Making the Most of Your Cruise Spa Experience



Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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When you're sailing the seas, surrounded by nothing more than serene ocean waves it's tough to get into a more relaxed state of mind. But if ultimate tranquility is what you seek, then head to the ship's spa. Not sure which spa treatments you would like, or even what those spa treatments are exactly? Facial? Massage? Body wrap? Hydrotherapy? Learn which spa treatment is right for you.

Facials

The first step in a spa facial treatment is a consultation with a spa therapist who will inquire about your skin condition. They will also ask about your skin care regimen and if you are on any medication, have allergies or have had any surgeries. Next comes a cleansing process, followed by an analysis of your skin. Then the spa therapist will apply various treatments to enhance the skin tone. After the treatment you are sure to leave the spa with glowing skin that feels refreshed.

Massage

Are your leg and arm muscles achy? Does all the travel to get to ship, packing and lugging around bags, leave your neck, back and shoulder muscles feeling like tense knots? You need a massage. A massage is essentially a rubdown that relaxes and detoxifies your muscles and soothes the mind. Not familiar with various types of massage? Here are a few basic types:

Swedish massage is a technique in which therapists use their hands to gently knead, tap and rub your muscles. As with most massages, the therapist will use scented oils to help their hands move smoothly easily across your skin. Swedish massage is good for those new to the world of massage since it's gentle.

Deep tissue massage is an intense massage treatment perfect for the person who's active or participates in athletic endeavors. A therapist uses the fingers, palms and heels of their hands to deeply knead muscles, which will improve blood and oxygen flow throughout the body that leads to the release of toxins from the body. Deep tissue massage involves fairly vigorous muscle manipulation, which can cause pain during and after treatment, so this is not a good choice for those new to massage. Therapeutic massage is a treatment that targets specific areas of the body especially strained by overuse or just everyday stress. The therapist massages the entire body, but spends extra time on those trouble spots like the neck, shoulders or arms.

Hot stone massage is a combination of deep tissue, therapeutic and Swedish massage with the added benefit of heat from flat stones. The warm stones instantly relax muscles to allow a deep massage without pain.

Exfoliation

Exfoliation or scrub is a treatment that uses granular materials to polish off dead skin cells and reveal the newer skin underneath. A common body exfoliation treatment is the salt glow, in which a therapist applies a mixture of sea salt and oil to the skin. Many spas offer salt glows, but some of the more inventive spas at sea use exotic products that often mimic the destinations visited on the cruise.

Wraps

A spa wrap entails having a therapist slather the body with a mask of mud or algae and then cocooning in a warm plastic, foil, or linens. During a set period of time, usually 30 minutes, the body absorbs the ingredients in the mask. Besides the skin-softening benefits, wraps stimulate the circulatory and lymphatic system to help release toxins. When you're done, the therapist unwraps you and you shower off the mask.

Hydrotherapy

Water has long known to have power to help ease muscle strains and reduce swelling. A growing number of onboard spas are now offering hydrotherapy treatments. Soaks in Jacuzzi-style tubs, with pressurized jets of hot water strategically located to stimulate circulation and soothe aching muscles. Another treatment is the dry-float bed that's similar to a waterbed giving the sensation of floating on warm water without getting wet. This is often combined with a wrap treatment.

Spa smarts

If you have any health issues it is important to understand that a number of spa treatments can raise blood pressure. Therefore check with your physician to make sure it's okay to indulge in a treatment. Additionally, inform your spa therapist about any allergies or skin sensitivities you may have like rosacea or psoriasis. Many spa products contain ingredients with nuts or algae that could trigger an adverse reaction. Lastly, it's always important to drink lots of water before, during, and after a treatment to avoid dehydration. It's clear that today's cruise ship spas offer the ultimate in pampering treatments. Who knows you may disembark your cruise vacation feeling like a new person.

- Anita Dunham-Potter

Anita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel journalist specializing in the cruise industry. In addition to writing general pieces including modern cruise ship amenities for Princess Cruises, Anita is a weekly travel columnist for MSNBC.com and Tripso.
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