Cruise vacations include a wide variety of foods that are accessible twenty-four hours a day, so staying healthy while aboard can be a challenge.   Having worked for the cruise lines on contracts that lasted for periods of 6 months at a time, I can sympathize knowing how easy it is to put on the pounds when surrounded by food.  Here are some healthy tips that will ensure that you can maintain your current weight and maybe even lose a couple of pounds.

1.  Try to keep up with the same routine that you have while at home.  For example, if you have an eating schedule that helps you to maintain a healthy diet at home, then try to incorporate those eating times into your vacation schedule.  The same goes for working out.  If you have a routine already established at home, try to keep with the schedule during your vacation on the cruise ship.

2,  Take advantage of your time in port.  Most passengers go off-shore to explore the various ports of call.  Whether you have signed up for an excursion or decided to visit the port on your own, many of these activities include some type of physical exercise such as walking or swimming.  You will be surprised at how active you are while disembarking the ship for some shore time.

3,  Just because the ship provides some type of food option over a 24 hour period, does not mean that you need to eat for 24 hours.  All-inclusive food offerings make it easy to stray away from your normal eating habits and overindulge.  Step away from the midnight buffet!

4.  You will want to ensure that you have a healthy breakfast each day, especially on the days that you plan to go ashore.  Choose items that are high in protein and fiber so that you will stay full longer until you are ready to eat either at port or back on the ship for lunch.

5.  Learn a new healthy type of exercise.  Many cruise lines offer various sports or exercise activities that you may have never tried at home.  For example, I once took a yoga class just to try it out to see if it may be something that would be of interest.  Check out the ship’s daily schedule for various activities that you can incorporate while you are aboard the ship, and especially during those days at sea.

In addition to these five tips, you should also drink plenty of water and make healthy food choices when selecting menu items for meals.  You will be pleasantly surprised when you reach home after vacation and find that you have actually lost weight on your cruise!  Bon Voyage!

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