Wellness cruise: A health reboot, with VIP help

Looking ahead, the jogging track incline triggers alarm. Running tracks on cruise ships are normally soul-sucking circular affairs stuffed under the lifeboats. But the track on Celebrity Beyond is a runner's Disneyland, a dramatic helix-shaped adventure soaring past the pool, weaving around chic cabanas and featuring undulations, curves, and even a hill. It's this hill that's the current issue. Not for me, but for slight crew member Pip who's pushing the wheelchair I'm temporarily in.

Malaysian Pip is 5'2", and as we pause mid-track during a ship tour, I have visions of the chair becoming a Pip crusher, hurtling backwards. But she valiantly continues and her gentle puffing in my ear and my continuous tide of apologies reveal both Pip's commitment to tackling the slope, and my first time as a chair user.

I almost didn't set sail with Celebrity Beyond on her inaugural voyage, destination - nowhere. We'd be sailing from Southampton to Southampton, the destination being the ship itself. Some accidental stair acrobatics en route have resulted in a back injury and consternation. How to explore a new ship if unable to walk its length? What about FOMO from missing out on fun elements like slides? And would I be able to sample the all-encompassing wellness options onboard?

Woah, back up the wheels. Did someone just mention wellness? Informed that rejuvenation and health is a major Celebrity Beyond focus, this current mobility situation makes it a perfect marriage. So I commit to sampling the ship in bite sizes. And using the wheels when needed.

First note, there are no slides, the first clue as to the type of ship this is. And the trend right now is wellness. Brian Abel of Celebrity Cruises says, "Now more than ever wellness is top of mind for our guests, so designing Celebrity Beyond we really thought, how do we weave in wellness through the entire guest experience? It's from the spa to fitness, rooms and cuisine."

The wellness experience is kickstarted by staying in an AquaClass stateroom with spa concierge, a thermal suite and fitness passes, access to the AquaClass exclusive restaurant Blu (where you'll find biodynamic wines and sustainable seafood), natural ingredient shower amenities, massaging shower heads and an in-room fitness channel. With this ship, the third in Celebrity's Edge series, there are also 20 Aqua Sky suites, with deep bathtubs and floor to ceiling windows, in The Retreat, the ship's resort-within-a-resort. If staying in an Aqua Sky Suite, charge your iPhone. The two-storey Retreat is one of the most Instagrammable areas at sea (the red swinging chairs over the pool are hot property) with popping vermilions against minimalist neutrals by designer Kelly Hoppen CBE. It's more cool-urban-enclave than "cruise".

And as tempting as it is to stay put in one of The Retreat's jacuzzis, it'd be a mistake not to venture out. The first adventure is to the rooftop garden on deck 16, a maze of live foliage hiding an outdoor cinema screen, sculptures and the alfresco Rooftop Garden Grill (quickly a favourite). Within a hobble is the multi-level Sunset Bar by celebrity designer Nate Berkus (beloved by Oprah Winfrey) with Palm Springs-like striped cabana beds and cantilevered plunge pools.

I'm not the first one to return home googling Nate Berkus design tips. If this sounds like name dropping, we've only just begun. There's also a first-at-sea restaurant by renowned chef Daniel Boulud (Le Voyage). Australian Katie Brauer is behind the yoga programs and then there's - drum roll - Gwyneth Paltrow as Wellness Adviser. In AquaClass her business, Goop, has selected in-room items including a weighted blanket and crystal meditation pillow. There's also a Goop smoothie bar (I try one with coconut water, kale, mango, mint, chia seeds and it tastes ... liquid) and Goop goods in the onboard boutique. It's Goop-arama.

But it's in the appropriately named Eden where I find my happy place. The rear of the ship is a vertical-plant-filled biosphere with soaring glass windows and every type of seating from cosy nook to demi-hammock. The bar is a green-tiled jewel and at night morphs into a cabaret show venue so steamy, it's surprising the windows don't fog. Maybe because I'm moving at a slower pace than most I soak up dozens of glorious details. The hand-painted wallpaper in Eden, the giant chandelier above the glamazon Martini Bar, the swinging black cane chairs over a chiaroscuro mosaic floor in the spa's float room, the omnipresent, often whimsical artwork.

It's clear this is a ship designed to draft in Gen X as well as its own devoted market. And if you're in need of a healthy reboot bubble, this is one you won't want to pop.

Flip Byrnes was a guest of Celebrity Cruises.