Cruise lines expand onboard wellness and spa technology

Cruise lines including Norwegian, Cunard, and MSC are significantly expanding onboard wellness facilities to meet growing consumer demand. Modern shipboard spas now feature extensive amenities such as thermal suites, salt and ice rooms, cold plunges, hydrotherapy pools, and medi-spas, with some facilities reaching up to 3,000 square metres.

The evolution of maritime wellness traces back to Steiner’s, which began operating salons aboard ships in the 1950s. Today, OneSpaWorld, the corporate descendant of Steiner, manages high-end wellness centers on nearly 200 cruise ships.

This shift aligns with a booming global spa industry, which the Global Wellness Institute reported generated $US157.4 billion in 2024, a 35 per cent increase from 2019. Cruise operators are integrating these advanced technologies and treatments into both new vessel designs and renovations of existing fleets.