The Four Seasons Ocean Club Doubles Down On Wellness With Nora Tobin-Led Retreats
Long gone are the days when a luxury getaway was defined by poolside piña coladas and sleeping in, or even sunrise yoga and a never-ending cascade of green juices. Today's travelers want more than a brief reprieve from their busy lives; they crave experiences that reboot their energy, shift their mindset, and leave them feeling noticeably healthier at checkout and beyond--without sacrificing the indulgence that makes vacation feel like an actual escape. It's this precise balance that wellness expert Nora Tobin had in mind when crafting a new summer retreat series at the legendary Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, in the Bahamas.
The retreats pair immersive, evidence-backed programming with the kind of sun-drenched paradise that naturally calms the mind and resets the body to tackle common ailments, like high stress, low energy, and restless sleep. But don't expect a rigid, all-work-no-play itinerary that's become standard at so many other wellness destinations. 'I have found the most rewarding results come from a place of indulgence,' Tobin says, recalling a childhood where dinners were never short on meat and potatoes. 'I believe we can look and feel our best without experiencing deprivation.' And she brings that philosophy to every detail of her partnership with The Ocean Club.
At the core of Tobin's retreat concept are her four pillars--restore, perform, nourish, and glow--with each addressing typical challenges faced by guests of all ages and lifestyles. Despite the widely applicable goals, though, the programming is designed to have a flexible, à la carte approach that allows guests to personalize the experience to their own needs. 'Each person has a personalized approach to wellness. It could be as simple as a 20-minute walk daily or a specific nutrition program,' Tobin explains. 'With many different routes to choose from, I have found common themes most of us experience on a weekly basis, including disrupted sleep, high stress levels, and depleted energy.'
Tobin wanted to ensure guests could enjoy The Ocean Club's many traditional offerings alongside her ... More retreats.
Unlike many intensive wellness getaways that demand strict schedules and early wake-up times, this series takes a more balanced approach and is in fact meant to slot seamlessly into a traditional luxury vacation. Guests can opt in to as many or as few sessions as they wish, allowing for a more laid-back experience and dispelling any feelings of missing out on relaxation.
There's no programming before 9 a.m. (Tobin practices what she preaches when it comes to quality rest), and mornings start with options: an energizing 'Silhouette Sculpt' or 'Train Like A Pro' session, or a gentler restorative yoga flow or athletic stretch. Post-workout, guests dive into workshops like 'Abs Are Made in the Kitchen' and 'Smart Sleep.'
Afternoons are intentionally fluid, offering a customized approach with opportunities for one-on-one nutrition coaching, personal training, and guided meditation. 'This is also a great time for guests to enjoy time with their families, experience the spa, or head out on an outdoor adventure,' Tobin adds. Evenings then kick off with the wellness expert's 'Beverages with Benefits' activation, which features a vibrant course of clean cocktails and mocktails that utilize botanical herbs and pure fruit extracts and a discussion on longevity and routine enhancements that can lower oxidative stress. Nightly dinners, and really all dining, however, is enjoyed by guests on their own, offering an opportunity to try the property's award-winning restaurants, Dune by Jean-Georges and Ocean Blu.
Tobin's retreats with The Ocean Club mark her latest in a decade of collaboration with The Four Seasons. Following a successful partnership with the brand's Santa Barbara property in 2015 to launch the 'Fit For All Seasons' media series and on-site programming, it was clear that modern travelers were seeking deeper experiences that supported wellbeing in ways that felt approachable and joyful. Since then, Tobin has worked with multiple Four Seasons resorts around the world, but The Ocean Club offered something unique: a storied property steeped in Bahamian beauty, intimate by design, and run by a legacy team renowned for its warm, personalized service.
The Ocean Club's new retreat series draws inspiration from the beachfront property and its ... More surroundings.
'The intimacy of the property along with the exceptional natural beauty evokes a sense of wellbeing. Upon arrival, there is an immediate familial connection and warmth,' Tobin says. 'I always believed wellness should feel joyful, and The Ocean Club delivers that feeling in spades.' And in true Four Seasons fashion, the natural surroundings are indeed part of the healing process. The Ocean Club's turquoise waters and lush gardens aren't just backdrops--they're reminders to slow down, reconnect with nature, and carry that calm home.
Tobin's retreats are crafted to meet guests where they are, a notable departure from many wellness programs that cater exclusively to seasoned health nuts or solo travelers. Business professionals looking to recharge, families seeking to add enrichment to their stay, and wellness beginners testing the waters can all find value in the retreats' accessible structure and customizable nature. 'The incremental approach to health and wellness allows for a dynamic array of attendees, seeking tools to ease stress, enhance deep sleep, power longevity, and glow on the go,' Tobin says.
The retreats also promise sustainability--not just for the planet, a continued focus for The Four Seasons brand globally, but also for guests' own routines once they leave the comforts of The Ocean Club and return home to their busy lives. Rather than expecting visitors to overhaul their entire lifestyle, Tobin encourages each person to select three practical strategies that feel manageable and meaningful. 'Take what serves you, and leave the rest,' she advises. For some, this might mean adding more healthy fats to brighten the skin; for others, it may be journaling a few pages each morning to foster calm and intention. To help guests maintain this momentum, the retreat includes an option for continued support through virtual coaching, weekly online classes, and direct communication with Tobin and her team.
Tobin encourages guests to choose three meaningful but manageable wellness strategies to bring home ... More with them and incorporate into their normal lives.
Tobin's new Ocean Club retreat series will run throughout the summer, with sessions taking place June 6-8, July 18-20, and August 3-5--but this is very much just the beginning for the collaboration. Upcoming additions include golf-focused getaways that combine sports nutrition and recovery sessions with time on the course, longevity events featuring guest experts, and next-level spa treatments with results-focused protocols.
In an age when time has become the most precious luxury, experiences that combine measurable wellness benefits with world-class hospitality feel more relevant than ever. 'This is an extraordinary moment in the evolution of travel, with brands strategically investing in meaningful experiences that transcend traditional hospitality and deliver lasting enrichment,' Tobin notes. And with her newest offering at The Ocean Club, it's clear that the future of luxury travel is not about choosing between self-care and indulgence, but about creating space for both to coexist beautifully.
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Carnival Cruise Line President addresses loyalty program concerns
Carnival Cruise Line President addresses loyalty program concerns originally appeared on TravelHost. For passengers sailing on board Carnival Vista's July 12 Caribbean cruise, the chance to be the first to visit Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line's new exclusive destination in The Bahamas, wasn't the only perk of the special voyage. Carnival's beloved brand ambassador, John Heald, sailed on the cruise to participate in special events and show guests around Celebration Key when they arrived at the new port on July 19. Carnival President Christine Duffy also cruised with them, and on July 14, she joined Heald for a Q&A session in the ship's theater hosted by the cruise line's senior vice president of guest operations, Sarah Beth only did the onboard discussion cover Celebration Key, it gave passengers who attended a chance to hear direct from Duffy about the rationale behind the cruise line's controversial loyalty program overhaul. The new Carnival Rewards loyalty program, which launches in June 2026, wasn't well received by loyal Carnival cruise passengers when it was announced in June. Many worry that the new program, which is based on spending and eliminates lifetime status, won't reward them for their loyalty as well as the current VIFP Club loyalty program that's based solely on days sailed. During the discussion, Duffy explained that she and her team knew the loyalty program change and its announcement would be difficult. But it was necessary. Her explanation about why the change had to happen, and answers to some of the most-asked questions about the new program, were captured in video recorded during the Q&A session, which was shared on John Heald's Facebook page on July 16, but later appeared to be deleted. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Carnival President discusses new Carnival Rewards program Transcript: Sarah Beth Reno: We recently announced our new loyalty program. It's received a lot of feedback from guests. And John, I know you're getting a lot of feedback from guests. So, Christine, let's walk us through the rationale of the change, right? Your thoughts on the program and what will be happening now between now and June 2026. Christine Duffy: Well, that's right. The program doesn't start until June 1 of 2026. And yes, we decided to announce a year in advance so that we really would have the time for everybody to know what change was coming, how it's going to work. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to announce it 12 months early, but we did because again, we want to be transparent and we want to really make sure that people understand the program. Why did Carnival Cruise Line overhaul its loyalty program? Now, why did we do this? Let me say Carnival was founded in 1972. And between 1972 and 2012, when the VIFP program was started, we sailed 40 million guests. Between 2012 and 2025, we've sailed 65 million guests. So as you can imagine, today we have 29 ships. We will sail close to have sailed in our history, probably about 105, 110 million people by the end of this year. And when we looked at the ships that we have coming, and you all know we've got two more Excel ships coming. We've got three ACE ships coming. It's just not sustainable. And so, while we recognize and we knew this change and this announcement was going to be difficult, the lifetime status benefits just can't be delivered in the right way. So, a couple of things that we can talk about today that first of all, there are a lot of details that will be announced as we get towards the end of the year. We are — there is — a lot of work that has to be done. Loyalty programs are highly regulated, right, because the loyalty program does have a credit card that comes along with credit card points will transfer to new Carnival Rewards credit card Now that credit card — the new card for the new Carnival Rewards program — for people that have today the Barclays Carnival card, any points, fun points that you have today or that you have on May 30, will also transfer automatically to the new card. So, I know one of the questions people have asked you, John, was whether they should get the card now. You can't get the new card now, but you can still get the card. If you don't have it, continue using the card that you do have because all of the points will transfer over to the new card. Sarah Beth Reno: And you'll start getting those benefits, if you apply now, you'll start getting the new benefits right away starting in June of Duffy: You'll get the points. So, status will be something that is different and, you know, we also, we're very sensitive to — especially for Diamond Guest and the hurdle and milestone that it is to become Diamond — that we're giving everybody six years to maintain that status irrespective of what they spend or sail. Having the credit card, using the credit card for everyday purchases in addition to purchasing Carnival cruises or spending on board does give you points. And while we're not able yet to communicate point values, we can say that everyday spending will get you points on the card as well as what you purchase for Carnival. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Carnival Rewards credit card will offer bonus points opportunities And remember, like most credit cards, there's plenty of other ways to get points. When people open up a new card, credit card providers typically pick points. I have a, you know, department store credit card and once or twice a year, I can say that I want double points. We also know and are already talking with many of our providers, our retail providers, who will be also offering promotions where people will be able to earn extra points. And I think for Carnival we will probably do the same thing on certain cruises. So more to come on that. I really, more than anything, just want to reassure people: it is not our intention at all to have, you know, for people not to be able to maintain their status if they choose to. But lifetime status is not, is just not feasible given the number of people and the growth that we have in the highest with Carnival status will have a chance opt in with status at 18 Sarah Beth Reno: Do you want to talk a little bit about the kids? Christine Duffy: So, one of the questions that we've been asked is what about kids? And I've met kids over the years that are two and three and four years old that are already Platinum or Diamond. They will not be able to go into the new rewards program because you have to be 18 or over. So, their status will match the status of whoever is paying for the cabin that's in the cabin. However, we are going to maintain the database of any kids that are Platinum or Diamond that are under 18 on June 1 of 2026. So, when they turn 18, they will have the option to opt in to the program at the status that they were when we provided the benefit to everyone else. So, Diamonds have six years. So, if you count this year, seven years. And Platinum have two plans to offer a separate credit card for Canada and Australia Sarah Beth Reno: Very good. And do you want to touch a little bit on if you're Australian or Canadian? I don't know if there's any Australians or Canadians in the room, but you never know. Christine Duffy: I know we have somebody from Canada. I did meet somebody from Canada. The credit card laws are different. So, we're not able to offer the same card in Canada or Australia as we'll have in the U.S., but we are in active negotiations and discussions with a card provider for Canada and Australia so that we will be able to have our guests from those countries be able to join the new rewards program. The benefits will probably be different because the credit card rules are different in those Rewards will recognize milestones in a new way, but benefits won't be lost John Heald: I was talking to some people who are on their 50th cruise and we have a current milestone program where if you cruise 25, 50, 75 or 100 times, you get the equivalent amount of onboard credit. Is that something that we're still going to be doing for the next few years? Christine Duffy: So, there will be a new milestone program that comes out with the new rewards on June 1. However, for anyone that has already earned a milestone or earns a milestone in this period, you'll be able to redeem that for five years. So, no one will lose any of the milestone benefit that they've already earned or accumulated before June 1. And there will be a milestone program with the new reward program that will provide recognition and, in that case, it'll be points — which points then can be used for lots of things that today you really can't use points for in our existing Rewards shouldn't overshadow the reasons you cruise John Heald: And I think it's important that I mention also that along with all of this, it's been wonderful to speak to people who are Diamond and Platinum and Gold and Red and they are all obviously they've given me their opinions and a lot of them are very, you know, telling me exactly what they feel. But virtually every single one has also said that the reason they cruise, and will continue to cruise, is because of the fun they're having and that they know the crew will continue to take wonderful care of them. And I think it's important that we all remember that — that whatever card color, whatever it is, the crew will always make sure you have the fun. And I hope, I really do sincerely hope that the main reason you continue to cruise is the fun, the affordability of the cruise, and most importantly, the crew who are the absolute best in the cruise industry bar none. Thank you. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
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Royal Caribbean teases credit card overhaul-Here's why cruisers should care
Royal Caribbean teases credit card overhaul-Here's why cruisers should care originally appeared on TravelHost. Royal Caribbean may be known for its mega‑ships and private islands—but behind the deck lights and cocktails, your selection and use of a cruise credit card really matters. On July 29, Royal Caribbean Blog, a fan blog, not officially associated with Royal Caribbean, dropped a hint: a refresh of the Royal Visa Signature Rewards is on the horizon. If that sounds subtle, trust me: this shake‑up could ripple through how you earn points, get perks, and save at sea. Here's what readers need to executives of Royal Caribbean Group made mentions of credit card changes to investors during their second quarter earning call. The refresh is expected to come 'very soon' and will be tied to the cruise line loyalty in some way according to Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's CEO. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. What's the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card like today? Right now, the Royal Visa Signature card (via Bank of America) is simple: 2 MyCruise Points per $1 spent on Royal/Celebrity Cruises. 1 Point per $1 elsewhere. Bonus: 30,000‑point welcome offer after $1,000 spend plus a $50 Air2Sea credit after $3,500—no annual fee, no foreign transaction charges Sounds decent? If you are looking for simple point-based earning per dollars spent, the card is of value. Points can be converted into onboard credit to use on specialty dining, spa, or any other thrill or vacation upgrade you are looking to splurge on. But in practice, two points per dollar is fine, but no lounge access, no travel protections and currently not tied to their loyalty program, the Crown & Anchor Society in any direct Caribbean's loyalty program: Crown & Anchor Society is composed of tiers which reward cruisers with perks. Similarly, Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club offers tier rewards to its loyal sailors. The more nights sailed the more points you earn allowing passengers to climb the tier levels, but there is currently no direct way to use the credit card to earn a higher tier. However, there is one way currently to get rewarded based off how much you spend. If you book a suite with Royal Caribbean or sail solo in a double-occupancy cabin you receive double points per night. Celebrity does something similar. The cruise line gives points per night based off the category stateroom you booked. Generally, the more you spend on your cabin (suites are typically at a higher price point), the more points you will get. Royal's mention of card changes, which hints at the expansion of benefits is worth watching because of the potential for changes in what you can earn. What cruisers love about the loyalty programs with Royal Caribbean is that currently points and tier levels never expire. The timing of the changes of Royal's credit card is interesting given Carnival Cruise Line's recent shake up of their loyalty program (including their credit card). Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Carnival's big move: From FunPoints to Points + Stars Carnival's new loyalty program will be spend based but will now expire after 2 years for most sailors. This is why the new program is controversial; however, there will be more ways to earn rewards. Highlights from Carnival's new program set to begin June 1, 2026. Earn 3 Reward Pointsand3 Status Stars per $1 spent on eligible cruise fares, spa, excursions, onboard dining. Casino play is also rewarded. For every 1 casino point you earn you will be rewarded 1 Carnival Rewards point. Points are your cruise‑currency—you can spend them on drinks, excursions, internet, spa, and future cruises. Stars determine your tier—Red, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond—in a rolling two‑year cycle (except Diamond members get a six‑year grace period)In short, Carnival is building an ecosystem: spend everywhere, earn stars and points, level up status and perks. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Royal Caribbean's pending credit card revamp vs. Carnival's new rewards If your next cruise is with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, don't sleep on this card change—it's about to get interesting. If you are choosing between Royal Caribbean or Carnival's credit cards, the choice comes down to whether you want cruise-specific benefits or a broader travel-spend Caribbean's coming credit card overhaul may give you more to think about especially in terms of loyalty and its perks. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
