Asian cruise ship trends: spa and wellness packages, more Chinese passengers
Cruise customers in Asia – who mostly come from China now – are increasingly looking for massages and fitness classes with their sea view, and operators have responded by offering spas, on-board yoga and novel wellness packages
Soak in a Japanese bath or indulge in a Himalayan salt stone massage, while you gaze out to sea. As more Asians discover the joy of cruise travel, operators are responding to the rising demand for wellness-themed options.
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Cruise line capacity in the region has grown in the past four years to 4.24 million passengers. According to a 2017 Cruise Lines International Association report, there are 66 cruise ships in Asia, five of which can each carry more than 3,500 passengers. In 2016, 3.1 million passengers from Asia took to the seas, 55 per cent more than the previous year. China is the major source of these tourists, accounting for 2.1 million, or 68 per cent of all passengers.
Health and wellness is a growing reason for people to travel in Asia, according to Thatcher Brown, president of Genting’s Dream Cruises. Citing a recent industry report, he points out that, beyond accommodation, 33 per cent of guests place importance on fitness facilities, while 28 per cent mention spa facilities. International cruise operators are heeding the call, rolling out new-wave wellness and spa options.
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The 18-deck Genting Dream can carry 2,000 crew members serving 3,400 passengers. The year-old vessel has the largest Asian spa at sea, with more than 60 treatment “thrones” spread across 1,300 square metres. Its Crystal Life Asian Spa offers Chinese therapeutic reflexology and meridian energy massage, and traditional Chinese tui na or body acupressure. It also offers a fitness centre with popular classes such as spinning, Pilates and yoga.
“It was a special takeaway from the trip,” said Pevon Kan, a 40-year-old housewife from Hong Kong who has sailed twice on Genting Dream. “My hands and feet are usually cold, with bad blood circulation. My muscles are also very tense from work. The hot stone massage helped with my blood circulation and muscle relaxation. It was part of a relaxing holiday at sea, to truly unwind and recharge.”
A Himalayan salt stone massage is part of the Asian spa’s holistic health service, which has a quartz bed massage option. Heated crystal stones made from pink Himalayan salt are said to help stimulate circulation, improve sleep, reduce inflammation, calm the nervous system and reduce signs of ageing.