Canyon Ranch SpaClub - Queen Mary 2

These are a few of my favorite things ...

Vacations are all about relaxing ...  What could be more relaxing than a full body massage? About 10 years ago I had my first massage during a cruise vacation. From then on, I was spoiled. I now know the importance of a regular massage and continue my maintenance program at home.

One of the first things I do after getting onboard the ship is to visit the spa. They usually have a tour in progress which highlights the unique treatments they feature. At the end of the tour it's a good idea to book your spa appointments as prime times (such as sea days) fill up quickly.

Hot Stones Treatment

My absolute favorite spa treatment is the hot stones massage. Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well, but they can be other types. The heat is both deeply relaxing and helps tight muscles release.

The massage therapist heats up your body with a traditional Swedish massage, then massages you while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.  The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, in the palms of your hand, on your belly, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

You'll see the hot stones featured in the Canyon Ranch video above.   While we are featuring Cunard's spa in this article,  you can obtain similar treatments onboard the other cruise lines. Next time you are on a cruise, make sure to visit the spa to learn how to truly relax during your cruise vacation.