Written by
Published on 07/02/2025
It is no surprise that, as a former professional tennis player, Dalila Roglieri views food as essential to our overall health. “I quickly realized the importance of nutrition in optimizing my performance as a young competing athlete,” she recalls. “Yes, technique, strategy, and athletic skills are important, but food and nutrition play such a vital role, too. While my friends were reading fashion magazines, I was engrossed in wellness and cookery books. So, I decided to study nutrition, the biological science of how the food we eat impacts our bodies.”
Dalila’s Italian roots, however, played an equally important part in how her career as a nutritionist developed. “As I delved deeper into the subject, I realized I missed the convivial and authentic aspects of Italian cuisine. Food, for me, is not only nourishment for the body but a way to experience cultures and explore traditions through recipes and local ingredients. Combining my scientific knowledge as a nutritionist with my love of food and cooking became my dream, and working with chefs allowed me to do just that, learning from their vast experience in the kitchen.” Today, Dalila is Wellness Ambassador for Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, and collaborates with the talented chefs on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. She enhances their culinary creations by adding her expertise to develop balanced menus, rich in phytonutrients that nourish from within, that can cater to a variety of dietary preferences and requirements.
She has also designed our annual Wellness Retreat cruises, which take you in style down the west coast of Africa in the company of leading experts in health and wellbeing. Stops in fascinating ports are spaced out with plenty of sea days, allowing you to try new practices, or hone existing ones, through fitness classes, meditation sessions, cooking classes, and insightful lectures.
“I designed the program thinking about the multi-faceted elements of wellbeing,” she explains. “There’s a wide range of entertaining physical activities and cognitive workouts to provide mental and emotional balance – all essential elements to live and feel better. And, with my background in nutrition, I am proud of the delicious variety of plant-rich dishes we offer during the cruise, thanks to the expertise of Crystal’s culinary team.”
Last year’s inaugural wellness cruise proved such a hit that some guests are returning this year to repeat the experience – “there is no better feedback for me,” says Dalila. “Guests have shared that the cruise was the starting point of a transformative experience for them that has continued back home.
“My experience as a health professional has taught me that wellbeing is a voyage within yourself. Sometimes we need an opportunity to start this journey or someone to help us take the first step. This cruise offers both. You will find a positive attitude towards self-care, delicious food, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can learn strategies to preserve health and longevity from some of the world’s leading experts. Plus it’s a wonderful chance to connect with like-minded guests while enjoying beautiful destinations and Crystal’s signature service.”
Find out more about our Wellness Retreat cruises HERE.
