Cruise Your Way to Calm with Crystal’s Luxury Wellness Retreats
Have you ever felt that quiet nudge, the one that whispers it might be time to stop, to breathe, and to give back to yourself for a change? Luxury wellness retreats are often seen as still places: a mountain lodge, a countryside spa. Crystal Symphony offers something different. In December 2025, the second edition of Crystal’s Wellness Retreat Cruises will set sail, inviting you to move, reflect and reconnect, all while gliding through some of the world’s most breathtaking coastal landscapes.
If you’d rather take your reset with African sunsets on the horizon and the sound of waves beneath your feet, this might be the pause you’ve been waiting for.
What is the Crystal Wellness Retreat Cruise?
Forget rigid schedules or one-size-fits-all wellness packages. This is Crystal’s ongoing, expert-led wellness series, now even more refined in its second year. You can sail for 12 nights, 15 nights or take a longer moment for yourself across 27 nights. Each option is designed to bring calm and clarity without the fanfare.
Think of it as a floating sanctuary. Some days you might dive into yoga, breathwork and cooking workshops. Others, you’ll simply lounge, sip, and feel the sea carry you closer to yourself. There’s no programme to conquer, just a welcome space to exhale.
Crystal’s version of wellness weaves together movement, food, mindset and culture. You’re encouraged to engage as much or as little as you like, all while being gently guided by an exceptional team of professionals.
Feel Supported, Not Scheduled
A sense of calm often begins with knowing you’re in capable hands. Crystal’s wellness programme has been created by a team of highly respected specialists who understand that wellbeing is deeply individual.
Meet the Specialist (Magnus Appelberg)
Magnus Appelberg, a somatic therapist and author, leads sessions in breathwork, resilience and cold exposure. Don’t worry, it’s less boot camp and more reconnecting with what your body already knows, just in a supported, engaging way.
Dalila Roglieri, Crystal’s Head Nutritionist, redefines what healthy dining can be. With her guidance, plant-rich meals become something to savour, not a sacrifice. Even if delicious food is central to your self-care, you’ll find these dishes a joy, not a compromise.
Minna McHale focuses on movement that builds strength and steadiness without pushing the limits. From pool-based workouts to guided walks, her sessions are thoughtfully designed for all ages and energy levels. Whether you’re returning to movement or simply seeking a gentler pace, you’ll find it easy to participate in a way that feels right for you.
Jenni Demus brings lightness to yoga and meditation. Her sessions are accessible, calming and entirely free of pressure. You won’t find impossible poses here, just a gentle space to slow your thoughts and feel more grounded.
Choose Your Rhythm: How Would You Like to Reset?
Whether you’re taking a short step away or carving out time for a full mind-body refresh, each of the three sailings offers something special.
📍 Lisbon to Tema (26 Nov – 11 Dec 2025 |15 nights | from $8,300pp)
Sail from Portugal towards West Africa, pausing for beach yoga in Porto Praia, herbal remedy workshops in Gran Canaria and long, vitamin-D-filled days in Cape Verde. This route is a slow unfolding of calm and coastal culture.
📍 Tema to Cape Town (11 – 23 Dec 2025 | 12 nights | from $5,800pp)
What better way to explore Africa’s west coast than on this enriching journey? Depart from Tema, known for its striking Modernist architecture, and continue to Cotonou in Benin, where tradition meets modern life. After a peaceful sea day, arrive in São Tomé, a lush island retreat.
The route blends scenic ports and tranquil sea days, with stops in Luanda, Namibe and Walvis Bay. Between each destination, take time to reset with meditation, strength training, cooking classes and expert-led wellness sessions, all leading to a serene arrival in Cape Town.
📍 Lisbon to Cape Town (26 Nov – 23 Dec 2025 | 27 nights | from $14,200pp)
This continent-spanning voyage of exploration is the complete wellness journey, offering nearly a month to fully reset. From Portugal to South Africa, you’ll sail through diverse landscapes, with time to slow down and reconnect. Highlights include herbal healing in Gran Canaria, beach yoga in Porto Praia, and nature-rich ports like São Tomé, Namibe and Walvis Bay.
Ample sea days give you space to try the full wellness programme or simply relax into the calm. With expert guidance, nourishing food and a backdrop that shifts from volcanic coastlines to desert and ocean, this retreat is as expansive as it is restorative.
Terms and conditions apply. Fares are based on double occupancy.
What You’ll Find Onboard
The retreat programme flows through your days like a gentle current. You’ll have access to a thoughtfully designed selection of classes, workshops and one-to-one experiences, all focused on holistic wellness.
Explore breathwork, meditation, functional strength and nutritional workshops. Cooking demonstrations celebrate flavour as much as health, giving you tools to take home, not just memories.
The Aurōra Spa offers acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage and thermal therapies to support relaxation from the inside out. Whether you prefer an early morning stretch or a late afternoon treatment, your time onboard is yours to shape.
Dining is another area where wellbeing meets delight. Meals are plant-forward and flavourful, crafted in collaboration with Dalila Roglieri. Detox menus are available for those who want them. For everyone else, rest assured, you’re free to eat what you love. No guilt, no rules.
Let It All Drift Away
There’s no perfection here. No milestones to reach. Just a gentle invitation to slow down and reconnect with yourself most naturally – surrounded by open sea, warm air and people who are here to support your wellbeing, not police it.
If your days have become too crowded, if your rest hasn’t truly restored you, this is your chance to breathe again.
Let the weight on your shoulders lift with every passing wave. Let your worries drift into the horizon. Come home feeling clearer, lighter and more like yourself.
Ready to let the sea reset your senses?
Reach out to Spencer Travel Wellness at wellness@spencertravel.com.au and take the first step on your journey towards calm.
