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.
