Staying Healthy on a Cruise

Two of the most appealing parts of a cruise is the food and being able to lounge around and relax. There’s temptations virtually everywhere to pig out and just lay around afterwards. Just because all of these distractions are there that could cause you to forget about making healthy choices, doesn’t mean that you have too. You don’t need to give up on fitness and health just because you are going on a cruise. Many ships are providing amenities and activities to promote wellness at sea.

Gyms
Gyms that are fully stocked are no longer just a perk on some cruise ships, they are a reality. Some of them provide state of the art equipment that only some of the more exclusive onshore fitness centers possess. Ships like Royal Caribbean and Carnival have some of best fitness equipment in the industry. Even smaller ships like Seabourn’s Odyssey class ships have a two story area that consists of a gym and a spa. For those that want a large gym where they can choose many different types of fitness equipment, Norwegian’s Epic consists of 31,000 square feet of fitness facilities as well as a spa. They claim to have the largest fitness facilities at sea. Because of their massive size they have a variety of workout equipment and plenty of it to accommodate guests even at the busiest of times.

Spas On Board
As you can see, fitness facilities and spas tend to go hand in hand. This is because wellness isn’t just about exercising, it’s about taking care of your whole body. These spas offer everything from massages and facials to beauty treatments. Spas aren’t just for grownups either. Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival offer spa options for teenagers as well. Spa packages may include just a treatment or two or the option to spend a half day or whole day enjoying as much as you can at the spa.

Options On Deck
Many individuals want to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible while on a cruise. Lucky for them there are a variety of ways to do just that and stay active. Royal Caribbean, as well as some of Norwegian’s cruise ships, offer rock climbing walls. Newer cruise ships tend to have everything from running tracks to small tennis courts or even basketball courts. Some cruises, like Disney cruise line, have dance parties outdoors for all ages to enjoy and get their heart pumping. Carnival Magic has taken outdoor physical fitness one step further. They offer an outdoor exercise station as well as an outdoor ropes course.

Special Programs
For those that want to take part in wellness approaches that are more unique, there are special programs onboard many cruise ships. Acupuncture is one of these up and coming programs that a lot of passengers are taking advantage of. On many of Norwegian’s ships they have thalassotherapy pools as well as freezing cold plunge pools for individuals to take a quick dip in so they can feel invigorated afterwards. Yoga and Tai Chai classes are also becoming pretty popular wellness programs on cruises. Almost all cruise lines have a few special programs to promote health and wellness while onboard ships.

Excursions
Excursions tend to be a big part of any cruise. They can be a great way to promote wellness on a cruise while in a different country. Excursions like zip lining, hiking and kayaking tend to be popular among travelers. Avalon is now offering bike tours in several European cities that come with a well versed guide. No matter what cruise you are going on you will probably find an excursion that offers the opportunity to be physically active while you enjoy the views and settings of a foreign country.

There are a lot of ways to continue a healthy lifestyle while at sea. Some of these activities and amenities are free while others charge a fee. Just remember that the more popular that an activity is, the more there is the likelihood that it could fill up quickly. Before going on a cruise, check what wellness options are available and make reservations for any activities that are of interest to you so that you won’t miss the opportunity to experience any of these amazing activities.

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