Ahh, those floating spa-a-a-ahs: the new breed of sea-going spas are healthful, restful, wonderful - Cruise Roundup

Cruise Travel, Jan-Feb, 2002 by Georgina Cruz

"Oh, yes, that's the spot!" the 40-something blonde from Atlanta exclaimed from the thalassotherapy pool in the AquaSpa aboard Celebrity Cruises' Mercury. (The heated seawater pool features beds of air bubbles, jet stations, and scalp/neck/ shoulders pipes for a head-to-toe massage).

I, too, was in this spa--inspired by Japanese bathhouses and gardens--for the Rasul, a treatment adapted from an ancient Arabian ritual, according to Deryn Leam Grigorakos, the spa's manager. The Rasul consists of a shower/scrub, three mud baths, herb-infused steam, and a warm "monsoon" as a rinse.

Afterward, I tried to reserve a personal trainer and massage, but they were booked solid. Whatever the treatment, always book early, Grigorakos advised. "On vacation, people have more time to focus on themselves, and many do."

Adding to the floating spas' popularity, the facilities are right there, just steps from the passenger cabins. And they offer another advantage: use of gym, classes, and on many ships, spa cuisine, are included in the fare, with passengers paying a la carte for special services (as opposed to shelling out the $4,000-plus some land-based spas charge for a week). And, of course, shipboard spas go places, with passengers waking up in exotic corners of the world.

Most floating spas are operated by London-based Steiner Transocean. A crack appeared in Steiner's mud armor in May of 2000 when Silversea gave the nod to Hawaii-based Mandara Spa, and NCL and Orient soon followed suit. But by mid-2001, Steiner had closed the chink, buying 60 percent of Mandara. Other companies operating shipboard spas include Carita of Paris and Judith Jackson Sea Spa on Radisson Seven Seas, and Flair Ltd. on Royal Olympic.

For passengers who enjoy spa services as part of their cruise vacation, the following line-by-line look at what's floating around out there will be toe-tingling.

* Carnival Cruise Lines--The Carnival Spirit offers a Grecian-inspired Nautica Spa incorporating Doric columns and hand-painted murals with Greek vases and Olympic events depictions. The two-level, ocean-view facility, located forward on the upper Lido and Sun decks, has sauna, steam, salon, whirlpool (within the spa, one of five aboard), and 10 treatment rooms for therapies including Aroma Stone. It also features a mirrored aerobics room and a gym with Quinton treadmills, stair climbers, Life Fitness cycles and elliptical machines, Keiser progressive resistance machines, and free weights.

Destiny Class vessels feature 15,000 square feet including gyms with 10 Quinton treadmills, five Stairmasters, eight Lifecycles, two Concept II weight machines, free weights, aerobics room, and juice bar. The ships offer seven whirlpools. Fantasy Class vessels have six whirlpools and 12,000-sq.-ft. facilities including Precor treadmills, rowers, cycles, and steppers; Keiser weight machines; and free weights. The Holiday and Jubilee offer treadmills, stair climbers, stationary cycles, free weights, and two whirlpools within the spa.

Spa usage on Carnival's 15 ships was expected to push past the one million mark during 2001 (roughly half of its overall passenger base) according to Bob Dickinson, Carnival's president. All Carnival spas are operated by Steiner and offer personal trainers. Nautica Spa Fare menu selections are served on every ship.

* Celebrity Cruises--Millennium Class vessels boast the 25,000-sq.-ft. AquaSpa operated by Steiner, with 16 treatment rooms, ocean-view gym with cardiovascular and weight machines, cafe with light dishes, and a thalassotherapy pool with two air-beds, body jets, and neck massage. The hydropool is set in a glass-domed conservatory with topiaries and piped-in music. Facilities include Sultan Bath, a hydrotherapy treatment, and Persian Garden, with a tropical shower, grotto steam room, and fog shower.

Century Class vessels feature AquaSpas with more than 10,000 sq. ft. of space including ocean-view gyms with cardiovascular and weight machines, aerobics area, thalassotherapy pool, saunas, steam, salon, and wet and dry treatment rooms. The Horizon and Zenith offer gyms, aerobics area, salon, and massage rooms.

Personal trainers, fitness classes, sports activities, light dishes, and jogging tracks are available on all ships.

* Costa Cruises--The Caracalla Spa on the CostaRomantica, CostaAllegra, and CostaClassica is nearly 6,500 sq. ft. with royal blue tile with gold flecks, steam, sauna, saltwater therapy, massage, whirlpools, and Roman bath. A gym has aerobics floor, bikes, free weights, and personal trainers. The CostaClassica also has a health bar. All spas feature floor-to-ceiling windows, Techno-gym equipment, and are operated by Steiner.

The CostaVictoria offers the Pompei Spa with indoor pool, Turkish bath, sauna, hydrotherapy, gym with Lifecycles, free weights and aerobics room, plus jogging track. The CostaAtlantica features the two-level Ischia Spa & Olympia Gym, with treatment rooms for massage and hydrotherapy, gym, and aerobics area. The CostaMarina and CostaRiviera spa services include aromatherapy, gym, sauna, steam room, and beauty salon.