Who doesn’t want to come back from holiday feeling refreshed, more vital, relaxed and extremely well?
Healthy holidays are an established part of the travel sector – and not just holidays on land. An increasing number of cruise passengers are setting sail simply in search of serenity and wellness on board. Cruise lines compete with rivals ashore with spas boasting snow grottos, world-class fitness centres, holistic health programmes and so much more.
Here we showcase the best spa and wellness facilities on board.
GO WITH THE SNOW
Take the plunge: A Scandi-themed spa is the big draw on Viking cruises. Pictured, the pool room on the Viking Star
Guests can experience hot/cold therapy at the Viking ship spa, with sessions in the steam room followed by a stint in the icy snow grotto, pictured
A Scandi-themed spa is the big draw on Viking cruises. The LivNordic Spa, operated by Raison d’Etre, offers therapies inspired by Nordic wellbeing principles, including hot/cold therapy where guests move from the steam room to the icy snow grotto.
Into the Midnight Sun cruise between Bergen, Norway and London departs on June 11, 2022. From £5,590pp (vikingcruises.co.uk).
BUBBLES AND A SEAWEED BATH
Cunard’s new spa concept harnesses the healing power of the sea to bring guests rejuvenating treatments. Mareel Wellness & Beauty has a range of ocean-inspired treatments from seaweed baths and scrubs to hot stone massages. The theme continues in the Aqua Therapy Centre, home to a thermal suite with bubbling pools for relaxing tired and aching muscles.
A four-night British Isles cruise on Queen Elizabeth departs September 10, 2021, from £479pp (cunard.com).
CHAMPNEYS TAKES TO THE WAVES
Champneys has teamed up with Marella Cruises to create its largest spa
The Champneys spa on the Marella Explorer includes 14 treatment rooms
There is even an ocean-view infinity pool in the Marella Explorer spa
Champneys has teamed up with Marella to create its largest spa, boasting 14 treatment rooms. The spa, available on the Marella Explorer, has the same luxurious treatments you would enjoy at Champneys on shore, including facials, body wraps and massages. Try the signature massage that uses wave-like movements to provide total relaxation.
A seven-night West Coast Wonders cruise departs Southampton on August 7 2021, from £903pp (tui.co.uk/cruise).
EAT YOURSELF BETTER
Oceania’s Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center helps guests with restorative body treatments and fitness classes. It also provides an abundance of healthy food choices. On excursions you’ll be exposed to different wellness rituals such as the mineral baths near Rome and traditional teahouse in Myanmar.
A ten-day Opulent Mediterranean cruise on Riviera departs June 15, 2022, from £3,559pp (oceaniacruises.com).
MASSAGES AND TROPICAL SHOWERS
The stylish egg chairs on Celebrity Apex. The 14,000 sq ft spa was designed by Kelly Hoppen
Cruise-goers can enjoy high-tech facials or a Thai poultice massage at Celebrity Apex’s stunning spa
Pamper yourself while sailing on Celebrity Apex, the newest addition to the Celebrity fleet. Enjoy high-tech facials or a Thai poultice massage in the 14,000 sq ft spa designed by Kelly Hoppen. It provides treatments and fancy steam rooms aplenty. At the heart of the spa sits the Sea Thermal Suite where you can plunge under tropical rain showers and curl up in floating egg chairs. The fitness centre – with state-of-the-art weight machines and cardio equipment – will have you looking for any excuse to work out. It also has Peloton bikes and runs the first F45 training classes to be held at sea.
A 12-night Israel & Mediterranean cruise departs Rome on October 17, 2022, from £2,249 per person (celebritycruises.co.uk).
FIT FOR FANATICS
Blue World’s cruise ship for fitness fanatics is on the horizon for 2022. Expect a whole deck devoted to exercise, including yoga and Spinning, and TRX studios. A second full deck will be occupied by world-class spa facilities. There will also be a retractable seawater lap pool usually only seen on private luxury yachts. Cabins will have circadian lighting and Vitamin C-infused showers.
From £2,500 for a seven-night cruise, blueworldvoyages.co.uk.
SUBLIME SLEEPING
Experience the ‘ultimate sleep at sea’ with specialist luxury beds on all Princess ships
Princess has worked with sleep expert Dr Michael Breus to create a mattress using the latest scientific research
Experience the ‘ultimate sleep at sea’ with specialist luxury beds on all Princess ships. The line has worked with sleep expert Dr Michael Breus to create a mattress using the latest scientific research.
It also provides linen with the soothing scent of lavender and invites guests to try a selection of calming teas. If you are still struggling to nod off, you can tune into a sleep channel with relaxing music and sleep meditation audios.
A three-night Summer Seacations cruise departs Southampton on July 31, 2021, from £489pp (princess.com).
IT’S ALL IN THE MIND…
Seabourn now offers a fleet-wide ‘mindful living programme’. Developed by alternative medicine advocate Dr Andrew Weil, it aims to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. Yoga and meditation sessions are part of the package. There are seminars inspired by Dr Weil’s teachings on topics such as healing and nutrition. Each ship has a dedicated ‘mindful living coach’. Visit seabourn.com.