Oceania Cruises Take Canyon Ranch SpaClub® On Elegant Voyages
When the cruise liner Oceania Riviera launches this April, the newest Canyon Ranch SpaClub® will begin elegant voyages around the world.
Identical to sister ship Oceania Marina which debuted in 2011, the Oceania Riviera combines European style with American vitality.
Spacious, mid-size (capacity just 1,250 passengers), both Marina and Riviera are enriched by the Canyon Ranch SpaClub - from dining to bodywork, staying well, and looking your best - on regional cruises that include airfare.
High atop both ships, Canyon Ranch SpaClub is an oasis of calm and comfort: Lounges, open-air deck with whirlpool, cabana chaises, 10 treatment rooms with floor-to-ceiling window; couples' suites for side-by-side services. Trainers personalize workouts with Kinesis and state-of-the-art equipment, studio sessions of yoga, spinning, Pilates, aerobic step and Bosu® ball classes. Set your own pace with a fitness pass ($99) or pay per class; guided walks and stretches are free, but there is a daily facility fee ($25) waived with spa services.
Steps from a seawater swimming pool, running track, and deck sports, the SpaClub's exercise equipment comes with panoramic seaviews.
Staffed by 17 therapists and estheticians, SpaClub reflects standards at Canyon Ranch resorts. The range of services includes facials with the Canyon Ranch line, medical-grade Environ, or holistic Sjal products. Massage can be gentle Swedish style, seriously Thai, or deep-tissue relief. An acupuncturist treats back, neck, and shoulder pain. A window-walled salon cares for hair and nails. Appointments can be expedited prior to the cruise through Canyon Ranch reservations (866/860-4662) and a personalized spa itinerary delivered to your stateroom.
Aboard the Marina last September on a 12-day cruise from Venice to Istanbul, SpaGoer was impressed with facilities as well as services. Many of the extra charges on other ships are included in the Oceania Cruises offer, with two-for-one fares and your airline ticket from American gateways to embarkation. An amazing value!
Dining options include the Canyon Ranch Healthy Living menu served in the Grand Dining Room, vegetarian selections, kosher and special diets. Supper clubs offer Italian, French, Asian and steak specialties (no extra charge). Or cook lunch at the Bon Appétit culinary center. Wine lovers have a glass-walled aerie on Deck 14: La Reserve offers a seven-course wine-pairing dinner for a $75 wine charge. But the tapas bar is a bargain, open most afternoons for wine and food pairings at $15 per person.
Even the fare at the poolside grill was fit for a king: salads, lobster medallions, and Black Angus filet mignon on deck all afternoon. Temptations abound: ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, and smoothies made to order; Also hot dogs and burgers. All free.
Staterooms are like studio apartments or hotel suites: Walnut paneling, supple fabrics, plush furnishings, queen-size bed, full bath and shower, teak veranda. Concierge deck's lounge adds reservation service, refreshments, Internet. Larger staterooms feature exercise equipment, whirlpool, furniture by Ralph Lauren Home and interior designer Dakota Jackson, and complimentary access to SpaClub.
Oceania Cruises now features Canyon Ranch SpaClub aboard its entire fleet, sailing from ports in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Two special cruises in 2012 combine the best of both worlds:
Vitality & Wellness Cruises - two sailings
In addition to healthy eating and fitness tips, gain insights on enhancing mental wellness to live life to the fullest. Spinning, yoga and Pilates classes are also offered at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, and gourmet Canyon Ranch spa cuisine is available.
Regatta "Pearls of the Aegean" - August 8, 2012; 10 days, Venice-Athens
Riviera "Accent on Italy" - October 24, 2012; 10 days, Rome-Venice
www.oceaniacruises.com
DISNEY'S AULANI RESORT & SPA CELEBRATES HAWAII
The new 21-acre Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa at Ko Olina introduced family-oriented treatments inspired by Hawaiian culture. Teenagers and the mini-me crowd now enjoy spa experiences with mom and dad.
Set within the manicured Ko Olina Resort, an hour from Honolulu, the Disney compound features both adult and teenage facilities in an 18,000-square-foot beachfront spa with 14 treatment rooms. Designed by Disney "imagineers" to suggest Polynesian rainforest and marine habitats, the spa adjoins a lazy river where kids and parents float to a conservation lagoon populated by stingrays. While brides prep in the spa garden, grooms work out in the fitness center or sweat in a rock-walled sauna, steps from an oceanfront chapel.
Walking into cavernous interiors with spa director Lucia Rodriguez Amasio was pure Disney. The design goes from cool to calming, a multi-media oasis surrounded by Polynesian crafts classes and spacious dining lanais. "Visitors are immersed in the story of Hawaiian culture," said Lucia, "while enjoying treatments." Many have been amazed by the design and the breadth and depth of the spa programming. "They love the options to be with the family, alone or just the two of them."
Laniwai means freshwater heaven. "We celebrate the healing gift of the water" explains Lucia.
Key features:
- Kula Wai - Oahu's only outdoor hydrotherapy garden.
Prior to treatment, guests enjoy:
- Two herbal soaking tubs; one of Seaweed (Detoxify) the other of Awa and Eucalyptus (Calm).
- Reflexology walk to massage the feet
- Six different and unique rain showers
- Whirlpool and cold plunge
- Mixology Bar - complimentary Hawaiian body polish
- Painted Sky - Teen Spa - Ages 13 -17 a private spa for teens:
- Mixology stations - blend your own Hawaiian body polish, blend your own face masks
- Wellness programming daily (fitness, mini facials, taking care of athlete's body e
- Yogurt Bar
- Technology Stations
- Treatment room for manicures, pedicures, facials, massage
- Treatment for "Minnie me to All About ME!
- Private family suite where we do treatments for:
- Mom Dad and Baby
- Families up to six people
- Hawaiian Hula Experience - dress our young ladies and men in Hawaiian hula wear. Ages 3+ (Very Popular!)
- And for adults:
- Signature rainwater therapies
- Hawaiian treatments
- Massage/Skincare
- Salon Service
Bob Iger, president and chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, and Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, joined Hawaiian officials for the grand opening event. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse added to the fun.
But this is not a typical theme park.
"Aulani is a stunning resort that offers something unique in the vacation industry," said Iger. "It's an incredible family paradise that combines the beauty and culture of Hawaii with a touch of Disney magic and we are confident that guests from around the world will continue to enjoy it for many years to come."
"Aulani truly has something for everyone," said Staggs. "With specific spaces and experiences created for kids, teens and adults, as well as places where families can relax and make memories together, Aulani is just the answer for families who want to experience the incredible storytelling and great guest service of Disney while enjoying all that Hawaii has to offer."
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
92-1185 Ali'inui Drive
Kapolei, HI 96707
Phone: (808) 674-6302
HI-SPA ASSOCIATION LEVERAGES MARKET GROWTH
The Hawaii Spa & Wellness Association (HI-Spa) has begun a process of identifying authentic healing traditions of the island state. The energy to unify island resources came from Darryll Leiman, VP Resort Operations for Mandara Spas, and Sharon Ogawa, Director of the Moana Lani Spa at Westin's Moana Surfrider hotel.
The dialogue on how to make Hawaiian spas operationally successful and profitable presents a unique opportunity to combine wellness and tradition. The purpose of our meetings, says Leiman, "is to generate interest for and build a collaborative group of like-minded individuals who will take our industry to the next level."
HI-Spa hopes to drive the spa sector to compete not with each other, but with outdoor leisure activities for a larger share of the discretionary spend of visitors to Hawaii and local residents alike.
"Strategizing and combining our efforts," said Sharon Ogawa, "we will drive overall demand and a larger customer base for spa and wellness services." The Hi-Spa Association seeks to leverage consumers' increased awareness of health and wellness and position Hawaii as a significant player in the world leisure and wellness market.
The 2nd annual Spa Marketplace in Honolulu supported by HI-Spa will bring together the Hawaiian spa community and vendors of products and services for a two-day exchange of ideas and information January 22-23 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Produced by Spa Management Journal, the event will focus on aesthetic products, wellness, and anti-aging medicine, the event is open to salon owners, spa managers, aestheticians, therapists, and doctors and dentists.
www.spamanagement.com or email: info@spamanagement.com
INTERNATIONAL SPA ASSOCIATION MEETING IN LAS VEGAS
The International Spa Association (ISPA) returns to Las Vegas for its 21st annual conference and exposition. The three-day event at the Mandalay Bay Resort November 7-9 includes educational workshops and keynoter presentations on the state of the spa industry. The ISPA Expo showcases spa products from around the world.
Special features include the WTS Connection Center, sponsored by WTS International, a management firm based near Washington, DC, offering developers and current clients a wide range of design and operational expertise. Members of the WTS Corporate Team will be on hand to meet potential/current clients.
The Precor Experience Center sustains conference-goers with workouts and entertainment. The latest equipment for cardio, strength, and stretching will be located just inside the Expo entrance.
Program and registration details: www.experienceispa.com
