Passengers today prefer new and innovative concepts that stand out from the traditional sauna experience. With the advent of the medi-spa enabling guests on some cruise brands to top up on treatments such as Botox, teeth whitening and laser skin rejuvenation, as well as an ever higher innovation baseline for spas on each newbuild or refit, what is it that really makes a cruise spa special?
Long gone are the days when a new sauna or steam room provoked a palpable wave of anticipation amongst cruise guests. With more than 70,000 spas worldwide – both on land and at sea – there is a largely identical offering of steam rooms and saunas across global spa and wellness facilities, according to Heinz Schletterer, CEO and owner of spa planning and design consultancy, Schletterer.
The Germany-based company’s marine spa projects include Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2, AIDAblu, AIDAaura, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, to name a few. Schletterer believes that as guests’ expectations have changed, cruise line spas must change with them. “Modern and future-oriented facilities should meet the future trends of spa and wellness, from integrating the health aspects through to the multi-sensory approach, the guest’s desire to experience the extraordinary, to sustainability and the integration of holistic room concepts offering the latest in multimedia – sound and lighting technology – aroma and the use of heliotherapy,” he says.
Further, to remain competitive and continue to meet passengers’ expectations, Schletterer recommends investing in modern spa or sauna experiences rather than traditional applications. “For example, the variety of steam baths – thalasso, which uses the healing effects of salt; gemstone, which uses the positive effects of crystals for health and wellbeing; and herbal- or blossom-scented options, which involve gently introducing these fragrances to steam to give a mild, aromatic inhalation. State-of-the-art alternatives with health-enhancing effects include the mineral bath which makes use of the positive effects of lithium, magnesium and selenium.”
Renowned for providing essential oils to the spa setting, Decleor partners with Saga Cruises to provide support in recruitment, management ship visits, staff training, product launches and customer care. Decleor’s national account manager Elaine Beattie says: “As guests embark on their spa journeys, we assist in alerting all their senses to the different sounds, textures and smells they will envelop themselves within during this memorable visit. When looking at the design of a new cruise spa, it is important that the experiences include a retail/spa experience area, an adult-only relaxation suite, alfresco treatments, spacious treatment rooms, spa suites, wellness programmes, correct acoustics and temperature.”
To ensure important elements are achieved, Schletterer says: “Designers and suppliers for cruise liner spas need ample experience in spa and wellness design, with a perfect feeling for room and lighting concepts. They also need to have experience with and know the characteristics of cruise ships as well as special requirements and regulations such as lightweight construction, fire safety and a clear understanding of the movement of ships, particularly with regard to water drainage and floor drains.”
Practical considerations are crucial within the working environment when it comes to providing the perfect ambience so that cruise guests enjoy an exceptional experience, believes Beattie: “We work on making the spa as accessible as possible for all passengers. This includes electric couches to ensure ease of getting on and off for treatment, spacious treatment rooms so there is room to change and plenty of space to be able to walk around without clutter.”
However, in contrast to land-based projects, cruise spas require greater creative thinking to ensure both staff and passengers benefit from spacious surroundings.
“Although space on a five-star cruise ship is often more restricted than in a five-star hotel, the spa still needs to provide the same five-star service, but in a more compressed form,” Schletterer says. “This can be achieved by integrating multifunctional spa experiences, where one facility may provide a range of spa options – a spa cabin may offer a herbal experience on one day, but a mineral steam bath the next, with a thalasso experience on the third day.”
Clearly innovation remains at the forefront of today’s cruise spa spaces, but not to be forgotten are the design practicalities which ensure a spacious and streamlined work environment and ultimately a passenger appeal that will maximise return visits time and time again.
Heavenly Scent
More than anywhere else onboard, a spa must be inviting. The olfactory aspect is an important part of this experience, but one so often overlooked in the past.
Scents evoke feelings of relaxation, comfort and pleasure – emotions at play when it comes to establishing brand preference and encouraging guests to consume spa treatments and services.
“Scent is the most memorable of the senses and an exciting part of the guest experience,” says Olivier Decoster, perfumer and founder of HD Fragrances. “It may seem a simple concept, but it’s the most powerful way to create and enhance exceptional spa experiences.”
It is important to think beyond the traditional use of essential aromatherapy oils and consider more sophisticated high-quality fragrance compositions that can eliminate toxic or allergy-causing molecules, Decoster says.
HD Fragrances offers cruise lines the opportunity to choose from its signature collections or to create their own bespoke fragrances, to be diffused in various concentrations across treatment and fitness rooms, sauna and pool areas in a holistic approach. A single application morning and evening ensures the base notes linger.
Other custom-perfumed spa products include linen sprays, perfumed concentrates for fountains, saunas and Jacuzzis, as well as massage oils, body lotions and shower gels.
The smells from cleaning products, petrol and other chemicals, such as chlorine in swimming pools can be the lasting impression guests take away with them. Subtle use of natural sprays not only remedies this, but also acts as a marketing tool to help guests relax and want to return for more.