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Wellness at Sea

Susan B. Barnes

4 Mins Read May 18, 2026

Wellness at Sea

Wellness tourism has grown faster than any other special interest segment of travel for more than a decade, with an upward trajectory that is expected to continue. Cruise lines have taken notice, focusing onboard programs and cruises on health, wellness, and self-care.

Lynne McNees, president of the International SPA Association, says that savvy travelers expect to see a spa in their hotel, and now more than ever they are taking advantage of wellness options on their cruise ships as well.

“Cruise passengers often see their voyage as a chance to reset and may identify wellness and self-care as a goal for their trip,” says McNees. “It takes a dedicated space—like the onboard spa—to truly deliver on that intention, providing professional, holistic services that renew mind, body and spirit.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) members are at the forefront in the wellness space.

Innovative Technologies

A trio of industry firsts set sail in 2025, all using technology to enhance guests’ wellness experiences. On the mat, the first immersive yoga practice at sea debuted onboard Oceania Cruises’ new Oceania Allura. Guests do the downward dog with a backdrop of virtual landscapes ranging from tropical islands to tranquil forests.

Debuting in the fitness center on Silversea Cruises ships is amp, a strength training system with an intelligent app integration that guides users through more than 500 exercises and provides real-time feedback – think of it as an AI-powered trainer to help keep health routines on track while at sea. Also new, golfers onboard Silver Dawn can up their game with SeaDrivePro by Off the Deck, the world’s first fully portable golf entertainment system where guests can virtually play iconic courses with real-time analytics.

Play (Pickle) Ball

Pickleball has taken the world, and sea, by storm – the sport has surged more than 300% over the past three, according to Pickleheads, an online platform for fans. Holland America Line was named the exclusive Official Cruise Line of the Professional Pickleball Association in 2022 and quickly outfitted all its ships with refreshed pickleball courts. Ships in the fleets of lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Royal Caribbean are outfitted with courts, and they are coming too to select Silversea ships. On the rivers, AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to offer pickleball.

Thermal Suites

Cruise lines are going all-in on their thermal suites, elevated, limited-occupancy areas with facilities such as whirlpools, saunas, experience showers, and steam rooms. A first-at-sea is Norwegian Cruise Line’s addition of a circulation-boosting clay sauna, which compliments other wellness spaces onboard Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Luna. Explora Journeys, which recently partnered with tennis champion Jannik Sinner to serve as its global ambassador and co-create exclusive onboard wellness rituals, already enhances its spas with hydrotherapy pools, salt caves, and ice falls. Celebrity’s new Celebrity Xcel features the line’s first-ever Hydra Room, a warm, bubbling pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs.

Local focus

In addition to wellness programs inspired by the latest technology and wellness advancements, cruise spas also draw inspiration from the destinations that ships visit. For example, on the Paul Gauguin based in Tahiti, guests can enjoy a Volcanic Stone Massage while cruising past the volcanic islands of the South Pacific. On Celebrity ships, guests can book coconut-infused treatments in the Caribbean and Asian therapies in the Far East.

Wellness Themed Cruises

AmaWaterways, Windstar Cruises and Crystal Cruises are among lines introducing new sailings specifically focused on wellness. Cunard embarks on its first Wellness at Sea voyage in July 2026 – onboard the Queen Anne, in partnership with Harper’s Bazaar experts, and featuring Olympic silver medalist Katarina Johnson-Thompson. For yoga fans, river line Uniworld’s sailings on India’s Ganges feature an onboard yogi leading an exclusive wellness program, with twice-daily yoga and meditation practices, healthy cooking demonstrations, and daily wellness talks.

This content may be shared or republished with clear attribution to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Content must remain intact and may not be altered, edited, or excerpted in any way that changes its meaning or context. For additional permissions, media inquiries, or additional information, please email [email protected]

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Cruise Lines Lead the Way in Accessible Vacations

Finding the perfect accessible vacation can be tricky. Hotels and resorts may be difficult to navigate. Transferring luggage between hotels or onto trains or airplanes as you visit multiple destinations can be a chore. A cruise can eliminate or minimize many challenges.In fact, cruising is one of the safest and most accessible ways to travel. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), more than 80% of travelers with mobility, sensory and neurological or cognitive challenges rate cruising as the best vacation option for them.Cruises provide travel experiences for all ages and abilities, and at a range of price points. For those with mobility limitations, it’s one of the best ways to see the world.Advantage of cruise over land travelCruise lines build ships with accessibility in mind. All CLIA member lines comply with international and federal accessibility regulations, and as they launch new ships, are increasingly adding accessible accommodations.Wheelchair-friendly cabin features include automatic doors, wider doorways, extra floor space by the bed, and smooth thresholds. Lowered closet rods, safes and sinks make cabin amenities easier to reach from a wheelchair.“Most cruise ships are more accessible than the typical hotel,” says John Sage, CEO of Accessible Travel Solutions. “The in-room accessibility is generally good. The accessible bathrooms tend to have roll-in showers and tend to be quite standardized [across cruise lines and ships].” Sage himself is a wheelchair user who has visited more than 120 countries.Most cruise lines provide sign language interpreters and assistive listening devices, large-print menus, Braille signage, visual-tactile alert systems in cabins, and relief areas for service dogs.Companies such as Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea can provide rental items such as motorized scooters, oxygen, bed rails and wedges, and recliners for in-cabin use, all delivered to the ship.Accessible shore excursions“One of the biggest success stories in the whole travel industry when it comes to accessibility over the last several years is the growth in accessible shore excursions,” says Sage.While in the past there were few options for wheelchair users other than pricey private tours, according to CLIA there are now more than 100 designated accessible shore excursions available at cruise ports around the world – many in partnership with Sage’s company. Often, these tours use wheelchair-friendly vans that can park close to attractions including cultural and historical sites and beaches. They focus on destinations with accessible pathways and bathrooms, and employ guides trained to accommodate travelers with disabilities.CLIA reported in 2024 that 45% of cruise travelers had booked an accessible shore excursion in the previous year.Attentive crewThe microcosm of a cruise ship means travelers will encounter the same crew members throughout their cruise. Crew learn, for instance, everyone’s dietary needs – which are also typically saved electronically for reference. Many ships allocate dedicated galley space to handle food for people with allergies.Cabin stewards get to know in-room preferences – no need to keep repeating instructions to new hospitality staff, as you would if changing hotels.“There’s also the big advantage of unpacking once,” says Sage. “For people with disabilities, that matters a lot. Moving baggage can be quite a hassle.”Smart planning is the key to success for travelers with disabilitiesThe ideal accessible cruise will vary from person to person, but Sage has one piece of advice for everyone. “To have a really accessible, frustration-free vacation, travelers should look at the shore excursions before they choose the itinerary.” Most cruisers do the reverse and then are disappointed when they can’t find tours that suit.”Because no two cruisers’ needs are the same, the best advice for a successful cruise is to work with a knowledgeable travel agent who can advise on cruise lines that will meet specific accommodations. Travelers with disabilities can also reach out to cruise line accessibility departments for more information (check cruise line websites for more information).A sampling of cruise accessibility pages:Carnival Cruise LineDisney Cruise LineHolland America LineMSC CruisesNorwegian Cruise LinePrincess CruisesRoyal Caribbean Cruises© 2026 Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). All rights reserved.This content may be shared or republished with clear attribution to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Content must remain intact and may not be altered, edited, or excerpted in any way that changes its meaning or context. For additional permissions, media inquiries, or additional information, please email [email protected] 22 February, 2026

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Wellness at Sea

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Cruise Lines Lead the Way in Accessible Vacations