Health and Wellness on the High Seas Aboard Oceania Cruises New Allura
Many would-be cruisers are under the impression that because there are so many dining choices while onboard a cruise – often available 24-hours a day – that gluttony reigns supreme and weight gain is inevitable. While it’s certainly easier to gain weight than to maintain one’s ideal weight, much less lose it anywhere, it’s also true that many cruisers and repeat cruisers do not gain weight while onboard, even if for extended periods or multiple legs.
As one who has covered many, many cruises over the past dozen years, I can certainly attest that weight gain is not mandatory, all while having an excellent experience dining, drinking, exploring, and otherwise. Perhaps nowhere is this truer than on Oceania Cruises newest 1,200-passenger ship, the lovely Allura, which made her maiden voyage mid-July in Trieste.
On embarkation, when entering my large, impeccably decorated Deck 8 Concierge Level Veranda stateroom with calming hues and dreamy seventh generation Tranquility beds, 1000-count sheets, and fabulously large marble bathroom, I noticed a digital scale. After two days in Trieste and an inordinate amount of gelato – that in my humble opinion was completely cancelled out by copious amounts of walking this charming Italian city – I weighed in at my normal 128 pounds. The next day when returning to my stateroom after a great Oceania Exclusive – small group – walking tour in Rijeka, Croatia, the scale mysteriously, or perhaps intentionally, disappeared. Seeing my butler in the hallway later I requested its return and it magically reappeared. However, if one doesn’t wish to have a scale in one’s stateroom, there’s a scale in Allura’s Fitness Center on Deck 15.
My objective was to enjoy the stellar meals, desserts, wine selections, exercise, see the sights during ports of call on two Mediterranean itineraries – 18-nights total – all while not gaining weight. I also wanted to utilize Allura’s Aquamar Spa & Vitality Center and its Medi-Spa – because who doesn’t want to look better on disembarkation than on embarkation?
The Finest Cuisine at Sea
Oceania Cruises boasts some of the finest cuisine at sea, and the Allura is no exception. The brand’s Aquamar Kitchen – its signature healthy eatery – first debuted on Oceania’s Vista two years ago to critical acclaim. I was thrilled to find it also on Allura and it’s a perennial guest favorite. At breakfast there are items such as açaí berry energy bowls, blueberry chia yogurt, and Aquamar muesli, to which one can add almonds, pumpkin seeds, and/or goji berries, among other healthy delights. There are also four different types of avocado toast varieties on rustic farmer’s bread. Plus of course a host of egg white or regular made-to-order omelets, fruit-laced pancakes, fresh squeezed immunity boosting juices, and healthy smoothies. Then there’s the coffee, tea, and matcha menu with combinations galore to make any caffeine addict swoon with delight.
At lunch Aquamar Kitchen serves four different types of bowls – poke, sweet potato, chicken breast, and gravlax – a host of healthy salads, including Thai chicken, salmon with tabbouleh, and superfood salads with quinoa, butternut squash and avocado. Naturally, one can have a made-to-order salad with over a dozen healthy combinable items. There are also chicken, falafel and tahini wraps, tuna tacos that will rock your world, and impossible burgers, tuna burgers, and ground chicken burgers.
At Allura’s Grand Dining Room, there are also healthy choices, including several vegetarian options, and Aquamar Vitality items such as salmon rillette. The best part is that guests can mix and match appetizers and entrees from within the various Grand Dining Room menus allowing for maximum choices. Following all that healthy eating, a dessert splurge is required, and one will certainly want to sample the Humphrey Slocombe “After School Special,” a glorious creamy vanilla ice cream with crumbled chocolate covered potato chips, and warm caramel sauce.
At Red Ginger, Allura’s pan Asian restaurant, here too excellent, guilt-free choices abound. There’s traditional miso soup with silken tofu, scallions and spicy duck salad with watermelon, mint, and basil. Both the lean and mouthwatering tuna tataki with sesame crust and the miso-glazed sea bass were so marvelous, I returned twice more during my voyage for repeat performances. Likewise at Waves Grill on Deck 12, there are fish burgers, shrimp rolls, mahi burritos, and other healthy choices.
Even at Allura’s new Crêperie, with its intoxicatingly aromatic warm crêpes and Belgian and Bubble waffles, low-fat, soft-serve frozen yogurt is served and was some of the best I’ve ever tasted anywhere, especially when topped with fresh blueberries and sliced almonds. This became my afternoon go-to snack.
At Jacques, Allura’s new reimagined signature French restaurant, named for the fabled chef Jacques Pépin, Oceania’s first culinary director, there’s lettuce wrapped crab salad, and perfect as one would expect, baked French onion soup. Hand-cut beef tartar prepared table side was lean and delicious, while Jacques’ famous Dover sole was light, flavorful, and deboned table side. As the president and CEO of the U.S. chapter of Chocoholics Anonymous, I’m thrilled to report Jacques’ sugar-free chocolate ice cream was divine.
At Allura’s signature classic steakhouse, Polo Grill, there’s beefsteak tomato and red onion salads, lean filet mignon, blackened salmon, and seared tuna steak. Even at Toscana, Oceania signature Italian restaurant, there are lightly dressed Caeser, spinach, and zucchini, tomato, and arugula salad appetizers. Entrees such as Mediterranean Branzino further ensured guilt-free dining. While I had just one bite of my dining partner’s creamy tiramisu, I did finish several tranches of biscotti. However as they were very thin, they did not calorically count.
Aquamar Spa & Vitality Center
Allura’s Aquamar Spa & Vitality Center is a veritable Zen oasis. It has 11 treatment rooms, including one massage bed containing sand and salt minerals to alleviate still muscles and aid in blood circulation, and a complete massage menu ensuring no muscles go ignored.
The onboard aesthetic physician, Laura Beltran, M.D., a Colombian physician educated in Bogota with specialized training in Spain, had at her disposal a Visia machine that analyzes skin for pigmentation, redness, aging, pore size, and quality. Based on this analysis, the Visia can show the visual age of one’s skin versus one’s biological age. In my case, the analysis came in eight years below my biological age, nearly causing me to do cartwheels while simultaneously idolizing my ancestors for olive skin. The Visia’s less appealing attribute is that it can also show how one will look 10 and 20 years hence without interim intervention.
The Medi-Spa offers Restylane, sold by the syringe, to restore volume for the lower third of the face, Dysport, chargeable by the area, for the face’s upper third, Thermage – a 90-minute, non-invasive laser cell stimulation to increase collagen and elastin – resulting in a tightening effect to restore lost volume, and Micro-needling, focusing on the skin’s surface to reduce the appearance of scars, large pores, and other skin irregularities evening skin tone. Prices for these are competitive with those found in major U.S. cities and a small discount is given when multiple syringes or areas are treated. While never one to “kiss and tell,” I will say I was very pleased with Dr. Beltran’s handiwork.
Acupuncture was also available by Govinda Mohandass, an Indian-born, British-trained doctor of Oriental Medicine. Consults are complimentary, and treatments, generally consisting of four sessions, can address a wide variety of ailments from back pain to sleep issues.
A light-filled beauty and nail salon and barber station had a full-service menu and excellent technicians keeping my tresses looking great.
Allura Fitness Center, Classes & Pickleball
Admittedly, I spent a lot of time here. I loved walking miles and miles on the treadmill, staring out into the blue abyss through floor-to-ceiling windows while listening to podcasts or music. Open 24-hours, there’s state-of-the-art TechnoGym equipment, weight machines, free weights, and a separate cycling studio where several fitness classes are held daily, including spinning, stretching, yoga, and Pilates. A personal trainer is also available, and a pickleball court and putting green are on Deck 16.
In full transparency, I only take the elevators on embarkation and disembarkation days when toting my carry-on bags. This added countless steps to my mileage, increasing caloric output, while also allowing me to appreciate the museum quality art in the various landings.
It’s true that after 18-days, countless wonderful experiences, new friendships forged, and a multitude of marvelous meals and wines enjoyed, with 175-miles walked, I’m happy to report that on all accounts, it was a resounding success. My final morning weigh-in was 128.2. What’s two ounces among friends? Plus, I had an utterly marvelous time. There were those however who noted that Oceania risked that I’d never actually disembark this glorious vessel, instead stowing away onboard for the rest of my natural life. Some risks however are simply worth taking. Happy travels!
Julie L. Kessler is a journalist, attorney, and the author of the award-winning memoir: “Fifty-Fifty, The Clarity of Hindsight.” Her work has appeared in major publications around the world, including The L.A. Times, The S.F. Examiner, The Asia Times, The Jerusalem Post, The Vancouver Courier, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, The Daily Journal, among many others. She can be reached at Julie@VagabondLawyer.com
