There are many reasons why a cruise vacation is popular. In the past, one of those reasons was simply food. An endless array of 24-hour dining is included in your cruise fare; take your pick from room service, Lido deck buffet or main dining rooms.

And guess what? If you are feeling frisky, you are more than able to order a second round - of dinner. Yes you can have multiple dinners, lunches, or breakfasts at one sitting! The sky's the limit on a cruise.

Now, if that doesn't sound very appetizing to you, never fear. The cruise industry has drastically changed over the last 5 years to accommodate a growing demographic of health-conscious guests wondering how to stay fit on a cruise, with the introduction of new cruise ships featuring healthy eateries, state-of-the-art fitness centers, and high energy onboard games and activities.

Learning how to stay healthy on a cruise is now easier than ever before.

While there is some truth to the old claim that you can gain 5 pounds (or more) on a cruise, that is no longer the norm. You can keep up your healthy lifestyle, or become even healthier, on your next cruise vacation.

When you get onboard the first day of your cruise don't head straight for the lido buffet lunch, but instead take a quick detour to find the fitness center.

Take a tour of its facilities, the equipment, class offerings and sea views (yes, the panoramic sea views!). You don't necessarily need to go and work out each day. But by acclimating yourself and simply seeing what the gym has to offer you may feel more comfortable and, in turn, be more tempted to hit it up for a sweat session during your downtime.

However, if you do enjoy a sweat session daily to stay in shape, you won't be let down.

Every cruise ship offers some sort of gym, and the rule of thumb is the larger the ship, the larger the gym. Some of the most grand fitness centers at sea are upwards of an astounding 9,700-square-feet. You'll have your choice of cutting-edge cardio and weightlifting machines, spinning bikes, a Pilates studio, a boxing ring, and group classes, such as yoga, aerobics, spinning and Pilates, as well as the latest workout trends including TRX Suspension Training. Some classes will require a nominal fee, and they do fill quickly so sign up as early as you can.

If you're not interested in fitness classes, you may be wondering how to stay in shape on a cruise without stepping foot in the gym.

Get outside and jog on the outdoor jogging track, go rock-climbing, test your balance in the surf simulator, play basketball or go ice skating, take a tango or ballroom dance lesson, and last but not least, take the stairs! That alone will lower your blood pressure two ways, through exercise and not having to wait for the elevators! The possibilities today are endless on how to stay fit on a cruise ship.

Even though you may not indulge in ordering two full meals at dinner, the abundance of cuisine offered onboard is something you don't want to miss.

The new, accessible health and wellness programs available onboard feature spa cafes and restaurants that serve lighter fare carefully crafted with the freshest ingredients. The chefs onboard can prepare vegetarian entrees, low sodium and low-cholesterol entrees, sugar or fat-free desserts, and provide any nutritional information.

If dining in the buffet is more convenient, have an 'appetizer' of salad or vegetables on a large dinner plate.

Then go back for your main course and use a salad plate, so you don't eat more than needed. Try drinking red wine or mixed drinks with either real fruit or fruit juice so you are still getting some form of nutrient value. And always, always remember to drink plenty of water!

Do Note: Understanding how to stay healthy on a cruise is important but stressing about your weight on vacation could be retroactive, so don't think about it too much. You are, in fact, on vacation!

But with healthier dining options and beautiful spa and fitness centers, cruising can now be just as beneficial to your physical health as it has always been for your mental health!

Call us, or fill out our free cruise quote form today to start planning your cruise vacation!

About Sarah Pruzansky, Cruise & Travel Writer

Sarah Pruzansky is passionate about everything related to travel, hospitality, environmental science, self-care, and writing. She joined the iCruise team in February 2019 and assists the company in developing blog and web content that shows the benefits of cruising, information on different ports of call and destinations, and other industry tips for those looking to cruise.