✨ How a Norwegian Cruise Spa Day Introduced Me to Elemis (And Why I’m Still Using It)

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I didn’t plan to come home from vacation with a skincare routine.

But that’s exactly what happened after a Norwegian Cruise spa day introduced me to Elemis — and after two months of using it, I can honestly say it was one of the better impulse purchases I’ve made in a while. This Elemis skincare review is the real version: what I actually bought, what I actually use, and what I’ve noticed. No sponsored content, no affiliate relationship with the brand. Just a woman who got talked into two eye products on a cruise ship and hasn’t regretted it.

Here’s the full story.

When the Weather Doesn’t Cooperate, the Spa Wins

We sailed out of Pier 88 in New York City in April on a Norwegian Cruise to Bermuda. Three days in Bermuda, then back to NYC. It sounds like a dream — and it was, mostly. Except that April in Bermuda is not what you picture when someone says “Bermuda.”

It was too cold for the outdoor pools on the ship. Too cold for shorts. Too cold for the beach. Bermuda in April is beautiful but it is not warm-weather Bermuda, and if you’re planning a similar trip, file that away.

So what do you do on a cruise ship when the weather keeps you inside? You find the spa.

I booked a massage — a proper, full spa treatment — and it was exactly what I needed. The ship was moving, the room was warm, and for an hour I didn’t think about anything. By the time it was over I was in that loose, relaxed state where your judgment is slightly compromised and a very pleasant woman is telling you about products she’d like you to take home.

My Elemis Skincare Review Started With a Sales Pitch

Let me be honest: the spa staff recommended these Elemis Skincare products because they sell them and almost certainly earn a commission on every sale. I knew that going in. I’m not naive about how cruise ship spas work.

But I also had a specific concern I’d been wanting to address — the fine lines around my eyes and the dark circles underneath them. It’s the one area of my face I’ve been most self-conscious about as part of my overall wellness transformation this past year. The rest of my skin I’m reasonably happy with. The eye area? That’s where I wanted to focus.

So when the esthetician pointed me toward two Elemis Pro-Collagen eye products specifically for those concerns, I listened. I left with two things:

• Elemis Pro-Collagen Vitality Eye Cream — a lighter daily eye cream
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask — a thicker overnight treatment

I did not leave with the three body products my fiancé somehow ended up purchasing. Those are still sitting unopened on the bathroom counter. We’ll get there…..

How I Actually Use Them

The esthetician’s one firm instruction: pat, don’t rub. The eye area is delicate and pulling or rubbing the skin around your eyes over time is not doing you any favors. A light tapping motion with your ring finger — the weakest finger, which naturally applies the least pressure — is the right technique.

I’ve kept them in rotation two to three times a week rather than every single night. Some nights I forget, some nights I’m tired and skip it. Real life.

Here’s how I split them:

What I’ve Actually Noticed After Two Months of Using Elemis Skincare Eye creams

I’ll be straight with you — I’m not going to tell you my eye area is transformed. Two months of twice-weekly use is not a dramatic before and after.

What I will tell you is that the skin around my eyes feels better. Softer, more hydrated. The fine lines look less pronounced on days when I’ve been consistent about using both products. The dark circles are still there — they’re partly structural for me, not just a hydration issue — but the overall appearance of the eye area looks more rested and less tired.

Would I buy them again? Yes. They’re expensive — this is a premium brand and the price reflects that. But they do sell on Amazon, which is where I’d recommend buying them to avoid the cruise ship markup. I’ll link both below.

✨ Sage Note: There’s something about a spa treatment on a moving ship that hits differently than a spa at home. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re genuinely unplugged — no errands to run, nowhere to be. Or maybe it’s just that the combination of warm towels and someone else taking care of you for an hour is exactly what a woman in the middle of a major life transformation needs.

Whatever it was, I came home with two eye creams and a new appreciation for actually taking care of my face. Worth every dollar.

The body products — the Aching Muscle Super Soak, the Musclease Active Body Oil, and the Instant Refreshing Gel — are still waiting for their moment. Once I’ve actually put them through their paces I’ll share a follow-up. If you’ve used any of them I’d love to hear what you think in the comments.

In the meantime, if you’re curious about the two eye products I’ve been using, I’ve linked them above. Last thing – if you’re planning a Norwegian Cruise to Bermuda — go in June.