Vitamin Sea: Best Bath Amenities

Get the low-down on cruising’s best bath amenities

By Judi Cuervo

The lovely young suite attendant arrived moments after I had settled into my extraordinary Seabourn Sojourn penthouse. She was bearing an elegant silver tray on which, I assumed, was an assortment of welcome aboard hors d’oeuvres. I was wrong. The tray held a selection of luxury soaps, and I was being asked to choose my favorite. I selected the Hermès (relieved that I caught on before picking one of the bars and taking a bite) and thought, “Wow, Seabourn really gets it.”

I’m a marketing agency’s dream: highly brand- and luxury-conscious, particularly when it comes to bath and beauty products. My skin care is La Mer, my hair care is WEN, and, yes, I actually bought one of those new Christian Louboutin lipsticks for $90 (and don’t even like it). So when I cruise, the last thing I want to find in my shower is a shampoo and shower gel dispenser filled with mystery goo that smells like laundry detergent.

Fortunately, cruise lines are catching on and beginning to offer bath amenities that better reflect the sumptuous onboard experience. Let’s open the bathroom door and take a peek at what you may find on the vanity shelf on your next cruise.

Bulgari: Nothing says luxury like this assortment of little green jewel-like bottles lined up in your glistening marble bathroom. And if you must replenish your supply when you get home, a 6.8 oz. bottle of the fragrant shampoo/shower gel ($48) and a similar size of the body lotion ($48) is available at Nordstrom. Not surprising, this brand is offered by the most ultra premium lines and in suites on premium vessels: Silversea Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises suite categories, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven accommodations.

Elemis: If you’re a veteran cruiser, chances are you’ve sampled the products of Elemis — a line that brings together the power of nature, science, and aromatics — during a visit to the ship’s spa. In fact, Elemis products and treatments are….

This is an excerpt only. To read this article in its entirety, pick up an issue of Porthole Cruise Magazine, or check out our digital edition.]

^{Photo: Carnival Cruise Line}

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