FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Ship Shape: Playfully Relax and Recharge with Virgin Voyages’ Wellness and Fitness Offerings

by Kelly Magyarics

Sep 8, 2023

© Virgin Voyages

September 2023

Among the many temptations on board Virgin Voyages’ vessels, somehow many of them involve my weakness: Champagne. During my two sailings on the flagship Scarlet Lady (Mayan Sol and Riviera Maya), I could shake my phone to deliver a chilled bottle of Moët & Chandon and two flutes to my exact location. I could also enjoy pre-dinner bubbly at Sip Champagne lounge or in the hot tub during happy hour at Richard’s Rooftop, the lounge reserved for suite guests. A neon sign above the main pool deck even advised us to “Save Water, Drink Champagne.” Challenge accepted. Thankfully, there are ample spa and fitness options to counter all that indulgence.

Treatments at the aptly named Redemption Spa have names like Salvation, a Swedish-style massage, and Absolution, in which a spa goer reclines on a bed of amber crystals while a therapist uses quartz poultices to literally knead out the tension and toxins from that extra round of day drinks. I booked the Atonement, a deep-tissue massage that did wonders for my eternally stiff neck, the product of too much time spent pounding the keys on my laptop. All massages are available in durations of 50, 75 or a glorious 90 minutes.

Several facials combat your skin woes, whether you’re concerned about sun exposure or aging. Remedy is chock-full of superfoods and essential minerals to ramp up nutrition and radiance; Restoration smooths fine lines with padina pavonica, an antioxidant-rich brown marine algae; and Rejuvenating pulls out all the stops with oxygen, light therapy, galvanic stimuli, microcurrents, a sonic peel and Elemis BIOTEC products.

sauna

© Virgin Voyages

Before and after my treatment, I had access to the features of the spa’s Thermal Suite. A relaxation area is outfitted with built-in window seating under portholes, so I could watch the ship cut a path through the Caribbean Sea — what I consider one of the most soothing and mesmerizing parts of a cruise. You can also purchase a pass to the Thermal Suite without booking a treatment; keep in mind sea days are the busiest, with everyone partaking in onboard activities while awaiting the next port of call.

In fact, the Thermal Suite is so popular, starting next year the line will begin offering Spa Soirées once per voyage. The $99 option provides access from 8 to 10 p.m. to the Thermal Suite along with Prosecco; mini-massages; and D.I.Y. body scrubs, masks and mini facials. It also includes a $50 voucher to use toward any spa service.

I found the mud room the coolest part of the Thermal Suite. (It’s also the largest space, something to keep in mind if the rest of the area seems crowded.) A sign next to the door instructed me to sit for a few minutes in the aromatherapy steam to warm up my skin before applying a Moroccan mud mask to my face and body, which I rinsed off with cold water after 10 or 15 minutes. It definitely left my skin feeling soft and smooth, so it’s best to do this at the end of the treatment for maximum benefit.

The Himalayan Salt Room offers perhaps the most unique feature: a heated room covered in white marble and bright pink to engage in halotherapy (breathing in salted air) to improve breathing and promote purification. There’s also a dry sauna with cedar seats, and an aromatherapy steam room scented with calming lavender and invigorating eucalyptus essential oils.

While the space lacks a full hydrotherapy circuit, several small hot and cold plunge tubs and a heated pool do the trick. The Thermal Suite is all-gender, so bathing suits are required. I also spent some time lying on a heated marble hammam bench inspired by Turkish bathhouses, which felt so nice on my just-worked-on muscles. You can also choose to luxuriate on chairs and ottomans.

If you want to keep the wellness vibes going after leaving Redemption Spa, two bars feature health elixirs — with or without alcohol. The Athletic Club’s Hit the Gym Smoothies include Re-Fresh with cucumber, celery, lime, mint and dehydrated beet (you can kick it up with rum or gin); and the Elixirs & Energy section touts kombucha and shots with spirulina, turmeric and ginger. Gym &Tonic serves cold-pressed juices; fresh-extracted juices; and Reset Cocktails with ingredients like activated charcoal and aloe vera juice. Hydration Nation shakes blanco tequila with lime, coconut water and agave, served with a ginger rim. And yes, there’s a Gin & Tonic menu, with mix-and-match gins, mixers and botanical garnishes. The quinine in tonic, after all, is said to ease leg cramps and varicose veins.

spa

© Virgin Voyages

In between sampling the amazing food and drinks on my sailings, I was equally inspired by the fitness options. Opportunities to sweat it out include HIIT, SUP yoga, Geezers Boxing Ring, MyBeast equipment, and strength and gymnastic installations. A dance class on the basketball court midship during which we learned the choreography to NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” was so much fun, I almost didn’t realize what a grueling cardio workout it was. And during a throwback exercise class called VHS (Videotapes Headbands Simmons), led by instructors clad in leg warmers and leotards, I grooved to a fun 1980s soundtrack, and the commentary during a Shake Weight segment was gold. Irreverent, unexpected and playful, it sums up Virgin Voyages’ approach to wellness on the open seas.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
eFlyer Reviews
Apr 30, 2025

Relais Villa Porta Review

Tucked into a Lake Maggiore enclave overlooking the Gulf of Colmegna, Relais Villa Porta is an idyllic place to take in a side of the Italian Lakes region that’s different from buzzy Lake Como during high season. In 1820, it was built as a hunting lodge, and by the end of the century, was transformed into an inn by Leopoldo Casnedi. Over time, the surrounding parkland was further enhanced with rare plants collected by Pietro Porta, its second owner and botanist, as well as regular guests wanting to support his efforts. This ensured the inn would ultimately sit pretty within a 10,000-square-meter park surrounding the main villa, a 19th-century Liberty-style greenhouse and original Villa Porta mosaic.

Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage

Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.

eFlyer News
Apr 30, 2025

Fairmont Hotels Debuts in Mumbai, Tokyo This Summer

This year, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts welcomes two new hotels to its expanding portfolio: Fairmont Mumbai and Fairmont Tokyo. Fairmont Mumbai opened this spring, blending New York’s Art Décor heritage with modern luxury across 446 guestrooms and suites.

eFlyer News
Apr 30, 2025

SAS Reintroduces European Business Class This Fall

Scandinavian Airlines reintroduces its European business class Oct. 1, delivering elevated comfort, greater connectivity and personalized service for regional and international travelers across Europe. With tickets for the enhanced business class going live May 6, passengers can expect:

A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways

This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.

eFlyer News
Apr 30, 2025

Hilton Signs Waldorf Astoria Turks and Caicos Dellis Cay

On April 16, Hilton announced the signing of Waldorf Astoria Turks and Caicos Dellis Cay, marking the brand’s entrance in the Caribbean destination. Slated to open in 2028, Waldorf Astoria Turks and Caicos Dellis Cay will boast 175 luxurious guestrooms and suites, as well as 10 beachfront bungalows with private terraces and plunge pools.

Daily
Apr 29, 2025

Four Seasons Hotel Boston Unveils Driving Experience with Lucid

Four Seasons Hotel Boston recently announced a partnership with Lucid Group, an electric vehicle maker. The initiative is part of a larger partnership between Four Seasons and Lucid to blend history, culture and sustainability.

Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach

Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.

Daily
Apr 29, 2025

Big Sky, Montana, Ranch Introduces Venue for Cigar and Whiskey Aficionados

Lone Mountain Ranch, in Big Sky, Montana, recently announced the opening of The Trapper’s Den, a freshly restored 1915 cabin that trappers once used as a base for hunting. The new space now offers a distinguished retreat for cigar enthusiasts and whiskey lovers.