Spa Stories

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Oasis of Old Black Magic - by Veronica Matheson

It is a day at sea on P&O Cruises' Oriana, and everyone (or so it seems) is making a beeline for the ship's Oasis spa. Some of the passengers want no more than their hair blow-dried before a relaxing evening by the bar, or dining at the signature restaurant of Britain's TV celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, or taking in the song and dance show in the plush red velvet surrounds of the ship's spaciously tiered theatre.

But some of us are hanging out for an indulgent spa treatment. Those that booked early in this world cruise have no concerns, but the rest of us need to juggle times so that we can all have treatments. It is obvious that no one lets their grooming standards fall while living on the high seas.

My booking for a hot stone massage is booked for six in the evening which will give me plenty of time for pampering before I head back to my suite to slowly unwind before a late dinner.

The stone treatment works its old black magic, unravelling knots in my shoulders, soothing general aches, and lulling me into a relaxed state of bliss where all I want to do is fall into a deep sleep.

My therapist is a beautiful, petite Filipino who trained and worked in spas in London before joining P&O Cruises UK based fleet. And as Oriana is on a world cruise and due to sail into the Philippines after Australian ports she is excited about catching up with her family in Manila for the day the ship is in port.

But right now her focus is on my hot stone massage and I can see black stones of various sizes soaking in hot water as I enter the fresh smelling treatment room. My therapist tells me the stones are volcanic and from Mexico and will give me really good energy.

Soon I can feel the stones sleekly sliding along my back, pushing deeper into the sore spots, and all the time warming me. By the end of the treatment I am glowing with wellness, and surprised that my 90 minute treatment has passed so quickly.

It takes me time to uncoil from the far too comfortable massage table, but when I finally drift back to my suite I do not dare settle on my bed. That would be dangerous as it would definitely mean lights out for the rest of the night.

Spa FIle

Spas at sea: The spa now plays an important role in a cruise ship's amenities, and is constantly becoming bigger and better equipped to meet the increased demand for pampering treatments at sea.

Oriana's spa: Well equipped with many treatment rooms as well as a steam room and sauna, relaxing whirlpool that holds up to 12 people, and beauty salon for hair styling and facial treatments. There is time to relax and rejuvenate without the daily pressures of the home front.

P&O Cruises: The fleet has seven UK based ships, including Arcadia (2000 passengers), Aurora (1900 passengers), and Oriana (1800 passengers) that all take in major Australian ports on annual round-the-world voyages.

The cost: Oriana's 97-night world cruise in 2012 is available from $15,619 per person twin share for an inside cabin, with fares ranging to $66,599 per person twin share for a balcony suite with butler service. A 23-night sector departing February 1 (2012) and cruising from Singapore to Sydney is priced from $4069 per person twin share.

More: www.pocruises.com