Recently, I joined a group of lifelong friends on the Enchanted Princess for a special reunion cruise along the North American northeast seaboard. This seven-day voyage began in New York, with stops in Newport (Rhode Island), Boston (Massachusetts), Bar Harbor (Maine), and Halifax (Nova Scotia of Canada) before returning to New York. In addition to rekindling friendships and admiring the scenic fall foliage, I was delighted to discover that the cruise offered daily Tai Chi classes.
The Tai Chi classes were held each morning at 7:15 or 7:30 am for 45 minutes in a spacious lounge with a large stage and dance floor, perfect for movement. The size of attendance was small—only eight attendees out of 3,600 passengers. Although a live instructor was not present, the class was led through four instructional videos: the first focused on breathing exercises and basic Qigong movements; the second introduced single Tai Chi movements from the Tai Chi 24 form set, such as Repulsing Monkey, Jade Lady, and Sparrow’s Tail, with many repetitive practice; the third video covered Eight Sections of Brocade (or Ba Duan Jin), and the fourth was a modification of the standard Tai Chi 24 with repeated movements.
Any authentic Tai Chi form can be too complicated to teach in seven days. Not to mention that most people are busy with other activities and shore excursions. It is wise to include breathing exercises and basic Qigong move in the curriculum. Eight Sections of Brocade is one of the most respected Qigong practices, developed hundred years ago in China. Known for its health benefits, this form has been widely practiced throughout Chinese history. Originally, only the names of the movements were documented, leading to multiple interpretations over time. Consequently, various versions of the form are available today, especially online. About fifty years ago, the Chinese government decided to standardize these movements. They gathered Qigong masters and Chinese medicine experts, who refined each movement to maximize health benefits. This standardized form was then promoted nationally and internationally. I had the privilege of learning the official Eight Sections of Brocade from Grandmaster Maio Fu Sheng, who was sent to the U.S. by the Chinese Health Qigong Association to teach this form. The version taught on the Enchanted Princess closely followed these standardized principles, staying true to the authentic health-oriented practice.
Similarly, Tai Chi 24, often practiced worldwide, was standardized by the Chinese government to simplify Tai Chi training. It is primarily based on Yang Style Tai Chi, with movements simplified for easy learning and broader accessibility. This form’s circular movement flow allows the practitioner to engage all four sides as the routine progresses. However, in the videos shown on board, the lack of mirror-image guidance or follow-along views led to confusion for some participants. One experienced student stated that she ignored the right and left cues, simply mirroring the screen movements. However, others found this difficult, with some even opting to quit due to the frustration. As an instructor familiar with Tai Chi 24, I found the call-outs of this modified form by Enchanted Princess sometime puzzling.
To enhance accessibility, Enchanted Princess also offered these videos on stateroom TVs, allowing passengers to practice privately at their own convenience. The limited space in cabins, however, made it challenging to perform full movements except the breathing exercises and basic Qigong.
Princess Cruise Lines does not provide Tai Chi lessons on all their ships. It is also not the only cruise lines offers Tai Chi classes. Other cruise lines are increasingly including wellness offerings like Tai Chi and Qigong. For instance, Cunard Line and Holland America Line provide Tai Chi classes alongside yoga and Pilates. Private cruise line SeaDream Yacht Club includes Tai Chi in their sunrise sessions, while Oceania Cruises offers Tai Chi during Wellness Discovery Tours in select ports. Royal Caribbean is known for including Tai Chi on ships in Asia, where interest is high. Additionally, luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas and Silversea partner with wellness centers to provide comprehensive mind-body experiences. Some programs are free and some are fee-based.
Overall, cruise lines are continuously evolving their wellness programs, adapting to client demand, cost, and technological advancements. I’m delighted to see more cruise lines embracing Tai Chi and Qigong as valuable wellness activities. For those planning a cruise, checking with your cruise line beforehand to confirm class availability can ensure an enriching experience in connecting body and mind at sea.
interesting, thanks for that- I hope no big winds hit that ship or I see a giant “needle at sea bottom” haha, enjoy
The ship was big and we felt not much. Of course, we were lucky and did not encounter any storm. Thanks for your feedback.
Hi Violet. I was offered the opportunity to teach T’ai Chi on a cruise in 2007 or 8. But the early morning hours discouraged me, and I can see by your report, it discouraged many on the cruise you were on. I used to teach T’ai Chi at a Catskills resort hotel, and got a goodly number of people. But I taught after breakfast, when people were already up and moving. Bill Phillips
Sifu Phillips, thanks for sharing your experience. — Violet