Cruises offer luxury, pampering, around-the-clock entertainment, superb food, the chance to see the world and—surprisingly—plenty of opportunities to boost your health.
De-stress
Chronic stress can seriously harm your health—both mentally and physically—and it’s crucial that holidays offer a break from the many demands of everyday life.One of the health benefits of cruises lies in their convenience: a pre-planned itinerary, inclusive meals and every kind of entertainment—from spa treatments to cinemas—on hand, can significantly reduce the organisational hassle of trying to ‘cram’ everything in, making for a stress-free holiday experience.
Eat well
It’s a well-worn cliché of cruises that the luxurious, indulgent food served on ships can make weight gain a distinct possibility. However, for those looking to keep healthy, it’s easy to find lighter dining options. Most cruise chefs will be happy to cater for your dietary preferences, and if this isn’t possible make sure you eschew fattening foods such as burgers and rich desserts and raid the platters of fresh fruits and vegetables you’ll find in every buffet to ensure your meals are healthy and balanced. Alternatively, opt for cruises with facilities that cater specifically for healthy eaters. Famed health resort Canyon Ranch, for example, runs spas on cruise lines such as Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas that offer menus full of highly health conscious dishes.
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Stay fit
Although cruises offer numerous opportunities for relaxation, most ships are also well-equipped for the health conscious—whether you’re aiming to drop a few pounds or you’re a dedicated gym junkie. Many ships provide sophisticated fitness facilities such as state-of-the-art gyms, swimming pools, running tracks and more—cruise line Royal Caribbean, for example, offer everything from surfing to ice skating on their Quantum Class ships.
Get that vitamin D fix
We’re constantly bombarded with edicts that we should protect ourselves against the sun, but exposing yourself to limited amounts of natural sunlight is essential for helping your body to produce vitamin D. This helps to regulate calcium and phospate in the body, nutrients that keep bones, muscles and teeth healthy. Make sure you head to the ship deck to enjoy a short bout of gentle morning sunshine every day, or go out and explore on the many excursions available. The constant availability of the sun during cruising hours poses as one of many of the health benefits of cruises.
Just relax
Deep relaxation can have many benefits for your body, from lowering your heart rate to raising your immunity. Whether you want to enjoy a massage in the spa or experience the simple pleasure of immersing yourself in a good book by the pool; one of the most prominent health benefits of cruises is that they nearly always offer numerous opportunities to take time out for yourself and relax.
Connect
Cruises offer the chance to disconnect from daily life (and your digital devices) and socialise with new people around the ship, whether it’s at a black tie dinner, in the spa or during a dance class. As well as this, let’s not forget the quality bonding time you’ll get to spend with your nearest and dearest.
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By the sea
Going on a cruise ensures you’ll always be close to the sea, whether you’re taking an ocean dip or frolicking on the beach once you get into port. Salt water can help with everything from healing cuts and treating bad skin to clearing sinuses.
If you have enjoyed reading this article on the health benefits of cruises, click here to read more on Celebrity Angels about treating yourself to a cruise holiday.
