Spa Days Spoiling in Bali Only Topped by Incredible Bargain Prices

Days 74-77, 2026 Grand World Voyage

Thursday to Sunday, March 19-22, 2026; Komodo Island and Bali, Indonesia.

Bali is a beautiful island, but the drive through an hour of more of traffic before reaching the more beautiful parts can be brutal. Last year I vowed I would spend a night ashore this year during our overnight stay to avoid the double “commute.”

On previous visits I toured the touristy area of Ubud and its temples, wood and batik factories and coffee farms where the specialty is Lewak coffee. You’ll have to read the blog to learn about how the weasel-looking civits “process” the coffee beans.

In subsequent years I ate street food in Denpasar and recently visited more temples and a resort on the east side of the island.

Opting for something different this year, we joined friends for an overnight stay at a spa resort in Kuta, a nearby strip of peninsula with lots of tourist development. Our mid-range small hotel was near but not on the south beach (a little more than a mile from the site of the horrific 2002 bombing that claimed more than 200 lives.)

We stayed at Febri’s Hotel and Spa, arriving just in time for our late-morning massage. The hotel was recommended by a previous Holland America captain and was just perfect. The rooms open to the pool and gardens, the restaurant serves great meals, and the spa is right there.

Choosing from the many spa options, I started with Febri’s Paradise — two hours of a foot bath, a Balinese massage and a traditional facial – all for the price of $24 US (so who cares if we were in “quite” rooms?)

We followed our spa treatments up with retail therapy, walking down the busy street to window shop. Elaine was patient while I tried on a number of outfits, finally picking a Balinese skirt with a traditional front pleat.

We are here at the end of the rainy season (but were spared any rain), noted by the amount of trash the tides wash up on the beaches. When our group of eight walked through a high-end resort and along a beach boardwalk to dinner, I was glad we didn’t bother paying the big bucks for the experience to be on the beach. I hear there are other delightful beaches on the island of Bali, but this wasn’t one.

However, we learned why it is called Sunset Beach as we enjoyed a traditional Balinese dinner along the boardwalk. Everyone jumped up to get photos of the orange and coral sky as the sun dipped into the sea. After the sun set, fire dancers put on a show for us.

A full breakfast the next morning (included in the $70/night superior room fee) was followed by another three hours of pampering. This time I chose the Head Shiatsu, a finger-tip massage of my scalp, complete with shampoo and blow dry, followed by mini massages for my feel, arms, neck and shoulders. Then it was off for “glowing toes,” a pedicure with another foot massage, scrub, paraffin treatment and a fresh coat of nail polish. Total charge for three hours: $35 US plus tip.

A delicious lunch of spring rolls and chicken satay, served over coals, added just $10 to our bill, and it was back to the ship. Elaine had good luck shopping at the bazaar across the street (or pier boutique, as we call them).

During our time away, the ship hosted a few hundred members of the crew’s families. Sometimes there are many more – it just depends on how many crew members are from Bali, and whether families from other parts of Indonesia make the trip there. I suspect that next year, when the world cruise will have two port calls in Java, there will be many more visitors.

Our previous stop was in Komodo Island, where once again I stayed on the ship. I’ve seen Komodo Dragons in the zoo and don’t have any interest in a hot excursion ashore to see them.

After two sea days, we will reach Singapore, where Capt. Rens will leave the Volendam and Capt. Frank will take the helm for the rest of the world cruise. We will miss seeing Capt. Rens everywhere around the ship, including in the coffee bar.

His wife Sandra joined us for the last couple of days, and Elaine and I were honored they invited us to their dinner table on their last night. It was a formal night, with a Captain’s Ball.

Also joining the ship were the husband and son of Jonah, the front desk manager I have sailed with since last summer.