Experts design and lead Crystal wellness retreats at sea

They're curated by nutritionists, yoga and meditation specialists, sports experts and noted authors and scientists.

The wellness journeys will take place aboard Crystal Symphony's Dec. 1-14 Barcelona to Tema, Ghana voyage and the Dec. 14-23 cruise from Tema to Cape Town.

Plant-based dishes, workshops and excursions

Both will offer plant-based dishes curated by Crystal’s culinary team, personal training, fitness classes, yoga and meditation workshops, a pickleball clinic, dance classes and lectures by renowned speakers. Excursions planned around pickleball, padel or golf will be offered in scenic environments and renowned clubs.

Other programming includes hikes, nature walks, kayaking, cooking classes and aloe vera workshops.

'It is important that our offerings align with discerning travelers' evolving tastes and needs, as wellness is at the forefront of so many of our guests’ lives. These voyages will continue to shape a new era of exceptional experiences for Crystal,' the line's head nutritionist, Dalila Roglieri, said.

Fitness programming

Crystal will provide in-suite herbal tea and fresh vegetable smoothies for intermittent fasting detox days, daily yoga routines and fitness programming spanning from strength and mobility training to spinning, posture workouts, aerobics, walking sessions, golf instruction, pickleball clinics and dance classes such as rumba, salsa, merengue and tango.

Also offered: Brain exercise programs, such as bridge classes and painting lessons.

Beauty and health services will be available at Aurōra Spa, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, aqua meditation and cryo facials.

Guest experts

Besides Roglieri, special guests on the wellness cruises include Minna McHale, personal trainer, yoga teacher and movement/mobility instructor; Jenni Demus, yoga and mental health specialist, teacher and author of '30 Steps to Inner Power'; and Christine Houghton, founder and faculty head of the Institute for Nutrigenomic Medicine and author of 'Switched On – Embracing the Science of Nutrigenomic Medicine.'