Wellness plays a major part in holidays these days, with people seeking out relaxing retreats and leisure activities to keep us fit and healthy. River cruise lines are stepping up to this trend with a range of cruises and wellness-inspired activities to keep guests happy and pampered on-board.
AmaWaterways’ offers professionally trained Wellness Hosts on-board most of the fleet (with the exception of AmaVida, AmaDouro, Zambezi Queen, AmaLilia, and AmaSintra). These hosts lead a variety of fitness classes including core strengthening and circuit training, yoga, and resistance-band workouts, as well as occasional health and wellness-related lectures and discussions.
On top of this, AmaWaterways also offers a fitness room, whirlpool or swimming pool and a walking track to make guests feel at home with their health. The cruise line also incorporates healthy eating into its river cruising experience, using locally sourced ingredients in its culinary offerings. You can also indulge in various beauty and hair treatments, plus onboard massages subject to an additional charge.
AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to offer complimentary bikes to guests, allowing them to cover more ground when exploring the cities and towns ashore. In many destinations across Europe, guests can join guided bike and hike excursions through grand cities, vineyards, scenic riverfronts and castles.
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These sailings with Avalon Waterways offer more choices for guests to explore the culture, sights and adventures beyond the shore. With fun and engaging excursions to choose from, these excursions offer a much deeper experience in each port of call.
At each stop, you can choose from Classic, Discovery and Active excursions, enabling you to personalise your itinerary just how you want to. From canal cruises in Amsterdam to cable-car rides to Ehrenbreitstein Castle – the choice is yours.
Featured on the following ships: Avalon Impression, Avalon Poetry II and Avalon Panorama.
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Many of Emerald Waterways’ ships have a small spa and gym facilities for guests to use. The spa features a range of traditional treatments such as massages and facials, while the gym offers a selection of exercise equipment. These areas are available on board the fleet of Star-Ships.
Fitness and Wellness Area featured on board: Emerald Dawn, Emerald Destiny, Emerald Harmony, Emerald Liberte, Emerald Radiance, Emerald Sky, Emerald Star and Emerald Sun.
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Scenic River Cruises offer full access to the wellness area, complete with massage services and a hair salon. For a little extra pampering, you can indulge in a range of treatments with trained therapists at a small supplement. For those looking to keep active, there are gym facilities on board for cardio, resistance and flexibility workouts, as well as the walking track on the Sun Deck.
There is also a Salt Lounge experience, where guests can indulge in the health benefits of salt therapy on board selected Space-Ships which sail along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
Salt therapy offers a non-invasive way to feel energised and healthier while relaxing. During treatments, negatively charged salt ions increase the efficacy of healing, improve respiration and skin conditions, and boost the immune system.
Scenic’s Space-Ships which feature spa and fitness facilities: Scenic Jasper, Scenic Opal, Scenic Amber, Scenic Azure, Scenic Crystal, Scenic Jewel, Scenic Jade, Scenic Diamond, Scenic Sapphire, Scenic Gem, Scenic Pearl and Scenic Ruby.
You can also find the Salt Therapy Lounge on-board: Scenic Jasper, Scenic Opal, Scenic Amber, Scenic Crystal, Scenic Jewel, Scenic Jade, Scenic Diamond, Scenic Sapphire, Scenic Ruby and Scenic Pearl.
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Riviera Travel offers on board hairdressing salons and wellness areas on-board selected ships in the fleet. These are the perfect place to relax and be pampered on board, with nail salons also included on board some ships.
Not all ships in the Riviera Travel fleet offer all of the same facilities, with some offering fitness centres and others only a hair salon. The following ships offer some of these features:
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Serenity and Scandinavian-inspired wellness are at the core of the Viking River Cruises experience. Selected ships feature a fitness room, walking track on the sun deck and luxurious in-room massage services by appointment.
Wellness is at the forefront of every itinerary, showcased by nutritious dining options, active excursions and a calming ambiance to curate an aura of relaxation.
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Well-being is showcased across both APT Travelmarvel and APT Luxury. APT Travelmarvel ships often include small yet well-equipped gyms and indulgent massage services, plus shore excursions involving gentle activity such as cycling and nature walks.
Wellness is further enhanced on board APT Luxury, with dedicated spa treatment rooms, hair salons and fitness areas featured on many ships, primarily on its European fleet.
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Uniworld also lets you keep up with your fitness regime while on board with a wide range of experiences both on board and ashore. From yoga in the morning on the Sun Deck to TRX® Suspension Training classes with a certified instructor – you can wake up new with a variety of morning workouts. Follow this with the Serenity River Spa™, where you can enjoy soothing treatments such as facials or massages to truly relax you.
As for life ashore, Uniworld’s “Let’s Go” excursions feature guided walking, hiking, cycling, kayaking and golfing tours, as well as gondola rowing and more. Admire the Pont du Gard from your river kayak, trek through Europe’s lush vineyards in Germany’s Moselle Valley, or enjoy a bike tour of Budapest as you ride past the Parliament and Chain Bridge.
The cruise line also offers a Traveling Lite menu for those interested in healthier dining options. These dishes feature all of the flavour of the traditional menu, but with fewer calories. There are also vegetarian and vegan options, prepared just for you.
You can enjoy these Wellness on the Water cruises aboard: S.S. Bon Voyage, River Queen and Ganges Voyager II.
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You can benefit from small fitness rooms, spa treatments and sauna facilities on board TUI’s river cruise ships. Guests can also enjoy enhanced wellness with yoga or stretching sessions, leisurely walks along the track on the sun deck and a wellness dining menu that features lighter bites.
