Vitamin C: Wellness with P&O Cruises
For the ultimate back-to-nature experience, nothing beats the mesmeric beauty of the ocean. With unbeatable vistas and horizons, sea swells and sunsets, jump aboard one of P&O Cruises’ state-of-the-art liners and you can experience it for yourself — all without compromising on your daily yoga practice.
Iona, its newest ship, built in 2020, regularly plies routes to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands and up to the Norwegian fjords, and comes fully equipped with a gym and fitness studio plus a class schedule that includes daily yoga, meditation and other activities, ranging from Pilates to spin sessions.
There are themed weeks on board too, from Wellness and Lifestyle cruises, with added motivation from top coaches and speakers, to the ever popular Food Hero voyages, where you get to indulge in some of the spectacular catering on offer from celebrity chefs like Marco Pierre White. Hey, it’s all about balance, right?
Make sure you check the daily schedule of events that are printed out and left by your cabin door which tells you what’s going on that day — you don’t want to miss something in the lecture theatre that could literally transform your life!
LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVES
For those who have never enjoyed cruising at sea, the first thing you’ll notice, after the vast emptiness of the ocean, is the sheer size of the ship — Iona is big!
Built in Germany in 2020, and named in 2021, it can house 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew, with 2,614 cabins, including fancy suites and conservatory mini-suites, plus single and family rooms. At 345 metres long, and weighing 184,000 tons, it’s truly massive and incredibly sturdy too. Even when the weather turns and the waves pick up, you’ll not have to work too hard to hold your tree pose.
The ship’s scale is reflected in the array of facilities on board. On Deck 17 there’s even a running track where you can jog outdoors with the most amazing panoramic views, a reflection of the wide range of health and fitness options on board.
Iona also boasts four pools, including an infinity pool (plus six infinity whirlpool spas), a further 12 whirlpool spas, a sauna and a steam room, alongside a deluxe spa where you can be totally pampered by therapists with magic hands.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Whatever cruise you’re on, whether it’s a themed week or not, good food is an integral part of the experience.
There are a staggering 33 places to eat and drink on Iona — so whether you want to eat fresh and clean, or splurge on chocolate cake all week, then you can do it!
Afterwards, there’s a range of entertainment options to pick from, from nightclubs and casinos to cinemas and pubs. Or just chill out on deck, or in a whirlpool of your own, as you watch the world float by.
That equates to great value for money given all the things you can do on board that are included — food, fitness, accommodation, entertainment, not to mention waking up in a new destination nearly every day!
The sense of adventure and excitement you get on arriving at a new destination in the morning will never fade.
Everything P&O Cruises does is also intuitively designed with British tastes in mind, adding to that home-from-home experience. It’s great for all ages and groups, from solo travellers to families with young children or teenagers.
The main departure point from Southampton gives you access to the widest variety of destinations — once you sail past the Isle of Wight, the whole world is waiting.
A FITNESS ADVENTURE
You can do as much or as little as you like during the voyage. As well as days exploring the destinations, your time at sea can be one long fitness holiday.
Head to the sports courts and play tennis, football, basketball, or even try your hand at archery. Hit some balls in the golf nets, jog with unbeatable sea views on deck, make the most of the state-of[1]the-art gym, join a FitSteps, Pilates, spin or AquaFit class...or just ease in with some mindful yoga sessions.
For early risers, the dawn is a must-see as the sun rises over the horizon, another great way to get your yoga fix if you can find a nice, quiet spot on deck.
Or just kick back and take it easy. You’ll find countless sun loungers and chairs on deck to relax in, chilled-out bars to enjoy a refreshing sunset mocktail, as well as plenty of happy, holiday-making friends to chat to along the way.
And, when you do eventually sink into your soft bed for the evening, just know that tomorrow brings another day — and another destination to explore. On this holiday, you are literally living in the adventure.
For cruise dates, itineraries, prices and more about the P&O Cruises experience, including health and fitness options, visit: pocruises.com
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
