Ways to Maintain Your Fitness While Cruising

In many respects, staying fit during your cruise is easier than managing it in your everyday life. Each day of your cruise begins with a whole day of free time at your disposal, immediate access to a variety of fun onboard activities and amenities, and a multitude of food and drink options that provide plenty of healthy choices at every meal. You can also stay active during shore excursions, which offer calorie-burning adventures while you soak in the stunning scenery and enjoy thrilling family experiences.

Tips for Healthy Eating

Don't view the all-you-can-eat option as an invitation to indulge in high-calorie dishes. Instead, recognize that with so many choices available at every meal, you'll always find a wealth of healthy options without feeling deprived. Nearly all onboard dining establishments feature a variety of menu selections for those aiming to maintain their fitness while cruising. Some top choices include Fresh Creations, a salad-centric all-you-can-eat buffet, the New England-themed Seafood Shack, which offers lighter seafood dishes, and the Lido Restaurant, where you can create a veggie-loaded stir-fry at the Mongolian Wok station or visit the salad bar or deli. Power your workout with eggs prepared any way you prefer at Seaday Brunch, or satisfy your hunger at any hour with 24-hour room service.

Tips for Healthy Drinking

Staying hydrated is crucial, especially during cruises to sunny destinations like the Caribbean or Hawaii. Aim to primarily consume thirst-quenching, calorie-free water. If you wish to enjoy alcoholic beverages, go ahead, but remember that avoiding empty calories is essential for maintaining your fitness while cruising, so moderation is vital. You might consider limiting wine or cocktails to dinner only or enjoying alcoholic drinks every other day. Another effective strategy for managing alcohol calories is to alternate between alcoholic beverages and large glasses of unsweetened tea or water.

Engaging Onboard Activities

On sea days, make the most of your cruise ship's exciting onboard activities, especially those that also provide a workout. Experience the thrill of SkyRide, where pedaling feels like riding a bike — but with the added excitement of being suspended high above the deck and ocean. Challenge your friends or family to a race for an extra workout boost. Spending a few hours sliding down and splashing into pools at WaterWorks may seem like pure entertainment, but with all the stair climbing and swimming involved, it definitely counts as exercise too. The adventurous ropes course also offers two difficulty levels to challenge your obstacle-crossing skills at new heights.

Conventional Workouts (At Sea)

If you prefer traditional workouts or wish to keep up your at-home fitness routine, visit your ship’s well-equipped indoor fitness center, or enjoy exercising in the refreshing ocean breezes at SkyFitness, which features punching bags, a Vita course, and stationary bikes. Various fitness classes, including yoga, boot camp, and Pilates, are also offered for an additional fee. You can even rack up some miles on the cushioned jogging track that circles the upper deck. If you enjoy team sports, engage in a game of basketball, volleyball, or soccer at SportSquare, which also provides weight-lifting equipment and cardio machines.

You can also keep fit while at sea by opting for the stairs and dancing the night away at the nightclub or during the Mega Deck Party. If you need to brush up on your dance skills before hitting the floor, take advantage of a complimentary dance class where you can burn up to 300 calories an hour.

Active Shore Excursions

At every port of call, you'll find a variety of shore excursions that offer exciting active adventures such as swimming, snorkeling, hiking, biking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Don’t forget that taking long walks along the beach or around shopping areas can also burn a good number of calories. Some excursions are so exhilarating that you won’t even realize you’re exercising until you collapse into bed, exhausted. For instance, the Canyon Canopy tour in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is an eco-adventure that leads you to a UNESCO World Heritage reserve deep within the Sierra Mountains, featuring rappelling down a 90-foot cliff, climbing a “crazy ladder,” and gliding through a canopy circuit 200 feet above the canyons. Or you could try the Ultimate Land and Sea Adventure in Grand Turk in the Caribbean, which is a thrilling day filled with ziplining, horseback riding, dune buggy driving, sailing, and snorkeling.

When visiting stunning locations like the Big Island of Hawaii and The Bahamas, you’ll want to take in the sights, so why not incorporate sightseeing into your fitness routine while cruising? Choose the Kilauea Volcano Biking Adventure from Hilo port, where you can bike and hike through rainforests, lava fields, and volcanic calderas. Alternatively, join the Combo Eco Bike and Hike Tour in Half Moon Cay, a private island in The Bahamas, where you can explore on a bike and hike up a ridge for views of nearby lagoons, cays, and islands. If you’ve never tried surfing, don’t miss the Surfing Safari in Puerto Vallarta, where you’ll experience a full-body workout riding the waves.

Maintaining Fitness on a Cruise

Commit to staying fit during your cruise, and you’ll come back feeling accomplished, knowing you prioritized your health while savoring each day with plenty of energy. You’ll glance at your vacation pictures with pride, recalling how great you looked and felt as you filled your days with fun activities and delightful meals, all while crafting joyful (and healthy) memories.

Please note: Activities available onboard differ by ship.