10 of the best wellness cruises for 2022

Nourishing the four main pillars of health and wellness (movement, sleep, relaxation and nutrition) has become a priority for people in the wake of the pandemic – both at home and on holiday.

Not to be left behind, the cruise industry is increasingly mirroring this trend in the growth of wellness tourism – defined by the Global Wellness Institute as “travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal wellbeing”.

While swimming pools and gyms on ships may be nothing new, the diversity on offer is growing exponentially. Not only will you find more activity managers and personal trainers on board, but plenty of thought has also been put into the facilities – the number of different pools (plunge, whirl, infinity, thermal), the quality of the gyms, and the calibre of the equipment. The sheer range of fitness classes at sea – from F45 to bungee, barre and Ryde – could easily rival a high-end health club on land. Except these come with an ocean view.

Leading the charge in wellness are a number of exciting ship launches for 2022. Operators with big wellness ambitions this year include Celebrity Cruises’ ship Beyond (following Edge and Apex), and Silversea’s Silver Dawn, which introduces Otium, a new lavish Roman-inspired spa concept on the 10th member of its fleet.

If you’re keen on wellness, there’s never been a better time to book a cruise. Here are 10 suggestions for the best river and ocean cruises on offer this year.

UNWIND WITH A YOGI

India

Balance your doshas with Ayurveda yoga, try TRX suspension training, swim in the resistance pool, or centre yourself with sunrise yoga. Keeping fit is easy on board a Uniworld boat, especially with wellness instructors on standby. If you prefer quieter activities, take a painting class, have fun camping under the stars on the top deck, or bliss out with a back massage. Watch out for the “Let’s Go” excursions, which include cycling, kayaking, golfing and Nordic walking (great for toning muscles and boosting circulation). With an onboard yogi, wellness is celebrated on Uniworld’s India cruise along the sacred River Ganges. Nutrition scores high on the wellness menu, which includes courgetti noodle dishes and almond flour pancakes.

The 12-night India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges cruise, from Delhi to Calcutta, with Uniworld (0808 168 9110; uniworld.com), costs from £5,499pp, including flights; departs SeptemberMarch. Stops include Agra, Jaipur, Calcutta, Kalna and Matiari

EMBRACE YOUR ACTIVE SIDE

Germany

What if your idea of wellness is more action-focused? On Avalon’s “active” river cruises there are “adventure hosts” who will help to fix your fitness goals. Biking, yoga, stretching, canoeing, running and hiking excursions are offered, and accessories such as Fitbits and yoga mats are always to hand.

On this itinerary, active options include hiking up to the majestic castle in Bernkastel – the pay-off is breathtaking views over the Moselle Valley – exploring the old Roman military post of Koblenz on foot, and taking a bike tour of the colourful fairy-tale town of Cochem. You’ll sail on Avalon Imagery II, which has a fitness centre on board and an outdoor whirlpool.

The seven-night Active & Discovery cruise on the Moselle, from

Remich to Frankfurt, with Avalon Waterways (0330 058829; avalonwaterways.co.uk), costs from £1,199pp; departs May-September. Stops include Bernkastel, Cochem, Koblenz and Frankfurt

PARADISE FOR WATERBABIES

France

When the hydraulic platform is lowered at the stern on Ponant’s luxury Explorer ships, you can hop on an inflatable Zodiac boat, and swim, kayak and paddleboard in the crystalclear waters of the Mediterranean. As you set off from Nice to sail around the beautiful island of Corsica, make the most of the pool, which offers panoramic views – there’s also a counter-current system for swimming. Unwind with a Japanese body treatment or a deep comfort sports massage; heal with balneotherapy (bathing in thermal mineral waters);

find your runner’s high at the gym; and detox and unwind in the hammam. Unique to these private-yachtlike ships is Blue Eye, a multisensory underwater lounge designed by the renowned oceanographer and architect Jacques Rougerie, where you can feel ocean rhythms and sounds throughout your body. Watery excursions

The seven-night Wild and Authentic Nice return cruise, with Ponant (0808 234 3802; uk.ponant.com) , costs from £3,630pp; departs June. Stops include St Florent, Bonifacio, Tralicetu, the Sanguinaires Islands, Ajaccio and Calvi

the plunge: the pool on Ponant’s Le Bougainville has a counter-current system

Shoot from the ship: the basketball court on Virgin’s Scarlet Lady also include open-water diving and shore visits in Zodiac boats. To the lighthouse: MSC Cruises’ new ship Seashore calls at Ocean Cay marine reserve Sink a drink or two at the Eden bar on Celebrity Edge