How to Keep Fit & Healthy at Sea

[–articleimage id=”1388″ –]It’s definitely easy to overindulge on a cruise. And between the delicious meals, pampering spas, and plush lounging all around the ships, who could be blamed for wanting to? But if your goal is to keep fit and healthy while at sea, there are plenty of ways to do so – while still enjoying yourself to the fullest! Here are a few ways to eat well and keep active onboard.

Tip 1: Eat Vegetarian
Vegetarian options are not only healthy, but they’re also becoming increasingly appealing as cruise lines expand their meat-free options. In 2012, Holland America Line introduced a 22-dish vegetarian menu and added 30 new vegetarian dishes to its main dining room – so you’re sure to find something tasty! And many river cruise lines are following suit: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection trains all its chefs in vegetarian cuisine, and offers a separate four-course vegetarian menu at every dinner. AmaWaterways has created a full menu for vegan passengers, full of delicious and beautiful entrees, and vegetarian options abound at the breakfast buffet and other meals. See more of the best river cruise lines for vegetarians here!

[–articleimage id=”1389″ –]Tip 2: Take Advantage of Onboard Fitness Activities
If you’d rather not hit the gym while on vacation, many cruise lines offer fun and creative fitness activities that might be more to your liking. On Seabourn’s Odyssey-class ships, for example, guests can use Kinesis Walls, or access snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and swimming from their stern marinas. Crystal Cruises offers the Walk-on-Water program, in which participants walk with weighted vests on the ships’ promenades. The line also offers Pilates sessions, yoga classes, paddle tennis, and golf instruction, and is introducing “Site Running” land excursions on some itineraries. And to really get moving, there’s no place like the dance floor! Celebrity Cruises offers Zumba classes, while Holland America Line has “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” classes. Discover more of the best fitness activities at sea here!

Tip 3: Try Something New
That could mean sampling the vegetarian menu, or taking a stab at the tango. It could also mean signing up for an onboard class or attending a lecture instead of hanging out at the bar for more drinks. It could even mean walking laps between shops on shore as you give you credit card a workout of its own. And if you do make it to the gym? You don’t have to jump on the treadmill. Instead, find out if there’s any instruction being offered for the boxing ring, the Kinesis Wall, spinning class, or golf. Finally, be ready to explore ports in a different way – like by bicycle, kayak, or canoe! Get more great tips for staying healthy on a cruise here.

Ready to put these tips to the test? Start planning a cruise here!