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Most people wouldn’t include cruise ships in their search for a top-rated spa resort. After all, how could a cruise ship compete with a land-based resort that has several acres of spa facilities and a wide range of services?  

But according to a recent survey of spa users, cruise ships not only have excellent facilities and services, some rank among the very best spas in the world. Not only that, they usually charge less than hotels and resorts do for comparable treatments.

These and other interesting results can be found in the 20^th annual spa survey in the April edition of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The spa survey is part of the magazine’s Annual Readers’ Choice Survey, which polled more than 25,000 readers.

The survey asked readers to rate their favourite spas on three criteria – facilities, staff, and treatments – which were then averaged to create an overall score. The magazine also included the price of a basic massage as a guide for price comparisons.

According to the survey, only 240 spas from around the world scored enough points to make the list of top-rated spas. Of those, 24 can be found at sea including upon ships belonging to a wide range of cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Regent, Crystal, Silversea and Cunard.

More importantly, only seven spas earned 97 points or higher out of a total score of 100. Of those seven, five are land-based spas while the other two can be found on cruise ships.

The top-rated cruise ship spas are located on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas and Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager. The spa aboard the Liberty of the Seas scored a total of 97.5 points, with 96.3 points for treatments, 96.3 for staff, and 100 for facilities. The Seven Seas Voyager earned a total of 97.3 points with 96.7 points for treatments, 98.4 for staff, and 96.7 for facilities.

Cruise ships not only fared well in terms of their overall rankings, they also beat out most land-based hotels and resorts when it came to competitive pricing for spa services. For example, a basic massage at the top hotel spa in the United States costs $144, while the same treatment at the highest rated resort in the Caribbean sells for $190. In contrast, a basic massage costs $101 aboard the Liberty of the Seas, and $142 on the Seven Seas Voyager.

In summary, what the Conde Nast survey shows is that cruise ships have come a long way over the past 20 years in terms of their range and quality of spa treatments, facilities and staff.  Long gone are the days when cruise ships had nothing more to offer than a small sauna and a massage room. Today, cruise ships have thousands of square feet of spa facilities that can compete with almost anything offered at a land-based resort.

So the next time you decide to take a spa vacation, don’t forget that some of the best rated spas in the world can be found at sea. It might just save you a ton of money.

Some of the most beautiful health spas in the world are now found on cruise ships. In fact, some are even operated by or affiliated with the most prestigious land-based resorts in the world.

These ocean-going spas offer a full range of standard treatments such as facials, massage, hair and nails, as well as more unique treatments like cellulite reduction, acupuncture, teeth whitening and body wraps. They have fully equipped gymnasiums, many offering fitness classes and personal trainers. And they offer spa menus with light and healthy dining options. Some newer ships also have private outdoor “sanctuaries” where passengers can get have a massage under the sky or just get away from it all in a tranquil and peaceful setting.

So when it comes to staying fit, reducing stress and looking your best, there’s really no better place to be than on a cruise ship. However, there are so many spa options to choose from, and so little time to enjoy them, that many people miss out on the best treatments and services.

As a result, I recently asked the Spa Manager aboard the Golden Princess for some tips on how passengers can get the most from their sea-going spa experience. Here’s what Aletta Jansen van Vuuren of South Africa had to say:

1. A menu of spa services is usually available on the cruise line’s web site and most treatments (except those in the hair salon) can be booked online in advance. This is particularly useful for passengers with a busy shore excursion schedule who have limited windows of time where they will be available for treatments.

2. Spas usually have an open house on embarkation day when they offer tours, explain treatments, and make bookings. This is a great way to become familiar with what’s available at the spa, to meet the various staff members, and to make bookings before the best time slots disappear (and they will very quickly for the formal days).

3. Since boarding day is a slow time for a cruise ship spa, most of them offer embarkation day specials where various treatments are available at discounts until 10:00 pm that evening. So it pays to visit the spa and ask about these as soon as you board the vessel.

4. Some cruise lines offer discounts on spa services during port days. So if you don’t plan to be ashore for the entire day, ask about port day discounts and book yourself a treatment at a reduced price – at Princess, it’s 15%.

5. Many cruise ship spas now offer a body composition analysis which among other things can measure the toxins in your body, the amount of body fat and your metabolism rate. This analysis is then used to generate a tailor-made program that directs passengers to the best treatments and services for their particular situation and goals. This can help spa goers save money and get better results from their investment.

6. Most new ships now have outdoor areas sometimes called “sanctuaries” which are reserved for passengers taking spa services or who wish to pay a daily fee of about $20.  These areas are for adults only, provide reserved chaise lounges, and are usually located next to a small pool area. Aletta says these sanctuaries are becoming popular places, especially for passengers who don’t want to compete for a chair in the public pool area, particularly on busy days at sea.  

7. The best spas at sea are constantly adding new and unique services at competitive prices. For example, the Golden Princess recently added a Thai Poltise massage, an Oxydermy Facial Microderm Abrasion, and acupuncture treatments. Since these types of services may not be easy to find at home at competitive prices, Aletta suggests that passengers try them at sea.

8. There are usually a number of massage treatments for couples that they can take together. In fact, the spa aboard the Golden Princess offers them in the spa or outdoors in a private cabana in the Sanctuary. Aletta says this is a great way for couples to experience spa treatments together.

9. If you haven’t made a reservation at the spa during a sea day, Aletta says the best time to get a “walk in” appointment is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

10. Watch you cruise ship program for notices of special spa promotions or programs. These will include complimentary fitness classes, discounted services and special educational seminars.