Cruise Ship
Spas
Ahhhhh...
"Hot Rocks" & "Cool Gel"
by Linda Coffman
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Enter
the sanctuary of the Mandara Spa on board Silversea
Cruises' Silver Shadow |
Hmmm... "Hot Rocks"? Is
that a Stone Age ritual practiced by the Flintstones? "Cool
Gel"? Possibly a fab new jazz combo? No and no. And not even
close. Those are two of my favorite spa rituals.
Before my last cruise I was
advised by a friend, "You must try a Hot Lava
Rock Massage."
Rocks? Lava rocks?!? HOT lava
rocks? Like the ones in the outdoor grill at home? I was a bit
skeptical, envisioning being roasted like a chicken and pummeled
with something hard and rough. However, I dutifully made an
appointment and was delighted with the outcome. What incredible
sensations! Covered in cocoa butter, I was massaged and stroked
with smooth, steamed lava rocks. I felt like I was floating—enveloped
by a wonderful feeling of warmth and well being. It was just the
reaction my therapist expected from the freshly scrubbed hot
stones, which are placed in the moonlight each night to renew
their healing properties. That may sound like a charming myth, but
I'm a believer. I left the Mandara Spa on board Silver Shadow in a
state of total relaxation, total harmony, and complete bliss. All
my cares, plus the aches and pains of air travel, melted behind
me.
Unwind &
Relax
With all the usual pampering and
service in luxurious surroundings, simply being on a cruise can be
a stress-reducing experience. Add to that the menu of spa and
salon services at your fingertips and you have a recipe for total
sensory pleasure.
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Steiner
creates a unique "look" for the Cruise Diva |
Some spa offerings sound good
enough to eat. A Milk and Honey Hydrotherapy Bath and a Javanese
Honey Steam Wrap incorporating cinnamon, ginger, coffee, sea salt
and honey are just two items on the Mandara Spa menu and The
Greenhouse Spa offers a Coconut Rub & Milk Ritual Wrap or
Float. Not quite as exotic sounding, other treatments and services
are nonetheless therapeutic for the body and soul. Steiner Leisure
operates sea-going spas and salons (including Mandara and The
Greenhouse spas) on over 100 cruise ships worldwide.
In addition to facials,
manicures, pedicures, massages and sensual body treatments, the
trademarks of Steiner Leisure are salon services and products for
hair and skin. Founded in 1901 by Henry Steiner of London, the
single salon prospered when his son joined the business in 1926
and was granted a Royal Warrant as hairdresser to Her Majesty
Queen Mary in 1937. A glittering list of royal clients followed
and in 1956 Steiner won its first cruise ship contract to operate
the salon on board the Andes and ships of the Cunard Line.
By the mid-1990's, Steiner Leisure began taking an active role in
creating shipboard spas offering a wide variety of wellness
therapies and beauty programs for women and men.
Spa Tips
- Salon appointments for formal
nights fill up quickly; book yours as soon as possible
- Arrive on time or a few minutes early for appointments
- Prior to your appointment, shower off any sunscreen
lotions or oils
- Towels, robes, and slippers are usually provided for your
use, but you may wish to wear your own pool or shower
"flip-flops"
- Attend the "spa orientation"—you
may win a door prize or be selected for a demonstration
(such as a mini-facial)
- Watch for
"port day specials"—packages of
discounted spa services
- Don't feel pressured to purchase any of the products
used during your treatment—just say no
- Check your
charge slip before adding gratuities; some shipboard spas
automatically add them in (however, you may adjust the
amount)
Other
Facilities
While spa and salon
services are extras that come with a price tag, you can
still indulge yourself in the complimentary or low-cost
facilities that are available on most ships. Saunas, steam
rooms, therapy pools, and thermal chambers are relaxing
alternatives to expensive body wraps and massages.
And about that "cool
gel" I mentioned above... it's Elemis Instant
Refreshing Gel—a powerful
combination of soothing extracts of Arnica, Birch and Witch
Hazel, with cooling Camphor and Menthol. Simply rub it in
where you hurt. In addition to relieving sore muscles, it
does wonders for swollen ankles. When applied to the
temples, it clears sinus congestion and eases headache pain.
If I can afford only one product, Refreshing Gel is it!
Steiner
Leisure - Full service spas are established on over 100
cruise ships
Mandara
Spas at Sea - Featured on Silversea Cruises, Norwegian
Cruise Line, and Orient Lines
Time
to Spa - Replenish your products to "spa" at
home
Romance at
Sea - Enhance your cruise vacation with these hints
from Cruise Diva
