Mandara Spa on Oceania's Insignia
by Jessica Skropanic -- Oceania Cruises
One would think that cruising on Oceania's Insignia would offer luxury enough with the ship's gourmet dining in the Grand Dinning Room, Polo Grill and Toscana and Terrace restaurants, live entertainment, casino, staterooms including suites with features like wrap-around private veranda, private whirlpool spa, entertainment center, refrigerated mini-bar, separate guest bathroom and 24-hour butler service, and the ratio of 684 guests to 400 staff members whose sole aim in life seems to be pampering guests.
But guests will also find a full-service spa with ocean views and elegant Balinese décor.
"Some of the treatments (follow the theme) like Balinese Bliss," said spa manager Jane Mary Manderson. "Everyone gets treated like an individual. We don't rush treatments here."
The spa's facility was designed with feng shui in mind to allow flow and connection of energy, Manderson said.
The area also includes a private spa deck with pool-side massage, chair massage and a 10-person limited-use thalassotherapy pool ($25 per day, or $119 per week-long cruise), a steam room, aromatherapy infusers in a sandalwood, pine and jasmine mixture, and a flotation bed with water jets for clients who want water treatments without getting wet ($20 for 30 minutes).
"The Oceania's Mandara spas were voted number one by Conde Nast," said Manderson.
Product lines include Elemis, La Therapie, and Steiner spas' signature line of haircare products.
The spa menu includes massage ranging in price from $120 to $287 for varying lengths of time, including Lomi Lomi, hot lava rock and reflexology. Facials run $30 to $157 and include the La Therapie Intinsive Age Zone treatment, Intensive Vitamin Anti-Oxidant treatment and a menu of men's specialty facials ranging from $107 to $129. The menu also includes wraps, manicures and pedicures, hair salon treatments, a body composition analysis for $40, teeth whitening treatments, fitness programs and ionithermie treatments.
There are specials on ports days and special spa packages, including Relax and Rejuvenate that pairs a lime ginger salt glow with 50-minute massage, Aroma Spa Ocean wrap with 50-minute massage, a 75-minute hot lava rock massage, a 50-minute Exotic Coconut Rub and four ocean float sessions for $799.
- The Detox for Weight Loss includes three ionithermie treatments, Aroma Spa Ocean wrap with 50-minute massage, a body composition analysis and four ocean float sessions for $599.
The spa's Face a Younger Future includes a pro-collagen Japanese Silk Booster Facial with Eye Treatment, La Therapie Hydralift Facial with Eye and Neck Booster, Express Booster facial and three ocean float sessions for $289. The New Year New You package includes a complete hair makeover with teeth whitening for $449.
I was particularly tempted by the Happy Hands and Feet package includes the Exotic Hand Ritual with manicure, Sole Delight Foot Ritual with pedicure, a 25-minute foot and ankle massage and a paraffin wax treatment for hands and feet for $199.
I tried the spa's La Therapie Hydralift Facial ($132) with La Therapie products.
My therapist, Yolanda, took time at the beginning of the session to go over my intake form with me – in detail! I can honestly say that I never had a therapist take such careful care to examine my history.
Steps included cleansing, an evaluation of hydration and overall skin health and a product palate based on the results, exfoliation, toner, a marine solution application with ionized water to help other products penetrate, a decongesting skin gel, a massage with galvanic rollers and ball sequence on face, neck and décolleté, an oxygenating gel cream for antibiotic affect, removal of products and a massage with gel, an eye masque, a facial masque on the T-zone, eye treatment, booster serums on the whole face, moisturizing and a sunscreen application.
My face felt moisturized and fresh, but gently-treated. My eyes looked especially younger.
I also sampled the Traditional Pedicure ($53) with Elemis products. My therapist, Sara, began with an examination of my feet for calluses. The next step was a choice of beautiful Essie polishes, of which I picked a rich pink called Pansy. Sara removed my old polish and soaked my feet in a Skin-Nourishing Milk Bath. Next followed cuticle shaping and Japanese camellia-scented moisturizers, nail trimming, buffing and shaping, callous treatment, a moisturizing massage on calves, ankles and feet and nail polish. I was also offered massage in a massage chair during the pedicure. My feet looked buffed and my skin hydrated. Pedicure upgrades are available like hot stone and paraffin treatments.
Spa hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in port and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on sea days.
Insignia has a light-filled fitness center with resistance equipment, free weights, Pilates balls, yoga and aerobics classes and personal consultations. Hours run 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visit www.oceaniacruises.com.
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