The challenge on the high seas these days is finding privacy on a behemoth cruise ship. I’ve been on a few, and the bigger the boat, the more important the task becomes. Consider, for example, the new ocean liner the Celebrity Solstice, which accommodates up to 2,850 passengers on 15 decks in creative comfort, the largest Celebrity ship ever built.
While the size of a major cruise liner can seem intimidating, finding the niche can be done. On the Solstice, I found a particular nest of creature comforts to escape into: the ship’s “AquaSpa” by Elemis, a spa that, to my mind, rivals any luxury day or residential spa in the world. There spa-goers can partake in everything from seaweed massages to more intensive Med-Spa solutions such as Botox, Perlane and the like. In the spa’s stunning “Persian Garden” lounge, heated tile soothes loungers as different rooms emit by turns dry heat, steam and mist into the air with aromatherapy-filled vapors.
While the ship itself is large, the spa was not far away from my quarters in an “AquaClass” suite of about 200 square feet with a veranda, located hard by a specialty restaurant, Blu, which served a healthy continental breakfast daily. Blu specializes in “Clean Cuisine” with bold flavors, an exclusive perk for AquaClass passengers that allows one to avoid the gluttonous Las Vegas buffet-style dining room.
The exclusive spa concierge helped arrange my day with options such as a body sculpt boot camp, Yoga “Tour de Cycle” and cardio classes. High tech facilities ran the gamut from LifeFitness Signature series strength stations and an integrated touch-screen TV with 18 language options.
Soon the luxur y cruise liner is setting sail, putting the “exotic” in its Celebrity Exotics brochure. The 2013/2014 schedule notes 12-night cruises departing from Sydney, Australia on November 4, 28 and Dec. 22, going on to visit Melbourne with ports of call in New Zealand’s Milford Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland. There are four “days at sea” for spa fans to have the concierge design a first class spa program, from fitness to facials.
I can’t predict that spa-inspired drinks such as the cucumber-infused water will lure you from visiting the irresistible Café al Bacio & Gelateria, but let’s just say there are ample choices for dining that will keep you table-hopping for days. Accommodations on the Solstice were honored with Four Stars Plus by the “Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships.” I attribute that to the classy Bulgari bath amenities, Samsung flat screen TVs, twice-daily maid service and impressive bedding right down to Reverie mattresses and classy linens. Unexpected was an outstanding collection of original art and sculpture throughout the Solstice, which was curated by the owners.
Taking in the advantages of the AquaClass spa sanctuary concept is a clever way to combine a spa retreat while enjoying the ship’s entertainment and dining opportunities. No surprise that this floating resort has a two-story wine tower with up to 500 varieties. Speaking of opportunities, the Solstice’s 1,291-square-foot penthouse suite sports a baby grand piano near the veranda, where our tour guide pointed out a spacious whirlpool with lounge seating, perfect for a private party.
That’s one way to jazz up those salubrious spa days at sea.
For more information contact www.celebitycruises.com or call 800.852.7239.
Pam Price is a contributor to www.forbes.com/sites/pamprice