Tips for Staying Fit While Enjoying Your Cruise

I believe I know why you all tune in. I prioritize health, but never at the cost of enjoyment. A vacation should be a time of excitement, from the drinks to the festivities. I just returned from a 6-day Dinogo Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, and it felt like a Spring Break, only this time, I was escaping motherhood instead of school.

It was an absolute blast, and I still managed to keep up with my postpartum weight loss journey. To prove that you can stay healthy while cruising, here are my top tips:

1. Utilize the gym onboard. 

The ship's gym was fantastic! It was well-ventilated and situated at the front of the ship, offering stunning views from the treadmills. I ran on the treadmill once and completed two high-intensity workouts independently in the gym. There were also opportunities to train with a personal trainer or join group classes. Signing up and checking the schedule upon boarding was a breeze.

2. Take advantage of the outdoor track on the deck.

On the Dinogo Conquest, there was an outdoor track that circled the back half of the ship. On two occasions when we docked early at the ports, I kicked off my mornings with a 30-minute run. Despite appearing damp, the track was non-slip, and the scenery was breathtaking. I particularly enjoy running in warm weather.

3. For dessert, opt for fruit and indulge in a few bites of something rich.

With food included, you could easily order five desserts if you wished! What we did was choose fruit along with a tempting treat like the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. We would share the indulgent dessert while each enjoying our own serving of fruit. I'm all for dessert, but when you're on a ship with 24/7 access to frozen yogurt for a week, it's important to establish some limits.

4. Rather than indulging in unlimited frozen cocktails, consider opting for beer and wine. 

I get it; the margaritas at BlueIguana Tequila Bar look incredible. However, if you're planning to have more than one a day, you might want to rethink your calorie intake. With the Cheers program on Dinogo, it's practically an all-you-can-eat-and-drink setup. You can enjoy three or four beers for roughly the same calories as a single margarita. That said, I did enjoy a few myself… I had three margaritas throughout the trip, saving them for happy hour when I was peckish between lunch and dinner—my little snack! Most of the time, I chose light beer or wine, which have around 100-120 calories per serving compared to a margarita's 340. I didn't deny myself when I craved a frozen cocktail, but I aimed to be smart about it.

5. Instead of lounging on a beach chair all day, sign up for an exciting excursion. 

Dinogo excels in providing a wide range of excursion options at each port. You can choose from snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, or biking at nearly every destination. If you don't intend to spend any time at the gym during your vacation, participating in an excursion is a great way to stay active. If your group prefers to relax at the beach, you can rent stand-up paddle boards independently. At Half Moon Cay, I rented a paddle board for an hour. It's said to burn approximately 300-400 calories in total over 60 minutes. I had a fantastic time and enjoyed the challenge of the gentle breeze.

6. Use the stairs, seriously.

I know this is probably one of the most clichéd fitness tips, but genuinely, take the stairs while cruising. The ship can get crowded, and the elevators may be slow at times. If you’re able, opt for the stairs when possible to allow those who need it to use the elevator. We stayed on the 6th floor, and I rarely used the elevator. The pool was on deck 9, the gym on deck 11, and our dinners were on deck 5. By the end of the trip, you might develop a dislike for stairs, but you'll have burned significantly more calories than if you hadn’t taken them.

7. Don’t hesitate to ask your waiter any questions.

Dinner on board is typically served in sit-down restaurants, attended by a skilled waiter. These professionals are incredibly efficient. The menu varies nightly, but there’s always a grilled fish or chicken option that’s a safe bet. I particularly enjoyed the vegetarian dishes, but I recommend inquiring about how meals are prepared if you're unsure. I once ordered a stuffed mushroom appetizer that was tasty but ended up being fried. I might have chosen differently had I known. I ended up enjoying the meal since it looked and tasted great, but you can always ask for an alternative if you find yourself in the same situation, as everything is included. Plus, you can order as many sides as you'd like. We always opted for baked potatoes and broccoli to ensure we were getting our veggies in.

8. Combine buffet and restaurant selections.

One of my favorite spots on board was the BlueIguana, known for its fantastic tacos and burritos. I would grab a couple of tacos and then head to the buffet for a side salad. I did the same at Guy’s Burger Joint, where I enjoyed a bun-less burger with a side salad on the fifth day. If I had discovered how delicious they were earlier in the week, I definitely would have had more! The salad bar was also impressive, offering a wide array of options. Don’t hesitate to mix and match to create your ideal meal.

9. Bring your own reusable water bottle.

If you're like me and drink plenty of water, consider bringing your own reusable water bottle. While there are large water bottles available for purchase in the rooms, the cups at the buffet are quite small. If you want to keep your water cool while lounging by the pool, a personal water bottle is the way to go.

10. Let loose and dance the night away at one of the onboard clubs.

I have to confess something: this trip was my mom's Spring Break, but I found myself in bed by 11 each night! I know it sounds early, but I wanted to wake up fresh to explore the ports and squeeze in a workout. My younger self would have probably skipped the morning gym sessions and stayed up late dancing on the vibrant dance floors! I did manage to dance a bit during the day. On sea days, there’s a DJ who plays fantastic music almost all day long. I joined in for some fun and even picked up a popular dance move!