Yes, cruises can be good for you — take these 10 wellness sailings
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If you need inspiration to work on health and fitness, the invigorating air and scenery of the Norwegian fjords should do the trick. On Queen Anne's wellness-themed cruise there will be talks and classes by health and wellbeing experts held in association with Harper's Bazaar. For an extra £468pp you can add one of three special packages — Recover, Energise or Relax — that throws in personal training, classes, spa treatments and healthy juices. Cunard also has a new range of vegan dishes, created by Paul Gayler, a chef and author who champions meat-free cookery. Details Seven nights' full board from £749pp, departing from Southampton on July 5, 2026 (cunard.com)
This gentle springtime potter between Corsica, Elba and the French Riviera is the perfect chance to shake off the last of the winter blues and embrace fitness. The swish, 112-passenger SeaDream I has a fleet of bikes as well as sunrise yoga, t'ai chi and a proper Thai-certified spa with an outdoor massage area. Best of all, alongside its regular menu, SeaDream arguably has the best veggie and vegan food at sea. With exquisite presentation, colour and flavour, it's the kind of food that would persuade a committed meat-eater to try plant-based. There's a juice bar at the breakfast buffet too.Details Seven nights' full board from £4,827pp, departing from Nice on May 23, 2026 (seadream.com). Fly to Nice
Here's a challenge. Nine nights at sea with no ports, just the ocean and the stars to commune with. There are healthy cooking classes, meditation and sound therapy, yoga, Pilates, an infrared sauna, cold plunge pool and — so far, so healthy — an open bar. So if you enjoy a cocktail, self-discipline may be required on this springtime Atlantic crossing from Bridgetown to Tenerife on the ultra-luxurious Scenic Eclipse II. Guest lecturers, all specialising in wellness, will keep you both inspired and on the straight and narrow before you arrive in Tenerife transformed.Details Nine nights' all-inclusive from £4,812pp, including flights to the value of £1,250pp and all wellness activities, departing from Bridgetown on April 24, 2026 (scenic.co.uk)
River cruising may be seen as a more passive holiday but that stereotype isn't true on AmaWaterways. Each ship has a wellness host leading circuit training and core strength classes, as well as yoga, while guided runs, hikes and cycle rides along the banks of the Danube are included. There are massage therapists on board, as well as healthy dining options. This Melodies of the Danube wellness-themed cruise on AmaBella from Budapest to Vilshofen includes a hike through the sun-dappled Vienna Woods too. Details Seven nights' full board from £2,918pp, including flights, excursions, drinks with meals and the wellness programme, departing from Budapest on July 6, 2026 (amawaterways.co.uk)
The luxury line Crystal is offering two Wellness at Sea sailings this year, both around west Africa. This 12-night cruise on Crystal Symphony starts from Tema, Ghana, and sails to Cape Town via Sao Tome, Angola and Namibia. Guest speakers include their head nutritionist Dalila Roglieri, the fitness specialist Minna McHale, the yoga and mental wellbeing expert Jenni Demus and Magnus Appelberg, a renowned somatic therapist who specialises in treating emotional trauma. Expect strength and balance classes, pickleball contests, yoga, detox programmes and breathing workshops, as well as nature hikes and more yoga ashore.Details Twelve nights' all-inclusive from £3,900pp, including all wellness activities, departing from Tema on December 11 (crystalcruises.com). Fly to Accra
Fitness fans have their own category of accommodation with Celebrity Cruises, called AquaClass. Book one of these cabins or suites and you'll get a pass for the gym that includes workouts such as F45, HIIT, barre and bungee fit. It also comes with access to the SEA thermal suite, a steamy paradise of saunas, hammam, a salt room and dreamy heated tile loungers. You could simply shuttle between the two on this cruise on Celebrity Apex to Spain and Portugal, which has two days at sea. AquaClass guests also have their own restaurant, Blu, offering 'clean cuisine' and a list of biodynamic wines.Details Eight nights' full board from £2,017pp in an AquaClass balcony cabin, including fitness classes and spa access, departing from Southampton on May 29, 2026 (celebritycruises.com)
Avalon's Active and Discovery cruises are a great way to combine a river cruise with light adventure. This Rhône voyage includes kayaking in the craggy Ardèche gorge, an 'urban hike' in Lyons, the Vélorail in Gorges du Doux (a kind of pedalo on rails) and a bike ride in the Camargue National Park. If that's too much activity, join an art class in Arles to create your own masterpiece in the style of Van Gogh. On board Avalon Poetry II, the Avalon Fresh menu is packed with healthy salads, creative veggie dishes and high-protein, low-carb options (alongside decadent desserts and a permanent supply of gooey cookies).Details Seven nights' full board from £2,299pp, including drinks with meals and at happy hour and all activities and flights, departing from Lyons on September 9 (avalonwaterways.co.uk)
Could there be a more inspiring setting for practising your sun salutations than the warm teak decks of the tall ship Star Clipper, the wind in the sails above you? This cruise takes you from Athens to Rhodes, Bodrum and the reed-fringed Dalyan River, where sea turtle sightings are a highlight. The last day is in blissfully car-free Hydra, which has a spiritual vibe of its own. Daily yoga classes by Erika Miller will be offered at sunrise or sunset. When you're not doing yoga, distractions include climbing the mast to the crow's nest and basking in the big bowsprit nets at the prow of the ship.Details Seven nights' full board from £1,995pp, including yoga classes, departing from Athens on August 23, 2025 (starclippers.com). Fly to Athens
Virgin Voyages tends to attract a younger age group than average and its fitness facilities reflect this. Better still, all fitness classes are included in the price. There's a long, multi-lane running track that wraps around the top of the ship, as well as HIIT, bungee fit, barre classes, spinning, an outdoor gym and a boxing ring. Optional excursions for fun ashore on Scarlet Lady's cruise from Rome to Barcelona include cycling around Lucca and kayaking in the Gulf of Ajaccio. Back on board, head for Razzle Dazzle for an imaginative plant-based menu or tuck into steak in the posh restaurant the Wake.Details Nine nights' full board from £1,162pp, including all fitness classes, departing from Rome on October 7 (virginvoyages.com). Fly to Rome
Explora Journeys' cruises already have a strong wellness angle, with lavish spas and fitness classes included, but you can take healthy living further on this leisurely voyage on Explora II from Barcelona to Bridgetown via Tangier and Las Palmas. For an additional £267pp, there's a two-day Ocean Wellness Retreat including seminars, cookery classes, expert-led mindful movement and self-reflection, as well as sleep advice, to put you in what the cruise line promises to be an 'ocean state of mind'.Details Seven nights' all-inclusive from £3,195pp, departing from Barcelona on November 11, 2025 (explorajourneys.com). Fly to Barcelona
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