Cruise ships are rolling out new open-air fitness and wellness spaces

Cruise lines offer a smorgasbord of fitness and wellness options to keep you on an even keel. 

It’s true, there are many delicious temptations on cruise ships just a few steps away from your cabin, from lavish afternoon teas to dégustation feasts. 

So it’s good to know cruise ships are dedicating more space and energy to fitness and wellness to balance it all out. Even if we don’t get physical, it’s good to know there are options there.

Right now, it’s all about open-air fitness. Cruise lines have designed outdoor equipment in covert spaces such as aboard Explora Journeys vessels where Technogym equipment is strategically placed on the smaller Deck 14 with an ocean view. Here you can breathe in that fresh sea air and work out on stationary bikes or benches with free weights. Then there’s the open-air sports centres such as those on Celebrity Cruises.

Tim Jones from Celebrity Cruises says cruisers can enjoy pickleball with outdoor courts on nine of their ships.

And forget wading pools. “On the pool deck of our Edge Series ships, guests can keep up with their morning laps in our 23m pool,” he says. Add to this an upper deck walking and jogging track. Then there’s the array of classes.

Celebrity cruisers can enjoy pickleball with outdoor courts on nine of their ships. Picture: Supplied.

“Across Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, guests can access an impressive range of cutting-edge classes from Ryde and HIIT, cardio boxing, yoga, guided meditation and breathwork,” Jones says. “And on select ships, they’ll even have access to F45 and bungee fitness classes, as well as Peloton bikes that allow them to join live remote classes, or simply plug in and enjoy a high-energy solo session.”

You can combine this with wellness treatment such as personalised IV therapies and nutrient injections designed to help support a healthy immune system, as well as Salt Float Therapy.

Those Celebrity Cruises guests that are truly dedicated can experience a personalised wellness program by booking into one of the AquaClass staterooms or suites.

Across Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, guests can access a range of classes, including guided meditation. Picture: Supplied.

“These have access to eight unique wellness spaces in the SEA Thermal Suites, spa packages, a complimentary fitness pass, and a yoga mat for use on board,” says Jones. “Additionally, they can indulge in their exclusive dining venue, Blu, which specialises in health-focused ‘clean cuisine’.”

Meanwhile, Viking ocean ships offer an array of fitness options. First stop according to Viking’s Michelle Black should be the sports deck.

“It’s the perfect spot to boost your vitamin D while meeting fellow travellers and soaking up the stunning views,” she says.

Having tested a Viking thermal suite myself, I can vouch for how incredible you feel after sampling the hot-cold therapy. Picture: Supplied.

But the highlight is the free thermal suite. “The LivNordic Spa is designed to give the mind, body, and spirit exactly what it needs throughout a voyage, whether after a day of exploration or during a relaxing day at sea,” says Black. “Guests can embrace the centuries-old Nordic bathing ritual of hot-cold therapy or choose a luxurious spa treatments in a serene setting (at an extra cost).”

Having tested the thermal suite myself, I can vouch for how incredible you feel after sampling the hot-cold therapy, which involves entering the snow grotto then warming up in the sauna or slipping into the cold plunge pool then heading directly for the hot tub. It’s invigorating and guaranteed to fix any trace of jet lag.

Originally published as Cruise ships are rolling out new open-air fitness and wellness spaces