I am pleased to say that I gained very little weight after 19 days eating onboard the Island Princess. We sailed from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal and up to Vancouver. If you have never been on a Princess Cruise ship before, I am here to tell you the food is expertly prepared, appetising, and flavorful. The fear of gaining weight is real, but the choice was still my own.
Gluttonous, continuous eating onboard is possible, and sadly, I think it was the goal of a few of the passengers. We, however, opted to stick to three meals a day (plus morning coffee and an occasional afternoon tea). With few exceptions, all food is included in the cost of the cruise. The Island Princess had three themed restaurants that had a cover charge, plus passengers pay additional for espresso coffee drinks, soft drinks, bottled water, and alcohol.
My best tips for eating healthy on a cruise ship are below, but first, let me tempt you with a bit of food porn:
This scallop meal is one of my favourite dinners. I know my photos are heavy on seafood, as that is what I like. There are meat, chicken, and vegetarian options on the cruise ship menus.
Although not on the menu, I frequently requested a side of vegetables. Eating healthy on a cruise is always an available option.
We were greeted in our cabin with beautiful flowers, chocolate covered strawberries, and champagne.
I can’t always stick to the diet.
I know, I am a bit of a coffee snob. Therefore I opted to purchase a coffee card that gave me a discounted price for 15 espresso coffees during the cruise. This is a cafe-latte. If you are like me, remember to ask for it in a glass mug, or it will come in a takeaway container.
One of the daily lunch options is handmade pizza at the Italian restaurant that charges a cover at dinner. There is no extra charge for this, and it is as good as it looks.
This meat pie is served at a British Pub speciality restaurants, but with no extra charge at lunch time. On the pub menu are also traditional items like fish and chips or bangers and mash.
Healthy eating onboard is always an option. I started most mornings with a fruit plate. This one is a bit more elaborate than most as it was served in a specialty dining room that normally offers breakfast only to those passengers with suites.
We opted to try dinner at Sabatini’s specialty restaurant (cover charge). Antipasto started our meal, which was a called “Trattoria,” a tapas style meal offering small samples of a huge variety of foods.
The antipasto above was followed by hot appetisers, pasta, a lobster tail dinner, and then these three mini desserts. The handmade attention to every detail and delicate flavours makes this meal worth the extra money.
Mouthwatering and blissful, paella on the Island Princess perfectly matched my memories from our home exchange in Spain.
Room service is available 24/7. This cheese tray also arrived with a plate of individually wrapped crackers.
On average there are 24,000 meals prepared daily. We took a galley tour and were pleased to see the kitchens are immaculate with stainless steel walls and ceilings.
As we passed through the Caribbean some of the cruise ship menus reflected the local cuisine.
The sweet tray at afternoon tea. There are also finger sandwiches, cookies and my favourite – the fresh, hot scones served with jam and cream.
Are you wondering, how I cruised for 19 days, without gaining too much weight?
Sorry to say it, there is no secret, it’s the same as everyday life. Calories in versus calories out.
Best tips for eating healthy on a cruise
- If you don’t want to gain weight on the ship, you need to make healthy choices and get some exercise. The latter is easier, as there is both a gym and a walking track.
- Join some of the active onboard options like Zumba, line dancing, ballroom dancing, swimming pools, basketball court, and a 5K breast cancer walk.
- Personally, I upped my daily walking goal, striving for 15,000 steps per day on my Fitbit Charge HR.
- Order a side of steamed vegetables with your dinner, even if it is not on listed on the cruise ship menus, they will make it for you.
- Similarly, order a plate of fresh fruit with your breakfast.
- Drink water, rather than soda throughout the day.
If you are also an adventurous eater in ports, be sure to carry Travel Insurance.
Tempted? Could enjoy 19 days eating onboard without gaining weight? Would you eat less, exercise more, or just worry about it when you get home?
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Disclaimer: In addition to VIP treatment onboard the Island Princess we were provided with many complimentary extras. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
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I think I just might gain some weight, but I might have a chance not to with so many exercise opportunities available.
LOL – It’s worth it to have a bit of indulgence.
Your pictures look absolutely amazing! And it actually reminds me of an all you can eat buffet we liked to go to in Japan. The food was fantastically prepared, with specialty dishes that were brought out every 30 minutes or so. If you took your time, you could sample a small but of everything without stuffing yourself too full.
I know when my parents went on their cruise, their temptation wasn’t the limitless food, it was the open bar. They went on an Alaskan cruise and when they came back they said, “Once you’ve seen one iceberg, you’ve seen them all. We mostly just drank.” I remember thinking that it must have been a waste, except they didn’t end up paying for it. 😛
Neither our Panama Canal cruise, nor our Alaska cruise a few years ago had an open bar. Too bad your parents didn’t love Alaska, I know I did. They probably should stay out of the Panama Canal as well – as the locks might not be interesting enough to hold their attention.
24,000 meals a day?! Holy cow! And all the food looks spectacular! I’d end up twice as big as when I boarded. I’m trying not to be super jealous, but with your awesome pics and details every few days, it’s getting harder and harder! 😉
That is exactly what I thought. It sure is more than 3 meals per day, per person – again going back to those on the ship that are there to stuff themselves. As for our trip, the blog point here is only about 2/3 of the way, there is a few more really interesting destinations to come.
That food looks fantastic
And it was.
Hi Rhonda – it all looks wonderful … and yes we can choose carefully – not get carried away and take advantage of the exercise options … love all the photos … it is mind over enjoying some deliciousness but not stuffing ourselves unnecessarily … I wonder what they do with the left overs?
The whole looks to be an amazing experience … and I’m looking forward to seeing more – cheers Hilary
I wonder what they do with the left overs also, there much be an enormous amount of waste. And, more coming soon.
I agree. Hubby and I want on a 17 day cruise to Hawaii and back. We exercised every single day and made good choices. I gained two pounds. I was happy with that.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
It’s hard not to gain anything.
Our cruise ship had a wonderful gym. Nothing like running on a treadmill while watching the waves. Plus there are so many offshore excursions where you can spend some calories.
I prefer the walking track, also looking at the waves whilst I exercise.
Cruise food is amazing. Congrats to not gain weight on a cruise.
I did gain a bit, but it’s almost gone already.
Those desserts look absolutely delicious
Mollyxxx
They generally tasted even better than they looked.
Wow, all the beautiful and delectable food. On my 8 day cruise, I try not to gain anymore then 5 lbs. It’s very difficult but it can be done. What amazes me are those people that pile up their plates with food and goodies and then leave the plates close to full and leave the room. That really gets me angry. It sounds like you & your hubby are enjoying this cruise. Good for you Rhonda. See ya later my friend.
Cruisin Paul
Wow, that’s more than half a pound per day. I worked way too hard taking it all off to do that right now. We didn’t eat in the buffet very often, so I didn’t see too many of the people piling the food
So mouth-watering!
🙂
Wow, that is quite a parade of food. We took a seven day Alaskan cruise and all went well. The food was great, but we stayed active enough to maintain our weight. I would recommend cruising to anyone. It is a wonderful way to travel.
We did an Alaska cruise a few years ago, and I think I over ate. I have learned a bit of self discipline since then. But as you can see, I didn’t go hungry, nor did I cheat myself out of the treats I wanted.
Stunning photos Rhonda!
Thanks 🙂
You must be Super Woman not to gain but a little on a cruise like that!
It’s all about walking for me.
It’s all about food on my blog this week as well.
Yummy
Oh my what fabulous food I think I would indulge too much especially that Paella hmmm 🙂
Have a foodtastic day Rhonda 🙂
And the best thing (or worst if you are watching the waistline) is you can order two or three mains, as many as you want. (I stuck to one.)
This food does look wonderful! Everything is presented really wonderful! I try and drink a lot of water.
Yes, I drank tons of water too. I always do. While bottled water cost money onboard, there was nothing wrong with the tap water.
All the meals look so appetizing. Attracted by the meat pie at the English pub, though. And the caribbean meal as well.
All of these photos are delightful. Now I’m ready for a cruise 😀
The meat pie was hubby’s meal, I had bangers and mash. It was delicious, but not so photogenic.
Great advice Rhonda. We’ve been on two cruises (one on the Sapphire Princess) and we have witnessed how much passengers “pig out” on these cruises. Anybody would think they were starving!! My husband and I like to watch what we eat and exercise daily to keep the weight at bay, however on both cruises I have put weight on – but not a lot!
Not a lot is the secret. Taking off a bit, is easier than a ton.
I have always wondered how to handle a cruise with all that beautiful food, I dont think I would take up exercise, just take loose fitting clothes and “try” to eat small portions, that said, it still might not help. Everything looks wonderful and great to share on Oh my Heartsie Girls WW his week, thank you!
Have a awesome week!
Karren
#OMHGWW
LOL – it’s always up to you. Think about it, you are probably surrounded by great food in your own kitchen, you just make choices.
This made me miss my fitbit flex as it died down on me! And now I am feeling that I am carrying more weight than usual.
This is such a lovely series. The food looks gorgeous!
I love my fitbit. I am on my second one, as they don’t do well in the washing machine.
You did well!
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/06/bea-year-of-adult-coloring-books.html
Thanks Deb. And I enjoyed the food, never going hungry.
I am super tempted indeed, Rhonda..everything looks sooo good 🙂
Dare I tell you, it is . . . everything is delicious, and should you happen to order something that isn’t to your preferences, they will take it back and get you something else.
So funny to see a food porn post, with that title! Actually all very sensible things you have to say, brilliant tips for travellers, as it can be hard! Thank you!
http://coombecottagesandco.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/wordless-wednesday-failing-at-nailing.html
Thanks E, and glad you enjoyed a bit of food porn today.
I waited to read your post last becasue it looked so enticing 🙂
Hmmmm…. I think I’d have to up my exercise intake so that I could splurge. I am a coffee snob too. 😀 I love that you said that. What a fun post, but now I am hungry. 😀
So glad you found me over at my blog.
Lisa at Life Thur the Lens
LOL – yes this one should come with a warning, it will make you hungry.
When I travel, I don’t usually gain weight and don’t tend to watch what I eat. The walking keeps all of that in check I have to worry when I get back to my regular semester routine, and it’s easier to eat junk food then cook a meal. (Although, I’m working on that!). I’m not so sure how I would do on a cruise with all those temptations. All of the dishes you’ve posted here are drool worthy. I would have to make a plan, and part of that would be to make the ships walking track my best friend. I’d also get in some swimming. I’m a bit of a coffee snob, too, so I can see myself opting for the coffee card.
Having a plan before you get on is the easiest way to succeed. If you can stick to it amongst all the temptations.
Had to drop in to read this article! My husband and I have only been on one cruise and we had lost a good amount of weight before getting to the ship. Even with all my good intentions, the food was so good and all those buffets round the clock – we totally lost it! Next time…I plan to be much more intentional about eating in moderation and getting exercise. And there is so many options to exercise that there’s no excuse not to!
Well at least you pre-dieted, so if you weren’t careful, you probably were not any bigger than before you started.
Good article! We went on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate our 45th anniversary (almost at 51 now) and I didn’t gain any weight at all. I didn’t conscioulsy try not to but I just wasn’t interested in eating all the time, especially the junk that was readily available. I did enjoy my daily latte though. 🙂
Impressive that you didn’t gain weight without any special efforts.