Ship’s promenade
Not that long ago, the only way to stay in shape on a cruise was to take a brisk walk around the promenade deck. But today. cruise ships offer a staggering array of ways to keep fit, no matter what your level of fitness.
Serious athletes can rappel off rock walls, use the latest Kinesis technology to boost strength and flexibility, or get their heart rate up in a boxing ring, batting box, or current pool. Those who just want to keep the extra pounds at bay can sign up for stretching or yoga classes.
Here’s our list of the Top 10 Cruise Ships for Staying Fit:
1) Carnival Splendor
With more than 30 treadmills, elliptical trainers, and bikes – each with it’s own flat-screen TV – stretching, aerobics, yoga, spinning, and Pilates classes, the Splendor’s fitness center is well equipped. There’s a nine-hole mini-golf course, circuit track, and golf pros on board to give you tips or arrange tee times on shore.
2) Celebrity Solstice
The two-deck fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows features some cool equipment like virtual reality bikes and free climbers. There’s a jogging track, a sports pool, and a basketball court. Though you probably won’t break a sweat, you can play bocce ball or work on your short game at the Lawn Club, which features real grass.
Golfers will appreciate the driving nets and putting green. Walkers have two programs exclusive to Crystal – Walk on Water (WOW), which features weighted vests for added resistance, and the Nordic Walking routine developed with LEKI USA. Passengers may use walking poles free of charge. The gym has all the latest machines, there are plenty of classes, and there are two paddle tennis courts.
Fitness center on Costa Luminosa
4) Costa Luminosa
The fitness center affiliated with the Samsara Spa has all the requisite equipment and classes, but what makes Costa unique is its high-tech games, including a golf simulator, Gran Prix simulator, and PlayStation World, which is available in a dedicated area and in cabins. The sports court can be used for volleyball or tennis. There’s also a top-deck roller skating track — the first at sea. Passengers can rent skates by the hour. It’s also the first ship with a Kinesis circuit.
5) Liberty of the Seas
The 9,700-square-foot ShipShape Fitness Center aboard this Royal Caribbean ship has a huge selection of resistance, cardio, and circuit training machines. Cable Motion strength-training and Power Plate reflex technology equipment add additional exercise options. There are separate studios for classes, which include Yoga, stretching, aerobics, Pilates, Tai Chi and spinning. The basketball court, rock wall, and full-size boxing ring are great places to burn some calories. And the FlowRider surf simulator is especially appealing on hot days.
6) Norwegian Epic
Taking a page from Royal Caribbean, NCL has added rock-climbing walls, basketball and tennis courts, and bleachers for spectators. Their newest ship introduces the first rappelling wall at sea, and has a batting cage, climbing cage, bungee trampoline activity, and rope course. The fitness facility — part of the 31,000-square-foot spa complex — has 37 treadmills and 18 cross trainers. And innovative classes like Activio Group Cycling, TRX, Kettleball, and Gravity reformer add variety to your workout.
The fitness facilities aboard Royal Caribbean’s mammoth new ship are impressive, to say the least. Spanning the full length of the ship on Deck 15, the Pool and Sports Zone has pools, a sport court, a zip line, and two surf simulators. At nearly half a mile, the jogging track on the promenade is almost twice as long as the average track on land. The Vitality at Sea fitness center has an Omega Kinesis wall, gravity trainers, and stationary bikes with more than thirty different virtual environments.
8) Queen Mary 2
The fitness center aboard Queen Mary 2 is run by Canyon Ranch, and it’s equipped with a wide range of equipment, including free weights and resistance equipment, and stepping, rowing, and elliptical machines. A basketball court, paddle tennis court, and golf simulator are also available for passengers. Fun exercise classes are a highlight of long sea days. And private Pilates sessions can be reserved on the reformer machines.
9) Ruby Princess
If you don’t want to take advantage of the panoramic ocean views, you can watch the personal entertainment device built into the treadmills, stationary bikes, and elliptical trainers. Swimmers can work out in the current pool, and Tour de Spin classes mimic some of the stages of the Tour de France. The innovative Core, Balance and Strength program combines Pilates, Yoga, and Cardio classes for a comprehensive workout routine. There’s also a jogging track and nine-hole putting course.
10) Seabourn Odyssey
The multi-level fitness center on Seabourn Odyssey includes a Motion Studio with a Kinesis wall that uses cables and pulleys to increase flexibility and muscle definition with less impact than conventional exercise equipment. Kinesis group and personal classes are available. The hydro pool and thermal suite is a good place to unwind after your workout.
Read about the Top 10 Cruise Ships for Spa Lovers here.
Ship’s promenade Image Flickr: Phil of Ottawa
Fitness center on Costa Luminosa Image Flickr: weisserstier