Travel can be stressful. The airport lineups, crowded flights, waiting for luggage, then schlepping suitcases into Ubers or buses is unpleasant to even the most excited traveler. If you are an introvert, the volume of people on embarkation day can be overwhelming. I am here to help you forget about that stress and prepare your stateroom as a tranquil oasis for cruising bliss.
Staying Healthy with So Many People Around
When you get to your stateroom, it will be freshly cleaned, but take a couple of moments 
to use a disinfecting wipe on drawer pulls, tv remote, door handles and any other surfaces you feel may have been missed or overlooked. Having a mini-can of disinfecting spray, like Lysol is an option too (just not for me). I always have Wet Wipes Antibacterial wipes in my purse everyday in a single-use package. When I travel, I bring a pack of wipes and put it in my personal item to use on the journey to the embarkation port too. Feeling relaxed and at peace on your cruise will start with a healthy body. I also bring a wipe packet to the buffet area and before we eat we both sanitize our hands again, sharing the one packet between us. Those tongs and spoons have been handled by a lot of people before you –enough said.
Breathe Deeply
I love ocean air and the reason we feel so good at sea, near a beach, after rain or close to waterfalls is the negative ions produced when water is sloshed around. It is no secret that a balcony stateroom is an upgrade not just for the views, but the availability of fresh air in the stateroom.
Air Cleaner
An air washer is my preferred way to diffuse relaxing essential oils, but using it with oils as aromatherapy is optional. The air washer refreshes your room, releases negative ions and traps dust particles in the wat
er. When sickness is about I use Thieves oil (a blend of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary oils) in one of my air washers. Lavender oil helps me sleep soundly and orange oil invigorates my mind. The two essential oils recommended specifically for seasickness are grapefruit and patchouli.
Bringing along an air washer isn’t necessary for a shorter cruise, but if your journey exceeds a few weeks and especially if you have an inside stateroom, this will be worth the luggage space for you. My mini air washer (runs on USB cable) has a blue light that cannot be turned off, but my full-sized air washer has the option to use soft light or no light.
The mini is a great size for a stateroom and can even go in the bathroom as a nightlight while it continuously cleans the air. Both models are easy to use because there is no filter to clean, you simply dump water down the toilet, refill the basin with fresh water and plug it back in.
Shower Steamer
Shower steamers are a good option to convert the stateroom bathroom into a personal aromatherapy steam bath. These pucks are easy to pack and make the entire stateroom smell amazing. When you have cough or sinus congestion the eucalyptus shower steamers are very soothing.
Keep Your Body Nourished with Sleep and Water
It is tempting to enjoy every activity planned on the cruise ship into the wee hours, but make sure your body is a priority too. Sleep and good hydration are essential. It is OK to nap during the day if that is what your body needs. For a longer cruise, ask your stateroom attendant upfront if a metal water jug or carafe can be provided for your daily use. Fill up the carafe with ice water at the self-serve drinks station and bring it back to your stateroom. If the attendant cannot accommodate this request, pick up an extra large refillable bottle or buy your own carafe in the next port.
Exercise, Mindfulness and Stretching for Deeper Relaxation
Somatic yoga is a great option for gently stretching out stiff joints, mobilizing the spine and lengthening muscles while promoting self-awareness, self-compassion and dynamic breathing in tune with the stretch and release. The practice puts emphasis on the connection between the body, mind and spirit and can be done in your stateroom on the floor, or even while still in your bed.
Taking a brisk walk in the outdoor areas of the ship will get your heart pumping while the sea air (teaming with negative ions) boosts your serotonin levels which can relieve depression, stress and renew your energy.
Bring along a notebook as a gratitude journal for your bedside. Before sleeping, write down at least three things you are thankful, have inspired you, or activities of the day that brought about positive feelings for you. Writing down your blessings will enhance your sense of well-being.
Packable Beauty Treatments and Facial Devices
If I can only take one facial device on a cruise it will be my Braun Facespa Pro. It has three different spa heads, one for epilation, one for toning and the rotating exfoliation brush. It is a very compact device and holds a charge for
weeks. The epilation feature replaces facial waxing, and I won’t lie, the first few times using the Facespa Pro is a little painful, but regular use is very easy and becomes almost painless. The toning head (kind of a tapping sensation) stimulates collagen, and I also notice less puffiness (probably due to lymphatic drainage), but use a good moisturizer with it so it glides smoothly. The spinning exfoliation brush does exactly that.
The Facespa Pro is a marvelous addition to your cosmetic bag and with a nice moisturizer and light exfoliation cream it will pay for itself on the first use of each head. This is a great tool for self-care that takes up very little space.
I also take along a few single-packaged facial masks in sheet form that I pick up from the beauty counter at a drugstore. I have moved away from the peel-away masks, but I am not sure why. When in an inside stateroom, put on a mask and tune the TV to the aft camera of the ship. I find the wake view very relaxing. You can also use cucumber slices from the buffet on your eyes if you want to completely disengage.
Robes and Luxurious Hair
I like to inquire in advance if the stateroom will include a robe. If it doesn’t, I bring my own short silk robe. Pure silk, pure heaven.
I have an obsession with my quick-drying hair turban. I use it even when my hair isn’t wet when I wash my face, use facial devices or put on a sheet mask. Most staterooms have a plastic shower cap available and I will deep condition my hair, then use the plastic shower cap and still put on my turban. It makes me feel like a glamorous movie star.
If you have the packing space, a satin pillowcase is best for hair (and face), but unfortunately your stateroom attendant will not launder it for you, so plan on bringing two for a longer cruise.
Nail Your Nails
I do not use liquid nail polish anymore. I exclusively use nail wraps instead. Nair wraps are like stickers of nail polish that come on an easy to drop in your purse sheet. I find nail wraps more comfortable than polish, less messy to apply, easier to remove (and without harsh chemicals), they protect my nails and look fabulous. The colour choices and design options for nail wraps seem endless. On the last vacation I also put nail wraps on my toes and the wraps lasted all three weeks of the trip. I see this small pleasure as self-care and it can be done in your stateroom without filling the air with noxious smells.
Soft Hands and Silky Feet
Just like the face mask sheets, I do like to use a glove mask and a sock mask for convenience. Be forewarned, the foot mask will release a shocking amount of dead skin the first time, but your feet will be silky soft. While we are on the topic of hands and feet, the Braun Facespa Pro does a great job of removing the hair on toes and fingers too.
Soft Lighting for Relaxation
Lighting candles isn’t going to happen in your stateroom, so don’t even try. Instead, soft lighting can be achieved from non-burning tealights like these USB rechargeable ones. Perfect for anywhere you want a soft, romantic glow anywhere on the ship (even the dining room), these tea lights also make a nice night light in the bathroom.
If
you have an inside stateroom booked, I highly recommend a sunrise and sunset light or alarm clock. The simulated golden hour of evening is wonderful when you are ready to wind down and deeply relax. Your can have sunset twice!
Quiet and Relaxation for a Tranquil Oasis
Your stateroom is now your tranquil oasis so make sure you also put the DO NOT DISTURB sign outside your door. Turn on some quiet music (your TV will have a selection of music) and take some time to enjoy the quiet and tranquility of your stateroom to refresh your mind, body and spirit. Do it just for you. You deserve it.
Check out Experience Travel Now with 20 Great Tips for Cruising Well.
