Learn 2 Cruise

If you’ve read our section on Dining then our fitness article is a must read. With so much delicious food available to you it’s easy to come back from vacation with more than just souvenirs! Cruise lines are very aware of today’s diet and exercise trends and have outfitted their ships with state of the art fitness centers and knowledgeable personal trainers. Most ships are also equipped with outdoor running and walking tracks. This is a great way to stay in shape while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Time for Class

Most cruise lines offer the standard fitness classes like step aerobics, kickboxing, Pilates and yoga. In addition to the standard classes, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises offer spinning classes. Celebrity even has a virtual reality biking class. Princess offers a unique course called Tour de Cycle, a three part spinning course inspired by the Tour de France. These classes are an easy way to meet people onboard and get a great workout no matter what your fitness level. Depending on the cruise line these classes may be complimentary or there may be a small charge of just $10-$12 per person per session.

The Equipment

The types of machines in the fitness centers vary greatly by ship. You will always find treadmills, ellipticals and recumbent bikes along with a selection of free weights, workout mats and exercise balls. Regent Seven Seas are one of the first to bring the new Nautilus treadmill to its guests and they also have one of my favorites, the Stair Master.

If you choose a treadmill facing the floor to ceiling windows as you find on many ships be sure to start off slow. I consider myself an athlete yet at first stride I found the clear view of the open seas to throw me off balance. It took me a few minutes to get used to it so I suggest you go slowly until you have your sea legs!

• L2C Tip – On Carnival Cruise ships, if your booked in one of their Cloud 9 Spa Suite Staterooms ALL fitness classes are complimentary

Drop and Give Me 20!

If you need a little motivation ask one of the Certified Personal Trainers that can be found on almost all cruise ships. They can design a custom workout plan that will help you stay in shape on your vacation. Metabolism Boosting sessions and Body Composition Analysis can also be performed by the trainers. Check with the fitness desk for the cost and availability of these sessions.

Hours & Location

Fitness centers on Princess Cruise ships are open 24 hours except for their Regal Princess Ship. Others like Carnival, Celebrity and Costa open between 6-8am and typically close around 10 or 11pm. Hours and fitness class schedules can be found at the front desk of the fitness center. Hours vary by cruise ship and change depending on if the ship is at sea or in port. Fitness centers are usually located at the front of the ship and 1-3 decks below the lido deck.