Staying Fit on the High Seas
By: Dena Braun
Cruises offer terrific value for your vacation dollar, but all too often people view them as little more than a floating 24/7 buffet. Fit Globetrotters need not worry. With a sensible approach to eating and activity, anyone can go on a voyage and not gain a pound. Several cruise lines have recognized that not everyone wants to take a vacation from their healthy lifestyle when they travel and have offered up wellness cruises and more healthy options onboard. Here’s a rundown of the best cruise lines for Fit Globetrotters
Mainstream Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean:
Gym: Shipshape Fitness Center. The gym offers free weights, machines and cardio equipment. Examples of classes include Pathway to Yoga; Combat in Motion, which combines martial arts with aerobic conditioning, and Wheels in Motion, a spinning class.
Food: All cruise ships offer low-fat ShipShape Day Spa options.
Other Activities: Royal Caribbean pioneered unique active shipboard activities with the Rock Climbing wall. On its newest ship, a wave pool allows cruisers to surf onboard. You can even get PADI certified onboard (gear provided).
Sample Shore Excursions: ATV Expedition and ZipRider in Alaska, 3-stop SNUBA and snorkel adventure in the Caribbean and the Archipelago Speed Boat Adventure in Northern Europe.
Contact: www.royalcarribean.com
Celebrity:
Gym: The gym features free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment. Classes include; Mind, Body and Soul, The Metabolism Booster and Work that Body.
Food: The AquaSpa Café offers lighter food options. A special vegetarian menu is available by request at dinner. Vegan options are part of the vegetarian menu.
Other Activities: Basketball, volleyball and paddle tennis.
Sample Shore Excursions: Dry Suit Snorkel in Alaska, Survival of the Fittest in the Galapagos, LL Bean Outdoor Discovery Kayak Adventure in New England.
Contact: www.celebritycruises.com
Holland America:
Gym: The gym features free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment. Classes focus primarily on yoga and Pilates
Food: “Light and Healthy” menu items that are low in sodium and cholesterol. A special vegetarian menu is available by request at dinner.
Other Activities: basketball, volleyball, paddle tennis
Sample Shore Excursions: Swim with the Dolphins in Australia, Deep Sea Fish in Mexico, Mauna Kea Summit Adventure in Hawaii.
Contact: www.hollandamerica.com
Princess:
Gym: The gym features free weights, weight machines and cardio equipment. Classes and body assessments are offered. Classes are focused on yoga and Pilates.
Food: Offers numerous vegetarian options in its lunch and dinner menus.
Other Activities PADI certification, golf simulator, basketball, volleyball, jogging
Sample Shore Excursions: Mt. Liamuiga Volcano Hike in the Caribbean, Kayak in Prince William Sound in Alaska, Ko Samui Highlights and Elephant Trek in Thailand.
Contact: www.princess.com Specialty Cruises:
Crystal Cruises:
The line offers several Mind, Body & Spirit themed cruises throughout the year with guest instructors on board to teach yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi. Wellness Seminars and active shore excursions are offered.
On every cruise there is a “Walk-on-Water” program. Guests can use weighted Walkvests that have pockets for light weights in the waistline of the vest. Participants are given music and a guided walking program to listen to. On most cruises, a PGA pro is onboard offering classes and clinics.
www.crystalcruises.com
Silversea:
This high-end cruise line recently purchased the expedition ship World Discoverer. It will undergo renovation and be relaunched in Spring 2008. The ship is specially built for in-depth exploration of out-of-the-way destinations.
www.silversea.com
Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Cruises:
The cruise line partners with National Geographic Society. The line is committed to exploration, conservation and sustainability. Many voyages include National Geographic scientists, writers and photographers onboard.
http://www.expeditions.com/index.asp
