posted by admin on May 10
Resolving to Get Fit for the New Year? Cruising Is the Way to Go!
by Roy Witman © 2007, All Rights Reserved
Countless people make New Year’s resolutions to get into shape and lose weight. Many of them fail reportedly due to lack of motivation, support or a viable plan. There is a new trend developing among fitness enthusiasts, however, that overcomes these three obstacles while delivering luxury, scrumptious food and fun. What’s the trend? Cruising into shape.
Cruise ships have offered well-equipped fitness centers on their vessels for years. However, with fitness and nutrition experiencing an increase in popularity, many ships have taken great strides to create an atmosphere that nurtures a healthy lifestyle without compromising the lavish cruise experience. With onboard fitness instructors, innovative and fun exercise opportunities and healthy gourmet meals, a cruise ship has become the perfect starting point for your New Year’s resolution.
Fun Is the Key to Exercise
If you don’t enjoy exercise, chances are you won’t keep up any fitness routine you establish. But with exciting activities available to you 24/7, you can quickly discover new ways to keep moving while having a blast.
For example, instructor-led aerobics, stretch and cardio classes are available on most cruise ships as are jogging tracks, volleyball (on deck or in the pool) and dancing. With professionally created fitness sessions designed to be fun, it doesn’t seem like exercise at all. Royal Caribbean offers ice skating, rock climbing, trampolines and even boxing. Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) provides a bowling alley and basketball while Holland America offers personal trainers plus yoga and Pilates classes.
Each cruise line has its own key fitness features, so check for the one(s) that pique your interest.
Exceptional Dining for Those on a Diet
But what about the food? One of the greatest pleasures of cruising is indulging in gourmet meals prepared by world-class chefs. Fitness buffs are often nervous about entering a den of food sin and blowing everything they have worked for. The question that is often asked is, “Can I indulge and not regret it later”? The answer is a resounding yes!
The cruise lines constantly have their pulse on public opinion. That includes requests for amazingly delicious meals that offer less fat, sugar and other undesirable carbs. These flavorful meals are just as luxurious, just as tempting and will have you feeling just as spoiled. All without any guilt.
You can even make special dietary requests before you embark on your voyage. Check with your cruise line for details.
What better way to get into shape than while surrounded by a staff that can pamper and spoil you 24/7? Would you rather suffer through the beginning stages of shaping up or be counseled and aided by personal trainers? Would you rather starve yourself with rabbit food or dine on scrumptious meals prepared by professional chefs? Would you rather pound out mile after mile on a gym treadmill or take part in activities that get you moving while having the time of your life?
If you’re serious about shaping up, then you won’t find any better place to begin (or to maintain!) than a voyage at sea.
Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com">http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com</a> offering the best deals including <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/european_cruises.htm"> European cruises</a> and <a href="http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com/mediterranean_cruises.htm">Mediterranean cruises</a>.
Cruise Ship Dining Explained
There are many cruise ships now that have Freestyle Dining (Norwegian Cruises) or Choice Dining (Prince Cruise line) available. Or on Disney Cruise Lines they have what is called Rotational Dining . They have you and your table mates rotate through the three restaurants each evening.
CRUISE TIPS: There is usually open seating for breakfast and lunch in the main dining room. Be adventurous with the menu because if you don t like something you can send it back for a replacement. And if they have two things on the menu that you like ask for both of them. My husband, John, always orders the Filet Mignon and the Lobster Tail when they are served on the same night. Many times he tells the waiter to bring what the waiter recommends for that evening.
This means you don t have to choose first or second seating. (First seating is 6:00 to 6:30 and Second seating is usually 8:00-8:30). There can be more than one restaurant where you just walk in when you are ready to dine. Every ship will ask for your dining preference when you book your cruise. You can indicate first, second or flexible dining, whichever will make you more comfortable. The newer ships have a 24 hour dining spot which is always casual so if you don t want to do the formal nights you don t have to, although I find dressing up to be quite fun.
You will have many options for each meal. You may have any meal delivered to your room, taken in the buffet restaurant or in the dining room. There is usually outdoor dining around the pool with hot dogs and hamburgers, pizza, salads, even Tacos.
There are also alternative dining rooms available on some ships that require an additional fee but the service and food are generally 4 to 5 star and worth it if you want to splurge.
In my experience families with young children and people who go to bed early usually dine in first seating. But if you don t want to be on a schedule or want to meet new people every night, go for the alternative dining option. Of course you can always ask for a table for two, but be aware that there are only a few of them.
If you make a special request one night, John always asks for blue cheese, your waiter will bring it every night. They pride themselves on remembering your tastes. (This only happens when you choose traditional dining). On one cruise we asked for Melba toast, and you bet, every night we had Melba toast. There is one thing I always make clear to the waiter. I am not a big eater but I like to taste everything. I tell this to them the first night so they don t think I am unhappy with the food. It is their job to keep you happy and they take it very seriously.
If you don t want to eat in the main dining room almost all ships have a Lido caf © where it is casual but you order from a menu and are served by a waiter. It s one of the many choices if you don t want to participate in a formal night or if you just want to eat by yourselves. On Carnivals single cruises they encourage this style of dining so the singles can meet more people. There are exceptions to this but not many. On some of the newer ships the Lido is open 24 hours a day.
On most of the cruise lines they offer the food of the region that you are visiting. While on Hawaiian cruises expect to be served Hawaiian food. When on an Alaskan cruise you will be given the choices of salmon and Alaskan king crab legs. It makes more fun to dine on the local cuisine.
All of the cruise lines offer healthy alternative menus or what they call spa menus. So if you want low-fat, low-salt, low cholesterol, vegetarian or any other type of diet, they are available. It is best however to inform your travel agent of any special needs so they can notify the cruise line ahead of time. If you have special dietary needs make sure the cruise lines knows before hand. For example, Royal Caribbean cruises cater to food allergy, Kosher, Indian, Vegetarian and Gluten Free Diets.
To be really safe read all of the cruise reviews and cruise critics sites for each ships food and service ratings.
Happy Cruising, enjoy it, we do!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Cruise Europe On Luxury Cruise Ships For A Relaxing and Educational Vacation
Do you want to tour Europe’s coastline but feel exhausted about the daunting task of packing and unpacking many times? The perfect solution is to take a cruise along Europe’s coastline. There are numerous cruises offered for the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Baltic and other coastlines of Europe. The cruise ships that ply those waters can range from 100 to 3000 passengers. All of the newer ships cruising Europe’s coastline, while very large, offer more amenities, like private balconies. All of the cruise ships will have pools, spas and entertainment.
There are alternative ways to cruise Europe. You could for instance take a river cruise on the Danube or perhaps the Rhine. These luxurious cruise ships will gently ply the rivers passing beautiful scenery. They will stop at many ports so the passengers can get off and explore. These cruise ships are not tall like other cruise ships because they are designed to fit under the many bridges that span the rivers. They do not carry the mega amount of passengers, usually 50 to 200.
Another choice would be a barge cruise. Many small barges have been converted to luxury cruise ships. These ships can maneuver in the smaller rivers and canals. Since they carry very few passengers (6-12) they are a more intimate experience. You will need time for cruises such as these. They travel slowly and make overnight stops in small villages.
Then there is a Yacht cruise which appeals to the heart of all wanna be yachtsmen. These too are much smaller and you will experience amore intimate cruise.
But let’s go with the traditional cruise that visits lots of ports during the cruise. Since you have invested a lot of time and money to get to Europe you will want to choose a cruise that visits lots of ports in many countries. Go for a 12 to 14 day itinerary visiting countries that interest you. Review the tours offered before you leave so you know which ones you want to book when you arrive at your cruise ship. Usually the cruise ship will stop in a port during the day traveling to the next port during the night. Occasionally, a ship will overnight in a port giving you more time to tour.
A typical day aboard a cruise ship in Europe starts with breakfast being delivered to your room and placed on your balcony so you can watch as you gently glide into port. If you don’t have anything planned for that day go the restaurant deck and enjoy a hearty meal.
If you have a tour booked, head for the meeting area that has been designated by the cruise line. In most cases the tours are four to five hours long giving you the rest of the day to explore more fully. If you have planned it right you can do your tour, then return to the ship for lunch, then go out in the afternoon to hit the spots you have chosen to see.
Most cruise lines set sail for the next port in the early evening around 5 or 6 o’clock. After you have watched the sail away, you have time to get cleaned up, have a drink and then have a leisurely dinner. There is always entertainment after dinner to enjoy. The casino and the bars will be opened to the late hours but remember you have an early start the next day.
If there are a couple of days where you are not in port the cruise ship will provide plenty of activities that you can join. They have art auctions, trivia, bridge, lectures, fitness classes and much more. And don’t forget the spa. Make your spa appointments early since the sea days tend to be booked solid.
So if you have decided to cruise the coasts of Europe you need to consider a few things.
There are many destinations to choose from with the Mediterranean being the most popular. But you can opt to do the Baltic, Scandinavia or the British Isles.
Now you have to pick a cruise line that sails in to your chosen itinerary. Some of the cruise lines, like Radisson, SilverSea, and Windstar are small and intimate. These cruise lines emphasis luxury and service. The other main stream cruise lines, Princess, Celebrity or Holland America, to name a few, carry thousands of passengers, from 1500 to 3000. They are really floating resorts. Of course the costs should be considered too.
If you can afford it choose to sail on a luxury cruise line. Now you have to compare the amenities of each luxury cruise line. The cabins on a luxury cruise ship tend to be the size of a suite on the mega cruise lines. Check the cruise lines brochure for square footage.
Find out what is included on the different luxury cruise lines. Some include drinks and wine with dinner. Others require no tipping. Some include the airfare. These are all things to consider when you choosing which luxury cruise line to sail on. Spa and beauty treatments will always be paid for by you. In some cases the tours are included and in other they are not. Do your homework to get the best deal.
Talk to an experienced cruise travel agent. They will help you get all the information you need. Many times by booking early you can see substantial savings. You can save a little money if you have frequent flyer miles, so request a cruise only fare. Most of the luxury cruise lines will not allow you to book a cruise except through a travel agent.
On a European cruise be aware that you will not have time to do any in-depth studies of the ports you visit. You will get a “taste” of each port that will whet your appetite to visit the destination again at another time and stay longer. You may want to choose a cruise line that overnights in a port or you could buy one of their pr or post packages in a port of call.
Go check out what cruising Europe’s coastline has to offer. A cruise may be just right for you because it is a cross between a resort vacation and a holiday in Europe.
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com
http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com
and http://www.CruisingTips.com
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com
