What is a “wellness cruise”?
Wellness travel can be described as any form of holiday that is designed to help you maintain or improve your well-being, and there’s no better place to set your wellness intentions than on a wellness cruise. The primary goal of a wellness holiday is self-care, be it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual or all of the above. A wellness cruise provides the perfect vehicle to meet these goals.
It is no secret that vacation time itself can be very healing, and just breaking away from our regular routines and daily pressures can be very therapeutic. Not everyone, however, will want to leave their “wellness” to chance. Why not deliberately and mindfully choose an experience that matches your wellness goals?
Intent reveals desire
Goals can also be more cerebral, such as “to get in touch with myself”, “to reconnect with my spouse”, or “to unplug and decompress”. Your primary goal should fit the overall theme of your chosen cruise experience.
Whether your goal is to start an exercise regime while on vacation, or simply maintain your fitness routine while you travel, there are many ships that offer personal trainers, state-of-the-art equipment and group fitness instruction, allowing you to build a wellness component into your schedule. Some ships offer “Wellness Guides” as well as healthy eating, holistic spa treatments, onboard sports and active touring programs.
If fitness is not your primary motivation, are you simply hoping to “get off the grid” for a while and engage with your natural surroundings? Or would you prefer to learn something new, like shopping for farm-to-table Mediterranean cuisine, or discerning good organic wines from the region? Identifying your desires will prove helpful in prioritizing the many choices you have.
energy flows where intention goes
You don’t have to go all-in on a regimented fitness program to enjoy a wellness cruise. Cruise lines now offer a variety of features and programming to satisfy serious fitness enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike. These range from strenuous workouts like Kinesis, TRX suspension training and kickboxing at sea, to popular group fitness classes like yoga, pilates and spinning. Onboard activities like scaling a ropes course, rock climbing and pickup games in the sports court allow you to burn calories while having fun.
Here’s a roundup of the best fitness programs at sea, according to Cruise Critic. And, if you really want your cruise to be all about burning calories, you can choose a fitness-related theme cruise focused on activities like running and biking.
your body is a temple, treat it as one
A wellness cruise would not be complete without a visit (or six) to the spa. Treatments, massages, wraps and holistic therapies have transformative effects, allowing us to release toxins, heal our bodies and relax our minds. Some cruise spas even offer aesthetic non-surgical services like Botox, dermal fillers or Thermage.
Today’s cruise fleets are often operated by well-known icons like Canyon Ranch (Celebrity’s Solstice-class ships, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, Regent Seven Seas) and feature products and services that rival land-based spas. Several ships offer select spa cabins inclusive of spa cuisine, spa-oriented bath products and amenities, for a truly submersive spa experience. Here are the eight (8) best cruise ship spas according to Cruise Critic.
Go with the flow
Mindfulness can be exercised in any number of ways, including meditation and simple breathing. It’s easy to see how travel on the high seas can lead to clarity and peace of mind. On a wellness cruise, the opportunity to meditate on an open-air deck facing an ever-changing backdrop of drop-dead scenery and landscapes can provide a host of inspirations.
A key component of any vacation is decompression. Whether you hope to de-stress, detox or simply refresh, there’s no denying the mind-body connection.
Seabourn offers the most holistic approach, with daily meditation and themed yoga classes that range from enhancing creativity and mental focus to targeting specific concerns, such as headaches, body alignment and joint and back pain. Seminars designed by wellness experts are among Seabourn’s regular programming. AMA Waterways also features dedicated Wellness Hosts on most river cruise itineraries, along with a Zen Wellness Studio.
Take note
Traveling opens us to a world of possibilities, and mindfulness allows us to appreciate the people, places and things we encounter along the way. Vacations allow us to reflect on where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished. Wellness cruises deliver the perfect mix of fun, adventure and culture, plus a healthy dose of gratitude.
Ready to unwind and sail with intent? Contact us for the best cruise options to match your wellness goals.