Norwegian Epic Mandara Spa

Norwegian EPIC Spa (artist rendering) - Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line

Largest Spa At Sea 

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the brand new Norwegian Epic, which starts sailing this summer, will have the largest spa facility and fitness center at sea, totaling more than 31,000 square feet. Mandara Spa will feature 24 treatment rooms, two private couple's villas, two exotic steam Rasul rooms, a DIY Scrub Experience, Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite, full-service salon, fitness center and barber shop.

Epic Spa Suite

Norwegian Epic also features 39 spa suites, 8 with in-room whirlpools, which are accessed via private key-card and offer complimentary access to the enclave surrounding Norwegian Epic's luxurious Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite and state-of-the-art fitness center. These deluxe balcony and balcony staterooms offer the ultimate spa experience for those guests that wish to take relaxation to a higher level at sea. 

The spa features more than 50 treatments for both men and women including Elemis facials, massages, body therapies, bliss® face and body treatments, and acupuncture along with cosmetic medical treatments performed by a licensed doctor. The salon features hair, nail and waxing services. In addition, kids and teens can choose from a selection of kid-friendly spa services.

Among the two dozen treatment rooms are two new couple's villas for the ultimate in togetherness massages with the opportunity to soak in a private, outdoor whirlpool. Two solo villas also have outdoor whirlpools, and six treatment rooms have balconies with chaise lounges where guests can relax privately outdoors before or after their treatment.

Adults-only Retreat at Sea

Norwegian Epic's adults-only Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite features separate men's and women's areas equipped with sauna, aromatherapy steam, experience showers and heated ceramic loungers. In addition, the Hydrotherapy Courtyard & Thermal Suite features a tropical garden communal setting, chaise lounge seating, a pool with massaging jets and waterfalls, a whirlpool and an outdoor relaxation deck.

Looking for a unique spa experience? 

Try one or more of the new spa treatments and services that will be introduced on board Norwegian Epic, such as the signature Epic 24 Karat Gold Facial. This luxurious facial includes a blend of medicinal plants, rose quartz and a pure 24 karat gold leaf mask that brings about miraculous results speeding up cell renewal while evoking a brighter and more clarified skin texture and complexion. 

Norwegian Epic will also feature two bliss® services: the bliss® triple oxygen treatment and the bliss® fatgirlslim. The bliss® triple oxygen treatment is an all-around complexion reviver that includes a cleansing and exfoliating fruit acid wash, an oxygen wrap, a calming oxygen and milk mask, a hydrating enzyme pack and a vitaminized oxygen spray. The bliss® fatgirlslim is a detoxifying, circulation-stimulating, body-toning treatment that includes dry brushing, a firming grapefruit essential oil, a trouble-spot-targeting seaweed mask, a heated wrap and a rubdown. Norwegian Epic will also offer three new massages: the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, the Bamboo Massage and the Freestyle" Massage.

Celebrity Solstice - Aqua Spa

People cruise for many reasons. One or more of the following might be among your list of reasons for a cruise vacation. Heading up the list are: getting away from your daily routine, seeing new lands, meeting new people, celebrating a special occasion, and relaxing and pampering yourself. This column focuses on the last reason in this short list of reasons.

Celebrity Solstice has taken pampering and relaxation to a new level. For those of you that have entered a spa and never wanted to leave, consider booking in the new AquaSpa Class stateroom. These cabins are on the same deck as the spa's relaxation room.

Select spa elements such as mood lighting, music and ambient sound, and a special 5-head Hangsgrohe showerhead, are incoporated into the stateroom. In addition you'll have specialized access to spa amenities, such as the Persian Garden, the Spa Conceirge, and you'll have assigned seating in the Blu resataurant. AquaClass stateroom and Suite guests enjoy complimentary use of the Persian Garden.

I've included the AquaSpa menu here so that you can see the wide range of unique spa treatments on Solstice Class ships.

My favorite treatment is the Aroma Stone Therapy Massage. If you've never tried this, make sure you attend the AquaSpa open house when you embark the ship.

My husband tried one of the signature massages, the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage. He said it was very relaxing. With this treatment, you still have a full body massage but the therapist also uses pressure and pounding with the herbed filled poultice in addition to her hands. This is the first ship that we've seen this particular treatment. Click on the menu above to see the full range of spa services.

Men and women have a wide selection of beauty, wellness and fitness options to choose from. If you want to look your best for dinner some night, you can make an appointment in the salon.
Whether you are interested in organized fitness classes, individualized personal training, or simply following your usual routine while onboard the ship, you'll be able to do so in the beautiful surroundings while looking out at the ocean.

I'll talk about the Solarium in another post. That rounds out the AquaSpa offerings for those of you that want to relax, pamper yourself, or maintain your fitness routine.