The Cruise Explorer

Some people still believe that Cunard is too “stuffy”, too formal for them. Perhaps this video will show you that Cunarders do know how to have fun as well as enjoy the good life Cunard’s three cruise ships, more appropriately called ocean liners, are the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Victoria and the brand-new Queen Elizabeth (which starts her maiden voyage on October 2nd). Search Cunard voyages.

Just two months ago, in a vivid reinforcement of its new brand platform, “Designed for you,” Celebrity Cruises announced plans to introduce on Celebrity Eclipse – the third in Celebrity Cruises’ stylish Solstice Class fleet of ships – the first “Celebrity iLounge.” The announcement met with such positive response from guests, travel agents and press that today, the brand announced plans to introduce the hip, modern lounge on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit next month.

Dubbed by members of the press as “a hipster haven,” “a nifty app for tech junkies,” and an illustration of “how much thought some cruise lines are putting into their Internet offerings, while others treat it as an afterthought,” the Celebrity iLounge on Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit will – as on Celebrity Eclipse – offer what the line’s guests said they wanted most in an Internet café: easy access to the Internet, inspiring classes and new products.

The Celebrity iLounge on each ship will consist of three main areas: a series of contemporary MacBook workstations where guests can check their e-mail, retain their social media connections, or print boarding passes; a retail space offering cruisers the opportunity to check out the latest MacBooks, iPods® and accessories; and an enrichment center where certified staff will offer guests tips on Mac or iPod usage.

“Our ‘Designed for you’ brand platform is built on Celebrity’s commitment to listen to our guests and offer experiences and programs inspired by them,” said Celebrity’s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. “The reaction we received after announcing the new venue on Celebrity Eclipse made it clear that our guests would appreciate more opportunities to experience the Celebrity iLounge, and now, they can do that while sailing year-round in the Caribbean on our stunning Celebrity Solstice, or while visiting the sophisticated island of Bermuda on Celebrity Summit.”

Cruisers themselves can become more sophisticated with new applications for creatively preserving meaningful vacation moments. Within the “Discover” component of its “Celebrity Life” series of inspiring enrichment and entertainment experiences, Celebrity will offer in each Celebrity iLounge a series of engaging new courses, including movie editing and web design, through programs including iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and iWeb. And Celebrity’s certified staffers will be well-equipped to assist, having completed more than 125 hours of training in operating systems, applications and products.

Technophiles and collectors of cool merchandise alike will find the Celebrity iLounge an enticing venue. As an Authorized Apple Reseller, Celebrity will offer a variety of products in each Celebrity iLounge for guests to purchase, including iPods, MacBooks and essential accessories.

Located on deck six of Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Eclipse, the Celebrity iLounge will house the 26 MacBook Pro’s, classroom and retail area, in addition to display pods, a 56-inch flat-screen TV for use during classes, and an accessible workstation.

On Celebrity Summit, the Celebrity iLounge will replace the current computer classroom on deck six, with the same new products and technologies as on Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Solstice. Even the “Online@Celebrity” cybercafé on deck four of Celebrity Summit will be retrofitted with entirely new MacBook workstations.

The new Celebrity iLounge will be ‘live’ on Celebrity Summit by May 16, on Celebrity Solstice by May 30, and on April 26 on Celebrity Eclipse, when the new ship enters service. The Celebrity iLounge also will be presented on Celebrity Silhouette, which launches in 2011, and the fifth ship in the Solstice Class fleet, which sets sail in 2012.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) has announced that world famous Canyon Ranch, the leading operator of destination health resorts, will soon operate the spa, beauty salon, wellness and fitness facilities on board the line’s fleet of all-suite ultraluxury ships.

“It gives us great pleasure to welcome the world’s leading luxury spa brand aboard our ships,” said Mark Conroy, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Canyon Ranch’s unique approach to lifestyle perfectly complements our brand and the lifestyle of our guests,” he added.

Aboard Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Navigator, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, from the Canyon Ranch at Sea division, will feature a state-of-the-art spa, wellness and fitness facility, plus a luxurious full-service beauty salon. SpaClub will offer the most desirable spa amenities available: massage, body and skin-care treatment rooms, a gym and weight room with cardio and weight training equipment, a juice bar, men’s and women’s locker rooms, thalassotherapy,
sauna and steam rooms.

Canyon Ranch SpaClub will be installed on each ship in December 2009, with the first cruises featuring this luxurious facility being December 18 for Seven Seas Voyager, December 20 for Seven Seas Mariner, and December 28 for Seven Seas Navigator.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will also feature a full range of culinary offerings from Canyon Ranch’s incomparable Spa Cuisine, which is both nutritious and created with the highest gourmet standards. This array of healthy cuisine will be available starting in the spring of 2010 at breakfast, lunch and dinner in each of the ships’ main dining room, Compass Rose; for breakfast and lunch in the more casual dining venue La Veranda; at the Pool Grill, and on the 24-hour Room Service menu for in-suite dining.

“Canyon Ranch shares our passion for fine and healthy cuisine and our culinary teams will be working together to create a unique and diverse array of healthy, gourmet meals,” added Conroy.

Canyon Ranch certified fitness instructors will conduct daily group and private fitness, yoga and tai chi classes for guests. In addition, on select voyages Canyon Ranch healthy living experts will offer onboard presentations and workshops addressing lifestyle change, healthy living, stress management and a variety of other topics.

The Canyon Ranch SpaClub Beauty Salon will offer complete beauty services for women and men. The extensive Salon menu will feature hair design and nail care treatments, including luxurious spa manicures and pedicures, makeup consultations and makeovers.

The facility will offer an array of rejuvenating spa treatments, some created specially for Regent guests, include massages and therapeutic bodywork, mud, aromatherapy, ayuvedic and seaweed treatments, facials and masks featuring Canyon Ranch’s award winning Your Transformation skincare products, conditioning body scrubs and therapeutic body cocoons.

“Canyon Ranch is thrilled to be expanding its ‘at Sea’ division aboard the ultra-luxury ships of Regent Seven Seas Cruises,” stated Chief Operating Officer Peter Smith. “We share Regent’s passion for unparalleled service and look forward to bringing our highly acclaimed amenities to our mutual guests.”

To find a Regent Seven Seas Cruise cruise to your dream destination, click here.

Cruise ship spas have come a long way from the days of indoor swimming pools tucked away on the lower decks. It’s out with tiny, sterile treatment rooms, and in with feng shui-inspired décor promoting balance and harmony.

Current spa trends range from soothing massages using aromatic oils and heated stones to special facials designed just for men. Seaweed wraps and sea water therapies help your body detoxify. You can even get your teeth whitened during your cruise. Spas are for fun, too. You’re encouraged to bring a friend for the light-hearted Middle Eastern Rasul, a session of body painting using red, white and grey organic clays.

Spas and romance go hand in hand on “The Love Boat,” better known today as Princess Cruises. Couples have a romantic new way to share relaxation at the line’s lovely Lotus Spa. Choose the side-by-side couple’s massage, and you’re both scrubbed and rubbed while feeling the caress of ocean breezes blowing through a private cabana. Two outdoor cabanas are located in the adults-only Sanctuary, a tranquil oasis with an upper deck setting overlooking the ship’s bow.

Holland America Line’s upgraded Greenhouse Spa features a thalassotheraphy pool with pulsating waterfalls to help remove kinks from your back. Another series of water jets revitalizes tired legs. The adjacent thermal suite (also available on Princess) has rooms for steaming and rooms for breathing head-clearing aromas. You can soak to your heart’s content in a shower that mimics a warm tropical rainfall. Best of all is the spacious, communal relaxation room furnished with body warming ceramic tile lounges.

Cruise aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, and you can boast you’ve been to the world famous Canyon Ranch SpaClub. QM2 is the only ship to offer Canyon Ranch certified treatments and technicians. Some of the more unusual indulgences are Chinese acupuncture, Thai stretching massage and India’s ayurveda massages using traditional herbal pouches and warm oils. A highlight of the ship’s SpaClub is its large, co-ed Aqua Therapy Pool featuring bubbling, underwater airbed recliners, fountains and water jet body massagers.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is home to the upscale Carita Spa. Based in Paris, Carita goes beyond the joy of pampering with such well-being treatments as reflexology. Skin care is a primary focus, and their exclusive Pro-Lift machine helps your skin feel healthy and rejuvenated.

With Celebrity Cruises’ recently introduced AquaClass cabins, the spa experience extends right into your stateroom. Special amenities begin with robes, slippers and spa toiletries for your bath. Your top perk is fee-free access to the spa’s thermal relaxation room. Carnival, too, has new spa cabins with similar goodies, plus a private elevator opening directly into the spa.

If you’re looking for the most up to date spa amenities, be sure to choose the newest ships in the fleet. Or, book a ship that has recently been treated to a refreshing spa makeover of its own.