There are cruisers that see sailing as adventures to exotic ports, then there are others who see the ships as 24/7 parties, and finally there are those that see it as a relaxing break from everyday life where they don’t have to do a thing. These are the sort of cruisers who book aft balcony cabins and spend the majority of their cruise reading outdoors in the sun, and out of the wind. They came to relax, and—damn the hairiest chest contest—they’re going to do just that.
These cruisers ought to consider emerging from their rooms and making their ways to the spa. They’re the ones who will get the most out of relaxation therapy. If they aren’t interested in paying the money for a hot stone massage, or the thermal pools, then they’ll certainly find something to do in the adults only areas onboard most cruise ships. If you’re thinking of a Port Canaveral cruise, and a break from relentless relaxation for more relaxation sounds, well… relaxing, then you’ll want to check out our rundown of the best spas on cruise ships sailing out of Port Canaveral.
Must Try Cruise Ship Spas
Carnival Sunshine
The Carnival Sunshine has what is probably the best spa of any of the ships sailing out of Port Canaveral. It may very well be the best spa on any cruise ship. At least on the mainstream lines. The, at one-time, Destiny received a complete overhaul, and when it emerged as the Sunshine it was a very different ship with a 3 level spa called Serenity at the very front. It’s something of a mystery of why it’s aboard the Sunshine when it’s not Carnival’s largest ship, and it takes up a huge area of the ship.
Serenity is massive. It’s an adult only area with a triple-height waterfall, cabanas, and a plunge pool. Best of all, it’s free. It’s a genuinely relaxing experience that doesn’t cost you a dime beyond what you’ve already paid to be on your cruise. The facials, manicures, and the rest of the usual spa treatments are a deck below in the Cloud 9 spa. We suggest you check out Serenity before and after anything you do there.
Disney Dream and Fantasy
Disney Dream and Fantasy don’t have the biggest spas, but they do have some of the most unique. The Senses spas are a carryover from Disney’s spas at their resorts on land. The lineup of treatments available is pretty standard, but what makes Disney’s two newest ships stand out is Chill, a small annex within the spa. It’s aimed at teens and a continuation of Disney’s family-centered cruise philosophy. It offers the mother-daughter massages that may very well be what most people think of when they think of a spa day.
For the littlest cruisers, there’s the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique which for a price will take care of your little princess’s hair, makeup, and nails turning into, well, a princess. It’s a nice—yet expensive—way of making your daughter feel special. As a plus, it comes with a tiara and wand your little girl can take home. There isn’t really a direct equivalent of Serenity spa on Sunshine or the Solarium you’ll find on some of Royal Caribbean’s ships. The Quiet Cove adults-only pool comes close. Be warned that there is a cocktail serving bar there so it might be rowdier than relaxing, though.
Carnival Splendor
Carnival’s Splendor is another pleasant surprise. The Splendor’s spa is smaller than the one aboard the Sunshine, but two decks aren’t exactly tiny. Unlike the Serenity, the one aboard the Splendor is the Cloud 9 (i.e. paid) spa. It is worth checking out in spite of that. With two levels of thermal pools, hot mud treatments, and other spa treatments. Only the fact that its offerings are a little austere, failing to offer the little things like complimentary flip flops and robes keep it from coming in higher.
Like many of the paid spas, you’ll also need to look out for the high-pressure sales pitch too. It is a given that spas onboard a cruise ship is going to include a pitch for beauty products. The ones on the Splendor seem to be especially pushy, so be warned.
Freedom of the Seas
The Freedom of the Seas is currently Port Canaveral’s biggest ship. It also has one of the biggest and best-equipped gyms. The attached spa is called Vitality, and it has a full range of services. Although it is disappointingly small in a ship the size of the Freedom, it is still one of the best spas at sea. However, there is a rough equivalent to the Sunshine’s Serenity spa in the Freedom of the Seas’ Solarium area. While it is smaller than the Sunshine’s Serenity, it has whirlpool tubs that are cantilevered from the side of the ship, making for a splendid to view to go with a relaxing rush of bubbles.
It’s the combination of the middling size and high-pressure sales tactics keep the Freedom of the Seas from coming in higher on our list spas. It does continue to have a leg up on some of the smaller ships at Port Canaveral, including its sister ship the Enchantment of the Seas. While the Vitality spa may not be enough of a reason to book the Freedom of the Seas, the thought of a few hours in the whirlpool tub looking at a horizon of blue and deeper blue might be enough to get even the most introverted cruisers off their aft balcony.
Cruise ship spas are a great source of relaxation. Another sound way of finding relaxation is knowing you’ll make it to the cruise ship! As travel experts, we recommend coming in a day early, spending a quiet relaxing night, and then making it to the cruise ship without worries the next day. Book one of Go Ports all-in-one cruise port hotel packages and start the vacation off right!
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