How to stay ship-shape on your next cruise

It's an oft-quoted 'fact' that cruise passengers put on a pound in weight per day but reader, it doesn't have to be this way. We asked Dave Mills, chief commercial officer at Iglu Cruise, for advice on feelint happier, healthier (and certainly not heavier) on your next sailing. 

Book an exercise class or take a hike

Keep an eye on cruise line apps where you’ll find out how you can participate in exercise classes. Case in point? Virgin Voyages include HIIT, barre, yoga, pilates, and spin classes plus a bungee workout in the fare. Log onto the app upon boarding and sign up to the classes you fancy. Or book shore excursions ahead of departure which include a hike in the coastal countryside – for example up Torghatten mountain in Norway. 

Look for healthy dining options

If you choose the AquaClass cabins on Celebrity Cruises, you will enjoy smaller portions and healthier dining in Blu restaurant, as well as complimentary fitness classes. These days, lighter options are available in almost all restaurants and are so much easier to find.

Go alcohol free
Want all the fun of the fair without any of the hangover? Princess Cruises has just introduced ‘Amore Princess Zero Alcohol Collection’, a premium non-alcoholic drinks alternative included on selected packages (Princess Plus and Princess Premier) for sailings from the end of March 2025. 

Plan a port run or energetic excursion

With many hours in some ports, there’s plenty of time to fit in your usual 5k around the area. It’s a really great way to get a glimpse of the destination – use apps such as mapmyrun to help you plan in an area you are unfamiliar with, to keep fit, and to set you up for a great day ahead. Jump back onboard for a shower before heading out for the rest of the day. 

It’s even possible to be a Parkrun tourist when the timings work out. Just be aware of local conditions and leave plenty of time to return to the ship before sailaway. 

Organised tours are another option: choose one that's more energetic or involves a brisk walk or jog. 

Make a splash
While the pools on cruise ships don’t usually lend themselves to swimming lots of lengths, you can always plan an ocean swim when you visit a private island (or at an appropriate beach in the itinerary). I love Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, which you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Hit the gym

Almost all modern cruise ships have a separate track for runningon deck. For example on P&O Cruises’Arvia and Iona, you’ll find a dedicated jogging track. What’s more, the lion's share of cruise lines offer state-of-the-art gyms, many with stunning ocean views, meaning there's no need to skip your gym habit while cruising. Try P&O Ventura: known as one of the best gyms at sea, it's not only well-equipped but enjoys fabulous ocean views from its spot on deck 16.  

Look for onboard sports such as Pickleball or volleyball 

A holiday is a brilliant opportunity to try something totally new, without any obligation to ever do it again. You could try Pickleball – a mixture of tennis, badminton and table tennis – on Cunard's Queen Anne or a new watersport such as standup paddle-boarding, on one of the two small luxury SeaDream Yachts.

Avoid the lifts and use the stairs

There’s one sure-fire way of upping your step count on board and that’s to use the stairs and avoid the lifts. Ships can be the length of a few football pitches so there’s plenty of space to take a walk, especially on sea days when you’ll also get fab views as you move around the ship – and often discover wonderful artworks and installations along the way. To really boost your step count, look to Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas– aka the world’s longest cruise ship. 

Meet the expert
Dave Mills has been with Iglu since 2003. He was present in Iglu's first commercial cruise deal and has been driving a forward-thinking product and commercial department ever since.