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Following on from our first roundup of wellness options on a cruise ship, here are some more ideas to inspire you to get up and go on your next cruising adventure — with an emphasis on luxury, boutique, river and expedition cruises.
Kayaking in the tropics, gliding through tropical treetops on a suspension adventure and full doctor- and wellness-expert-led mindful living itineraries — it's fair to say that connecting with yourself and your sense of adventure has never felt so good.
Here are 6 more top options for finding wellness on a cruise.
One of the best things about an expedition cruise is that you get a full mind-and-body workout from morning to night as you explore some of the world’s most spectacular, far-flung destinations. Kayaking through colonies of crabeater seals. Encountering penguins and other wildlife in Antarctica — said to be a life-changing experience. Stepping over heaped, sunbathing inky black marine iguanas in the Galapagos. Snorkeling with manta rays in French Polynesia. Descending into caves in search of ancient paintings daubed on the rocks by long forgotten tribes, centuries ago. Wherever you choose to cruise with Lindblad Expeditions, your itinerary will be jam-packed. And after a long day, there’s no better way of easing those weary muscles while reflecting on everything you’ve seen and done than a long dip — the upscale National Geographic Orion has a whirlpool on deck with your name on it — and a massage in the ship’s spa.
National Geographic Orion offers cruises starting at $4,290 per person.
Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises’ onboard spa and salon facilities are consistently ranked among the best at sea. At Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa & Salon — a Readers’ Choice Award winner by Spa Finder and Condé Nast Traveler — pedicures with aromatherapy oil, acupuncture, Japanese silk booster facials and well-being massage treatments are offered with sweeping ocean views, a state-of-the-art sauna, multi-jet showers and a canopied relaxation deck. If you want a little Botox, dermal filler or Thermage CPT radiofrequency skin tightening therapy, you can get that, too: an extensive menu of non-invasive medi-spa cosmetic treatments are performed onboard by a licensed medical doctor.
And from now through 2018, as part of its themed Experiences of Discovery, Crystal Cruises is launching East-meets-West Mind, Body & Spirit-focused itineraries on select Caribbean routings aboard Crystal Serenity. Ancient holistic philosophies such as Tai Chi and yoga are offered alongside discussions on nutrition and diet with Cleveland Clinic professionals; guests can talk to experts about stress management, aging and general wellness between sessions at the gym and golf lessons with a PGA Pro.
"Experiences of Discovery" cruises start at $4,925 per person.
Like its namesake painter, Paul Gauguin’s wellness programs find inspiration in its picture-postcard-perfect South Pacific destinations. On board, signature spa treatments at Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm include scrubs and massages with celebrated fragranced oil Monoï Hei Poi, Bora Bora Deep Blue Massage, and Tahitian Wave massage. Traditional Polynesian dance classes and “Tamure Sunrise” Polynesian Zumba classes are a nice counterpoint to typical exercise fixtures, and there’s paddleboarding, kayaking and windsurfing off the ship’s retractable watersports marina in select ports, plus scuba diving excursions. Need more pampering? Pre- and post-cruise programs are offered at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa, InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa, InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa and the Brando on the private island of Tetiaroa. Bliss!
Paul Gaugin itineraries begin at $4,195 per person. Typical costs for Deep Nature Spa sessions are 30-minute body scrub ($80), 45-minute facial ($150), 40-minute aroma steam bath ($140), Polynesian-inspired spa treatments like Monoi oil massages ($80 for 25 minutes) and Bora Bora Deep Blue Massage ($240 for 90 minutes).
As part of its popular themed cruise itineraries, this year Avalon Waterways is adding Active Discovery on the Danube, a nine-day jaunt from Linz to Budapest or vice versa with daily opportunities for cruisers to bike, hike and kayak along the famed European waterway. At Engelhartszell-Schlögen Oxbow-Linz, you can hike along the WWI smugglers route and the Danube Trail before discovering the local theater and brew scene. In Spitz-Krems-Vienna-Wachau Valley, after taking a canoe tour down the Danube, biking from Spitz to Durnstein or hiking the vineyards of Vienna, you can visit with an apricot orchard farmer or take a cooking class with a local chef. And Avalon throws in some skills development opportunities along the way, too: you can learn to milk a cow — don’t laugh, it’s harder than it looks — and practice your aim in an archery class.
"Active Discovery on the Danube" itineraries begin at $3,269 per person.
Spa treatments at sea are always more enjoyable when they connect you with your setting. In the cozy environs of The Spa at Seabourn, you can enjoy a thermal wrap surrounded by Antarctic icebergs, or exercise on a Kinesis Wall with views of Santorini’s cliffs. Every ship features Technogym equipment for cardio and strength training overseen by professional trainers and a sauna, steam room and salon; water sports are offered from the stern platform. Spa Villas, tucked away on the Spa Deck, is your one-stop shop for personalized spa packages, such as SkinCeuticals regenerating facials or a circulation-boosting, muscle-melting Thai Herbal Poultice Massage with an aromatic blend of camphor, kaffir lime, turmeric and lemongrass.
As Patti recently reported, starting this month Seabourn is also offering The Wellness Guide, a certified yoga and meditation practitioner in a program overseen by Dr. Andrew Weil, the father of integrative medicine, in partnership with the Onboard Spa by Steiner. The program combines physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being with complimentary classes and gatherings organized throughout the voyage.
Seabourn itineraries start at $2,499.
Silversea is ramping up its wellness offering in 2017 with more than a dozen Wellness Expedition Voyages aboard Silver Discoverer. As the ship traverses jaw-dropping scenery in Southeast Asia, Australia, Oceania, Africa and the Indian Ocean, enlightening onshore explorations include local culture, unique wildlife and yoga and Pilates. Back on board, holistic, rejuvenating activities include stretch and tone sessions and aqua aerobics in the ship's pool. A dedicated team of wellness specialists — including fitness lifestyle expert Natasha Eksteen, yoga instructor Jenni Kauppila and nutritionist Dalila Roglieri — accompanies guests on their wellness journey, with daily lectures and cooking demonstrations on the benefits of healthy and balanced nutrition bolstering personal-trainer-led daily gym sessions using the latest Technogym fitness equipment. And to round it all off, guests are offered a complimentary spa massage treatment.
Wellness Expedition Voyages are priced from $ 4,365 and include Bangladesh & Myanmar Voyage 9705: Kolkata to Phuket, 14 Days, Feb. 27 – March 13, 2017; Kimberley Coast Voyage 9707: Bali to Broome, 11 Days, March 26 – April 6, 2017; Micronesia & Solomon Sea Voyage 9722: Koror to Honiara, 14 Days, Oct. 4 – 18, 2017.
Interested in a cruise on any of these ships? Contact Cruiseable's Business Department at 1-877-322-3773 or email Cruiseable and a travel professional will find you the best match at the best price and value. Cruiseable can typically save you hundreds of dollars on your cruise fare.
