By Dr. Lisa Rusczyk
Owner and Editor, Greater Than a Tourist
I am from Pennsylvania, which means I am very familiar with gray winters, busy schedules, and powering through things instead of slowing down. So when I boarded MSC Meraviglia, I did not expect the spa to become something I did on cruises. Since I was matched gold status from all the NCL cruises I have been on, I got to go to the spa for one hour for free on each cruise. So I did and now I have a routine.
Inside the spa, everything is calm and thoughtfully set up. There are plenty of fresh white towels stacked and ready, cold ice water available whenever you need it, and showers you can use before and after. Nothing feels rushed or chaotic, which for someone from Pennsylvania who is used to moving quickly, is a welcome shift. I now keep white towels at my house for spa days.
The first time I got there I didn’t know what to do so I tried everything. It was fun but not relaxing. This made me realize what I want. Then I had a routine.
This last time I put my stuff in the locker, then went and relaxed in the salt room. This opened my nose. I guess it was stuffy and I didn’t realize it. I then went into the hot sauna. I don’t sit at the top like some people do. I then went into the Jacuzzi bath. It has supports to lay your back on with bubbles. Then they have a hot stone you can lay on. I did hop into the cold room at one time to rub ice on my legs. And there was a cool mist that I liked.
The spa is a way to relax once you get use to it. On my 5th trip I felt like it was my spa and my body knew what to do which felt very different than my first time. I hope you can enjoy a spa experience more than once to see what your body likes.
