From a basketball court to shuffleboard to aerobics classes, Sapphire Princess kept us on our toes.
The spa facilities on Sapphire Princess 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, and somewhat higher than is charged at most quality resorts. Prices were discounted on port days, and other specials or multiple appointments also availed discount for some treatments.
Services offered included massage—seaweed, hot stone, bamboo, herbal poultice, etc. ranging $149 for 50 minutes to $259 for 100 minutes—facials, acupuncture and salon services for men and women. Several treatments were available for couples, conducted in an oversized room. We tried a facial, and we found the treatment to be expertly handled by a well-versed crewmember.
The spa also included thermal grottos, aromatic steam rooms, saunas, heated ceramic benches and mist fog showers; a pass to use these facilities throughout a seven-day cruise was $99.
The ship’s fitness room is located past the Lotus Spa—one has to walk through the spa’s corridors to reach the gym. The facility has a decent quantity of weight and cardio equipment—we never encountered a line to use the bikes and treadmills at peak hours. The cardio machines, however, were a British brand we weren’t familiar with, and we spent some time trying to figure out the programming. No matter, we got a few good workouts in during our trip aboard Sapphire Princess.
There are fitness classes that can be purchased. Pilates, Yoga and Spinning classes were $12 each ($30 for three).
Tucked away on Deck 16, behind the Movies Under the Stars screen, this small expanse of artificial grass is the spot for lawn games. The ship’s newsletter, Princess Patter, announced the daily schedule of carpet bowling, croquet and golf putting tournaments.
The Lawn Court was hard to find unless you knew where to look: The stairway leading to it is on Deck 15, just below the Movies Under the Stars screen.
Perched on Deck 19, the ship’s highest level, this is a newly added court for breezy games.
The ship’s newsletter, Princess Patter, announced a limited schedule of pick-up basketball and free-throw, mostly on sea days. Otherwise the court was open for anyone to start a game.
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