Women’s Fitness writer Lucy Miller took her family on a Royal Caribbean fitness cruise from Southampton to Spain
One lap, two laps, three laps, four… imagine running around a track on the 12th deck of a cruise ship. Now, imagine doing that while sailing from Spain to Lisbon and back again. It’s tranquil: the waves gliding and crashing against the ship, the salty sea breeze in your hair and not another person or thing in sight, except for the dolphins that pop up most mornings to perform their playful tricks.
A cruise was never on my agenda, but when I spotted a seven-day sail from Southampton, which fell perfectly over the May half-term, how could I resist? Stepping aboard the Independence of the Seas, I was stunned by the padel courts, fully equipped gym with weights and cardio machines, climbing wall and crazy golf. Not to mention fitness classes from morning to night, Pilates at 7am, followed by Spin and even meditation.
A game of padel on deck 13 was the perfect way to meet other guests and get moving, as were ballroom dance lessons and karaoke. Whether chatting to fellow passengers over dinner or while queuing to disembark for an on-shore adventure, the vibe was friendly, open and sociable. This no-fly cruise from Southampton to Spain and then Portugal gave me sunshine, fitness and community – without the airport stress. And with two little ones in tow, that made all the difference.
Yes, ‘sea legs’ (the ability to not feel sea sick while at sea) were a worry for me, but I can happily say I was fine. Okay, there was one morning on the rowing machine when I felt a little queasy – it felt like I was rowing across the North Atlantic as I looked out of the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the open sea – and I had to get off, and a few little wobbles here and there, but nothing major. That’s totally to be expected, right?
Cruise cuisine
Luckily, that didn’t put me off my food. Every day started with a healthy breakfast in the ship’s main restaurant. The choice was impressive – freshly-made omelettes, breakfast burritos, fresh fruit and cereals or, if you fancied it, pastries, cakes and nut butter on toast. But honestly? The selection of protein-rich cooked breakfasts were so good, you didn’t need the sugary stuff.
The à la carte restaurants were just as impressive. Chops Grille (a smart steakhouse), Izumi Sushi & Hibachi (a Japanese experience with all the flair) and Giovanni’s Table, a relaxed Italian spot right next to the main buffet, which the kids loved and tucked into fresh pasta while I ordered the creamy chicken piccata.
The buffet itself was a major highlight, with themed nights like British Night (think, fish and chips) and Indian Night, which served up the best butter chicken I’ve ever had. I can genuinely say we didn’t have a single bad meal on Independence of the Seas. And if you ever feel like something simpler, Sorrento’s Pizza was always there with thick, doughy slices served all day and well into the night, too.
We had the Deluxe Beverage Package included, which meant unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I made the most of a daily cocktail (balance is key, of course), and the kids were thrilled with their daily milkshakes, sparkling water and freshly made mocktails – watermelon, lime and mint became my son’s go-to drink of the trip.
‘The cooked, protein-rich breakfasts were so good, you didn’t need the sugary stuff’
Keeping active
With the chance to disembark the ship most days, I used my time in the mornings to get my workouts in. My go-tos were the running track and the cardio area, which was kitted out with Technogym equipment. And for variety, sometimes I switched it up with strength training, using the weight machines and mirrored studio for abs and stretching sessions.
The 8am body sculpting class was a highlight – think, squats, shadow boxing and an upbeat energy. I even did a body composition analysis at the start and end of the trip, just to keep myself accountable while enjoying the food and drink (within reason, of course).
Off the ship, there was plenty more movement to be had… walking through Vigo, shopping the colourful streets of Lisbon, and exploring the cathedral in La Coruña all helped keep my step count high and my energy even higher. It was great to explore new cities, yet to have the comfort of the ship to go back to if we needed some rest and recovery.
Getting off the ship was easy and stress-free. Each day, the Royal Caribbean app outlined the full itinerary – including docking times and on-shore activities – which you could book in advance or via guest services. Once ready, you simply followed the gangway signs, scanned your card and set off on your next adventure.
Lisbon was an overnight stop, meaning you could enjoy the city well into the evening. We opted for a scenic drive to the Oceanarium of Lisbon, one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe, followed by bacalhau à brás, one of Portugal’s most famous dishes made from shredded cod that’s stir-fried
with scrambled eggs, potatoes, onions, black olives and parsley – it was the perfect taste of the city. Sensibly, we headed back to the ship at around 9pm, but it was good to know we could’ve stayed out later to soak up more of Lisbon’s nightlife. We certainly heard some party animals roll in during the early hours.
Family friendly
There was never a dull moment for the kids on board. Elliott, eight, spent hours on the Nintendo Switch and in the arcade, while Lacie, 11, quickly made friends in the kids’ club, which ran activities until 10pm. The family silent disco was a hilarious highlight, and we all laced up for ice skating on the ship’s rink.
For quieter moments, there were drawing and paper plane workshops, plus family quizzes that got everyone involved. By day, the kids were hooked on the water slides, FlowRider surf simulator and climbing wall. The Sky Pad fast became a favourite for rounds of hide-and-seek or, when they needed a breather, games of Connect 4 and bean bag toss.
Other big hits included glow-in-the-dark laser tag, the Splashaway Bay water park, and an outdoor cinema where we watched our favourite films from the hot tubs.
‘The 8am class was a highlight: squats, shadow boxing and an upbeat energy’
Final thoughts
Would I do it all again? You bet! It didn’t take long to understand why people get hooked on cruising, and I can definitely see myself booking another cruise in the future. The food was fantastic, the rooms were comfortable, and the onboard entertainment and facilities were brilliant. There was so much for us to do as a family and just enough space for a bit of me-time, too.
The atmosphere on board was warm and welcoming, with friendly passengers and a relaxed, happy vibe. Sharing a small cabin felt a little intense at times, but I honestly wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a cruise as a family holiday. Sailing from Southampton was ideal because there was no flight to catch or transfers to organise, and you don’t even have to leave the ship to have a great time and create lasting memories (though exploring new places along the way is a pretty magical bonus).
The highlights for me include the fitness facilities, the variety of food and restaurants, the uber-friendly staff, and the sheer amount of onboard experiences, from the nightclub and arcade to the casino, high street shops, a library and even a spa. This family friendly cruise was our first but it definitely won’t be our last.
