Crystal Unveils Its Third Annual Wellness at Sea Retreat Voyages for 2026

Crystal has announced the return of its Wellness at Sea retreats, revealing two 2026 voyages aboard Crystal Symphony that place balance, vitality and deep restoration at the heart of the experience.

Timed for National Wellness Month, the sailings offer a curated programme of movement, mindfulness and nutrition, wrapped in the refined comforts of one of the world’s leading ships.

The first voyage runs from August 17-24, travelling from Vancouver to San Diego. The second follows immediately from August 24 to September 5, sailing from San Diego to Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Guests may book either journey individually or combine them for a continuous Pacific wellness experience.

Leading the programme once again is Dalila Roglieri, Crystal’s wellness ambassador and registered nutritionist, whose Mediterranean-inspired approach has underpinned the retreat since it launched.

“These voyages represent wellness at its most complete, where every sunrise, every movement, and every meal becomes part of a greater harmony. It’s an invitation to reconnect with yourself and the world, surrounded by the exceptional elements that define Crystal,” said Dalila.

She will be joined by returning specialists Jenni Demus, yoga and mental well-being specialist; Mandi Appelberg, fitness and yoga specialist; and Magnus Appelberg, cold exposure expert, somatic therapist and yoga and meditation teacher.

The team is further strengthened with the addition of Chef Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN, a nationally recognised culinary nutrition authority and director of Teaching Kitchen and Culinary Medicine at SBH Health System in New York.

Across both voyages, guests can expect a series of immersive Wellness at Sea sessions ranging from yoga and meditation to functional training, sound baths, breathwork and mind-reset classes including Wake Me Up Breath and Master Your Mind. A two-day detox at sea encourages digital mindfulness and invites guests into a deeper state of rest.

Longevity science is again central to the educational programme, with lectures focused on ageing well, cognitive sharpness, emotional health and maintaining long-term physical vitality.

Culinary wellness is a major pillar of the retreat, with Crystal expanding its plant-rich menus created under Roglieri’s guidance.

Dishes balance flavour and nourishment, featuring daily options including wellness-driven juices, smoothies, toasts, soups, appetisers, dips, mains and desserts. Hands-on culinary workshops and demonstrations led by Gellman and Roglieri blend nutritional insight with gastronomic flair, while individual nutrition consultations and blind tasting sessions offer a personalised and sensory-rich experience.

This commitment to wellness cuisine recently earned Crystal a place in the Women’s Health 2025 Travel Awards for Best Healthy Food.

To complement the restorative programme, onboard pickleball instruction is also available, offering guests a social, active way to stay moving at sea.

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

Crystal Unveils Its Third Annual Wellness at Sea Retreat Voyages for 2026

Crystal Symphony will host two curated Wellness at Sea voyages in August 2026, offering movement, mindfulness and nourishing cuisine during an immersive Pacific journey.

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.