“
I am tingling with pleasure
and, after seventy-fi ve glorious minutes, my back feels as supple as a Russian Gymnast’s
”
shoots soaked in essential oils are rolled over the muscles to loosen the body’s tensions. However, my favourite of all has to be the Aroma Stone Therapy.
As I lie on a bed in the treatment room, cocooned in a nest of fl uffy white towels awaiting my therapist to begin her ministrations, I’m already struggling not to fall asleep as the ship gently rocks like a giant cradle and soothing music acts like a lullaby on those stresses that have managed to sneak on board with me. But no way am I going to nod off and miss the delights to come. On my travels on various ships I’ve taken advantage of many treatments on board – from a traditional Swedish massage to the innovative Bamboo massage, where various sizes of bamboo
As a writer positioned at a desk all day, my neck invariably develops more knots than a year-long macramé course. As such, this massage should be a weekly necessity for me, although time in the ‘real world’ forbids that, alas. But here on the ship, I have no such constraints and as my therapist begins to soothe warm scented oils over my back and shoulders with her hands and long sweeps of her forearms, I can virtually hear my muscles begin to cry with relief. Then smooth hot stones are rolled over my skin at various intensities.
My gentle therapist has the strength of Samson, pre-haircut, as she identifi es the areas that need her attention and works on them. The sides of my neck are gently stretched and manipulated to the extent that I know when I stand up I’ll be at least a foot taller. Alas I’m not, but I feel it. I am tingling with
pleasure and, after seventy-fi ve glorious minutes, my back feels as supple as a Russian gymnast’s. As I sip a glass of water in the Reception area - slowly, because I’m in no rush to leave - I can see fellow guests enjoying the outdoor facilities of The Retreat. They’re stretching out on loungers around a private pool, luxuriating in the quietness. Some are listening to the iPods, pre-loaded with music, which can be hired on board, some are drying off from a swim reposing in their complimentary robes, and others are perusing The Retreat food and drink menu. It’s a hard life.
A spa experience on land is wonderful, but how can it compare with one on board? On land, as soon as you’re out of the salon, you’re immediately back in the fast lane of pressure again. On board, you emerge from the treatment and can retain a gentler pace as you wander off to join loved ones around the pool or drift down to the cabin for a post-massage snooze. (Or indeed fl oat to the Glass House for a celebratory ice cold wine.)
For me the spa experience is a must on board. It’s the cherry on the cake, the absolute treat of treats. The perfect combo of luxury and necessity for my poor author’s neck.
Azura Spa Package If pampering is a pleasure then Azura’s spa package is the obvious choice.
Book an Azura spa package and you can enjoy a number of benefi ts. Before you’ve even set sail you can take advantage of our priority service, which includes a pre-holiday concierge to make your spa reservations and pre-book your Retreat sessions. Once on board, a glass of bubbly, a complimentary mini hand or foot treatment and an introduction by the Spa Concierge await you. Within your cabin you’ll fi nd an exclusive welcome gift from the Oasis Spa, as
well as bathrobes, slippers, a fl oral arrangement and an MP3 player with docking station. You will receive exclusive full day passes to The Retreat and the Thermal Suite (the number of which will depend upon the duration of your cruise), a Private Spa Balcony upgrade, which includes foot ritual and a DIY Scrub Bar Experience. You will also receive two luxurious treatments and unlimited access to fi tness classes, such as pilates, yoga and spinning. Suite passengers
can also choose either a complimentary pedicure, Body Composition Analysis, Express Shave for the gentlemen or Exotic Hand Ritual with manicure for the ladies.
You can fi nd detailed information on Azura’s spa packages on our website
www.pocruises.co.uk or call us on 0845 351 0353.
WWW.POCRUISES.CO.UK 31
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