Princess Cruises Star Princess

Lotus Spa, Salon and Fitness Center

The ship’s spa facilities are located on Deck 15 forward, in a horseshoe shaped space that wraps around the (outdoor) Lotus Pool. The spa is operated by Steiner Leisure, a company that manages spa services on many cruise ships, and prices are in line with their prices on other cruises, somewhat higher than is charged at most quality resorts. But prices were discounted on port days, and other specials or multiple appointments also availed discount for one-off treatments not on the regular menu.

Services offered included massage—seaweed, hot stone, bamboo, herbal poultice, etc. ranging $155 for the 50-minute Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow with Massage to $259 for the 100-minute Seaweed Massage or 50-minute Couples Massage. Facials, acupuncture and salon services for men and women were available.

The spa also had a Thermal Suite, a communal relaxation area with thermal grottos, aromatic steam rooms, saunas, heated ceramic benches and mist fog showers. A pass to use the facilities throughout our seven-day cruise was $99, but (unadvertised) day passes were also available.

We sprang for a massage on Star Princess, a special offered late in the cruise—60 minutes for $119 ($99 for a massage focused on three body areas for 20 minutes each, and $119 if hot stones were thrown in). The treatment was handled by a Thai masseuse, and although her technique was not—perhaps—by the book, it was an excellent massage that left us both relaxed and restored after days of hauling about luggage and gear. Though we didn’t care for the sales pitch for various beauty products at the conclusion, we wouldn’t hesitate to book another treatment with her. Only caveat: Our treatment room had a vent that flooded the room with white noise; our treatment should have been one of the quietest parts of the ship, but the steady drone of ventilation noise was at odds with that.