The Rhythm of Health on a Crystal Wellness Cruise
Breathe in, breathe out. I synchronised my breathing with the ocean’s rhythm over the 3,971 nautical miles and 14 days at sea to establish a collaborative cruise and wellness partnership on the first voyage retreat of this nature with Crystal Cruises.
Wellness cruises are in vogue and a trend which is fast flowing into what can be described as fashionable, luxury health resorts at sea. Throw overboard those beliefs of highly processed, stack ‘em high buffets and lazy days at sea, wellness cruising today presents itself in different styles packed with menus brimming with nutrients and a healthy programme of activities that would rival any retreat on shore. I was travelling on the cruise line’s first wellness retreat which set sail in late 2024 from Barcelona to Accra in Ghana on its elegant Crystal Symphony.
Classes, workshops, lectures, port calls with excursions all smothered in wellness practises intoxicated with fresh sea air and, luckily, doses of sunshine. A fitness expert brought out the dumbbells and resistance bands to target strength training, balance-based moves (tricky on a moving ship) and cross-training to boost cognitive functioning. A yoga and meditation specialist led classes formulated to enhance energy and mobility, even chair yoga and trigger therapy (ouch. Painful in places) and mindful gratitude walks to cultivate presence and appreciation. There were workshops on stretching techniques: dynamic, ballistic, static active, static passive and isometric exercises to integrate into daily routines at home. And we stood to attention with posture correction instruction and ways to prevent injuries.
“Why Am I Always Tired” and “What Really Is in Our Food” were subjects of the educational lectures presented by nutritionist Dr Christine Houghton who recommended checking food labels to identify how those additives, preservatives and marketing tricks make us ill and camouflage healthy eating. She also delved into nutrigenomics, a subject which is currently revolutionizing the way we should consider our personal nutrition. When, what and why we eat were questions for us to digest and to consider as were unnatural hunger cravings and weight fluctuations. Would we eat again? A Mediterranean diet is exemplary and pure food with highly concentrated nutrients, a scattering of nuts (unskinned), spices and herbs, a few of many recommendations.
Lectures followed to introduce and guide those interested in embarking on the 3-day Body Detox, making it fun, informative with encouragement and support, a feat not easy on an all-inclusive cruise. With dedicated menus served in the Waterside Restaurant, meals included creative and delicious dishes such as baked mango-tamarind cauliflower with cilantro-mint chutney, vegan fettuccine alfredo and even a Pimm’s jelly cup for lunch. Dinner served zucchini roll-ups with crisp vegetables and hummus, root vegetable bisque, butternut squash risotto and baked coconut rice pudding with blueberry compote. Intermittent fasting involved fasting for 16 hours, omitting breakfast with gentler exercise classes to appreciate the value of a body detox. The itinerary incorporated a workshop for guests to craft a strategic personal wellbeing plan during and after the voyage to enhance overall wellbeing.
The Crystal Symphony has enviable specialty restaurants onboard from the Italian Osteria d’Ovidio, Umi Uma, the only Nobu at sea and Beefbar, the brainchild of visionary restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi. The main Waterside Restaurant and Marketplace were excellent with dish presentations hard to resist. Afternoon tea was pure indulgence joined by a violinist adding to the refined ambience of the Palm Court which enjoyed views stretching out to sea, and catching the dance of dolphins, if lucky!
The Aurōra Spa lay on the top deck with a relaxation area, sauna and steam room. The medi-spa treatments ranged from dermal fillers, micro needling, an Aurōra LED and Cryo facial experience to Thermageâ, the latest radio frequency technology, said to last 3 years. Healing services featured traditional acupuncture with LED light therapy as well as a seminar on Chinese herbology. The salon ensured you were camera ready with red carpet hairstyling, grooming for gentlemen and Shellecâ nails in time for the glamourous White Party onboard.
Whether a scribbler or a bona fide artist, Odyssey Art at Sea provided a space for self-expression and mindfulness, from making jewellery to modelling with clay. Creative projects such as these work on the parasympathetic nervous system to help our bodies relax, digest and heal. There was also bridge, golf, the trendy pickleball game and dance moves to the Rumba, Salsa, Merengue and Tango. Happiness is essential to wellbeing so it was no surprise to attend a lecture on social fitness for happiness, how to navigate and thrive in social situations and build meaningful connections for a sense of belonging.
Marrying with destinations along the way, wellness flowed into the excursions; e-biking in Gibraltar, a Hammam ritual in Tangiers, a medicinal plant walk in Las Palmas and, in Cape Verde, yoga on the beach followed by an Aloe Vera workshop.
The Ship
The Crystal Symphony offers all-suite accommodation for 606 guests, with different levels of categories including single occupancy for solo travellers. The style is contemporary, classy and chic with artisanal features and a high level of comfort. Many have floor to ceiling windows flooding the room with light, opening onto decked verandas. A butler service ensured personalized service with grace, diplomacy and attention to detail. And throughout the ship impeccable service was delivered with a genuine smile as a result of the high crew to passenger ratio, a stamp of Crystal’s DNA offering an intimate and luxurious cruising experience.
Refined elegance comes to mind when describing the Crystal Symphony. She was well-dressed throughout and glided across the water with poise. Interior colours drifted into harmonising palettes, and paintings artfully reflected the décor. Alcoves of design visible on each deck with chic touches portrayed in hidden corners. Spotlights dazzled the glitz and glamour expected of a ship of this calibre from the laced crystal chandelier over the Starlight Bar, a living green wall partnered with splashes of coral furnishings in another while a cascading waterfall added a signature in the Crystal Cove accompanied by a graceful golden statue at its side. Oozing with class was the spacious Palm Court with cream high-backed chairs begging to be seated. This was in stark contrast to the panelling and dark woods which created the intimate setting of the Avenue Saloon, perfect for late night listening. As for entertainment, the comfort of the Galaxy Lounge proved perfect for first class performances, the Hollywood Theatre for movies and lectures and the new Casino de Monte-Carlo to try your luck. Pure relaxation, bliss.
Breath in, hold, breath out. My last evening sealed the benefit of my wellness partnership at sea. A distant voice led a guided meditation us as we synchronised our breathing with the gentle ebb of the sea. The ocean had drained my stress. I had succumbed to the rhythmic movement of the waves as Ilooked out to nothingness except a crystal star studded sky.
And looking into the crystal ball, Crystal Cruises are offering comprehensive wellness retreats in 2025, itineraries and dates to be announced http://www.crystalcruises.com/
The Programme
The programme and itinerary was designed in collaboration with registered nutritionists, yoga and meditation specialists, sports experts and famed authors and scientists. “We’re so pleased to offer Crystal guests our new wellness retreats at sea, expertly curated in collaboration with some of the best in the health and wellness industry,” said Crystal’s Head Nutritionist, Dalila Roglieri. “It is important that our offerings align with discerning travellers’ evolving tastes and needs, as wellness is at the forefront of so many of our guests’ lives. These voyages will continue to shape a new era of exceptional experiences for Crystal.”
For more inspiration on wellness cruising read here.
