Imagine yourself on vacation, taking a cruise. You are lounging on deck, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air when you look down at your itinerary. If the plans of your mind's eye include step-aerobics, deck walking, golf lessons and a class on how to cook nutritious, gourmet meals then consider booking your next vacation on a fitness cruise.
Types
All the major cruise lines offer spa packages that include lighter, healthier meals than their typical fare, as well as fitness centers and day spas. Your first decision as a fitness cruiser is to decide between booking your cruise during an exclusive spa cruise or tailoring your own agenda during normal cruising time. There are pros and cons to both options, but both leave you without any excuses to not stick with your commitment to good health.
Pros and Cons
During exclusive times, cruise lines often bring aboard well-known chefs to offer lectures on how to cook nutritionally balanced, yet gourmet meals. Or the package may include a celebrity fitness trainer, teaching aerobics classes and providing exercise advise. Exclusive spa packages are only available on certain cruise lines and at specific times, so it may not work out for your particular vacation needs. Creating your own spa itinerary is beneficial because it allows you tailor your vacation to your interests. If you want to cheat on your diet after a hard workout, you can. However, when you watch everyone else cheat at the buffet throughout your whole trip, you may wish you had scheduled differently.
Exercise Options
Big cruise lines house big fitness centers and the exercise available to travelers varies from ship to ship, but almost always includes cardio equipment like treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes and weight machines, not to mention all the decks you are able to walk or jog on. Other options include rock climbing, ice skating, boxing rings, indoor cycling, aerobic dance classes, yoga, Pilates, surfing simulators and sessions with personal trainers. Match the ship's fitness samplings to your own preferences for a personalized pairing.
Weight Loss Options
While one cruise focuses on low-carb fare, another will feature vegetarian. One liner offers daily choices made from recipes in a well-known diet magazine. If you choose to cruise with a group of like-minded vacationers, some groups set sail with nutritionists to dine with you and review the value of different menu options. Taking a vacation like this is likely to keep you on track not only during your vacation, but keep you on the right path with renewed commitment to your healthy choices long after you have returned home.
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