After the 2020 pandemic shut-down, cruise ships began returning to the high seas in mid-2021. Now, the cruise industry’s recovery is moving along well. By July 2022, 98 percent of the cruise industry’s fleets will be back sailing the ocean blue.
So, who’s sailing? Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports the average age of a cruise guest at 47.6 years. Age-wise, 33 percent are 60-plus, 32 percent are 40 to 69, 20 percent are 20 to 39, and 19 percent are 19 and under. The market has definitely broadened over the years. Cruise lines have also increasingly focused on ship design innovation and new activity choices, many within spa spaces.
In this first article in a multi-part series, American Spa examines new spa developments for 2022 for three ultra-luxury cruise lines. Guests are high-end, experienced travelers with the time (or remote work potential) and money to travel. Many are Baby Boomers, although some skew a bit younger at 45+ years of age. Look for more lines in Part 2 coming soon.
Inspired by Rome
To wealthy Romans, the spa or “thermae” in their extravagant villas was a “must-have” for personal happiness and wellbeing. Amid grand architecture, wall paintings, and floor mosaics, the spa was a central gathering place – a luxurious spot for health-enhancing treatments and solarium warmth, but also for sport, entertainment, food, drinks, socialization, philosophy, and poetry reading.
So, in developing a new spa concept, Silversea Cruises took inspiration from ancient Rome. Debuting in March 2022 on new the 596-passenger Silver Dawn, the new Otium Spa reflects the abstract Latin-language concept of “otium” or embracing pleasure, rest, and artistic pursuits. That’s the opposite of “negotium” or going about one’s day-to-day business.
Compared with other Silversea ships, the new ship’s spa has redesigned spa spaces, beauty salon, and fitness areas, and a bigger footprint, while the outdoor spa pool was removed. Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA London) gave special attention to the lovely relaxation lounge, steam room, sauna and treatment rooms, including a couple’s treatment room with a private whirlpool.
In another nod to ancient Rome, spa experiences are routinely coupled with healthy and indulgent treats. So, cruisers can enjoy caviar after a massage, sip on champagne while relaxing in the thermal suite or luxuriate with a couple’s massage set to live music. “Feeling well, living well, and being well are not mutually exclusive,” is the Otium philosophy,” says Barbara Muckermann, chief commercial officer pf Silversea Cruises. “Sharing moments with like-minded people can be as rewarding as it is enriching.” And, she quips: “We believe that you are never going to lose weight on a cruise ship.”
Silver Dawn’s new Otium spa treatment menu includes four new 100-minute treatments. One highlight? It’s “The Otium,” a new, 100-minute, signature treatment, priced at $399. Warm, fragrant oils infused with shea butter, raspberry, and chamomile are drizzled onto the body in soothing, sweeping movements. Then, mineral-rich pink salt stones, natural bamboo and calabash are used to help stimulate skin and release tension.
The Otium concept also extends to Silver Dawn’s all-suite accommodations. Guests will discover new spa robes for those booked for a treatment; new in-suite comfort foods; new bedding including 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens by Rivolta Carmignani, a new pillow menu, and new Otium Soft Touch mattress; and new Otium private terrace services such as butler delivery of a cool cocktail and suntan lotion. Silver Dawn is now sailing in the Mediterranean region through fall. The ship will reposition to the Caribbean and Central America for winter 2022-2023 voyages.
Looking for the yachting lifestyle? One option is The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s new 298-passenger Evrima, debuting in August 2022. Offering a yacht-like, ultra-luxury experience, the vessel will sail in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean for winter 2022-2023. Evrima will sport interior suite design inspired by the sleek and contemporary look of The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Sunny Isles, Miami Beach and Los Angeles. In addition to a high percentage of large suites, the yacht will also offer several innovative, two-story loft suites. All will offer a high level of pampering.
But when guests desire to take it up a notch, they can head for the Ritz-Carlton Spa with five private treatment rooms, paired with ocean views. Alternatively, guests can opt for an outside treatment on their treatment room’s private terrace. Created in collaboration with ESPA, the spa menu is designed to help guests relax, recharge and restore. Pampering treatments will be customizable and tailored to fit each guest’s individual needs. Among those is the new “Evrima Signature Massage,” available in 60-minute or 90-minute treatments, priced at $225 and $305, respectively. Guests will receive a purifying foot ritual, personalized full-body massage and aromatherapy booster of the guest’s choice.
Or, a 90-minute “Essence of the Earth” treatment, priced at $305, consists of a personalized body scrub, full-body scrub exfoliation, full-body mineral and mud wrap, and application of mineral lotion or oil for skin smoothing. Evrima’s other spa and wellness facilities will include a steam room, sauna, relaxation lounge and fitness center, plus a beauty salon and gentlemen’s grooming lounge.
Looking ahead, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection plans to expand its fleet further with the addition of two newbuild superyachts, Ilma and Luminara, slated to set sail in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
While ultra-luxury Seabourn has “Ventures by Seabourn” expedition-style programming on certain voyages of its ultra-luxury ships, it’s never had a purpose-built expedition ship – until now. This month, the new, 264-passenger Seabourn Venture sets sail in Northern Europe and the Arctic. A full expedition team will sail and conduct enrichment lectures and lead Zodiac rides, hiking or kayaking.
Since antiquity, the sea has been touted for healing properties, so while the ship’s focus is “expedition,” it’s also all about pampering. As with Seabourn’s other vessels, the new expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and new sister, Seabourn Pursuit, debuting in March 2023, will offer robust spa and fitness programming. One special feature of the two new expedition ships is the creative positioning of the sauna – bringing the sea views inside. As for Seabourn’s spa menu, guests can recharge with such treatments as the “Amethyst Crystal Sound Bath Healing Treatment,” utilizing sound therapy; it’s priced at $99 for a 50-minute treatment or $249 for three sessions.
Or, a “Thousand Flower Detox Wrap with Massage” is another pampering option. Guests receive either a half- or full-body massage. Omega-rich green tea seed oil is massaged into the skin followed by an earth wrap comprised of Somerset soil packed with tree, flower and grass nutrients; green tea balm is the final touch. Guests choosing the 75-minute treatment will pay $269, or for a 100-minute treatment, $349.
Seabourn also offers the robust “Mindful Living Program,” a spa-and-wellness partnership with Dr. Andrew Weil. Each ship’s Mindful Living Coach is a certified yoga and meditation practitioner who organizes seminars and classes. Guests can participate in complimentary Mindful Meditation sessions and daily restorative yoga classes.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this cruise spa series focused on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Viking Expedition Cruises, and the new Explora Journeys. Part 3, focusing on other lines too will follow.