Escape on an oceanic wellness retreat
Reconnect and rebalance on an oceanic voyage of bliss
Robin McKelvie
T
he ocean has held a special place in our hearts and souls for millennia.
As American conservationist Robert Wyland once wrote: “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.” In Ancient
Greece its rejuvenating wellness benefits were celebrated – today’s wave of health spas are descendants of Greek thalassotherapy. And, when the restorative benefits of travel itself go hand-in-hand with ocean wellness, there is no better way to enjoy a holistic wellbeing experience than voyaging across the calming ocean blue.
When you stroll along the decks of a grand Cunard Queen, you’re following in the footsteps of generations by embracing the fresh, salty sea breezes onboard your own sanctuary. A wellness world now tempts aboard too, including spectacular award-winning spas, indulgent treatments using the finest products, yoga, healthy menus curated for you and even a dedicated Aqua Therapy Centre. Whether you’re a confirmed Cunarder, a wellness devotee or simply in need of a replenishing ocean retreat, Cunard offers the perfect relaxing, enriching oceanic escape.
Ocean soundscapes
The sound of the ocean really does make you feel good. Science has found that just listening to water reduces stress levels, lowers blood pressure and promotes calm by boosting your dopamine and oxytocin levels.
Strolling along the decks of Queen Elizabeth in Alaska
Queen Anne Mareel Spa | Credit: Cunard
Friends relaxing at the spa
Cunard Queens are built with ocean-inspired wellness and relaxation in mind. The lavish interiors and staterooms are famously luxurious, but they are also immaculately designed with calming colours and a sense of space that helps you truly unwind and relax. Every line of sight brings something of beauty. This attention to detail is woven seamlessly into the onboard spas – with special attention even paid to the ceilings of Queen Anne’s spa, for treatments that require guests to lie on their backs. Mareel Wellness & Beauty is a signature experience on Cunard’s voyages, offering a range of treatments and amenities inspired by the ocean itself. From sea-infused therapies to the calming rhythms of the ocean, Mareel’s treatments take full advantage of your surroundings to deliver deep relaxation and rejuvenation, all while you sail towards new horizons.
Relax: a spa break like no other
No wonder it was voted Best for Wellness and Enrichment at the 2023 UK Wave Awards. In a word, it is spectacular. The ocean is at the heart of the Mareel experience – its power is harnessed to create relaxing wellness sessions and workshops that help you shake off the shore and leave you feeling rejuvenated, radiant and replenished. Choose from an extensive, expertly designed range that spans 40 massage, beauty, hair, nail and advanced facial treatments, as well as half a dozen body rejuvenation medi-spa therapy options. The emphasis is on exclusive treatments using the finest products, from the classic Mareel massage or Swedish, through to hot stone and bamboo massages, acupuncture and reflexology.
Enjoy one of the many spa treatments on offer | Credit: Cunard
Queen Anne Wellness Cafe | Credit: Cunard
Cunard’s Queens are home to almost 100 specialist spa therapists, who have all spent a minimum 162 hours training at the world-renowned London Wellness Academy. This temple of wellness has a proud heritage stretching back for 40 years and over that time they’ve worked to perfect their training for spa therapies at sea. One of the standout features aboard Cunard’s wellness voyages is the Aqua Therapy Centre at Mareel. Bathe in the rejuvenating power of water, with options such as invigorating sea-salt exfoliation baths or a refreshing ice fountain to awaken your senses — it’s an experience that is enhanced by the surrounding ocean. After a treatment or a spirit-soaring spell in the Aqua Therapy Centre there is plenty of space to relax on a sumptuous lounger with a good book and ease the day away. Always determined to go that extra nautical mile, Cunard also hosts complimentary lectures and workshops led by the Mareel professionals, where you learn about treatments and ways to manage wellness well beyond your cruise.
A spa oasis at sea would be reason enough to indulge in a voyage of relaxation, but onboard Cunard’s ships the wellness benefits don’t end there. Alongside relaxation, there are also myriad ocean-fuelled activities to fire up and rejuvenate your mind and body. A state-of-the-art gym with all the top quality equipment you could ever wish will be at your disposal, along with highly trained fitness experts, personal training and 15 fitness classes per day overlooking the ocean.
Rejuvenate: oceanic activities to boost your body
Ancient oceanic perspectives: Mareel
The word ‘mareel’ means the eye-catching glowing phosphorescence that lights up the ocean’s surface. It comes from the Shetland dialect, stemming from the Old Norse word ‘marueldr’, which combines marr (sea) with eldr (fire).
Yoga on the deck
Science has found that just listening to water reduces stress levels
Queen Elizabeth Hydro Pool | Credit: Cunard
Glean top tips and insightful perspectives from personal trainers, whether they are tweaking an existing regime or helping you find new ways to keep your body and mind healthy. Your Cunard personal trainer can curate a bespoke diet and exercise programme, or help unlock a complete picture of your body makeup with an InBody 570 composition analysis.
If you prefer exercising in company, Cunard organises a sweep of fitness and wellbeing classes. How about a snack-sized speedy HIIT workout, or burning the calories and building muscle stamina and strength cycling to a pumping musical playlist? You can also work on easing aches and pains with toning Pilates.
Queen Anne Wellness Studio
Queen Anne Grills Terrace whirlpool
The Himalayan salt sauna on board Queen Anne
Wellness is at the heart of the voyage, from Queen Anne spa to the calming sound of the waves | Credit: Cunard
Always innovating, Cunard has teamed up with Harper’s Bazaar UK on a holistic wellness programme exclusively for guests aboard Queen Anne. Each of the trio of the Wellness at Sea three-day packages includes spa treatments, your own Elemis products, and nutritionally balanced dining from The Pavilion Wellness Café. The Detox Journey features a cryo-body detox and body sculpting treatment, while the Energise Journey empowers you with mindful eating, massage and movement. Finally the Relax Journey brings soothing treatments, such as a restorative salt stone massage, to reset your nervous system.
Queen Anne is home to further innovative treatments, including the latest wellness options, and features a cryobath for ice-cold cryotherapy at sea. The Wellness Suite also has an infrared sauna, Himalayan salt sauna and a quartet of experience showers.
Cold-water therapy
The benefits of cold water therapy – especially seawater – include helping to alleviate muscle pain, reducing swelling and inflammation and aiding in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Cunard is rightly renowned for its top-notch restaurants, and they have an impressive array of delicious dining options that are as nutritious as they are mouthwatering. Combined with Cunard’s famed White Star Service and active mindfulness experiences like yoga on deck, there is no better way to refuel and replenish your mind and body.
Replenish: fuel for the mind, body and soul
A selection of dishes served on board Cunard
The White Star Service is there to go above and beyond, allowing you to relax and focus on some well-deserved ‘me time’. It comes across in the simple things like the waiters knowing how you like your steak cooked or refreshing your drink before you’d even asked. Cunard has been refining its signature service for more than 180 years to provide the best possible experience.
Alfresco dining on the Queen Elizabeth
Expect imaginative menus | Credit: Cunard
Eating healthily on a Cunard Queen doesn’t mean missing out on fine dining either, with well-balanced nourishing choices in the Britannia and Grills Restaurants. You can choose to dine more casually by the pool or enjoy a splash out with an old pub favourite at The Golden Lion. And if you’re lulled into a state of pure bliss following a treatment at Mareel, there’s always the option to dine in your cabin at no extra cost, 24 hours a day. On Queen Anne you can dine at the new The Pavilion Wellness Café, an alternative dining experience that is focused on plant-powered food and sustainably sourced meals, with vegan options available. The cuisine here promotes wellbeing without ever losing sight of what is fresh and delicious with a menu still firmly focused on delivering flavour. Think energy-giving smoothies and mouth watering salads bursting with colour, texture and taste.
A breath of fresh air
Fresh ocean air has long been prescribed for respiratory illnesses such as asthma, allergies and sinusitis. Its negative ions are also said to have a positive effect on mood, sleep and stress.
The new café is housed in the Wellness Pavilion, a dramatic open-air oasis on the top deck with a vaulting retractable glass dome roof. This remarkable architectural project was led by the designer Martin Francis, who is renowned for his work in Paris on the iconic Louvre Pyramid. The Wellness Studio here is the ideal retreat for fitness classes and it’s open from sunrise to sunset. Pilates and circuit sessions take on an extra dimension with an ocean backdrop. With the roof open and the sea breeze easing through, dining here is a soothing wellness experience in itself.
Britannia Restaurant on board Queen Anne
Expect British and regional cuisine | Credit: Cunard
Dine on a wide range of dishes | Credit: Cunard
Britannia Restaurant
Appetiser:
Smoked salmon, wasabi mayonnaise, avocado cream and capers Salad:
Asian noodle salad - peanut, basil, lime, crispy shallots and sesame chilli dressing Main course:
Rainbow trout fillet amandine, berny potato, root vegetable and crushed peas
Menu spotlight
Whether you’re looking to relax, rejuvenate, replenish or combine all three, embarking on a wellness journey with Cunard is a truly unique experience. Surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean as you voyage to new places and indulge in sumptuous spa treatments and deliciously nutritious meals, there is no better way to enjoy an oasis of calm than on a cruise.
Visit cunard.com
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Produced by Telegraph Media Group Writer: Robin McKelvie | Project manager: Michelle Birbeck | Commissioning editor: Alice Treasure |
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The perfect way to relax
Experience the next generation of skincare with the powerful benefits of six Elemis Biotec 2.0 technologies. This advanced, age-defying facial lifts, smooths, and defines while oxygenating and recharging your skin, revealing a radiant, youthful glow in just one session.
Biotec 2.0 – the ultimate facial
Restorative salt stone massage
Acupuncture
Himalayan salt stones, rich in minerals including iron, magnesium and potassium, are massaged over the body, leaving a veil of light salt to help remineralise the skin. Stress levels are reduced, leaving you ready to face the demands of modern life.
Biotec 2.0 – the ultimate facial
Restorative salt stone massage
Acupuncture
Balance the body’s chi energy, stimulate natural healing processes, and sink into relaxation with our onboard acupuncturist. Endorsed by the US National Institute of Health, this ancient Chinese modality is useful in treating musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, migraines, tension headaches, asthma, tendonitis, and fatigue. For best results, we advise a series of treatments.
Biotec 2.0 – the ultimate facial
Restorative salt stone massage
Acupuncture
