Cruising for a spa treatment, what you need to know

I love to board a cruise ship and offer my stressfully tight body to a massage therapist, so my muscles and mind are ready for relaxing days at sea.

For this privilege, I’ve paid $80-$200, and it was money well spent.

Massage tables for couples on the Royal Princess

Still, all ship spas are not created equal.

While all cruise lines advertise that their spas are soothing and pampering -- a come-on that pays off, as treatments and skin products are big moneymakers -- you may want to consider a few basic tips.