After nine Norwegian Cruise Line sailings in the past two years, I thought I had experienced it all—until my most recent cruise aboard the Norwegian Jade, where I finally indulged in one of the ship’s most exclusive luxuries for the first time: the Thermal Suite at the Mandara Spa.
For first-timers like me, the allure of the Thermal Suite comes wrapped in mystery. But what exactly is it, and is it worth the extra price tag? I went in curious and came out with answers, plus a few tips for fellow cruisers looking to elevate their vacation experience with Norwegian Cruise Line.
What Exactly Is a Thermal Suite?
The Thermal Suite is Norwegian Cruise Line’s hidden oasis within their onboard spa. It's a serene retreat designed to "refresh, recharge, and relax," as the cruise line describes.
Imagine a secluded space on the ship where you can unwind in a jacuzzi, soothe your muscles in a sauna, or even take a dip in a cold plunge pool, all while gazing out over the ocean and sea views. Heated loungers and herbal steam rooms add to the calming ambiance, making it a true sanctuary at sea for passengers.
Access to this onboard paradise, however, comes at a price. The cost for a Thermal Suite Pass is not included in your cruise fare and can vary depending on the ship and itinerary. For those of us curious whether it’s worth the extra expense, I made it my mission to find out on my Norwegian Jade sailing.
A Steep Price: Is It a Splurge or Steal?
The first question most cruisers ask is, "How much will it cost me?" Generally, the pass for the Thermal Suite runs around $200 for a week-long sailing, but the price can go higher depending on the length of the voyage and the ship itself. On embarkation day, I purchased my pass for $250, which gave me access for the entire week.
At first, the price felt steep. However, when you compare it to individual spa treatments like massages and facials, which can each cost upwards of $200, the idea of having unlimited access to the Thermal Suite begins to look like a pretty good deal.
The spa is open every day, usually for more than 12 hours, making it easy to take advantage of the facilities whenever you please during your day onboard.
What passengers choose to spend their money on is all about perspective. Some may opt for a drink package, which can cost over $300 for a week, while others might splurge on excursions, bingo, or souvenirs from the ship’s shops. The Thermal Suite, though expensive, caters to those seeking an extra element of relaxation during their vacation.
Read more: 60 Best Norwegian Cruise Line Tips, Tricks & Hacks
A Tale of Two Ships: Newer vs. Older Vessels
Though this was my first time trying the Thermal Suite, I had previously toured other Norwegian ships with similar facilities and Thermal Suites, including the Norwegian Getaway and the brand-new Norwegian Viva. What I found is that the newer ships tend to offer larger, more luxurious Thermal Suites with additional amenities like expansive ocean views, larger spa areas, and newer amenities.
This difference became clear aboard the Norwegian Jade, an older ship in the fleet. While the Thermal Suite on this ship had all the basics, such as hot tubs, saunas, and heated loungers, the suite itself felt smaller and less modern compared to the sprawling spaces I had seen and toured on newer vessels.
At first, I was slightly underwhelmed. Considering the price is similar across ships, it felt like I was getting less for my money.
However, by my second or third visit, I found myself appreciating the coziness of the space. What it lacked in grandeur, the Jade’s Thermal Suite made up for in intimacy. It became my personal retreat, and by the end of the cruise, I even began to prefer its quiet, secluded atmosphere.
Communal Spaces and Private Sanctuaries
One pleasant discovery was the separation between communal spaces and gender-specific areas. The shared part of the Thermal Suite includes a large jacuzzi with loungers inside the pool, heated lounge chairs with spectacular floor-to-ceiling ocean views, and a peaceful tea and water station.
However, for those who prefer privacy, there are also gender-specific sections. These areas feature their own hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, and cold plunge pools.
I spent most of my time in the women’s area, where I could fully relax and recharge in solitude. The spa also provides small lockers, showers, blow dryers, and mirrors, making it easy to transition from relaxation mode back to the ship’s activities.
Is It Worth It? The More You Visit, The Better It Gets
The key to getting the most out of your Thermal Suite pass is frequency. During our 7-night cruise through Atlantic Canada, I visited the suite six times. Each time I stayed for about an hour and a half, making the cost per visit around $41.60, a figure that breaks down to approximately $0.46 per minute of relaxation.
It’s clear that the more often you use the Thermal Suite, the more worthwhile the investment becomes. However, this calculation also depends on your itinerary. For port-heavy voyages, you may find it hard to carve out time to visit the spa regularly, which makes the pass less valuable.
On the other hand, cruises with multiple sea days give you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the suite, though that also means the space could be busier during your visit.
It’s worth noting that on newer ships like Norwegian Viva or Norwegian Prima, the suite experience may feel more opulent, thanks to their cutting-edge design and panoramic views. While the price remains similar, your overall experience will likely differ based on the Norwegian Cruise Line ship you choose to sail on.
Pro Tips for Spa Newcomers
If you’re tempted to try out the Thermal Suite onboard a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel, here are some tips to maximize your experience:
- Consider Timing: I bought my pass on embarkation day for $250, but some passengers waited until the second day of the cruise and snagged theirs for $199. It’s a small saving but worth considering if you don’t plan on using the suite on the first day.
- Day Pass Options: Not ready to commit to a full week? Day passes are often available. On my cruise, a one-day pass cost $69, while a two-day pass was $109.
- Visit Early or Late: For the quietest experience, head to the Thermal Suite in the early morning or late evening when fewer guests are present. Even in the afternoon, the space wasn’t too crowded, but I found the early hours especially serene.
- Bring a Kindle or Book: One of my favorite parts of the experience was lounging on the heated chairs with a cup of tea and a good book. It’s the perfect way to unwind at sea.
- Don’t Forget Flip-Flops: Though it may seem obvious, bring a pair of flip-flops or waterproof sandals to wear as you move between the hot tubs, saunas, and plunge pools. This will save your non-waterproof shoes from getting wet.
My Experience: A Soothing Escape at Sea
By the end of the cruise, the Thermal Suite had become one of my favorite spots on the Norwegian Jade. Despite being smaller than its counterparts on newer ships, the peaceful atmosphere and soothing amenities made it the perfect retreat from the busyness of ship life onboard.
I developed a routine I looked forward to every day: a soak in the jacuzzi, a quick dip in the cold plunge pool, some time in the sauna with its stunning ocean views, and finally, unwinding in the steam room before relaxing on the heated loungers with a cup of tea.
It became a daily ritual that I’ll definitely miss on future cruises when I do not have a Thermal Suite Pass.
Guests who purchase a Thermal Suite Pass will have a sticker attached to their Norwegian Cruise Line key card. When entering the Thermal Suite, visitors will hand over their key card for the duration of their visit to the spa and retrieve it on their way out.
If you’re looking for the ultimate relaxation experience on your Norwegian cruise, the Thermal Suite is absolutely worth considering
My advice? Take the free spa tour on embarkation day, see the space for yourself, and decide if it aligns with what you want from your cruise experience.
For me, the Thermal Suite aboard the Norwegian Jade was a worthwhile splurge, and I believe many other cruisers would find it just as rejuvenating.
Hayley Phillips
Hayley Phillips is a military spouse currently living in Florida and loves all things travel and travel planning.
