Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is Senses Spa?

Every Disney Cruise Line ship includes a space called Senses Spa & Salon, but Senses is more than just a Spa & Salon. All Senses areas include:

• A full gym and locker rooms
• Regular showers
• Deluxe showers and saunas (The Rainforest Room)
• Private treatment rooms (for things like massages and waxing)
• Public treatment areas (for things like hair styling and manicures)
• … and product sales displays.

Some ships have additional Senses features. For example, the Dream and Fantasy have a juice bar within Senses, and the Wish class ships (the Wish, Treasure, and Destiny) have an outdoor lounge area.

The gym and regular showers are open to all adults on the ship at no charge. Hours vary and are posted on the DCL Navigator app. Even if you’re not using the gym, the showers can be a good alternative to your stateroom if you’ve got a full house.

Virtually everything else at Senses involves an upcharge. You’ll find the full list of services on the Disney Cruise Line website, but a  shortlist is below:

• Massages, including Swedish massage, aromatherapy, and hot stone. Couples options are available.
• Facials and body scrubs
• Salon & barber services like haircuts and styling, manicures, and pedicures
• Rejuvenation treatments such as skin tightening and CoolSculpting
• Wellness sessions (acupuncture, personal training, nutritional consults)

On the Magic and Dream class ships, salon & barber services are part of the Senses area. On the Wish class ships, salon and barber services are on a separate deck as Hook’s Barbery and the Untangled Salon.

Teens ages 13-17 can have services and treatments, with a catch. A parent or guardian must book the treatment and accompany them for the duration.

You can book many treatments in advance once your cruise is paid in full and your advance booking window opens. You can do this on either the website or the Navigator app. As you might guess, sea days are the most popular days for services; the longer you wait to book, the more you’re likely to find the only times available are early in the morning or later in the evening. But there is usually availability once you board, especially if your cruise is not full.

To book on board, visit the spa anytime after 1 pm on embarkation day. If you can be flexible, waiting to book when you’re on board can save you money. Port Day Specials may be as much as 20% off, or onboard package specials may also be discounted compared to booking services separately. If you’ve booked in advance and change your plans once aboard, make sure to cancel 24 hours in advance to avoid a 50% penalty.

Prices will be shown during booking, and you’ll find them in line with high-end spas on land, like the Mandara spas which are run by the same company. An 18% gratuity will automatically be included after service when you check out. There’s no question that onboard spa & salon treatments are a splurge, and many people dislike the product upsells you’ll encounter during treatments. If that’s you, just let your service provider know at the beginning of your treatment that you don’t wish to buy anything other than the service you booked.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a Disney Cruise Line term that you want to see explained? Suggest it in the comments below!