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| ISSUE ONE - MARCH 2004 - SPA SPECIAL | ||||||
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 Welcome to Exclusive Whisperings, a new quarterly newsletter brought to you by the Exclusive Collection – Ships of Excellence. The Exclusive Collection was formed in September 2003 by nine ultra luxury cruise lines, who have come together to offer a truly sophisticated and bespoke holiday experience. Each line has its own particular character and style, suiting varied tastes and preferences. What they have in common is a commitment to levels of excellence appreciated by the most discerning traveller. For further information visit www.exclusive-collection.co.uk . For further information on the Exclusive Collection contact one of the cruising team at bgb -Louise Moore (lmoore@bgb.co.uk) or Hannah Lacey (hlacey@bgb.co.uk) |
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The cruise lines... |
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| SPAS AT SEA It’s official – no five-star holiday is now complete without a Spa experience- be it at land or sea. A massage, a wrap or a facial has now become as integral to one’s enjoyment of a cruise as the ozone-filled sea air, the fine foods and the glamorous ports of call. A Spa in-house or on-board is now the deciding factor between one resort and another, between one ship and another. And no longer is it acceptable to have just a couple of cabins on a lower deck to be primped and pampered, Spa aficionados demand sumptuousness and sensuality with silks and fine linens, incense and lotus blossom, Tibetan bells and sweet music, not to mention sea views while they are lying there being soothed and smoothed. There is something hyper-relaxing, even magical, about watching the waves while every knot in your tired and taut muscles is kneaded and eased. Today’s Spa users are a sophisticated bunch and expect the very best in therapies, which is why the four corners of the earth are raided for the best ingredients and the best therapies. There is the Hot Stone canon from the American south-west where healing basalt stones from dry river beds are merged with oil for a massage to remember, some of the finest French skincare knowledge is brought on board for facials and cleansings, the traditions of the Javanese royal houses are on offer in Lulur baths and wraps while shiatsu and reflexology are brought from Japan. Ingredients come from the fruits of the earth and ocean with papaya and ginger used in wraps and scrubs, ylang ylang and jasmine used for massage oils while algae and minerals from the bottom of the sea are key components of detox therapies and hydromassage. Spas are for all, with special treatments for men and exclusive therapies for jet-lag relief after long plane journeys such as dry floatation tanks and chakra balancing capsules. Many ships now offer massages for couples – a treat for honeymooners -,in-cabin, on-deck and occasionally on-beach treatments. And then there is yoga, pilates and meditation, therapies for the mind as well as the body. With this amount of well-being care why would anyone want to disembark? |
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CRYSTAL CRUISES The Crystal Spa has been rated by the Conde Nast Traveller survey above Canyon Ranch in Arizona and Four Seasons in Hawaii. The 5,000 sq ft spa on the Crystal Harmony has recently been re-designed using Feng Shui principles, by designers of Chiva Som in Thailand and One Health Club and Spa in Edinburgh. The spa on the Crystal Serenity is stunning, and a huge circular porthole window looking out from the Sauna almost makes a visit to the ship worthwhile just for that. The Asian-inspired spa includes treatments such as Japanese Silk Booster facials and Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wraps. In addition Cystal’s Spa’s include Swedish massage as well as aerobics, stretching, yoga and a host of other exercise classes in the spa and there is also a personal trainer available. As a part of a $12 million refit taking place in mid-April the Crystal Symphony spa is due to be completely reconstructed and enlarged to an impressive 6,000 sq ft. Similarly to the Harmony spa re-fit the new design will adhere to feng shui principles. There will be eight treatment rooms as opposed to six, a new relaxation area, a new sauna, and manicure / pedicure areas with sunken foot bowls where one can indulge in the 'Sole Delight Foot Ritual'. A luxurious new dry flotation tank is suitable for singles or couples and will create a feeling of weightlessness ideal for 'Aroma Spa' and other treatments." |
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Not to leave the men out, there are also a range of treatments specially designed for men. For example the Men's Tonic involves a relaxing back massage followed by an E'SPA luxury foot treatment which includes exfoliation, deep massage with an appropriate aromatherapy oil and envelopment of warm paraffin wax to relieve any aches and pains. The Aromatherapy Face Treatment is also specially formulated for the male complexion using natural balms and oils to help purify, hydrate and revitalise the skin. Prices range from £130 for 3 hrs of 'Pure Indulgence' (an aromatherapy facial, followed by holistic hand and nail treatment and then a holistic foot and nail treatment) to £30 for a back, neck and shoulder massage or a herbal linen wrap.There are also a variety of eye treatments, manicures, pedicures and hairdressing available. |
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PETER DEILMANN
CRUISES
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RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISESRadisson Seven Seas
Cruises, in conjunction with Carita de Paris, launched
the Carita Spas on board its entire fleet on 1st January
2004.Carita offer a wide selection of rejuvenating,
moisturising, and re-balancing products from the
different Carita ranges: Carita Le Visage, Renovateur,
and the Progressif Face Care selection, the market leader
for mature skin. |
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| SEABOURN
CRUISE LINE Imbued with all the essential elements of health and beauty, The Spa at Seabourn is an ultra-inviting haven where body, mind and spirit are nurtured. For both men and women, The Spa offers everything from salon services to yoga classes, from revitalizing facials to a romantic private massage for two. The certified massage therapists combine the touches of ten exotic cultures, creating an a la carte menu of indulgent experiences that are unique and sensual. Discover the power of aromatherapy to soothe the senses or the Chinese art of reflexology to rebalance the body's energies. Explore the healing properties of warm stones, seaweed wraps and Japanese shiatsu. |
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| SEADREAM
YACHT CLUB The best ships at sea according to the authoritative Berlitz Guide, SeaDream I and SeaDream II each boast a state of the art Asian Spa where traditional and contemporary treatments which can be booked individually or pre-booked as part of a package. Amongst the most popular treatments are the famous Papaya body polish and a traditional Lulur (a spice and yoghurt scrub). New for 2004 is the on-deck and on-beach massage option - surely the ultimate luxury for any exhausted traveller! With some 88 guests per voyage, SeaDream promotes an active healthy lifestyle and that extends to the menus too, where daily well being menus are not only good for the body but great on the eye and the palate! |
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Windstar offers the luxurious Wind Spa on board the largest of its sail assisted ships –Wind Surf. For 2004, the spa has just received a major refurbishment including the gymnasium and the Nautilus fitness rooms. The Wind Spa works in conjunction with Steiner of London, who are specialists of spas at sea and offer a mixture of products including Elemis, Aromaspa as well as many influences from around the world. Unique to a "spa at sea" is the Aromaspa Ocean Wrap which is a treatment used to withdraw toxins from the body whilst absorbing elements from the seaweed. In conjunction with Wind Spa, Windstar also offers pilates, Kai-Bo, body conditioning, cardio kick boxing as well as a zone consultation service, where guests can have a body composition test. In addition Windstar also offers in-suite massages and couples massages – a must for any honeymooners! |
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Exclusive
Whisperings is published by bgb communications on behalf
of the Exclusive Collection. For further information
about the contents of this newsletter please contact Hannah or Louise. |
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The spa on Hebridean Spirit
is designed to care for both your inner and outer health,
offering individually tailored packages. There are at
least 30 different treatments, including holistic back,
face and scalp treatment, aromatherapy body massage,
algea wraps and restorative mud envelopment. There are
also a range of Hot Stone Therapy treatments designed to
harmonise, cleanse and relax the body by being placed on
specific energy points.
Some of the more unusual
treatments of the Carita Spa include - Renovateur
Revitalisant Corps (a unique and sensual treatment using
the ‘Renovateur’ technique capped by body
wrapping and stone massage), and the Renovateur Cheveu
Treatment (a highly personalised treatment for hair and
scalp using exfoliating scalp massage techniques). The
Carita spas on board Radisson are fully operated by
Carita beauticians and massage therapists as well as a
team of hairdressers from renowned Parisian
salons. Radisson Seven Seas is the only cruise line
to offer the exclusive Carita brand which was founded by
Parisian sisters Rosy and Maria Carita, better known as
‘magicians of beauty’ back in their day.