Liz Masterson Posted October 19, 2019 #1 Share Posted October 19, 2019 WHOA! 😲 WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT? I have recently been looking at the lagoons in Iceland and wondered if there was one place where Viking Ocean travelers could find out more about the places to get "Hot and Wet" on their Viking journeys. I've been reading up on the Geo Thermal Lagoons in Iceland, but I know there are Turkish Bathhouses and Spas all over the world that would qualify for a mention in this thread. Viking Ships all have their own spas on board! Maybe someone will post reviews on the Viking Ship Spas as well... and the Nordic Bathing Ritual that the ships feature. The idea is to post about places you've already visited... or post research about places you are looking forward to enjoying... pictures are welcome but be careful about what is in the frame when you snap that shot! We are especially looking for experiences at ports where Viking calls, or where you can book a pre-cruise or post cruise extension either with Viking or on your own. Looking forward to hearing about all of the places you've been! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Masterson Posted October 19, 2019 Author #2 Share Posted October 19, 2019 (edited) I have recently been looking at the lagoons. There is the famous Blue Lagoon ( https://www.bluelagoon.com/ ) Which many people go to on the way to or from tha airport. They have a place to store luggage and various price points... some quite luxurious. Viking has some excursions there as well. At the Akureyri Port there are 2 excursion opeions that stop at 'lagoons' one looks more like a pool. Mývatn Nature Baths ( https://myvatnnaturebaths.is/ ) is 5 hours including the baths. Húsavík Geobaths... refered to as a sea bath... ( https://www.geosea.is/en ) is 7 hours including the baths. I also found this article comparing Blue Lagoon and Myvatn. https://icelandmag.is/article/icelands-two-blue-water-pools-blue-lagoon-vs-myvatn-nature-baths Yes it's early... I'm not going until the summer of 2020, but fun to dream and plan! Edited October 19, 2019 by Liz Masterson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nippy Sweetie Posted October 20, 2019 #3 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Budapest is the place to go for beautiful thermal baths. Several of them. Check the Gellert ones first. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted October 20, 2019 #4 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Outside Iceland you also have Bath, UK & Rotorua, New Zealand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czrunner Posted October 20, 2019 #5 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Noteworthy hot springs visited & recommended: Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, England Miskolctapolca, Misckolc, Hungary Hamner Springs, New Zealand Hot Creek near Mammoth Lakes, California (now closed, too many people cooked in it) Plan to visit next year: Myvatn Lagoon near Akureyri, Iceland Secret Lagoon off Golden Circle, near Reykjavik, Iceland 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Masterson Posted October 24, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Here is a link to a great youtube video about the Blue Lagoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmTyAUBY1U8 that was originally posted on our Roll Call by @Tom2. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare beanpittsburgh Posted October 25, 2019 #7 Share Posted October 25, 2019 We just went to the Blue Lagoon last month(not with Viking) and it was amazing. Depending on the package you buy, they give you a bracelet with a chip in it. The bracelet opens a locker and keeps track of any purchased you make. The package we had included a towel and a drink. You can purchase up to 4 drinks total. The day we went it was misting and about 44 degrees. The water was about 98 degrees and comes up to about chest high. It was very comfortable. You shower beforehand. There are blow dryers, soaps, and shampoos in the locker room. Quite a set up. Certain times of the year I think you need reservations as it gets quite crowded. If you bought the excursion through your cruise company, they would have that covered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted October 25, 2019 #8 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Haha, I get hot and wet in the gym.😳 But I second all the Blue Lagoon suggestions 😎 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etexvrc Posted October 28, 2019 #9 Share Posted October 28, 2019 We are seasoned Viking Ocean cruises having been on 6 so far. One reason is I LOVE the spa area on Viking. We have been to Iceland and have been to both The Blue Lagoon and another that we stopped at on a non-Viking excursion. Promoted as a "Secret Lagoon". Also a great experience in that it was in a small community and more locals were attending. I've also been to Baden-Baden and had an incredible time. A unique experience, one not to be missed. I would like to go to Das Central in Austria. 10 different saunas & steamrooms! Sounds like my kind of place! Of course the last two are not on any Viking trips (that I'm aware of). My one piece of advice for any and all spas....Take your time. Don't be rushed. Relax, unwind and enjoy yourself. If we had it to do over again, we would most certainly re-visit these spas, only on our time schedule. I don't want to feel as though I'm 'racing the clock' and have to leave before I want to. That's what I love about the Spa on the Viking Ocean ships. I can visit as often as I want, and stay as long as I want. And it's all included in the price. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BunlessInSeattle Posted October 30, 2019 #10 Share Posted October 30, 2019 Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths is a spectacular location on the Golden Circle, I've been there twice. I've never been to Blue Lagoon, though. One thing that I find important in a spa is an opportunity to sufficiently cool down. In tourist spots, it seems rare that this is available (i'm talking a cold plunge less than 60F). There are a couple of places locally, here in Seattle, but the only other places that I've been able to find that on vacation was in Iceland (see above) and, surprisingly, the Disney spa in Hawaii. If cold is not important to you, Hotel 1898 in Barcelona has a beautiful spa in the basement. There is a cold bucket, but not the same as a cold plunge imo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Peregrina651 Posted November 4, 2019 #11 Share Posted November 4, 2019 There is this Viking tour in Vigo, Spain: Mondariz & Palacio del Agua Relax and enjoy the tranquil thermal waters at Palacio del Agua. Your scenic drive from Vigo will take you through the old Berbes Quarter and the fishing quarter of Bouzas to the thermal village of Mondariz. Famous for the properties of its waters, Mondariz is home to the Palacio del Agua (Water Palace). Here, you will enjoy the large swimming pool with a cascading waterfall, bubble chairs, water-massage seats, a hydro-massage toadstool, as well as a "Celtic Spa," featuring a cave sauna and an outdoor Japanese bath/pool. Refreshments including Mondariz mineral water, soft drinks, regional wine, tea, and a selection of tapas will be served, and you will also have the chance to see the region’s most famous mineral spring, Fuente de Gándara, which was discovered in 1872 and gave birth to the spa. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CCWineLover Posted November 5, 2019 #12 Share Posted November 5, 2019 On 10/28/2019 at 10:47 AM, Etexvrc said: We are seasoned Viking Ocean cruises having been on 6 so far. One reason is I LOVE the spa area on Viking. That's what I love about the Spa on the Viking Ocean ships. I can visit as often as I want, and stay as long as I want. And it's all included in the price. Hi Etexvrc - We totally agree! We'll be seeing you for sure then at the spa on our Jupiter South America cruise in a few weeks! We do love the whole "free" spa arrangement. Yes - very relaxing! Have you done the water bucket? Of course you have! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etexvrc Posted November 5, 2019 #13 Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) 18 hours ago, CCWineLover said: Hi Etexvrc - We totally agree! We'll be seeing you for sure then at the spa on our Jupiter South America cruise in a few weeks! We do love the whole "free" spa arrangement. Yes - very relaxing! Have you done the water bucket? Of course you have! Yes. I can't say I LOVE the water bucket, but do partake after my steam room (as its only feet away). In the locker room, after my sauna, I end with a dip in the cold water pool. Now that took longer to build up the courage for! But the included spa area is my biggest draw to cruising with Viking. Edited November 5, 2019 by Etexvrc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Masterson Posted February 19, 2020 Author #14 Share Posted February 19, 2020 Was poking around the Viking website... dreaming of visiting the future cruise desk... lol was looking at the Iberian Explorer cruise and found this excursion for Vigo, Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Masterson Posted June 27, 2020 Author #15 Share Posted June 27, 2020 (edited) Sigh.... I didn't get to enjoy the spa on the Sky this summer... but will look forward to using the one on the Jupiter next summer. I saw this old post and thought ... HEY! I should book a spa day here in my new city of Nashua, NH... and then I thought again... duh... damn pandemic. Edited June 27, 2020 by Liz Masterson spelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luxecruisers Posted July 29, 2020 #16 Share Posted July 29, 2020 On 10/19/2019 at 2:18 PM, Liz Masterson said: WHOA! 😲 WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT? Just wanted to thank you for starting this post! Will leave my comments below ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luxecruisers Posted July 30, 2020 #17 Share Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) Visited: *My favorite hot springs of all time is in Ojo Caliente, NM. The water there is unlike anywhere else. They have arsenic, lithium, soda, and iron pools, alongside a mud pool. The resort is a little rough around the edges, but the water makes up for it in every way: https://ojocaliente.ojospa.com/?_ga=2.50480938.2065322571.1596064928-1320214203.1596064928 Bucket List: *Homestead Crater: https://www.gohebervalley.com/Homestead-Crater-Outfitter *Ischia: https://www.tripsavvy.com/ischia-thermal-parks-and-healing-spas-1547082#:~:text=Ischia%2C an island in the,of health treatments including rheumatism *Blue Spring in Putaruru, NZ: https://www.waikatonz.com/experiences/walking-hiking-trails/blue-spring-te-waihou-walkway/ *Onsens in Japan: https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/best-onsen-in-japan *Thermal waters in Iceland - as many as I can humanly visit. Edited July 30, 2020 by luxecruisers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted July 30, 2020 #18 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Castle Hot Springs Resort North of Phoenix has been restored and re opened recently. If you are into mineral hot springs it might be worth a look. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luxecruisers Posted July 30, 2020 #19 Share Posted July 30, 2020 2 minutes ago, Jim Avery said: Castle Hot Springs Resort North of Phoenix has been restored and re opened recently. If you are into mineral hot springs it might be worth a look. Thank you, Jim Avery! El Dorado Hot Springs in Tonopah never appealed to me, but this looks really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Masterson Posted April 7, 2021 Author #20 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Well... well... well.... it seems that the Blue Lagoon has some new competition! https://www.skylagoon.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vslparis Posted April 7, 2021 #21 Share Posted April 7, 2021 41 minutes ago, Liz Masterson said: Well... well... well.... it seems that the Blue Lagoon has some new competition! https://www.skylagoon.com. Well, this indeed looks intriguing ! Just about ready to book the 26 June 2021 Viking Iceland trip and will be going in a day or two early to take advantage of a hot spring and a small group tour of the Golden Circle. Will definitely check this out as an option versus the Blue Lagoon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PasadenaDave Posted April 7, 2021 #22 Share Posted April 7, 2021 When I was between marriages I had a season pass at Mammoth. I would often camp at the hot springs east of the Green Church. I was a lifts open to close skier so I didn’t know nightlife. I would grab dinner after skiing and then enjoy a few beers while soaking and be sleeping by nine and then wake up early and soak while watching the daylight appearance staring at the escarpment known as the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Sadly hot springs a few years later got very well known and popular thanks to something called the internet. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Masterson Posted April 7, 2021 Author #23 Share Posted April 7, 2021 15 hours ago, PasadenaDave said: When I was between marriages I had a season pass at Mammoth. I would often camp at the hot springs east of the Green Church. I was a lifts open to close skier so I didn’t know nightlife. I would grab dinner after skiing and then enjoy a few beers while soaking and be sleeping by nine and then wake up early and soak while watching the daylight appearance staring at the escarpment known as the Eastern Sierra Nevada. Sadly hot springs a few years later got very well known and popular thanks to something called the internet. Always nice to be in the know before the crowds find a spot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Masterson Posted April 13, 2021 Author #24 Share Posted April 13, 2021 (edited) LADIES ONLY! If you happen to be cruising with Viking on one of the Great Lakes Expedition Itineraries and find yourself in Toronto... The Body Blitz Spa is the place to go. It's closed due to COVID restrictions at the moment, but friends report it to be a lovely way to spend some time relaxing with friends. Sorry Gents... this really is just for the ladies. https://bodyblitzspa.com/bbs/portfolio-items/therapeutic-waters/ Edited April 13, 2021 by Liz Masterson spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted April 13, 2021 #25 Share Posted April 13, 2021 "Girls only"!? Shouldn't I be highly offended? Hahaha, it's good for y'all to go have time without us. Makes y'all miss us and realize how good we are......😳🍸🍹😎 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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