A Disney Cruise vacation might just be THE ultimate vacation for both kids and adults. From delectable dining, top-notch entertainment and seemingly endless amenities, sailing with Disney Cruise Line is truly a magical adventure. Amidst all the excitement, it's essential to not froget the importance of unwinding and resting during your vacation. This is where Senses Spa & Salon comes to the rescue! In this post, we're excited to share all the zen-filled services and experiences awaiting you, plus our top tips so you can get the most out of your visit to Senses Spa & Salon. (Psst ... did you know you can get exclusive savings provided by Undercover Tourist when you book your Disney Cruise through us? Save some green when booking through Undercover Tourist and put those savings towards an amazing spa experience!) Now, let's leave all your cares behind — it's time for a little well-deserved pampering and relaxation!
Senses Spa & Salon Overview
In this post, we're sharing all the deets you've ever wanted to know about the Senses Spa & Salon, including spa locations, available services and experiences and how to make reservations, plus our best insider tips to help you make the most of your time.
The Senses Spa & Salon is — you guessed it — the spa you'll find onboard the Disney cruise ships. (The most relaxing spot on the ship, we might add!) You can find Senses on each of the Disney ships, each with its own unique characteristics. (We'll cover that more below.) Senses Spa & Salon is open to adults, ages 18+, but there is a spa area for teens aboard the Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy.
You can find Senses Spa & Salon in the following locations:
- Disney Magic & Disney Wonder - Deck 9
- Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy - Deck 11
- Disney Wish - Deck 5
Additionally, Senses is more than just your standard spa — within the spa, you will find one of our favorite Disney cruise hidden gems, the Rainforest Room. The amenities don’t stop there! If you want to visit the fitness center while sailing to magical destinations, it is also found in the spa area.
Senses Spa & Salon Services
Senses Spa & Salon is there to provide the quiet and relaxation that you sometimes need on a vacation. This sanctuary is not just a spa, but a must-visit for adults seeking a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the ship. The Senses Spa & Salon is designed to put you into a relaxing mood where the outside activity no longer matters. The calming color palette, beautiful decorations, gentle lighting and ambient music all contribute to an atmosphere of relaxation.
The spa offers a variety of services that cater to wellness, relaxation and beauty needs. Here's an overview of the types of services you can expect on your Disney Cruise:
- Massages: From classic Swedish or deep tissue massages to more specialized options such as aroma stone therapy, bamboo and Thai herbal poultice massages, each massage is tailored to your specific needs, focusing on relieving muscle tension and improving circulation and relaxation.
- Facials: Designed to nourish and revitalize the skin, options may include anti-aging facials, peels and facials tailored specifically for men's skincare needs.
- Body Treatments: Body wraps and scrubs are available to detoxify and soften the skin. Treatments may use a variety of natural ingredients such as seaweed or unique oils. More specialized treatments, such as Ionithermie cellulite reduction, are also offered.
- Salon Services: The salon within the spa provides a range of beauty services, including hair styling, manicures, pedicures and teeth whitening.
- Wellness Sessions: Beyond traditional spa treatments, Senses Spa & Salon may offer specialized sessions such as acupuncture, personal training and nutritional consultations.
Senses Spa & Salon is not just a place for individual services. There are several unique options for you to share your spa experience with a friend or loved one. For example, you may want to set aside time for a couples massage while the tadpoles enjoy supervised activities elsewhere on the ship.
The spa villa services on the Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy offer a magical experience for two and include special rooms with open-air verandahs. Once here, you can enjoy a private oasis that includes: a spa room, verandah, personal whirlpool, shower, outdoor lounger and a tea ceremony. The spa suites on the Disney Wish are similar to the spa villas on the other ships. The spa suites offer a spacious treatment room with a whirlpool that can be enjoyed by one or two guests.
Additionally, look out for fun extras such as giveaways during the open house on embarkation day. These giveaways are for spa treatments and other discounts. You must be present to win these prizes which means, if you can be at the spa during the giveaway, there is a decent chance you could end up with a nice prize to start your cruise. Stop by the spa when you get aboard to inquire about the giveaway and the time it may occur.
How to Book Spa Services
A variety of Senses Spa & Salon services may be booked once you have made your final payment and your advance booking window opens. Your advance booking window will vary based on your Castaway Club status. For example, Pearl members can add activities 123 days before sailing while Silver members can add activities 90 days prior. Guests sailing on their first Disney Cruise can book 75 days before sailing. You can make reservations on the Disney Cruise Line webpage or in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
Some appointments and services (such as the Rainforest Room) can only be booked once you are on the cruise ship. If you think you may want to enjoy the Senses Spa & Salon, we recommend going there sometime earlier on the day you board the ship to inquire about all of the options available during your cruise. Appointments are first-come, first-serve, but you can inquire about availability at any point during your cruise.
Who Can Go to the Senses Spa & Salon?
From adult-focused relaxation to kids-only areas, Disney Cruise Line offers something for everyone. At Senses Spa, the age restrictions vary depending on the type of service offered and the specific area of the spa. Generally, the minimum age for guests to access the spa facilities is 18 years old. Guests ages 13 to 17 can participate in spa services under two conditions: a parent/guardian must book the service, and a parent/guardian must accompany them for the duration of the service.
While there are age restrictions for accessing the Senses Spa & Salon on a Disney Cruise, there are ample opportunities for guests of all ages to enjoy the onboard amenities and experiences. For example, the spa will host an open house which typically takes place on the first day of the cruise as guests board the ship. During this time, all guests are free to explore the spa and its various offerings such as the Rainforest room, massage rooms and fitness center.
Rainforest Room & How to Book It
This area of the Senses Spa & Salon is designed to create a unique experience that draws inspiration from the rainforests around the world. When visiting, make sure to give yourself enough time to explore all the features available, which include everything from heated loungers to rainforest showers. It's not just about one single element; real relaxation comes from spending time enjoying all that the Rainforest Room has to offer.
The Rainforest Room has a variety of experiences included with the Rainforest Room spa pass. The pass gives guests access to the Rainforest Room for their entire cruise (during spa operating hours), so you may come and go as often as you would like! However, there are also day passes, which may be purchased same-day and are based on availability.
The Rainforest Room is an immersive environment with many different amenities available to guests. The heated loungers are our favorite place to relax. They ease muscle tension and encourage relaxation. The experience is complemented by multiple rainforest showers, which have varying intensities and temperatures to invigorate the skin and stimulate circulation.
You can also enjoy different steam rooms/saunas. Aboard the Disney Wish, the Rainforest Room also includes a stunning outdoor space that is exclusive to guests of the Rainforest Room. The experience is rounded off with a selection of herbal teas and refreshing waters. These delicious beverages complement the relaxing journey, which leaves you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Fitness Center
Staying active is a breeze aboard a Disney Cruise, thanks to the state-of-the-art fitness center located within the spa area of the cruise ship. As a bonus, you can keep up with your cardio routines while enjoying ocean views through panoramic windows or at an outdoor fitness class taught by spa and fitness center instructors. Whether you're a beginner looking to kickstart your wellness journey or a seasoned fitness enthusiast, there's something for everyone to enjoy onboard.
The fitness center onboard a Disney Cruise is also part of the Senses Spa & Salon area. The fitness center is free to access, and the minimum age requirement to utilize the fitness center is 18 years old. However, for guests ages 14 to 17, Disney Cruise Line provides access to the fitness center when accompanied by an adult or guardian.
Within the fitness center, you'll find a variety of equipment, including cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and stair climbers) and strength training (free weights, weight machines and resistance equipment). The fitness center also offers group classes such as yoga, pilates or spinning. If you're looking for a more tailored fitness experience, you can book personal training sessions (typically at an additional cost). Personal trainers work with you one-on-one to create customized workout plans that match your fitness goals, offering advice on both exercise and nutrition.
Differences Across the Disney Cruise Ships
The Senses Spa & Salon and the fitness centers are signature features across the Disney Cruise Line fleet. While all ships offer the Senses Spa & Salon and fitness center, there are unique aspects that reflect the different characteristics of each Disney Cruise ship. Let's explore how these amenities differ across the Disney fleet:
- Disney Magic and Disney Wonder: As the pioneering vessels of the Disney fleet, these ships have Senses Spa & Salon facilities that are slightly smaller than those on the newer ships. They do, however, provide an intimate and relaxing atmosphere. These ships offer a variety of spa treatments, salon services and a fitness center equipped with cardio and weight-training equipment. The Rainforest Room on these ships is a peaceful oasis, offering heated loungers, steam and sauna rooms, though on a smaller scale compared to the newer ships.
- Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy: These ships elevated the spa and fitness experience with larger and more elaborately themed spa and fitness areas. One of the biggest differences is the more expansive Rainforest Rooms, featuring not just heated loungers and showers, but also jacuzzis with amazing ocean views. The fitness centers on these ships are also larger, with a wider selection of equipment and fitness classes. Just be aware that larger facilities do not mean they will be emptier as these ships also carry more passengers.
- Disney Wish: The Disney Wish, the newest addition to the Disney fleet takes the Senses Spa and fitness center to the next level. The spa on the Disney Wish offers the fleet's first outdoor relaxation space as part of the spa experience, allowing guests to enjoy the serenity of the sea. The Rainforest Room on the Disney Wish includes new features, such as thermal suites and ice lounges. The fitness center is equipped with the latest in fitness technology, and the range of classes and personal training options is the most diverse.
Our Top Tips for Visiting Senses Spa & Salon
Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your Senses Spa & Salon experience:
- Book Services When Your Window Opens: Be sure you know how and when to reserve spa services. Booking in advance ensures you won’t miss out on the services that are a priority for you. By booking early, you'll typically have more time slot options to choose from. This is important because you may want to schedule your visit during a time when your tadpoles engage in their own adventures onboard or avoid a massage when you want to visit Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point. This not only ensures you get some much-needed peace but also allows you to schedule your relaxation at a time that is convenient for both you and your travel companions.
- Need to Cancel? If plans change, cancel your reservation 24 hours in advance to avoid a 50 percent cancellation charge.
- The Rainforest Room Can Only Be Booked While at the Spa: Although certain times may already be booked for specific services such as massages or facials, you can inquire about additional availability once on the ship. You will have the best chance to get a last-minute appointment at the time and day you prefer if you make visiting the spa a priority upon boarding the ship.
- Visit Spa Open House: During your embarkation day, you can visit the spa and receive a full tour of this space from one of the wonderful spa cast members. This is a great way to see all of the different spaces and hear about the variety of services available. During this time, you can also book services, including your pass to the Rainforest Room. Once the Rainforest Room is sold out, there will be no more availability offered during your cruise. Lastly, as we mentioned earlier, there is often a special time when the spa does giveaways for all guests present. This fun activity happens on embarkation day and you have the chance to win complementary spa services!
- Check for Day Passes to the Rainforest Room: If you want to experience the Rainforest Room but don’t want to commit to a pass for your entire cruise, day passes are a great option. The price of the day pass is less than the one for the whole cruise. However, the downside is that day passes are not guaranteed to be available on any given day. Day passes are subject to availability and occupancy of guests with the full-access Rainforest Room Pass.
- Ask about Special Offers: As always, be sure to check in with the spa when you board your Disney Cruise to see what the current offerings and specials are. This can be a great way to save some green!
Regardless of which Disney cruise ship you choose, the Senses Spa & Salon and fitness center offer a sanctuary of wellness and relaxation. Are you planning a visit to Senses Spa & Salon? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Everything You Need to Know About a Disney Cruise to Alaska
Hoppy planning!
