Smooth Sailing or Rough Waters? My Honest Cruise Spa Review

Unfortunately, my experience started with rough waters—and I hadn’t even made it to the treatment room yet.

Curious and hopeful, I checked into the ship’s spa for a $350 treatment, only to be told that access to amenities was not included. If I wanted to enjoy the spa's thermal suite—a space that, in many wellness destinations, is considered a grounding pre-treatment ritual—I would need to pay an additional $89. The nickel-and-diming began before the journey could.

What happened to that sacred pause before a treatment—the moment of arrival, of stillness, of transition?

Thankfully, I worked my spa director magic and was granted one hour of access. But even then, the welcome was lackluster. I was pointed—literally, with a finger—down a hallway. No warmth. No guided moment. No hospitality.

Still, I held onto hope that the self-guided thermal experience might help me reset. The space itself was well-appointed: salt therapy, steam, sauna, cold showers, and a hydrotherapy pool with various jets. The ocean view was the star—truly breathtaking, offering a layer of calm as I looked out over the open sea.

But the serenity was quickly disrupted. Orange peels on the floor. Used towels everywhere. Cups left behind. The lack of cleanliness made my operations nerves twitch. The details matter—especially in a space designed for renewal.

I had high hopes for my combined facial and massage therapy. And to her credit, my therapist was incredibly talented. She worked with what she had and offered a beautiful touch. But the treatment lacked story. It lacked connection to where we were. Where was the salt? The sea? The air?

This could have been any spa, anywhere.

What I longed for was an immersive at-sea experience—rooted in story, layered in surprise, and infused with the wonder of the voyage. Instead, I left feeling like creativity had been replaced with conformity.

I become more and more hesitant to book big-box spa experiences. Not because the therapists lack talent—but because the environments often stifle that talent. There’s so much potential for therapy and storytelling to coexist. For treatments to be elevated, thoughtful, and unforgettable.

 Within our spa story, we hold endless possibilities to offer the promise of escape, transformation, and wonder. With just a bit more intention and imagination, every spa—including these floating sanctuaries—can deliver not just services, but soul-stirring experiences that sail far beyond the expected.