Going on a cruise -- any advice

midnightangelz
midnightangelz Posts: 18
edited September 19 in Health and Weight Loss
I am leaving on a cruise tomorrow:glasses: , and was wondering if anyone has advice on how to keep with my goals when I am having 5 course dinners and food-anytime put in front of me.
Am I allowed to take my own snacks onboard? I would love to bring my Special K Bliss bars!

Thanks for any words of wisdom!

Replies

  • midnightangelz
    midnightangelz Posts: 18
    I am leaving on a cruise tomorrow:glasses: , and was wondering if anyone has advice on how to keep with my goals when I am having 5 course dinners and food-anytime put in front of me.
    Am I allowed to take my own snacks onboard? I would love to bring my Special K Bliss bars!

    Thanks for any words of wisdom!
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    never get out of the boat
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    How often do you go on a cruise??

    Eat what you like.

    Walk, walk, walk.
    Take stairs where available. (Never been on a cruise. I'm assuming there are stairs.)
    Swim, swim, swim.

    Relax and enjoy your vacation!
  • FitnessGeek
    FitnessGeek Posts: 487
    Cruise ships are just set up for diet failure. One of the decks always has food, and eating out becomes part of the entertainment. My advice would be to pack your day with activities, so that you don't have time to hang out near the buffets. Eat lightly in the morning and day time (cereal, salads) and plan on your big meal at night when everybody is going out.
    You can usually bring your own stuff aboard, I know we brought our own water.

    Good luck, and have fun!
  • rlw911
    rlw911 Posts: 475 Member
    Boy, that's a tough one! Your waiter at dinner should be able to help you with special ordering your food without butter, etc. They're usually pretty accommodating. I believe Carnival has diet-friendly foods on the dinner menus, but I don't know about other cruise lines. (My guess is they do.) And yes, you can bring your own snacks on the ship. Just pack some in your bags & maybe throw in a few in your carry-on.

    Part of my motivation for losing weight is to get it done BEFORE I go on my cruise in September. That way, I won't have to worry about it quite so much!

    Good luck and have a great time! And just so you know, I'm jealous! :wink:
  • tjones7
    tjones7 Posts: 306
    Um, I have been on a cruise and my suggestion is to stay away from the late night feedings.
    the cruise I went on the lunch was buffet but there was a sandwich section. and dinner you can order what you want on the menu and they will prepare it special for you if you like.


    Remember to drink you water. And I don't know if they have changed it but cruises usually use a lot of msg in there food(i know they are not suppose to but they do or did)

    you can pack your snacks if you put them underneath your clothes in your suit case or in your carry on because you have to get through the airport with them.

    have fun be safe
  • katiechakos
    katiechakos Posts: 348 Member
    I've been on lots of cruises and there is always a fitness room. It's typically really nice, too, and looks out over the water. Be sure to get in there... and as for the food, try to focus on relaxation and enjoyment rather than food. Maybe treat yourself to a spa treatment, or when you stop at ports get off and walk walk walk all over. I've never really had a problem with food on cruises, because it seems like there is a lot of other stuff to focus on!!! Good luck.
  • keiko
    keiko Posts: 2,919 Member
    I love to cruise! My last one I came home with 3 extra pounds. It was water weight and gone in one week. When you get home go back to your normal routine of eating & exercise.

    Take the stairs as much as possible. Be active, walk around the ship and do active shore excursions. Walking, swimming, snorkeling...

    Eating was easy. There is so much to pick from. Breakfast for me was always fruit & yogurt on my balcony. Sometimes with a danish and tea. It's a vacation and I treat it as one. Lunch a nice salad, fruit with usually some chicken or other protein. Dinner I ate what I wanted. Ok I did not eat two main courses like some do. But I chose what looked good and stopped when I was full. If a desert looked good I got it. A favorite snack of mine for in the afternoon would be a box of cereal from breakfast. Just take a box to your cabin. I love dry cheerios or corn pops. They're great for after my nap!
    I usually had a girly martini before dinner and a glass of wine with dinner. During the day I drink alot of water both at home and on the ship. I take a large sippy top bottle that I can keep filled with ice and water. I drink the ship water. It tastes great and we fly so I don't want to take anything with that I don't have to.

    There are some ports that I did have a few drinks in. One of my favs is Taybana Beach in Roatan. The monkey lalas are great and worth the extra calories!

    I have packed gym clothes in the past and walked on the walking deck. I tried the gym but I get motion sickness and the combo of the ship moving and trying to run on the treadmill was to much. The last one the only exercise was like what I listed above.

    What ship/ports are you going on? The most important thing is to enjoy it! I love cruising. For me it is the best vacation. I'd be jealous but I was just on one in Dec.
    Have a great cruise!
  • elliott062907
    elliott062907 Posts: 1,508 Member
    I am leaving on a cruise tomorrow:glasses: , and was wondering if anyone has advice on how to keep with my goals when I am having 5 course dinners and food-anytime put in front of me.
    Am I allowed to take my own snacks onboard? I would love to bring my Special K Bliss bars!

    Thanks for any words of wisdom!

    I lost 7 lbs on my cruise!!! I walked the ships floor taking pics and goint to the pool. I only ate baked and salads and veggies. Opted for the fruit desserts and drank a ton of water nad unsweet tea with splenda. I took my own. Most of the cruises now have heart healthy oils!!!!

    It was a blast... I did not over indulge and I didn't have to worry about it, because I stayed active!!!!!

    Have a blast, use your best instincts and be safe. Oh yeah, take dramamine and pepto and tums smoothies, just in case!!!
  • kandrphoto
    kandrphoto Posts: 1 Member
    We have been on several cruises and have found if you stick to the dining room - the portions are really good. We always get in trouble at the buffets - so we just stay away. We eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining rooms - and the last 2 cruises I didn't gain a pound - I can't say the same for my husband though :(
  • MBH3
    MBH3 Posts: 30
    When I went on a cruise my goal was to maintain my weight...not lose it (I mean, let's be realistic, right:wink: ) I achieved my goal and this is how I did it. 4 of the 7 days (every day 'at sea', I took advantage of the ship's walking track and walked 2-4 miles. I took the stairs as often as possible which required 6-8 flights from the floor our stateroom was on to the main deck, casino and dining area. I limited myself to 1 dessert per day (for example, if I decided to have yogurt during the day poolside, I didn't have dessert w/ dinner.) Beyond that, I ate...and drank...what I wanted. That being said, I stayed away from the 'drink of the day' cocktails that are full of sugar. My hubby and I brought some vodka on board (they never checked us for it) and I would purchase a glass of cranberry juice and make my own drink. We had wine w/ dinner (which we also brought on board) and simply paid the corking fee every night. I hope this helps you. Have a wonderful time on board!

    Marcy
  • midnightangelz
    midnightangelz Posts: 18
    Thanks everyone!
    Hitting the bed to get up early for the plane, and I'lllet you know how it goes in 9 days.
    After your advice, I am planning on thier gym/yoga classes, walking the stairs always and shore walking with dining room eating.
  • Kimono
    Kimono Posts: 367
    When I went on a cruise they did have "light or heathier" option on the menu. I always had that. You can still exercise. But it is tough, there are all night buffets...sinful.
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