This month, Spabreaks.com launched Wellness on the Waves – a luxury spa experience that’s never been seen before. At least not like this. Cruises have often offered guests spa and beauty treatments in the past, but there’s a big difference between that and a world class spa experience. That’s what you get with Wellness on the Waves and it launched with luxury cruise ship, Celebrity Apex. So what does a spa break look like on a luxury cruise ship?

First impressions of the cruise ship

Most cruise ships are pretty impressive when it comes to scale, but Celebrity Apex really does offer the most luxurious amount of space. If you have never been on a cruise holiday before and have concerns about being sardined into small rooms or claustrophobic public spaces, Celebrity Apex will dispel those myths immediately. Sure, you will be spoiled for any other cruise every again, but you will have a superb time.

The exceptional accommodation

Speaking of space, this all starts in your room, which is definitely not just a place to rest your head. Accommodation is an invitation to completely abandon any preconceived ideas of what a cruise holiday should be and choose from spacious Iconic Suites positioned high on top of the ship with plenty of living space as well as sweeping views of the world passing by.

There’s also the Penthouse suite with multiple bedrooms, private hot tubs and a butler; Edge Villas with indoor and outdoor living spaces and set over two floors; The Royal Suite, Celebrity Suite, Sky Suite – all of which have their own style and (once again) personal butlers. There are Infinite Balcony, Concierge Class, & AquaClass® rooms which blend indoor and outdoor spaces with melting walls that allow your entire living space to become a private balcony should you choose.

The Michelin standard restaurants

Dining on the ship is, fittingly, a global culinary tour curated by Michelin Star chef, Cornelius Gallagher. With a phenomenal 29 restaurants, bars, cafes and lounges to choose from, you’re spoiled for choice at all times of the day and night.

The four complementary main restaurants include Normandie Restaurant, serving contemporary French cuisine in a modern and upscale setting; Tuscan Restaurant, serving flavours from southern Italy; Cosmopolitan Restaurant characterised by new American food; and Cyprus Restaurant, showcasing the company’s Greek heritage. If you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion though, might we recommend splashing out on dinner at the sky-high Magic Carpet. Our exclusive packages include access to Blu, the popular health food restaurant.

The luxury spa 

The spa is a marble treat of Sea Thermal Suite experiences and decadent treatments – the first of its kind to be offered at sea. Designed by the renowned Kelly Hoppen MBE, the space is decadent but harnesses the tranquility of nature. The gym has floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a Float Room where you swing into a meditative sleep, cocooned in floating basket chairs, heated loungers, an infrared sauna and a crystalarium where you can meditate in an aromatherapy filled room as an amethyst crystal serves as a conduit for natural healing energy.

Not only that, but there are 23 treatment rooms offering 124 therapies ranging from the holistic to cosmetic treatments at the medispa. Thoughtful touches include an Interactive Elemis Ingredient Wall, which shows you the advanced science and natural ingredients behind the Elemis therapies, and high tech treatment beds that feature water-filled cushions and a table filled with warm crystals that adapt to your body shape for extra comfort. The cherry on top is a Kérastase Institute hair salon as well as a barber shop. 

The cruise holiday locations

Sailing from Southampton, at the moment our Elysium Collection spa experience will take you to Bruges and Amsterdam on a four day cruise for a stylish European escape that includes a late night departure from Amsterdam so you can experience the city in the evening. Of course, with the floor-to-ceiling windows in the gym and spa, one of the great joys is simply enjoying the views of open seascapes as you relax by the pool you won’t ever get in a spa on dry land.

The verdict: who is Celebrity Apex for?

In principle it’s for everybody, but really it’s a luxurious treat for grown ups. The luxury credentials are definitely geared up for couples, friends, or mothers and daughters. It’s for those looking for culture, luxury, relaxation and down time as well as plenty of opportunity to be unapologetically indulgent from the designer shopping to Michelin standard dining.

Top tips 

• If you’re celebrating a special occasion, arrange to have dinner one evening on the Magic Carpet, the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform restaurant. The spectacular space opens to several decks onboard and transforms into a new and exciting venue depending on where it’s positioned. When it reaches the very top level, it becomes an extraordinary sky-high restaurant. 
• Make time to really explore and enjoy everything the ship has to offer. Entertainment and activities range from shopping at Cartier, Bulgari or Tiffany & Co to unforgettable musical performances, a 25-yard lap pool on the top deck, two-storey martini glass hot tubs and private cabanas to lounge in.
• Really dedicate some serious time to the spa and use it as an opportunity to have a treatment you’ve never had before.