After a day exploring Tallinn’s Gothic charm during a crisp autumn cruise in the Baltic with Viking, my tired legs and chilled cheeks are ready for a recharge. Enter The Spa, including Viking’s longstanding nod to the increasingly popular Nordic bathing tradition. This isn’t just a spa tacked onto a luxury liner for the sake of appearances; it’s a thoughtfully designed sanctuary inspired by Nordic traditions, and the Thermal Suite is free for all passengers.

From stone accents to light wood paneling, the intimate space evokes a sense of Scandinavian serenity with a dim, amber glow bathing the central thermal pools, all capped by a dramatic faux- flame fireplace.

The hallmark of the Nordic spa experience is a bathing cycle alternating soothing heat and refreshing cold. On this day I’m in immediate need of a quick warm-up, so I head straight for the sauna. Like most amenities here, the sauna is small, but even Viking ocean liners are known for comfortably limited passenger capacities, so there’s no issue finding space. It isn’t long before I’m completely warmed by this wooden cocoon of dry heat, and my limbs noticeably relax, too.

I’m no fan of discomfort, so the idea of volunteering for cold shocks doesn’t appeal, yet I find it hard to resist the lure of the snow grotto. A glass-walled room covered in snow with actual snowflakes falling from above, the novelty alone draws me in.

© Viking

Once inside, the temperature, while definitely low enough to keep the snow from melting, proves less jarring than a cold plunge, so I’m surprisingly comfortable. I do make one snowball to rub against my skin — I’m already here, so I might as well aim for more of the purported effects of going from heat to extreme cold. Those reportedly include improved circulation, reduced swelling, reduced pain, and increased energy and alertness. It certainly makes me more alert, and it’s difficult not to smile the first time you enter a snow grotto, especially on a ship.

A few steps from the grotto, the mineral-rich hydrotherapy pool is my next stop. It’s not hot but certainly warmer, and my body regains a more agreeable temperature quickly. Though not large enough for laps, it offers an optional artificial countercurrent for exercise. This is not why I’m here. I prefer to relax in the soothing water, massaged by gentle hydrotherapy jets while talking about the day’s adventure with my partner.

Additional hot and cold amenities surround me. Before I’m through, I take advantage of both the hot tub and the steam sauna, but the only cold treatment I embrace is the snow grotto, which I do visit again. The novelty brings me joy, and the ability to regulate just how cold I get proves key for me. The cold plunge and the frigid bucket shower beyond don’t quite call to me. I realize their value and benefits, but I’m not here for a Nordic challenge today. I appreciate the Thermal Suite’s many options so I can choose the best circuit for my mood (and bravery) at the moment.

© Viking

Unlike most cruise spas, Viking gives everyone on board unlimited access to this valuable amenity. And while it could be a relaxing one-off activity for a sea day, I find myself coming back each evening after our excursions to recharge before dinner. My partner also visits some mornings just to soak up the warmth of the heated, contoured loungers after a workout, and he tells me it’s a little busier then. The pre-dinner time slot is particularly peaceful with few other passengers present, presumably getting ready for the evening ahead.

In addition to this luxurious freebie, The Spa offers a menu of bookable treatments. Massages are generally limited to Swedish but may be customized to goals of relaxation, detox and deep work. Reservations open before sailing and tend to book fast, but I’m lucky enough to get a last-minute slot after a short morning excursion while many are still out exploring. I book the Viking Restart package, combining a full Swedish massage with a pre-treatment body scrub and a post-treatment head and face rub. For a relaxation fan like me, it offers the ideal combination, but alternative combos include body wraps and other customizable upgrades depending on your treatment goals.

I’ve since taken multiple Viking cruises and look forward to my time at The Spa as much as the line’s unique excursions. Partaking as a near-daily ritual, as I do, provides an immersive wellness reset that enhances my ability to appreciate everything else Viking offers both at sea and on land.