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Royal Caribbean puts UK cruisers under starters orders on Independence of the Seas

Staying fit and healthy on holiday is now part of the daily routine with a new running programme on Royal Caribbean’s activity-packed cruise ship Independence of the Seas, which sails year-round from Southampton.

Royal Caribbean Runners, launching on Saturday (2 June) and accredited by Run England, the official England Athletics running project, will be available exclusively to all guests on the ship.

The adrenalin-focused cruise line has teamed up with Sport England and Run England to deliver the new on board running programme designed to help holidaymakers getting, and stay, fit.

Surfing on the Flowrider is just one of the many pursuits on Independence of the Seas

As well as running, the cruise line is credited with bringing sports such as surfing, rock climbing and ice skating to life at sea through its comprehensive on-board facilities.

With such a significant year of sport for the UK, Royal Caribbean Runners encourages guests of all abilities to take part and consider running and walking as part of their everyday lives.

Olympic gold medalist Sally Gunnell has been backing the new onboard programme and has created a motivational video which will be available to guestson Independence of the Seas. Her advice follows her own personal experiences on active family holidays with Royal Caribbean International.

Gunnell explains: “Running in the fresh air is one of the most refreshing and energising activities you can do – there is no excuse not to pack your trainers for your holiday and give it a go.

“The new Royal Caribbean Runners programme is all about encouraging people to have a go for the first time, and see how running in a group is both motivating and more fun. It is so easy to boost or rediscover your fitness, and a holiday is the perfect time to rejuvenate and get into new healthy habits.”

Independence of the Seas features a jogging track stretching around the ship – just under five laps of the circuit is a one mile run. It also features one of the largest gyms at sea packed with over 120 machines, as well as other fitness activities such as a full size boxing ring, rock climbing wall, surf simulator and ice skating rink. The Royal Caribbean Runners programme brings to life yet more of the cruise line’s active-holiday choices on offer.

Runs are led by Run England trained members of the sports activity team on Independence of the Seas, who have also joined Gunnell for running sessions and learnt first-hand how to motivate people to become sporting stars. Guests can find out full details of the Royal Caribbean Runners groups by talking to the onboard sports team or in the daily cruise compass.

Says Dominic Paul, Royal Caribbean vice president and and competing triathlete: “We’re seeing that increasingly guests make more of an effort to stay active while on holiday.The entire onboard Sports Team is eager to start putting the training tips garnered from Sally Gunnell into practice in the hope of encouraging guests to take their first running steps. Fitness enthusiasts will also find the facilities and people on hand to make sure your holiday delivers a boost to your usual training routine.”

As well as the Royal Caribbean Runners groups on board Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International has also supported Run England running groups on land by providing incentives to encourage new groups, and existing groups to complete weekly training plans. Any guest who joins a Royal Caribbean Runners group during their cruise, will also receive a free running t-shirt when they sign up to a Run England group back home.

All Royal Caribbean Runners groups are coordinated through Run England, the official England Athletics running project aimed to get the whole nation running. This includes training of leaders through UK Athletics for the Leadership in Running Fitness qualification, a fantastic benefit facilitated through the Run England programme.