Where wellness and the ocean meet…

From acupuncture, lifestyle seminars, ayurvedic cuisine and onboard spas and saunas, wellness is buoyant and has taken a liking for the high seas. The health cruise is here.

With a personal trainer for zero-gravity massage to guide you to fitness, while muscle and fat diagnostics help you achieve your health goals, the traditional boundaries of wellness have gradually gravitated towards voyages on the sea.

That said, since most cruise ships carry over 4,000 passengers and crew, staying healthy and fit for the duration of the voyage is not always an easy task.

Remember, a cruise ship is virtually a floating city where large numbers of people stay in close proximity, which increases the chances of infection spreading.

That is why it is important to design a wellness focused health cruise vacation that allows you to sail away into relaxation. Whilst at the same time staying committed to health and wellbeing in a state-of-the-art fitness-centre environment.

Read more: why the Maldives is a great choice in May

Choose an itinerary that is fitness-friendly

If you want to stay active and bursting with energy all the time, choose an itinerary that will allow you ways to keep up this practice. For example, a week in Alaska can stimulate fitness, as outdoor activities like dog sledding, kayaking or rock climbing can be enjoyed.

If you prefer a much milder approach, go on a Mediterranean cruise to experience natural wonders, breathtaking beaches and try a different sport each day like horse riding, windsurfing and hiking while on shore.

There are other excursions too that are designed for active cruisers such as a guided hike to the Pulpit Rock in Stavenger, Norway, or to go hiking up the dramatic limestone cliffs of Paklenica National Park in Croatia.

If you are a running fan, there are a number of fabulous urban and suburban hiking paths in Copenhagen around the Kasteller neighbourhood, or along the 17th century colourful waterfront in Barcelona, bordered by the city on one side and the Mediterranean on the other.

Wellness on the water

Take a few moments every day on your cruise to simply gaze at the ocean as there is something healing and energetic about looking at the waves and taking in the surrounding views. You can choose a comfortable spot on the deck or any of the sofas in the lounge.

Consider taking a late-night stroll around the deck before you retire for the night to watch the rays of the moon reflecting on the water for an extremely soothing visual effect. Or simply enjoy the views from your private balcony at sunrise.

Modern cruise ships come equipped with the latest state-of-the-art fitness centres to cater to your fitness routine while on the high seas for a high or low-impact body workout.

On select ships you will find indoor cycling equipment where you can pedal as hard as you want. Or you can put on headphones and join an instructor-guided, music focused workout.

Choose a Class Pass on your cruise to gain unlimited access to all the fitness classes if you want to try them all.

If you prefer something low-impact and soothing, there are a range of yoga and meditation classes available on most ships. Additionally, teachers can focus on breathing and relaxation exercises that place in the open on the deck in fresh air.

Wellness-focused cruises have sauna, steam rooms, sensory showers and heated lounge areas where you will find aromatic steam, salt healing, infrared saunas and the traditional Hammam for a Turkish inspired fitness experience.

Special diets

After an early morning workout or a sunrise run, savour some uplifting fresh juice at the ship’s cafe on your health cruise. A Mediterranean diet can also be arranged if you so please.

Here you can also try other delicious nutrient-packed juices of beet, carrot, apple or strawberry to energise you for the day ahead.

A lavish salad bar is in place at lunch and dinner from where you can create your own salad bowl of nuts, cheese, humus, roast chicken followed by a fruit plate or low-calories ice cream.

The onboard fitness professionals can also help by creating a personalised nutrition plan to cater to your needs. Contrary to what you may have imagined, a cruise is actually a great place to begin a new healthy eating regime as all the food planning and preparation is already in place for you.

Healthy cruising tips

Follow these tips to ensure the best healthy cruise ever:

• Sanitise all the common areas of your states as soon as you arrive. Use sanitised wipes on the door and balcony handles, toilet seats, taps, TV remote, and all light switches.
• Refrain from using the public bathrooms and return to your cabin if possible.
• Sanitise your hands after meals and if you encounter someone sick, inform the medical team immediately.
• On the buffet table, avoid using the service utensils and use the cutlery laid down instead.
• Above all, stay hydrated at all times, avoid excessive alcohol intake, and drink only bottled water.