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16/06/2005: "Top Three Spas at Sea"

What you do expect from a holiday at sea: tons of fresh air, wall-to-wall ocean views, hot and cold running food and drink, a lady in a spangly dress strangling showtunes.

What you don't expect: fabulous five-star spas.

But these days, just as every smart hotel has a special place where guests can be pampered, no self-respecting cruise liner is without a state-of-the-art spa.

Lining up a soothing massage, a skin-saving facial or even a yoga session can add a new dimension of relaxation to your cruise holiday.

And if you're trying to persuade a reluctant partner or friend to try a holiday at sea, choosing a ship with a fantastic spa might just swing it in your favour - if the worst comes to the worst, they can spend their every waking hour lying in a darkened room being soothed by panpipes and phytotherapy.

Here are a few of the best spas afloat:


Crystal
Forget converted broom cupboards on a dank lower deck, the spas aboard Crystal's ships are spacious, with soothing sea views.

The spas on board both the Harmony and the Symphony have recently been refurbished in accordance with Feng Shui principles (though you may only be aware of the sound of gentle chimes ringing and the soft colours of the decor).

Facilities include a dry flotation tank (suitable for singles and couples), and manicure and pedicure areas with sunken foot bowls.

Choose from luscious treatments such as the Japanese Silk Booster facial ($130) and Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap with Well Being Massage ($239).


Peter Deilman
Spa-goers in search of something special should board the ocean-going Deutschland, a 1920s-style ship which has a fantastic Roman-style spa that has recently been refurbished.

Lavishly decorated with statues, mosaics and marble, the spa houses a Roman steam bath, Finnish sauna (featuring picture windows with views of the open sea), and a fitness centre with gym equipment.

Top treatments include Thalassotherapy (using seawater), the Cleopatra bath (a bronze bath where you are immersed in milk and oil mixtures - said to relieve stress and strengthen the immune system, from €42), Thalgo anti cellulite treatment, (from €50), and Rassoul (be smothered in mud treatment then rinsed off with tropical rain, from €30).

There's also a range of Ayurvedic treatments (starting from €40), ranging from Mukabhyanga (a face and decollete massage), Abhyanga (a whole body massage), Padahyanga (foot massage) and Garshan (massage with a silk glove).

The Deutschland is a spacious ship with a staff to passenger ratio of 1:2, so there are no queues anywhere - including in the spa, so unlike other cruises, there's no need to book before you board.


SeaDream
SeaDream's 'mega yachts' offer chic, informal unstructured holidays at sea, with routes in the Med, the Caribbean and the Adriatic.

Each of the two ships carries only around 100 passengers - no heaving crowds anywhere, and that includes in the Asian Spa.

Heavenly treatments - administered by six trained Thai therapists - include the traditional Javanese Lulur (a spice and yogurt scrub to tighten and moisturise, $55) and an Aloe Vera Body Mask (great for sunburn or dry skin, $70). You can also have massages on deck - or even on the beach.

There's also a fitness centre, with trained staff (personal trainers available on request!), featuring treadmills, elliptical machines, recumbent bikes, and free weights all with flat screen TVs and DVD players.

Tai chi, yoga and aerobics classes are also available.

(this article was taken from thisistravel.co.uk and was written by Jessica Brighty)