Best Fitness Centers on Cruise Ships

Cruise guests choosing to stay fit at sea have a variety of fitness options to help stay on track.

Although walking is the easiest form of exercise and can be done on every ship, most cruise lines offer fitness centers to those that crave more action. Fitness centers on cruise ships vary in size, but most gyms offer cardio equipment, some combination of free-weights and circuit training equipment, and studio space for fitness classes.

 

Best Luxury Fitness Center: Crystal Cruises

The fitness centers on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony offer state-of-the-art exercise equipment, plus complimentary yoga and Pilates instruction.  Golfers will enjoy a driving range practice cage and putting green. Walkers can step around a 360-degree Promenade deck and those wanting to add some challenge to their regime can try Crystal Cruises’ exclusive Walk-on-Water  or Nordic Walking programs.

Best Express Workout – Seabourn Kinesis Wall (a full body workout in half the time)

If you are sailing on Seabourn Odyssey, check out the Kinesis wall where a 45 minute session of vigorous movements can leave you feeling like you just did a weight and cardio workout.

Best View – Princess Cruises

Onboard Sapphire Princess, cruise guests can use the treadmills, elliptical machines  and stationary bicycles while gazing at the horizon.

Best Fitness Center Adrenaline Rush: Royal Caribbean’s Flow Rider

Although the actual location of the Flow Rider is not in the fitness center, I am sure that noone will argue that this wave pool offers an intense workout. The FlowRider, used for surfing or body boarding, is found on select Royal Caribbean ships.

Best Action Venues

Cruise lines have a variety of venues to help cruise guests stay active. Although the trend on the newer mass-market ships is to max-out outdoor space with multi-level ropes courses, tube slides, and water parks, a cruise guest can find other ships that cater to open space. Some of the best venues for cruisers looking for action include:

• Jogging Tracks
• Basketball Courts
• Boxing Rings
• Golf Simulators
• Ice Skating Rinks
• Miniature Golf Courses
• Rock Climbing Walls
• Rollerblading Tracks
• Ropes Course
• Water Sli
• Zip-Lines

Best Fitness Center Group and Private Classes

• Aqua Aerobics
• Boot Camp
• Indoor Cycling
• Step Aerobics
• Stretching
• Tai Chi
• Yoga

 

Next Stop: The Spa

After a big workout, the best place to relax tired muscles, sweat-out toxins, and relieve stress is the spa.  Look for the sauna, steam room and thalassotherapy pools. Check out our review about cruise ship spas. Read more.