The wrapping is part of a 55-minute Aromatherapy & Seaweed Treatment offered by Steiner Transocean Limited, a spa services company that has all but cornered the cruiseline spa market. The treatment is meant to "improve the metabolism" and "nourish skin cells and aid in reducing water retention." But you will enjoy because it because it relaxes you. A massage is included in the 55-minute session.

The treatment is just one of many creative de-stressing and skincare methods offered by Steiner on cruise ships. People cruise to vacation and relax, so it's not surprising that spas have caught on as a popular shipboard offering. Spas have gotten bigger and better over the years. Celebrity offers top-notch treatments on its Century, Galaxy and Mercury. The Millennium, due this summer, will no doubt carry on the tradition. The spas feature indoor seawater thalassotherapy pools with warm water and massaging jets designed to ease you out of trouble or stress. A pool session costs only $15. Disney, on its Disney Magic and Disney Wonder introduced another interesting spa area, modeled after a Roman Bath, which plunges you into hot and cold baths and then on to special showers and saunas to "harmonize body and soul.'' These sessions also cost $15.

Even ships without elaborate facilities offer full spa services menus that, thanks to Steiner, which operates on more than 100 ships, are fairly standardized. Companies like Royal Olympic that don't use Steiner offer more reasonably-priced massages and facials, but may not have more interesting offerings like seaweed treatments. Some of the services offered by Steiner are not available anywhere else but on cruises. These include Ionithermie, a detoxification process that's designed to reduce cellulite; and Elemis Aromapure Therapy, an aromatherapy massage session that combines reflexology, Shiatsu (finger massage) and other massage techniques. Some ships offer treatments designed for couples, a fabulous way to share a spa experience. Couples massage sessions are offered on Crystal and Disney ships, and Celebrity ships offer couples Rasul, a mud and seaweed treatment evolved from a ceremony first performed in Sultans' harems during the Ottoman Empire.

NOTE: The treatments are performed with Steiner-produced products and Steiner staffers get commissions if they can sell you take-home versions of the products. On some ships, this selling can get aggressive and even annoying. The products are expensive! Since you usually feel as soft as butter after one of their sessions, our recommendation is to postpone the purchase until you are more clear-headed. Just say "not right now." You can always come back and buy the products later if you change your mind.

Typical Steiner spa offerings include: