As cruise lines invest heavily in wellness, onboard spas are becoming a major reason travelers choose their ships over others.
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- Cruise ship spas have evolved from simple massage rooms to comprehensive wellness centers.
- Many cruise lines today offer services such as Botox, IV therapy, and teeth whitening.
- Access to spa services and thermal suites typically comes at an additional cost to the cruise fare.
I tend to be busy Of course on a cruise, I set aside 75 minutes for relaxation during my Virgin Voyages trip.tion.
I arrived at Redemption Spa in September aboard the Brilliant Lady, where a massage therapist led me into a treatment room past a sophisticated, soft-lit space with porthole views of the water. Between the rocking of the waves and the warm salt stones on my back, I found myself falling asleep many times, unlike the usual massages I received back on land.
We then had to head back to make our dinner reservations, but there are plenty of other ways for guests to unwind, including heated marble benches, hot and cold water plunges, and a mudroom in the thermal suite. “You literally smear mud on yourself and let it steam and it all washes away,” Nathan Rosenberg, chief brand experience, marketing and momentum officer for the adults-only cruise line, told USA TODAY in an email.
Cruise lines have increased their investment in spa services in recent years. What was once a modest space offering massages and other select services has now grown into a comprehensive wellness center, offering a wide range of options for guests seeking pampering and self-care.
“Cruise ship spas have been completely renovated, upgraded and expanded in the last decade,” said Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation. Here’s what you need to know:
How have cruise ship spas changed over the years?
Duckworth traced the origins of the modern onboard spa to the 2009 launch of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, then the world’s largest cruise ship. “It evolved from just a massage table, or 10 massage tables, and a mani-pedi in the spa area to basically a complete wellness retreat, and it just kept building from there,” he said.
Now, common services include facials, acupuncture, and even Botox. “The last time I was on Celebrity, I had my teeth whitened and it was so much fun,” Duckworth added.
These facilities are an attraction in themselves, said Caroline Revnell, senior South America cruise specialist at Audrey Travel. “Before, you would think people would go to a spa if they had a sea day, but now they can actually choose their cruise line based on what facilities are offered,” she said.
This varies depending on the type of cruise line, but smaller vessels usually offer a simplified version. But even on my 2024 expedition cruise through Australia’s remote Kimberley region aboard the Seabourn Pursuit, the ship had a sauna and large windows that allowed me to watch the sandstone cliffs pass by.
Why do cruise lines invest in spa services?
Cruise lines are leaning in different ways.
Launching in 2021, Virgin has designed its ships and programs with wellness in mind. Rosenberg said the company “never wanted it to feel like something bolted on or a polite little nook on a ship. We wanted to embed that into the experience.”
It doesn’t stop at the spa, it also includes food, with both lighter and more indulgent options. These include fitness classes such as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and cycling, as well as Sunrise Radiance sessions (exclusive to Brilliant Ladies) that incorporate stretching, breathing exercises and silent disco.
Virgin is taking an unconventional approach, and spas are a key part of that strategy, as cruise lines often hear from guests asking for options.
“Some people hope to recover,” Rosenberg said. “Some people want movement. Some people want both. They might train hard, drink some juice, jump into the cold and spend some time in a thermal suite afterwards. Others want massages, salt rooms, blowouts, nails. That’s their version of wellness. All of that is important.”
MSC Cruises, which already has an extensive spa program, will be rolling out new services this year at MSC Aurea Spa locations across its fleet. These include IV therapy, permanent makeup, and other “medical health” treatments. A head spa inspired by traditional Japanese techniques. ear piercing; skin analysis powered by artificial intelligence, and more, according to a news release.
“With this latest evolution, MSC Cruises is responding directly to a major shift in guest expectations. Especially in the U.S. market, travelers are increasingly seeking results-oriented, personalized wellness experiences rather than just relaxation,” Claudio Saviano, the cruise line’s head of spa operations, told USA TODAY in an email.
A huge ship like MSC World America offers endless activities, from the onboard comedy club to the Lego Family Zone to the Cliffhanger Swing. But Saviano said MSC guests value the spa as “a place where they can reset, recharge and focus on their own health through traditional treatments, modern treatments, or a combination of both.”
Norwegian Cruise Line has also noted interest in such programming. “Spas and wellness have become an increasingly important part of cruise vacations, and Norwegian Cruise Line has been meeting that demand for the past several years with our newest PrimaClass and PrimaPlus class ships,” the company said in an email.
The Mandara Spa & Salon on new ships like Norwegian Luna and Norwegian Aqua includes an infrared sauna that uses lamps to warm the body, a floating salt pool, and a charcoal sauna that reaches temperatures from 86 degrees to 122 degrees, which the company touts as the first of its kind at sea.
“These ships reflect a reimagined approach to relaxation at sea, including more luxurious spa facilities, innovative treatments and a serene design with tranquil two-story waterfalls,” the cruise line said.
Does the cruise price include spa services?
In general, no.
Spa services are usually an additional charge and the price varies depending on the cruise line a guest travels with and the services selected. For example, my massage on the Brilliant Lady cost just under $300.
Onboard spas are also commonly operated by third-party providers.
Cruise ships often offer passes to thermal suite areas that give you access to amenities such as plunge pools, hot and cold therapy rooms, and heated loungers. Passengers may also be able to use these facilities before or after treatments such as massages.
Some routes also have “spa-inspired staterooms,” Duckworth said. “Cruise lines are focused on health and relaxation,” he said.
These include Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass cabins, which include access to the company’s SEA Thermal Suite and a fine dining facility called Blue, which serves “clean cuisine,” as well as in-room bottled water, a spa concierge, “preferential rates for AquaClass spa packages,” and other perks, according to the company’s website.
Revnell noted that depending on the cruise line and type of cruise, access to certain facilities such as saunas and steam rooms on expedition ships may be free.
Duckworth said cruise lines must respond to the growing demand for these amenities or risk losing market share. “If cruise lines don’t invest in spas and wellness areas, they will lose out on guests who are specifically looking for that experience.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
