Norwegian Cruise Line plans two-deck spa on next ship

[Jason]

Norwegian Cruise Line's next ship will have one of the most elaborate spa and fitness complexes at sea — a sprawling, two-deck temple to relaxation that will feature what's billed as the first salt room on a cruise ship.

The 23,000-square-foot Mandara Spa on the soon-to-debut, 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway also will have a large thermal suite with 13 heated loungers, vitality pool, whirlpools, sauna, solarium and steam room, along with a full-service salon and barber shop, the line announced today.

The salt room will be designed for therapies aimed at alleviating respiratory and skin ailments, strengthening the immune system, promoting better sleep and having a long-term positive impact on overall lung function, the line says. It'll feature a grotto setting.

The spa will have 22 treatment rooms and offer more than 50 services including facials, massages, acupuncture, teeth whitening and cosmetic medical treatments such as Botox injections performed by a licensed practitioner.

Among several new fitness options available in the fitness center will be what the line is calling the first Nexersys interactive fight training modules at sea. They'll offer passengers the chance to engage in high-intensity interval training against an avatar in a simulated environment, the line says. Boxing lovers will be able to join a new "Freestyle Fight Klub" that will combine Nexersys training with a cardio boxing class using the fitness center's 12 heavy bags.

Another unusual offering will be what Norwegian says is the first "Black Light Spinning" class at sea. Participants will spin to music on bikes in a room lit entirely by black lights and neon graffiti art.

Passengers also will be able to sign up for a fitness class developed by New York's Rockettes, who will christen the ship in May at its official coming-out party in New York. At 144,000 tons, the Norwegian Breakaway will be the largest cruise ship ever based year-round in New York. It's scheduled to sail to such destinations as Bermuda and the Bahamas.

Currently under construction at a shipyard in Germany, the Norwegian Breakaway was named by a USA TODAY reader last year in a contest held here at USA TODAY's CruiseLog. It'll be Norwegian's first new vessel since 2010.

The Norwegian Breakaway will have a number of new-for-the-line features including a restaurant-lined boardwalk.

Source: USA Today

Click here to view the article