Cruise lines have really mastered the art of the relaxing vacations and one of the aspects that is helping them achieve this is their stellar spas at sea. Conde Nast Traveler has highlighted some of the best in a recent article. 

“Some of the world's best spa treatments can be found in the middle of the ocean,” says writer Charu Suri.

Now global spa therapies on the high seas are expected, and often quite elaborate, which means you can get a Thai massage or an Arctic cloudberry facial during your time at sea. 

One of the best spas at sea, according to Suri, is onboard the Regent Seven Seas Explorer. 

“The 4,443-square-foot Regent Suite that debuted in July aboard the Regent Seven Seas Explorer has a no-holds-barred approach to its comprehensive therapies: There's a personal therapist, complimentary fitness classes, and a customized spa menu that taps into the magic of local flora (e.g. Arctic berry and evergreen oils). Plus, you can frolic like a water sprite under experiential showers that mimic monsoons, Atlantic storms or even the gentle spring rain,” Suri writes. 

Top cruise spas aren’t even limited to large luxury liners. Spas are making a splash onboard river boats as well. 

“This boutique river cruise line has a dedicated wellness coach appointed on every ship: he or she will encourage you to try something new after you’ve, say, kayaked beneath an ancient Roman aqueduct or presumably swum laps in the salty pool. All Serenity river spas have their own organic massage oils under the Rituals brand umbrella,” she says. 

And small ship and river cruise ships with Tauck offer up some relaxing spa treatments onboard as well. 

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“Tauck offers soothing spa treatments to its many guests as they sail on the Rhine, Rhone, Danube or on the silver seas. Spas can be found on every single vessel (eight river cruise ships and eight ocean ones), often in the lower level of the ship, where it's often quieter and cooler,” says Suri. 

And while these three point to the pervasive reach of spas at sea, there are even more ships to hear about here.