whether traveling with the kids or your significant other, you deserve time for pampering. Your cruise experience will be even more memorable when you look and feel your best.

Note: Spa services vary by ship.