There's nothing like spoiling yourself during a cruise with massages, facials and other special treatments. Just about every ship worth its sea salt now boasts a spa offering head to toe services and more.
So to up the ante, Cunard Line has developed a new, luxurious spa called Mareel Wellness & Beauty. It will debut at the end of December on the newly redone Queen Elizabeth and then on Queen Victoria followed by Queen Mary 2 in November 2020.
As a pamper-seeker who spends a great deal of time at the spa and fitness center on a ship, I must say that this new concept is enough to make me want to book a Cunard cruise right now. We’re talking a facility designed to cater to primordial pleasures, including a couples suite, meditation rom, seaweed bathing rituals, a major fitness center, sound therapy and more.
Cunard explains that Mareel means phosphorescence of the ocean, derived from ancient Norse and speaking to the illuminating light and healing energy of the sea. The new brand will offer a holistic approach with an extended spa treatment menu of mineral-rich seawater and marine-based experiences as well as a redesign of the entire spa facility.
The Ocean Discovery will launch as the signature treatment featuring organic marine-based products from VOYA sustainably harvested in western Ireland and designed to replenish and nourish the skin and body. An entire range of ocean-inspired massage, body and alternative treatments will also launch and will complement the aqua therapy center harnessing the healing power of water.
Treatment highlights include:
- Taste the Ocean Full Body Experience
- Organic Seaweed Leaf Wrap
- Luminescence Massage
- Age-Defying Restorative Facial
In addition, a new range of luxury products will be introduced, all selected to offer socially responsible production techniques with organic ingredients that are sustainably harvested, wild-picked, biodynamic and toxin-free including Red Flower, Shankara and Environ.
Major upgrades to Queen Elizabeth
Mareel will also feature enhanced wellness experiences across the ship’s daily activity program, including stretch and daily meditation videos shown on stateroom TVs, wellness seminars and outdoor dance and yoga classes.
The spa is one of a number of improvements on Queen Elizabeth made during a two-week dry dock in Brest, France, last month.The exquisite ship also has had her public spaces, bars and lounge updated and all Grill Suites and Britannia Staterooms have new carpets and soft furnishings. The Royal Court Theater underwent a complete technical overhaul; the Royal Arcade has been enhanced to offer an elevated shopping experience, and the outdoor decks have new furniture with a new layout on the sun deck.
Starting Jan. 3, Queen Elizabeth will set sail from Southampton, England, to Australia via Cape Town, South Africa, then travel to Japan for April voyages exploring the cultural delights of the islands. On May 5, she will start a transpacific voyage to relocate to Alaska for a maiden season until June 30, 2019. Queen Elizabeth will then sail down the West Coast of the United States with a rare overnight stay in Los Angeles on July Fourth, and then head back to Southampton via the Panama Canal.
If you book a cruise, you should make spa reservations before you sail online starting two months before sailing and up to seven days prior to your cruise.
You can also pre-book services by contacting Canyon Ranch at 1-866-860-4662 (US) or 0800 0569734 (UK) or by email at [email protected].
Canyon Ranch has been a trailblazer and an industry-leading proponent of the wellness lifestyle since its founding in 1979, operating the world's most celebrated collection of life-enhancement properties and holistic living developments. Over the past four decades, more than 1 million guests on land, nearly 1.3 million at sea and over 650,000 in the air have taken advantage of Canyon Ranch facilities.
