Spa at Seabourn

There are many reasons why people take a cruise and now on board spas take pride of position on board many cruise ships today as aficionados look for additional experiences that will enhance their romantic getaway.

With added amenities on spa retreats at sea such as relaxation areas, thermal pools, and couples' treatment rooms with ocean views, cruising the high seas is as much about having a quality spa vacation as it is sipping cocktails by the pool.

Many of the day spas on cruise ships are operated by land-based spa companies, offering treatment menus including everything from an exotic facial or hot stone massage, to innovations such as salon tooth whitening, wellbeing programs, and even minor rejuvenation procedures.

One of the newest luxury ships to take to the high seas in recent years is Seabourn Odyssey. Launched in 2009, she was the first ship to join Seabourn’s luxury fleet in 15 years, and the first of a new class of ship carrying 450 guests - larger than the traditional Seabourn “yacht”.

First impressions of Odyssey are that you’re boarding a boutique hotel rather than a cruise ship, her decor is subtle and tasteful, with elegant marble, soft lighting, and understated colours creating a sophisticated atmosphere. On a recent cruise from Sydney to Bali, I had the opportunity of heading to the ship’s Spa at Seabourn for some pampering.

Odyssey's overall design has shifted from traditional cruise ship builds on many fronts, and the spa setup is also different from the norm. The elegant and spacious split-level facility has it all; six private treatment rooms, a thermal suite lounge with a hydropool, a fitness centre, a beauty salon, and a spa terrace complete with an outdoor relaxation cabana for use by spa guests, with a small whirlpool.

The spa offers a wide variety of wellness consultations including kinesis personal training and Kneipp Walk water therapy, while the treatment menu features indulgent facial and body experiences by Elemis and SkinCeuticals.

Seabourn has also taken the idea of indulgence to new heights where Odyssey is concerned. On this ship you can hire an exclusive spa villa for a couple of hours or an entire day. This private haven at the rear of the ship has a double bed for lounging, a dining area, a sitting area, a sun deck, a spa bath for two, and two treatment tables.

Choosing which treatment to experience wasn’t easy, but I opted for an old favourite; a 75-minute Thai poultice massage, combining a traditional full body massage with warm oil and a hot Thai herbal poultice for acupressure points.

A quick tour of the villa, and I was left alone to prepare for my treatment. It was a divine experience, not only because of the enticing aromatic herbs in the poultice, but also because the serene backdrop, the salty breeze fluttering across my skin, and the hypnotic sound of the ocean waves.

Afterwards I had time for some herbal tea, and a leisurely wallow in the spacious spa bath watching the scenery slip by. Eventually it was time to surrender my spa haven, but on this ship, as I had quickly discovered, there are other ways to pamper yourself waiting around the corner.