Take a tour of the Goop cruise, where boozy vacationers lounged by the pool and dabbled in intuition classes

Julia NaftulinNov 17, 2021, 04:39 IST

I expected Goop at Sea to be more wellness-focused than it was.Julia Naftulin/Insider

I went on Goop's inaugural cruise in collaboration with Celebrity Cruises. The 5-day trip left from Miami and stopped in Cozumel and Costa Maya.
For the most part, the ship and its amenities were typical of any cruise. Goop classes were promoted, but weren't a central part of the trip.

On October 9, I boarded Goop's latest venture, a five-day cruise on the Caribbean in collaboration with Celebrity Cruises on their Summit ship.

Gwyneth Paltrow first announced the "Goop at Sea" concept in January 2020, as the latest brand extension of her wellness empire, that began as a newsletter in 2008.

But once the pandemic hit and one of the first big public outbreaks was on a cruise, information about the much-anticipated trip came to a halt.

Over a year later, in June 2021, "Goop at Sea" was officially cancelled.

In August, a press release with a new concept for the trip dropped: four separate trips throughout October and December, leaving from Miami or Fort Lauderdale and sailing to Mexico. Each cruise would have two Goop-curated experts aboard, including a clairvoyant, fitness instructors, and an acupuncturist.

And so I headed aboard the first of four Goop sailings.

Ultimately, the cruise ship reminded me of a traditional cruise, and the wellness elements remained scarce, despite the Goop partnership.

When I arrived in Miami at the cruise ship port, it was down pouring. Luckily, I was protected from the storm with enclosed tents.

Rain clouds floated above the Port of Miami where I boarded the cruise ship.Julia Naftulin/Insider

Once inside the tents, I showed a Celebrity Cruises employee my passport, vaccine card, and "Sea Pass," the ticket used to board the ship, enter your room, and buy premium drinks.

Once inside the tents, I showed a Celebrity Cruises employee my passport, vaccine card, and Sea Pass, the ticket used to board the ship, enter your room, and buy premium drinks.

Another employee welcomed me aboard the ship, grabbed my suitcase, and escorted me up an elevator to the 8th floor where my room was located.

A ship employee carried my luggage and showed to my room on the eighth floor.Julia Naftulin/Insider

My room was a five-minute walk from the elevator and down a long and quiet hallway.

I stayed towards the front of the ship and could feel the boat colliding with waves during one rough night at sea.

My room was a five-minute walk from the elevator and down a long and quiet hallway.

I stayed towards the front of the ship and could feel the boat colliding with waves during one rough night at sea.

I relied on the ship's lengthy directories to find my way around its 12 floors.

Directories next to each floor's elevators listed where the pool, spa, dining areas, living quarters, and other amenities are located.Julia Naftulin/Insider

Elevators were located at the front, back, and center of the ship. Each had these signs posted next to them.

Once settled in my room, I finished the ship safety screening through an automated system on the television.

Each guest had to complete safety protocols using the TV in their room before departing.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The entire process took 10 minutes, and I loved that it required zero human interaction.

My stateroom had a minimal aesthetic that reminded me of Goop's packaging. It featured a flat screen television, two sitting areas, a king-sized bed, and marble countertops.

My stateroom featured a flat-screen television, king bed, and marble accents.Julia Naftulin/Insider

My stateroom had a minimal aesthetic that reminded me of Goop's packaging. It featured a flat screen television, two sitting areas, a king-sized bed, and marble countertops.

As a solo traveler, I found the room's size impressive and comfortable. There were plenty of places to stow away luggage and clothes, plus a mini fridge.

My stateroom had plenty of closets, cabinets, and drawers to store loose items.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The bathroom had plenty of shelving too despite its compact size.

The bathroom had plenty of shelving.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The shower was a bit tight, and I bruised my knee getting in one time.

The shower was compact and I bruised my knee getting in one time.Julia Naftulin/Insider

My room also featured a balcony, where I got to watch the sun set over Miami as we left the port. I paid $855.91 for the 5-day cruise, which included an ocean-view stateroom and the basic drink and meal package.

As the ship left Miami at 6 PM, I watched the sun set in the distance.Julia Naftulin/Insider

My room also featured a balcony, where I got to watch the sun set over Miami as we left the port. I paid $855.91 for the 5-day cruise, which included an ocean-view stateroom and the basic drink and meal package.

A boat staffer told me to help myself to the complimentary bottle of red wine left on the desk.

Every guest received a complimentary bottle of wine in their room.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The boat had a few pandemic-era reminders, like these signs in each elevator.

Elevators had social-distancing reminders.Julia Naftulin/Insider

All guests had to show proof of vaccination, and ship employees took daily antigen tests. There were also 300 guests on the ship, instead of the usual 800.

Communal computers came with sanitizing protocols.

There were small reminders of the pandemic scattered throughout the ship.Julia Naftulin/Insider

At the center of the ship's 4th floor sat the casino. No matter the time of day, I could find at least one guest trying their luck at the slot machines inside.

The cruise ship was outfitted with a casino, where guests betted on slot machines and card games.Julia Naftulin/Insider

On the second, third, and fifth days at sea, guests received personalized cards with Goop class offerings.

On the two days Goop classes were available, guests received personalized cards at their door with the offerings.Julia Naftulin/Insider

A ship staffer hand-delivered this card, as well as other cards with announcements for shows and off-boat excursions, to my stateroom door.

Most guests spent days at sea lounging on the pool deck, which was outfitted with two swimming basins, four hot tubs, a bar, and rows of lounge chairs.

The pool deck sat below a track where guests could run or walk laps.Julia Naftulin/Insider

A roster of live bands and DJs played music in front of the pool while waiters floated from chair to chair asking guests for drink orders.

I had no trouble finding a lounge chair to sunbathe, thanks to the ship's limited capacity during the pandemic.

There were plenty of lounge chairs to choose from around the pool.Julia Naftulin/Insider

From the pool, I got an expansive view of the ocean and we traveled towards our first stop: Cozumel, Mexico.

The pool was encapsulated by glass windows that offered an ocean view.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The deck pool sat below deck, so swimmers had to walk down stairs first to take a dip.

Drinks were allowed in the pool, but food was prohibited.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The glass elevators offered an ocean view too.

The elevators also offered ocean views.Julia Naftulin/Insider

There was no shortage of food options, and I enjoyed room service almost daily.

Room service was available daily.Julia Naftulin/Insider

At the buffet on the 10th floor, guests were asked to first wash their hands at sink stations.

Washing stations greeted guests at the entrance of the buffets, which were manned by ship employees who served guests.Julia Naftulin/Insider

Instead of serving myself, masked buffet staffers plated up food for guests.

The buffet was open at all hours and featured a chocolate fondue fountain on the last day at sea.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The sit-down dinner menu varied each night and included everything from eggplant caviar to fish to pasta.

Eggplant caviar.Julia Naftulin/Insider

An on-staff sommelier suggested wine pairings every night at dinner. He offered options that came with my drink package as well as more premium wines I could buy.

Pasta with puttanesca sauce.Julia Naftulin/Insider

On my final night at sea, I had a glass of rosé and a Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish.

The food in the dining room was markedly better than the buffet options. Still, none of the options, including this crème brûlée, seemed catered towards wellness.

One night, I had crème brûlée for dessert.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The food in the dining room was markedly better than the buffet options. Still, none of the options, including this crème brûlée, seemed catered towards wellness.

There were 7 bars aboard the ship including the martini bar, which was always covered in a thin layer of ice. In the evening, guests watched as bartenders pulled out their best party tricks.

A bartender pours drinks from a shaker behind his back while guests watch and take videos.Julia Naftulin/Insider

There were 7 bars aboard the ship including the martini bar, which was always covered in a thin layer of ice. In the evening, guests watched as bartenders pulled out their best party tricks.

On the fourth night, the pool deck transformed into a "Full Moon Party," complete with a band, neon lights and line dances.

The cruise ship pool deck turned into a dance party one night, complete with neon lights, a live band, and line dances.Julia Naftulin/Insider

Everyone was asked to dress in all-white outfits and the ship's event's director led guests in dances like the Cupid Shuffle, as servers passed around cocktails.

Above the pool, fitness lovers could take a stroll or jog on the ship's track loop.

The ship's 11th floor had a track for fitness enthusiasts.Julia Naftulin/Insider

I spotted a handful of guests using the track, but most sat in lounge chairs while people-watching from a vantage point.

The Sky Lounge, a bar on the 11th floor, remained empty for most of the day.

During the day, The Sky Lounge bar was used as an event space.Julia Naftulin/Insider

A few Goop classes were held in the Sky Lounge, including two intuition seminars with clairvoyant and acupuncturist Deganit Nuur.

An intuition seminar with a Goop-approved clairvoyant and acupuncturist took place in the lounge.Julia Naftulin/Insider

Ship employees arranged chairs in a circle, where I later sat with other guests.

In what felt like the most Goop-y part of the trip, Nuur walked us through a meditation where we read each other's auras.

Ship employees arranged chairs in a circle, where I later sat with other guests.

In what felt like the most Goop-y part of the trip, Nuur walked us through a meditation where we read each other's auras.

I also took a 30-minute Goop fitness class in the Sky Lounge with New York City-based instructor Colette Dong.

Ship workers set out exercise mats on the rooftop lounge's empty dance floor ahead of Goop expert Colette Dong's low-impact fitness class.Julia Naftulin/Insider

Despite the short length and low-impact nature of the class, I had trouble sitting down for the next week due to sore muscles.

Dong's class featured bodyweight exercises targeting leg muscles, which complimented a class she taught days earlier targeting upper-body muscles.

I noticed the beat-based playlist, which Dong curated herself, helped me stay on track with the quick movements.

Despite the short length and low-impact nature of the class, I had trouble sitting down for the next week due to sore muscles.

Dong's class featured bodyweight exercises targeting leg muscles, which complimented a class she taught days earlier targeting upper-body muscles.

I noticed the beat-based playlist, which Dong curated herself, helped me stay on track with the quick movements.

Statues, murals, paintings, and photographs lined with ship's walls and corridors and gave the boat a more luxurious vibe.

Art displays adorned the ship's walls on each floor, including these sparkly statues.Julia Naftulin/Insider

One night, guests were invited to bid on select art pieces.

The ship's 10th floor housed the spa, where guests could buy massages, nail services, hair styling and cuts, and skincare consultations.

The spa included massage rooms, skincare consultations, and hair and nail services.Julia Naftulin/Insider

I got a full-body massage during my last day at sea, but didn't hear any mention of the Goop-approved smoothie Paltrow mentioned would be on-board.

Directly next to the spa was the solarium, an indoor pool with massage jets and waterfalls.

The solarium pool featured waterfalls and massage jets.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The solarium and its cafe seemed tended to be empty, compared to the outdoor deck pool.

After my massage, I enjoyed some solitude while channeling the energy of the solarium's massive statue.

The solarium, an indoor pool with fountains and massage jets, was located next to the spa.Julia Naftulin/Insider

Ultimately, the cruise ship reminded me of a traditional cruise, and the wellness elements remained scarce, despite the Goop partnership.

The Celebrity Cruises boat docked in Costa Maya, Mexico during its October Goop trip.Julia Naftulin/Insider

The five Goop classes I took were the icing on the cake, but I wouldn't return just for the brand-specific offerings.

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Take a tour of the Goop cruise, where boozy vacationers lounged by the pool and dabbled in intuition classes

When I arrived in Miami at the cruise ship port, it was down pouring. Luckily, I was protected from the storm with enclosed tents.

Another employee welcomed me aboard the ship, grabbed my suitcase, and escorted me up an elevator to the 8th floor where my room was located.

I relied on the ship's lengthy directories to find my way around its 12 floors.

Once settled in my room, I finished the ship safety screening through an automated system on the television.

My stateroom had a minimal aesthetic that reminded me of Goop's packaging. It featured a flat screen television, two sitting areas, a king-sized bed, and marble countertops.

As a solo traveler, I found the room's size impressive and comfortable. There were plenty of places to stow away luggage and clothes, plus a mini fridge.

The bathroom had plenty of shelving too despite its compact size.

The shower was a bit tight, and I bruised my knee getting in one time.

My room also featured a balcony, where I got to watch the sun set over Miami as we left the port. I paid $855.91 for the 5-day cruise, which included an ocean-view stateroom and the basic drink and meal package.

A boat staffer told me to help myself to the complimentary bottle of red wine left on the desk.

The boat had a few pandemic-era reminders, like these signs in each elevator.

Communal computers came with sanitizing protocols.

At the center of the ship's 4th floor sat the casino. No matter the time of day, I could find at least one guest trying their luck at the slot machines inside.

On the second, third, and fifth days at sea, guests received personalized cards with Goop class offerings.

Most guests spent days at sea lounging on the pool deck, which was outfitted with two swimming basins, four hot tubs, a bar, and rows of lounge chairs.

I had no trouble finding a lounge chair to sunbathe, thanks to the ship's limited capacity during the pandemic.

From the pool, I got an expansive view of the ocean and we traveled towards our first stop: Cozumel, Mexico.

The deck pool sat below deck, so swimmers had to walk down stairs first to take a dip.

The glass elevators offered an ocean view too.

There was no shortage of food options, and I enjoyed room service almost daily.

At the buffet on the 10th floor, guests were asked to first wash their hands at sink stations.

Instead of serving myself, masked buffet staffers plated up food for guests.

The sit-down dinner menu varied each night and included everything from eggplant caviar to fish to pasta.

An on-staff sommelier suggested wine pairings every night at dinner. He offered options that came with my drink package as well as more premium wines I could buy.

The food in the dining room was markedly better than the buffet options. Still, none of the options, including this crème brûlée, seemed catered towards wellness.

There were 7 bars aboard the ship including the martini bar, which was always covered in a thin layer of ice. In the evening, guests watched as bartenders pulled out their best party tricks.

On the fourth night, the pool deck transformed into a "Full Moon Party," complete with a band, neon lights and line dances.

Above the pool, fitness lovers could take a stroll or jog on the ship's track loop.

The Sky Lounge, a bar on the 11th floor, remained empty for most of the day.

A few Goop classes were held in the Sky Lounge, including two intuition seminars with clairvoyant and acupuncturist Deganit Nuur.

I also took a 30-minute Goop fitness class in the Sky Lounge with New York City-based instructor Colette Dong.

Statues, murals, paintings, and photographs lined with ship's walls and corridors and gave the boat a more luxurious vibe.

The ship's 10th floor housed the spa, where guests could buy massages, nail services, hair styling and cuts, and skincare consultations.

Directly next to the spa was the solarium, an indoor pool with massage jets and waterfalls.

After my massage, I enjoyed some solitude while channeling the energy of the solarium's massive statue.

Ultimately, the cruise ship reminded me of a traditional cruise, and the wellness elements remained scarce, despite the Goop partnership.