need cruise help!!!

this is my dream trip

Enjoy the trip, don't worry about what you're eating more than you normally would. It's only 7 days & its not something you get to do all the time, so if you do go overboard (no pun intended lol) don't worry about it, get back on track when you get home! :flowerforyou:

We are going on a cruise in november. I have been on one before and have decided to just enjoy my vacation rather than stay up tight about the food. It is just a week and you can get back on track when you return. Now i would not say you should frequent the dessert bar at every meal, but there are usually fresh fruits and good healthy choices on board. Enjoy the trip and your family for a week!!!

I've been on a couple and have one coming up in December- no problems with weight gain. Just my opinion, but once you've been through the buffet line two days in a row, the remainder of the days are not that exciting. The food is good, but it isn't so tempting that you can't just make good choices. Watch your portions, make wise choices at most meals, enjoy a small treat once a day, and limit yourself to ONE trip through the line By the way...don't forget to hit the gym on board at least a few times.

You would be surprised how much damage you can do with alcohol! When they come around with those fancy (and pricey) drinks by the pool, just say no.

Other than that, I have found that if I stuck to a healthy breakfast, I could indulge a little at lunch and have what I liked at dinner. Last cruise I gained 2 pounds, and they were gone a few days after arriving back home.

As someone else has posted, do take part in excursions involving walking. We climbed Mayan Pyramids, and swam at a private. beach. Most of all, just relax, one week is not going to ruin all your hard work. Enjoy yourself and think about how blessed you are to be able to do something many people can only dream of.

HAVE FUN!!!

I went on a cruise in March for 7 days and only came back 2 lbs heavier and it was all water weight. It was gone within 3-4 days. I kept my breakfast healthy, ate a light lunch, and had a great dinner. I didn't try to limit myself, but I went for healthier options when possible, like fish and chicken and avoided fried and greasy. Like I never ate at the lunchtime buffet by the pool, which was fries and hot dogs and junk. I was on Norwegian Cruiselines and the dinners were 3 course meals and were usually on the healthier side. It was the buffets that I avoided since it was junk food. So if you can have a sit down meal at one of the onboard restaurants (NCL had a few restaurants that were included so no extra charge), that's a better bet.

Also, limit the drinking. I was on Spring Break with 13 other college students, and I still stuck to maybe a fruity drink on the pool deck around 5 and then a drink or two at night. I think there was 2 nights were I had more than 2. And when I did drink, it was always rum and diet coke. Except for that bar crawl... fun but I was sloshed! haha...

Anyway, enjoy yourself! Try to do activities that keep you moving. And just keep an eye out for healthier options when possible. Have fun!

Cruises basically are floating buffets! The best advice I can give you is to eat in the "formal dining room" for as many meals as possible. They sere you and it will help control your portion sizes. I was on a carnival cruise last year for my honeymoon and was shocked at how much food they have. The good news is that soda, alcohol and a few select beverages arent free so my husband and I drank mostly water or iced tea. Most importantly remember to HAVE FUN!!!

I know that cruises have gyms in them and if it is a buffet you have control over what you eat. Try to chose the healthiest options. Vacations are not about food its about spending time with others and enjoying Alaska.

I haven't sailed princess but have done Royal, Holland America, and Carnival.

You'll probably find that they have a healthy alternative on the menu each night so there's always going to be good choices so you can go easy on appetizer, main if you want to splurge on dessert, say.

Another idea is to order room service for breakfast, if you want to avoid going near the buffet for breakfast. This is also good as a wake up call and for those mornings you've got an early start, you can eat while dressing.

The buffet restaurant is normally set up into stations so once you have an idea where everything is, then if you just feel like salad one day, then you know the station to go to and can avoid the others.

and although there is a lot of opportunity to eat, the ships are so large that you'll definitely get your exercise just walking from one part of the ship to another. And even though I didn't make use of them, there are fitness centres, and generally at least one deck which allows for walking laps. Also you can take the stairs instead of the elevators at time - definitely quicker in many cases. There's probably going to be dance lessons and other daily activities that you can participate in to keep on the go.

I have a sedentary job and not incredibly active but tend to balance out the food with the increased activity while onboard.

Good luck, but I'm sure you won't need it.

* Wait til you FEAST your EYES on what you are about to see on this Alaskan cruise!! I've done the Alaskan cruise on Princess, not once but TWICE - it is awesome!
* The food is "managable" - they set up a new buffet about every 3-4 hours and there are MANY MANY healthy food choices. We opted for the "no formal dining room" freedom and thought that worked well. The gyms are fantastic, you can walk the decks & their steps FOREVER ! And the spas are top notch.
* It's the dessert buffets and volume ETOH that could push one over - but it is a CHOICE!
* Have FUN - it is magically stunning ! And there are just SOOO many other great things to do besides focusing on food!

Cruising is so fun!!!

First, I would recommend that you check out the website for "cruise critic"...very helpful forums/reviews.

About the food, the best thing you can do is eat in the main dining room and not the buffets. The serving sizes will be small (but appropriate). If you don't like what you get, you can always ask for something else or get room service later. Also, if the appetizer looks healthier, you can order it as an entree! Drink lots of water and make use of the beautiful view to walk or run utilizing the track and/or fitness equipment on the ship. Sometimes, classes will be offered too!

I have to agree with whoever suggested "active" excursions--the best thing you can do especially in a place as beautiful as Alaska!

(we are heading to Hawaii for a cruise in September!!!!)