While the MS Europa 2 from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises sets course for the Philippines, passengers complete kilometer after kilometer on the treadmill on board. The view sweeps through floor-to-ceiling windows over the open sea; next door a guest is working out with a personal trainer, the yoga session begins on the outside deck - and afterwards the Ayurveda massage in the spa beckons.

Deck 5 and the Ocean Spa are bustling with activity. Where spacious suites might once have been, guests now sweat, relax, and recharge. This space has been intentionally dedicated to wellness, driven by high demand: “Between 20 and 25 percent of our guests book spa treatments, while around 30 to 40 percent regularly use the sauna area,” explains Martina Schumann, who oversees the spa division for the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet. With more than 25 years of experience in the sports and wellness sector—15 of them in the cruise industry—she knows the business inside and out. The popularity of the offerings is no coincidence: they're based on in-depth analysis of guests’ wants and expectations.

Era of recovery

Wellness is no longer just a trend on cruise ships—it’s become a key reason to book across the entire travel industry. In fact, 94 percent of all travelers engage with wellness in some form while on vacation. According to recent data, travelers worldwide spent approximately $995.3 billion on wellness-related experiences in 2024, with projected growth exceeding 13 percent by 2034. Wellness tourism is now growing at twice the rate of the broader travel industry. Cruise lines that offer compelling wellness programs are tapping into two of the tourism sector’s most powerful growth drivers: with annual growth rates nearing nine percent, cruises are now considered the most popular form of travel worldwide.

Mindfulness instead of a midnight buffet

At Explora Journeys, the luxury fleet of MSC Cruises, the holistic health concept is summarized with the slogan Ocean State of Mind: The aim is to offer a sanctuary on the water, to invite you to find yourself again and to use the power of the ocean to enhance your well-being .

In addition to yoga, spa and healthy eating, the wellbeing initiatives on board also include sleep retreats: aromatherapy relaxation sessions, meditations, expert workshops, sleep-promoting evening meals and yoga nidra sessions are designed to help wellness-loving guests achieve the longed-for luxury of healthy sleep - pillow menu included.

Speaking of the menu: Crystal Cruises has its own nutritionist - and not just any nutritionist, but Dr. Dalila Roglieri, former professional tennis player and proven vegetarian expert.

Strong partnerships

Bringing specialists from all areas of wellness on board to assist guests with innovative offers is not a new concept, but one that is being increasingly refined and professionalized. As early as 1919, the White Star Line's SS Adriatic promised its guests spa comfort on the high seas - even if the term spa as we use it today was still unknown at the time. There was a trained servant on board, who looked after the passengers during their physical training in the so-called Gymnasium.

The true breakthrough for wellness at sea didn’t come until the 1980s, when Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth II became the first cruise ship to partner with a renowned wellness brand: the then-young but already highly respected Golden Door Spa, founded by fitness pioneer Deborah Szekely—now 103 years old and often referred to as the Godmother of Fitness. Another milestone followed in the 2000s, when Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises teamed up with Arizona’s legendary Canyon Ranch to bring holistic health concepts on board. In addition to exercise and massage, nutrition and recovery suddenly took center stage.

At the same time, the wellness and spa areas were relocated from the lower decks to exposed locations on board. Gradually, other renowned names from the wellness world made their way on board: Royal Caribbean's ships are equipped with state-of-the-art TRX machines, while Celebrity Cruises has PelotonBikes ready, Princess Cruises offers Pilates reformer. Internationally renowned brands such as Thalgo, Elemis and Biologique Recherche are used in the spas.

Special tuning

More and more cruise lines are embracing the sense of place philosophy—enhancing the classic spa experience with treatments carefully tailored to each travel destination. Much like wine pairings with a fine meal, these offerings aim to harmonize body and soul with the voyage itself.

Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, an expedition vessel from the Ponant fleet, guests are treated to wellness rituals designed specifically for the harsh polar regions. “We offer two signature treatments: one for the face and one for the body, called Expedition Recovery and Exploration Recovery,” explains Chloé Dauvert, the ship’s spa manager. “These therapies are specially adapted to conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. For the body treatment, for example, we use a drainage technique to gently help guests re-acclimate after excursions.” Luxury skincare brand Biologique Recherche, known for its high-performance formulas, contributes a custom routine developed for skin exposed to extreme temperatures.

Another emerging trend can be seen at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises: technology-based wellness concepts. Both Europa 1 and Europa 2 are already equipped with Bewei devices, which use radiofrequency technology and are hailed as a miracle tool for arthritis, joint pain, fat reduction, and skin rejuvenation. Crystal Cruises, on the other hand, is tapping into the growing interest in intravenous therapies. Guests can choose from a range of IV cocktails onboard, each designed to meet specific needs—whether it’s an energy boost, weight control, or a skin glow.