I’ve been lucky enough to cruise quite a bit over the years, and while every sailing has its charm from ocean views, new destinations, and no dishes to clean, it’s rare that a cruise feels like a total reset for both my body and soul. But that’s exactly what happened when my cousin and I booked a girlfriend spa getaway in Aqua Class on a Celebrity Cruises sailing. Let me tell you something: once you go Aqua, it’s hard to go back.
From the moment we stepped onboard, everything felt a little elevated. You know when you walk into a place and it just smells better, looks calmer, and feels like it’s whispering, “Hey, you’ve arrived”? That’s the vibe of Aqua Class.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve had lovely cruises in standard verandah cabins. But Aqua Class brings with it some well-earned perks that truly turned our vacation into a rejuvenating escape. And the best part? Our stateroom was just two doors down from the side entrance to the Persian Garden Spa (on Solstice & Millennium ships, all others have the SEA Spa). That meant we were basically in robes and slippers more than we were in shoes, which, for a spa-centric cruise, is exactly how it should be.
So, what is Aqua Class?
We were on the Reflection (as it runs from nearby Fort Lauderdale, and it’s just easier for me to get to for quick getaways). For anyone unfamiliar, Aqua Class is Celebrity’s spa-inspired stateroom category. It’s designed for wellness-focused travelers who want to blend the luxury of cruising with the pampering of a spa retreat. That includes access to their spa, exclusive spaces, upscaled bedding and on some ships Cashmere mattresses to sleep on, a spa concierge who’ll take care of making your spa arrangements (we each got a free teaser massage as we waited to make our appointments), yoga mats in your stateroom, and one of the best-kept secrets at sea: Blu Restaurant.
Our cabin was just the right size, a verandah that was not oversized, but beautifully appointed with thoughtful touches like a pillow menu (yes, you read that right), a massage shower (you know, one of those that not only has water coming from the head, but also down the shower to those parts of your body that NEED a massage) and a pair of binoculars for watching the wildlife as we relaxed on our balcony. Every evening, we’d come back to our room feeling that we were staying somewhere far more expensive than what we actually paid. You could tell it was curated with wellness in mind, and at this stage in my life, comfort matters more than ever.
But the real showstopper was our location. Two doors down from the Persian Garden—the heart of the onboard spa area.
Let’s talk spa
I mean, THIS is what we came for. Have you ever have a hotel or vacation spot that feels like it was made just for you? That’s how the Persian Garden felt for us. I’ve done my fair share of massages and facials in land-based spas over the years, but there’s something so different about being in a warm tile lounger, wrapped in my Spa Dress (yes, I travel with my own Spa Dress – it’s so much more comfortable than wrapping myself in a towel), with the gentle roll of the ocean beneath you and a cup of mint tea water in hand. It was like floating on a cloud.
The Persian Garden itself is a series of thermal rooms: steam rooms, saunas, sensory showers, and heated loungers, all with a panoramic view of the ocean. We’d go in early morning before breakfast or late afternoon after a day of exploring. And let me just say that there’s nothing like sweating out your stress while watching the sun glitter on the waves. No phones, no noise, no pressure to be anywhere. It was heaven.
And just outside the spa? A serene, often-empty waiting area with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that looked straight out onto the sea. Most passengers didn’t even know it was there, which made it the perfect hideaway. My cousin and I would sneak off there almost daily, she with her Kindle, me with a book and my journal, and we’d sit in silence or quietly chat about our lives, sipping lemon water and just being. Honestly, that space was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. It felt sacred, in a way. A little floating sanctuary just for us.
What You’ll Find at the Persian Garden Spa on Celebrity Reflection
Heated Ceramic Loungers
- These gently contoured, full-body loungers are warm to the touch and face out toward a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea.
- Ideal for post-treatment rest or simply zoning out with a good book, journal, or quiet thoughts.
- Pro tip: Go early in the morning with a herbal tea, and claim your spot to watch the sun rise over the water.
Aromatic Steam Room
- Breathe deep in this moist heat chamber infused with essential oils like eucalyptus or lavender.
- Perfect for clearing sinuses, opening pores, and soothing tired muscles.
- Bring a small hand towel if you plan to stay a while—this room gets steamy in the best way.
Cold Room
- After sweating it out in the steam or sauna, step into the Cold Room to cool down and stimulate circulation.
- You’ll want to scoop ice to rub on your skin (trust me—it’s invigorating!).
- Alternating between hot and cold therapy is a spa ritual as old as time, and your skin will thank you.
Dry Sauna (located in the men’s and women’s changing rooms)
- Unlike the steam room, this is a dry heat chamber—excellent for flushing toxins and relaxing tight muscles.
- It’s quieter, less intense in humidity, and the heat sinks in deeper. A favorite for many.
- Gentle reminder: Drink plenty of water before and after.
Sensory Experience Showers
- These aren’t your average showers! Expect multi-temperature jets, mood lighting, and aromatherapy mists that mimic everything from tropical rainstorms to cool waterfalls.
- Each setting offers a different sensory journey—invigorating, calming, refreshing, or all of the above.
- Tip: Rotate between them for a full-body hydrotherapy experience.
Panoramic Ocean-View Relaxation Area
- Just outside the Persian Garden, you’ll find quiet lounge chairs and oversized windows that look straight out to sea.
- This area is rarely crowded—especially during port days—and makes a perfect reading nook or place to sip lemon water and reflect.
- It’s also one of the few truly silent spaces onboard (bliss!). I’m sure it was meant to be a waiting area for treatments, but we used it as our reading room
Of course, as with all spas there are
- Treatment Rooms: Book massages, facials, wraps, and more with oceanfront windows (!).
- Women’s (and men’s) changing rooms: With showers, lockers, and dry saunas.
- Retail Boutique: Featuring Elemis, salt scrubs, aromatherapy, and wellness tools, you’ll be tempted to bring home.
Blu Restaurant: Aqua Class’ hidden gem
Now, let’s talk food—because if you know me, you know food is a big deal. And when it’s good and healthy? Sign me up.
Aqua Class guests get exclusive access to Blu, a restaurant that is only open to those staying in Aqua staterooms. At first, I wasn’t sure how different it would be from the main dining room, but oh… oh, it was different. Blu serves up what they call “clean cuisine,” and don’t worry, that doesn’t mean flavorless or rabbit food. It means dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, beautifully plated, and just slightly lighter than your typical cruise fare.
Imagine waking up and walking down (in your comfy cruise-casual wear) to a breakfast of Greek yogurt with house-made granola, or poached eggs over wilted greens with a side of fresh berries. No buffet madness. No trays or crowds. Just calm, peaceful dining with white tablecloths offset with beautiful, vibrant blues and ocean views.
Dinner was even better. We ate like queens—seared scallops, filet mignon, perfectly seasoned fish, all without the heavy sauces or rich reductions that can sometimes leave you sluggish. And if you did want a little decadence? Don’t worry. The desserts still showed up and showed out. Plus, here’s a little secret. If you don’t want what’s on the menu. Simply open your Celebrity App and look at what they’re serving in the main dining room!!! They’ll be happy to bring you your meal from that menu as well. I did a little mix and matching. When I saw a favorite (like escargots) on the other menu, I ordered it without a problem. I just preferred Blu over the main dining rooms – it’s a bit more intimate feeling and visually so beautiful.
Plus, the service at Blu was impeccable, warm, personal, and unhurried. By day two, the servers and Maitre’d already knew our names and how we liked our coffee. That level of attention made each meal feel more like a private dinner party than a typical cruise restaurant. After asking if we could sit by the window on the first night, we were told that our “favorite” seat was available each of the other nights. They remember.
Girlfriend getaway magic
This wasn’t just any cruise. It was a girlfriend getaway with my cousin, someone I’ve loved my whole life, but don’t always get to spend meaningful time with. As kids, we spent our summers together reading forbidden books under the covers as we giggled. Between spa sessions, long walks on the deck, quiet reading time, and dinners at Blu, we had the space to catch up, reminisce, and reconnect.
We laughed until we cried (or maybe it was the wine?), watched cheesy movies in our stateroom, and took silly selfies in our spa dresses (she wore one as well). We talked about everything—our families, our health, our dreams, and our “what’s next” plans, which at our age still matter a lot. And the best part? There was no schedule to keep. We could do yoga or not, go to port or stay on board, try new treatments or simply lounge.
Aqua Class gave us the space to have a wellness experience without needing to do anything extreme. It wasn’t a detox retreat. It wasn’t boot camp. It was bliss.
Would I do it again?
In a heartbeat.
Aqua Class hit every note for what I want from a vacation now: comfort, quiet luxury, healthy but delicious food, access to spa amenities without needing to shell out for every single day pass, and private spaces that let you avoid the crowds. It made me feel like I was doing something kind for myself, not just escaping, but actually recharging.
Insider Tips for Enjoying the Persian Garden
- Go early or late: Mornings and evenings are the quietest times to soak in the space.
- Hydrate constantly: There’s a lot of detoxification happening—you’ll want to replenish.
- Bring a water-safe book or download a podcast: Time flies when you’re relaxing.
- Rotate between hot + cold: For the ultimate circulation boost, cycle through steam → sauna → cold room → sensory shower → lounger.
- Use the robes provided or bring a Spa Dress: The AquaClass robes in your stateroom are ultra-plush, and walking around in them feels like a full-on spa fantasy. I prefer wearing a bamboo spa dress as it’s just more comfortable and I don’t have to worry about tying anything. It stays on throughout my entire spa experience with ease AND it looks great.
If you’re considering a cruise and wellness is even remotely on your radar, I can’t recommend booking an Aqua Class stateroom enough. Whether it’s with your partner, a sister, your best friend, or (like me) a cousin who feels like a sister, it’s the perfect way to blend indulgence and intention.
And next time? I’m booking that same cabin two doors down from the Persian Garden. My robe is already calling.
- Grab your bestie and just do it! Head to Celebrity Cruises – and don’t forget to check out their specials!!
