A Line by Line Look at Spa Cabins

Specially designed spa cabins have been opening the cruise market to spa enthusiasts, many of whom would otherwise have never set foot on an ocean liner. (See related story: Spa Cabins Open Untapped Market.) Here is a look at some of the indulgent cabins and services spa goers are raving about.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival introduced 68 spa cabins (the first for the line) in 2008 aboard the Carnival Splendor as well as 65 aboard the Carnival Dream. The spa staterooms and suites are accessible via private elevator, and offer guests exclusive amenities and privileges.

Among the inclusions are unlimited access to the spa and its facilities, priority spa appointments with pre-cruising concierge consultation, use of special “Cloud 9 Spa” logo items such as bathrobes, towels and slippers during the cruise and complimentary fitness classes. Custom-designed Cloud 9 Spa in-stateroom amenity items, as well as personal fitness bands and yoga mats are available during the duration of the cruise.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships, including Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox, offer a new spa-inspired cabin category, the AquaClass. Located near AquaSpa, the AquaClass staterooms—all are veranda staterooms–offer a series of spa-inspired amenities, as well as complimentary access to the relaxation room and Persian Garden. AquaClass guests also have exclusive access to Blu, the ships’ Mediterranean-influenced specialty restaurant.

In-stateroom amenities include a five-head Hansgrohe shower, spa-quality lotions, the use of plush robes and slippers, flavored ice-tea in the stateroom and soothing sounds piped in through the in-room entertainment system.

AquaClass cabins will also be available on the Celebrity Eclipse, launching this April, as well as Celebrity Silhouette and a fifth as yet unnamed Solstice-class ship, launching 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises introduced spa cabins onboard the Costa Concordia in 2006 as part of its Samsara Spa. The spa is now also available on the Costa Pacifica, Costa Luminosa, Costa Serena, and will be introduced aboard Costa Deliziosa when it comes into service this month.

In addition, Costa offers 44 spa accommodations complete with Ischia spa packages, onboard the Costa Mediterranea and Costa Atlantica.

Costa’s Samsara spa cabin guests have direct access to the spa via elevator and stairs. Other perks include a set of Elemis bath accessories and a “Welcome Ritual,” which features unlimited access to spa amenities, two complimentary fitness or meditation classes, a personalized wellness consultation with a spa expert, two treatments, two sessions in the solarium and an invitation to a special spa tea ceremony. Additionally, guests staying in the Samsara Spa cabins have access to wellness cuisine in the Ristorante Samsara.

Both Ischia and Samsara spa cabins are available in ocean view, veranda and suite categories and feature aromatherapy diffusers, special shower and air filters, and a mini bar stocked with healthy food and beverage selections. All spa cabin guests are given priority spa reservation times.

Holland America Line

Spa staterooms were first introduced on the Eurodam, and have since been added to the Veendam and Rotterdam as part of Holland America’s Signature of Excellence initiative. Three more ships will be receiving spa staterooms in 2012 and 2013, and the line’s newbuild Nieuw Amsterdam will also feature the cabin category.

Currently the Veendam offers 15 spa cabins, the Rotterdam has 23 and the Eurodam has 56.

The spa cabins on all ships are located near the Greenhouse Spa and offer exclusive in-room amenities including a counter-top water feature. Exclusive spa treatments are offered only in these staterooms.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce 39 spa suites and staterooms onboard its Norwegian Epic, scheduled to launch this summer. The cabins will be available in balcony, deluxe balcony and suite categories, and will be located within a private key-card entry enclave within the spa. Eight spa suites will feature an in-room whirlpool.

Spa cabin guests will have complimentary access to the ship’s thermal suite and fitness center.