Would you set sail for better wellbeing? As we increasingly look beyond the traditional spa break in search of experiences that support longer-lasting physical and mental wellbeing, yachts and cruises are being reimagined as floating wellness retreats. Here’s why you should check in…
For today’s luxury traveller, wellness is no longer just about being pampered for an hour or two. The real luxury is returning home feeling measurably better than when you left – and staying that way for longer. But, while the idea of combining travel with restoration is hardly new, many targeted wellness retreats have traditionally locked us away from the world, instead of helping us actively explore it.
That’s where the concept of wellness on the water comes into its own.
It is worth remembering that cruise ships and yachts have long had spaces for rest and relaxation. However, historically these spas tended to be fairly small and functional affairs, perceived as an ‘optional add-on’ to the experience. That meant there might be a few treatment rooms, basic gyms, hair and beauty salons for a chipped nail or quick blow-dry and a pretty straightforward menu of massages and facials. Space was at a premium on board, and the priorities of boat design lay elsewhere. After all, guests were often more interested in pools and restaurants, as well as getting off the ship and seeing where they had arrived.
Yet, working at sea demands speed, consistency and adaptability, often with an international clientele and limited resources to contend with. For that reason, within the wider beauty industry, cruise ships have actually long been regarded as something of a gold standard for training spa practitioners. Now, the facilities on both yachts and cruise liners are beginning to catch up.
The result is a new approach to wellness travel: one in which adventure and recovery no longer have to be mutually exclusive. After all, being on the water offers a particular kind of escape; one that favours luxury and disconnection from the rhythms of everyday life, while being able to take you to almost every corner of the globe on your travels. New facilities are also opening up water-based travel to a new generation of explorers, helping shift the ‘silver haired’ image that is often associated with cruising in particular. So, we spoke to the experts to explore the trend and discover the best ways to experience it for yourself.
The wellness benefits of being on the water
Research has long explored the relationship between proximity to water and wellbeing, so much so that convalescence by the sea has been recommended by doctors for generations; for example, it grew in particular popularity during TB outbreaks in Victorian England. But you certainly don’t have to be unwell to experience its mind calming qualities, whether on the shore or onboard.
“The marine environment naturally lends itself to wellbeing,” explains interior design specialist at Heesen Yachts, Perry van Hirtum. “Being surrounded by water creates a sense of calm and separation from the demands of daily life that is increasingly difficult to achieve on land. A yacht offers privacy, freedom and the ability to disconnect from constant stimulation, creating an environment where owners and guests can focus on rest, recovery and spending meaningful time with family and friends.”
In fact, what experts are increasingly finding is that as the world around us gets busier and busier, and ultimately more connected due to our devices, being physically on the water is the perfect escape for permanently switched-on individuals.
“Being on the water provides an immediate, natural antidote to modern digital overstimulation and everyday fatigue, acting as the ultimate setting for physical and mental renewal,” says the managing director of sales & marketing at Scenic Group, Nichola Absalom. “The expansive horizons, clean ocean air, and rhythmic movement of the vessel create a serene environment where high-net-worth travellers can effortlessly slow down, disconnect, and re-centre.”
“One of the greatest benefits of being at sea is the sense of freedom and separation from everyday life,” agrees charter broker for Burgess, Sophie Spain. “Away from crowded environments and constant digital distractions, guests can properly unwind and focus on their wellbeing. The marine environment itself plays an important role too. Fresh sea air, sunshine, swimming in open water and spending more time outdoors naturally encourage movement and relaxation. A yacht also provides access to secluded anchorages and beautiful natural settings, creating a calmer, more restorative atmosphere than many traditional holidays. Combined with quality sleep, healthy dining and regular physical activity, time at sea can leave guests feeling genuinely revitalised.”
Why wellness at sea is becoming a luxury-travel trend
Credit: Heesen Yachts
Significantly, one key driver of the ‘wellness at sea’ trend is that there has been a broader recalibration of what luxury itself means too. Once associated primarily with access and abundance, it is increasingly being defined by time, privacy and the quality of the experience. For travellers who already have access to almost everything, feeling genuinely restored can be the more elusive luxury.
“We are seeing a fundamental shift in how high-net-worth travellers define true luxury,” affirms Absalom. “Market research shows that affluent consumers view restorative travel not as an occasional indulgence, but as a vital investment in their long-term health, mental clarity, and longevity.”
“The wellness movement is part of a wider shift in consumer priorities, particularly among ultra-high-net-worth individuals,” agrees van Hirtum. “Increasingly, luxury is being defined not just by possessions, but by quality of life, health and longevity. As a result, we are seeing owners invest in environments that support their long-term wellbeing. Yachts have always offered privacy and exclusivity, but today’s owners are asking more from their assets. They want spaces that actively contribute to their physical and mental wellbeing and that can support healthier lifestyles without compromising on comfort or design.”
Wellness as lifestyle, not just a treat
At the same time, as wellness becomes an increasingly important part of our day-to-day lives, there’s more and more recognition that while people want to take a ‘break’ from work or other stressors, they don’t necessarily want to have to hit pause on their longevity-boosting routines while on holiday either.
“Today’s clients want wellness to be seamlessly integrated into their daily routines onboard, whether that is through dedicated spa facilities, spaces for fitness and mindfulness, or environments that simply promote rest and disconnection from everyday pressures,” explains van Hirtum. While classic spa treatments like facials and massages still remain highly popular, “we are seeing a clear shift in owner priorities,” he continues. “Wellness is no longer viewed as a standalone spa treatment or a single onboard facility. Instead, we are seeing strong interest in science-led wellness solutions that support recovery, resilience and long-term health. Facilities such as saunas, steam rooms, ice baths and hyperbaric chambers are becoming increasingly relevant as owners seek more comprehensive wellness experiences onboard.”
Equally, when they do take time out to go to the massage table, wellness seekers aren’t merely hoping to lie down for an hour. They are seeking wellbeing, optimised. “Today’s travellers want more than relaxation, they want results,” says Saviano. “Guests are looking for personalised, effective treatments alongside the traditional spa experience. Wellness tourism is one of the fastest-growing parts of the travel industry right now, and cruise guests are no exception. People want to come home feeling better than when they left, and that’s pushing us to bring the kind of treatments you’d expect at a leading wellness resort onto the ship.”
“There is a growing recognition that wellness isn’t just about spa treatments; it’s about how you feel overall and charter guests are looking for wellness that feels personalised rather than prescriptive,” agrees Spain. “As travellers increasingly prioritise experiences that leave them feeling better both physically and mentally, wellness at sea has evolved from a luxury add-on into a key part of the charter experience itself. For some, that might mean it is now non-negotiable that they maintain an existing fitness routine with access to gyms, personal trainers, yoga sessions and healthy, chef-prepared menus.” Others see the opportunity to combine the wellness benefits of the ocean to supercharge their regimes, rather than seeing ‘health’ as being something that happens in a gym tucked away below deck. That quickly translates to Yoga and Pilates being practised outdoors on deck, as well as strong demand for paddleboard yoga, open-water swimming and other water-based activities.
That change is something that Paragon Studio founder Edward Thomas, who used to work as crew on superyachts, has also seen first hand. He was inspired to start his company due to poor gym fit outs on board and now designs beautiful gym equipment and fitness spaces for private residences, hospitality clients and superyachts, noticing a real shift in recent demand.
“As wellness and longevity experience a mainstream boom, facilities in major hotels and clubs are becoming more crowded,” he reveals. “A private yacht provides guests with a true escape where they can be found in a secluded bay, at anchor, recharging in silence, totally in control of their routine and their surroundings.”
When wellness moves with you
The integration of wellness into our broader routine has even triggered a broader shift in the way we want to travel. Sightseeing remains important (especially when cruising), but the pressure to maximise every day – to do as much as possible – is giving way to something slower and more intentional.
“Being at sea gives guests something they can’t easily get on land: uninterrupted time to focus on themselves while still exploring the world,” says head of Aurea Spa at MSC Cruises, Claudo Saviano. “There are no distractions, no daily errands pulling them away, just a serene environment purpose-built for unplugging once they get back on board. Guests treat the spa as a retreat within the vacation, a place to reset and recharge, so they get the benefit of a wellness break and a holiday in one trip.”
Absalom agrees: “Today’s voyagers are intentionally moving away from fast-paced, high-stress sightseeing in favour of transformative journeys that leave them feeling genuinely renewed. What makes being at sea so powerful for modern luxury travellers is the opportunity to pair this floating sanctuary with what we call ‘dopamine destinations.’ Marine travel allows you to balance high-sensory, awe-inspiring moments ashore with restorative, 6-star sanctuary care back on board. Unlike traditional land retreats, wellness on the water is a continuous, living experience where the natural elements and extraordinary environments actively fuel both inner calm and deep joy.”
The new generation of wellness at sea
If travellers are changing their expectations, yacht designers are definitely responding in kind. Wellness facilities and experiences are increasingly being considered right from the planning stage, rather than bolted on as a ‘nice to have extra’, meaning your next cruise or yacht experience is set to be your most wellbeing-boosting ever.
Heesen Yachts, the Dutch superyacht builders, for example, have just announced their latest build, Project Ananda, will come complete with a 1,100-square-foot spa, including a sauna, steam room, ice bath, and snow shower, alongside massage and medical treatment rooms, and even the potential for a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. On Scenic’s 6-star ultra-luxury Discovery Yachts, Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, guests can now enjoy dedicated wellness voyages, including alternative therapies, such as reflexology, Thai massage and Indian Ayurveda, as well as experiencing expert-led sessions at PURE: Yoga and Pilates Studio – the only dedicated studio of its kind at sea – with aerial yoga, TRX and Tibetan bowl sound healing. The upcoming Scenic Ikon, launching in April 2028, will take this wellness commitment even further with a 1,700m², two-level Senses Rejuvenation Spa, featuring indoor and outdoor thermal lounges, Salt Therapy Lounges, a central hammam, infrared sauna, cold plunge pools and outdoor pool terraces.
As for the cruising world, according to Georg Schmickler, senior vice president onboard revenues at MSC Cruises, “the ambition with MSC World Asia [their latest world-class cruise ship due to set sail in December 2026] was “to create a spa that rivals the finest wellness destinations on land,” and they certainly seem to achieved that. The service will be home to an exceptional collection of advanced therapies including AI-powered skin and scalp analysis, Dry Float Therapy by Starpool, which relieves muscular tension without getting wet, Whole-Body Cryotherapy, and Iyashi Dôme Infrared Therapy, inspired by Japanese wellness traditions to encourage natural detoxification. Those are the sort of treatments you used to only be able to try in the highest-end medical wellness spa.
Ultimately, our growing focus on health optimisation, recovery and personalised experiences is not just changing our approach to wellbeing. It is shaping the very future of yacht design. As Absalom puts it so perfectly, “‘wellness on the water’ is defining 2026/27 because luxury travellers no longer measure the value of a voyage simply by the destinations they visit, but by how profoundly restored, inspired, and re-energised they feel long after returning home.”
That’s definitely something we’d like to get on board with…
Lead image credit: MSC Cruises
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Becki Murray is Citizen Femme’s Beauty and Wellness Director. As one of the only UK journalists to hold a Distinction-grade diploma in cosmetic science, she combines her unique knowledge with an editor’s eye to help you make smarter choices about beauty and wellbeing. Becki also heads up CF’s spa guide so you could say she’s an expert in the science of relaxation too.
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