Whether it’s an indulgent spa treatment or a morning yoga class, wellbeing at sea is fast becoming a staple of cruising life. The trend is something we are seeing regularly across numerous industries, and it’s certainly showing no sign of slowing down.
Looking at various walks of life, we are all guilty of packing lots of plans into our busy schedules, working hard to reach our goals and constantly clinging to our smartphones. With all of this, it’s easy to forget to take some time out for our wellbeing.
Wellbeing at sea can mean a number of different things and might look different to every person. So, in this article we’re going to cover everything from how to relax at sea, how to have fun and most importantly how to stay safe and well on-board.
First of all, what do we mean by ‘wellbeing’?
Wellbeing can mean a number of things, but primarily it is your personal, mental and physical health. We use the phrases ‘wellbeing’ and ‘wellness’ interchangeably but they are the same in principle.
Wellness is anything that focuses on yourself, integrating health and fitness activities with your own lifestyle to ensure you’re taking a ‘time out’ every once in a while. These activities could be a bike ride or a yoga class, a spa treatment or meditation, or even reading a book or enjoying a walk along the coast. It’s anything that makes you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
There are already many cruise lines which are offering these experiences on-board. Gyms, spas, classes and guest lectures are the norm on most ocean cruise ships and perfect for giving us a little boost on-board. While, some cruise lines even offer shore excursions for that added-extra wellness experience.
How can cruises benefit your wellbeing?
You may be wondering how a cruise can be any better for your wellbeing than a beach holiday, or a trip to a spa hotel but the answer is simple – you get all of the fun, relaxation and bliss in one place. On a cruise you can experience the best of nature – the ocean and all it’s relaxing sounds, aromas and the sea breeze. Not only that but depending on your cruise of choice you can visit an on-board spa – every day if you wish! You can frolic on the beaches of places such as Santorini, Spain and Corsica to name a few and then come home to a comfy and cosy suite without a care in the world as dinner is always ready for you.
Health and safety on cruise ships
Health and safety is of the utmost importance on a cruise ship, which is why there are a variety of health and safety protocols in place. These are all strictly adhered to and audited on a regular basis so you can be sure you are in safe hands. Cruise ships are actually one of the safest modes of transport – even safer than a car!
There are a range of medical services on-board – you can check specific services with your cruise provider. But these will all include licensed medical staff and doctors. As a minimum there will be one doctor and two nurses but depending on the capacity of the ship this could increase.
We know that feeling unwell or unsafe on your travels can dampen your overall wellbeing and comfort, so on-board staff are available to help with any and all needs. For example – want to know what the best seasickness tablets for a cruise are? Just ask one of our cruise concierge for advice!
Our favourite wellness cruises
Now you have a bit of background about how wellbeing at sea is so important, let’s look at some of the best cruises for your personal wellness!
Aurea Experience with MSC Cruises
The Aurea Experience with MSC Cruises is tailored to feeling relaxed during your time on-board. The experience provides free access to the exclusive adult-only sun deck, as well as relaxation amenities such as a reed diffuser, bathrobe and slippers in your cabin.
One of the main benefits is the Wellbeing Package which includes a massage of your choice from the spa; tanning shower; spa welcome cocktail; private MediSpa doctor consultation and access to the Thermal Area throughout your cruise. For that extra indulgence, the experience also includes 24-hour room service and breakfast in your cabin for those days when you want to relax with your balcony views. The Aurea Experience is available with Suite and Balcony cabins.
Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass® Staterooms
These serene staterooms are ideal for those seeking restoration and relaxation, offering the signature modern luxury of Celebrity Cruises with a spa-inspired twist. Within your stateroom, you can enjoy a private balcony, custom bath products and your personal Spa Concierge to arrange your treatments. The serene experience continues across the ship, as you are offered unlimited access to the Persian Spa lounge. This peaceful oasis features a range of aquatic experiences such as steam and tropical rain showers. Those sailing in the Edge Class will instead enjoy unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite, a sensory relaxation space featuring eight distinct thermal experiences.
The AquaClass® staterooms also allow you exclusive access to Blu, Celebrity Cruises’ spa-inspired restaurant. This venue offers nourishing, healthy cuisine, pioneering natural ingredients with a contemporary twist.
‘Come Back New’ with Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises promise that you can chart a course for body and mind renewal on-board – after all, their motto is ‘Come Back New’! Within your stateroom, the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed resides. Named the Best Cruise Ship Bed by Cruise Critic, the slumber space is the result of a collaboration with sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus and now means you’ll get the ultimate sleep at sea.
The Lotus Spa is another award-winning wellness feature of Princess Cruises, named Best Spa on a Cruise Ship by Spa finder Wellness 365 ™. Choosing from a variety of treatments, the spa offers aroma stone therapy massages and detoxifying ocean wraps for a relaxing cruise activity. For a more active option, Princess Cruises’ ships also offer a range of Zumba classes to get your heart pumping! Selected voyages also include yoga or tai chi classes, perfect for making the most of relaxing moments.
Vitality Spa with Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Spa is available on-board every ship in its fleet, as well as the Fitness Center, complete with a line-up of services, massage therapists, fitness instructors and personal trainers. There are many ways to feel pampered and renewed when sailing with Royal Caribbean, from simple beauty treatments to a comprehensive nutrition analysis.
The spa offers a robust menu of services including hot stone massages, medi-spa treatment or detox wrap, while the fitness classes range from soul-rewarding yoga to exhilarating spin classes and even TRX suspension training. For those who like to start their mornings off with a jog or brisk walk, running tracks feature on most of the Royal Caribbean fleet (the largest are on-board Oasis-class ships).
With so many options to relax, unwind and keep active on-board an ocean cruise, it shows how easy it can be for us all to take a moment to boost our wellness while on at sea. There’s no shortage of classes, gyms or spas during your cruise, so take the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and refresh on your very own wellness cruise.
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