5 Ways to Stay Fit and Healthy on Your Next Cruise

If healthy eating and an active lifestyle are important to you even while on vacation, you don’t have to pass up a cruise. Traditionally thought of as a place to belly-up to the buffet and eat your weeks-worth of calories in one day, cruises these days are beginning to appeal to a wider audience, including health-conscious travelers. Here we’ll give you tips to keep up your health interests while cruising, and watch your weight as well. Vacation can still be about relaxation and treating yourself, without requiring you to return home feeling heavy and bloated.

1. Running

If you are a runner there are all kinds of
options for you to keep up your miles while cruising, but there are a few things
to keep in mind when planning your runs during your trip. If you plan to run
onboard, keep in mind that many ships claim to have a track, but often times it
is crowded with obstacles like lounge chairs and slow walkers. In addition, the track
might be in a small circle that will not be a lot of fun to run around a
million times. If you know you will be running on board, consider a ship known
to have a great track like Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas or Norwegian
Cruise Line's Breakaway.

If you are considering running on a
treadmill in the ship's gym, keep in mind that many ships point their treadmills at
the side of the ship, and watching the ocean go by sideways as you run straight
forward is known to cause sea-sickness. Research beforehand how the gym is set
up on your ship, or skip the treadmills altogether.

The best way to keep up your running
routine while on a cruise is to plan runs while in port. Disney Cruise Line
makes this simple and super fun for their guests stopping at the Disney private
island, Castaway Cay. Each morning on the island there is a 5k run where
everyone is welcome to join. There are sweet perks too like a special Disney
finisher’s medal and special Castaway Cay 5k only merchandise. If you’re not
cruising Disney there are running-themed excursions offered by many other
cruise lines, or they can be arranged in port. Planning out your port stops
beforehand with a scheduled run is the best way to go.

2. Yoga

Most cruise ships have fitness centers that
include classes like yoga. However, you might consider what type of yogi you
are before planning to take a cruise line-led class. Most cruise ship yoga
classes will include a variety of ages and abilities, and therefore if you are
an expert yogi, it might be a little basic for you. If yoga is new to you it
can be a nice introduction to stretching, and a light overview of authentic yoga
poses and practices. For experienced yogis though, a shore excursion yoga
experience might be better. Luxury cruise line Oceania Cruises has yoga
excursions at exotic locals such as Veronica Blumes Garage Centre in Barcelona,
or yoga at Lokrum Island & Old Town in Dubrovnik, Croatia. These studios
are world-renowned for their yoga expertise, so you will be sure
to have a transcendent experience. Be sure to check excursions on your
particular cruise to find out what yoga excursions are available for you.

3. Light Eating and Weight Loss

It might seem impossible to lose weight on
a cruise but many long-time cruisers and folks interested in wellness insist
that the novelty of over-stuffing yourself at the buffet wears off quickly. For
that reason most cruise lines offer alternative dining with spa menus that
serve lighter fare, special dining requests such as vegan, and even weight
watchers-themed cruises. Like any healthy lifestyle, everything is best in
moderation, and the cruise lines allow you to indulge if you like, but also
offers a multitude of ways to keep your weight in check, including alternative food
and a plethora of physical activities to counter balance the extra calories.

4. Bicycling

Bicyclists will find cruises, especially
river cruises, a great opportunity to see the ports they visit in a different
way. Many cruise lines offer bicycles on board, bike excursions and there are
even bicycle-themed cruises. For those that enjoy bicycling, but maybe are not
in the shape they once were, several lines offer motorized bikes. What could be better than hitting up the wine tour and motoring yourself back to the ship after you've tasted a few.

5. Active Lifestyles

Some of the larger ships such as Royal
Caribbean and Norwegian, have numerous physical activities to keep you having
fun and moving at the same time. A couple of Royal Caribbean’s ships have laser
tag called “The Battle for Planet Z”, an alien-inspired course.
Norwegian also has laser tag and other activities such as ropes courses which
will keep you on your toes high above the ocean. If you are looking for ships with these kind of physically intense activities look for lines catering to families.