Taking the Waters

Cruise lines are building wellness havens that rival anything on land.

- Susan B. Barnes

HIGH-END SPAS on luxury ships may feel like a recent innovation, but the idea of “taking the sea air” has been around since the dawn of cruising. The first shipboard gymnasium appeared on the German ship Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse at the turn of the 20th century. The first onboard swimming pool came along in 1906, on the White Star Line’s Adriatic.

But as interest in fitness and self-care has boomed more recently, the pace of innovation on ships has quickened. One research firm estimates that, in 2024, the global market for spa services on ships was nearly $10 billion. “Travelers expect to see a spa in their hotel,” says Lynne McNees, the president of the International Spa Association. “Now, more than ever, they expect that on their cruise ship, as well.”

Here’s a closer look at the latest innovations to seek out on your next sail.