Is Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass the...

Sarah Hedley Hymers took a health-conscious trip on the Edge class Celebrity Apex to find out

For some, the temptations of cruising can prove too great to resist. Affordable all-inclusive packages – with cuisines from every country and world-class wine pairings – are a recipe for hedonism.

I'll admit, my first couple of cruises ended in me disembarking several pounds heavier than when I’d boarded. I’m surprised I didn’t sink the ships.

Thankfully for me, in recent years there’s been greater focus placed on health-conscious cruising. At the forefront of that movement is Celebrity Cruises. The cruise line has created an entire ticket class dedicated to wellness.

Celebrity Apex gym

Booking Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass staterooms might not stop you from eating cake for breakfast (that dulce de leche studel was practically screaming my name), but it does encourage healthy habits with its package of perks.

Key among those benefits of booking AquaClass are three free fitness classes per guest per week. These include Ryde indoor cycling and yoga classes. At US$20 a session, that represents a weekly saving of US$60.

Booking classes well in advance is recommended as they’re becoming increasingly popular and get booked up.

FYI, fitness fans, there’s also a schedule of free classes, and daily F45 circuit training sessions, bookable with a weekly Class Pass that costs US$65

Another AquaClass perk is exclusive access to Blu restaurant specialising in clean cuisine, serving breakfast and dinner. The menu offers smoothies alongside the usual breakfast staples, and vegetarian options at dinner, such as Beyond Burgers, courgette carpaccio and shitake mushroom pasta, alongside its meat and fish selection.

Blu

AquaClass passengers also enjoy free access to the ship’s Sea Thermal Suite, which contains an infrared sauna, steam and mist rooms, rain showers, salt- and crystal-infused spaces to promote healing properties and heated loungers with sea views (lead picture).

Salt room

In AquaClass staterooms, which are the Infinite Veranda variety on Edge class ships, the cruise line’s trademarked Cashmere and eXhale bedding, yoga mats and two bottles of complimentary water a day are provided.

Infinite Veranda rooms

Combine cleaning eating and hydration with a regular exercise routine and a good night’s sleep and your cruise experience could be just what the doctor ordered.

Celebrity Cruises AquaClass benefits at a glance:

Exclusive access to Blu restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, including healthy options
Expanded breakfast room service menu
Access to the Sea Thermal Suite
Spa Concierge services and priority spa reservations
Complimentary fitness classes (three per week)
Two bottles of complimentary water delivered daily
In-room yoga mats
Wellness on-demand TV
Eco-friendly amenities by Bigelow
100% cotton bathrobes, slippers and towels

To book Celebrity Cruises AquaClass sailings, visit www.celebritycruises.ae. Celebrity Cruises International Representative – Middle East is Royal Caribbean Arabia. To partner with Royal Caribbean Arabia call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, or email book@rccl.ae. For more information, visit www.royalcaribbean.ae