How to Cruise Without the Extra Baggage
- dkohlenberger
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
A cruise can be more than just a vacation—it can be a reset. When you align your choices with your energy and well-being, you come home lighter, stronger, and more inspired than when you left. Cruises are about adventure, relaxation, and savoring every moment—not about coming home with extra baggage (and I’m not talking about the suitcase).
The truth is, the average cruiser gains about 2 pounds per day—that’s nearly 20 pounds on a 10-day cruise. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
With just a little mindfulness, you can enjoy all the flavors, fun, and freedom of your trip while still honoring your health.
It Starts Before You Even Step on the Ship
Your wellness cruise begins the moment you book.
Excursions: Are you opting for bus tours or choosing walking, biking, or hiking adventures (depending on mobility, of course)?
Intention: Is your mindset “I’ll eat all the buffets and desserts I can to get my money’s worth” or “I want this trip to feel like a wellness retreat, where I’m inspired by the culture, food, and people I meet”?
Being intentional sets the tone for how you’ll experience everything that follows.
Redefining Abundance
Cruises are known for their endless buffets and bottomless drinks. But what is true abundance?
Eating every dessert in sight and drinking from morning till midnight?
Or choosing balance—where you enjoy indulgences in moderation and feel abundant in energy, connection, and experiences?
Abundance is not about more food; it’s about more life.
Small Choices That Add Up Big
The way you approach your cruise often mirrors the way you approach life. A few mindful shifts can make a huge difference:
Take the stairs. Make it your rule. I leave the elevators for those with mobility challenges (which may be me one day, but not today).
Step it out. Walking tours or exploring on your own can easily rack up 15–20K steps a day.
Slow down. Notice the details—your pace, your surroundings, even your meals.
Breakfast and lunch buffets. Think gourmet, not quantity. Savor the fresh fruit, enjoy a custom omelet, and treat yourself to pastries occasionally rather than daily.
Create balance. Let protein and vegetables be the stars of your plate; carbs and indulgences can be supporting players.
Dinner in the dining room. Skip the buffet chaos and enjoy a portion-controlled, balanced meal in the beautiful dining room, while engaging in conversation. This slower pace makes food—and family—more meaningful.
Skip the midnight buffet. Choose abundant rest over abundant food. Your digestion (and waistline) will thank you.
Choose your drinks wisely. Sugary cocktails spike your appetite. A glass of wine enhances digestion and enjoyment without the crash.
Move your body. Walk laps on the scenic upper deck, hit the gym in the morning, or use light weights while walking.
Stay hydrated. Water is your best travel companion, especially in warm climates.
Honor rest. Nap if your body asks for it—energy is just as important as activity.
Listen to your body. It will tell you when enough is enough—in food, drink, or pace
Gratitude: Fill your heart and mind with gratitude every day especially before you close your eyes at night
At the end of the day, a cruise is about more than where you go—it’s about how you feel when you return.
Do you want to come home sluggish and bloated, or energized and inspired? Every small choice matters.
A cruise can be the reset button your body and mind are craving.
When you choose balance, presence, and intention, you’ll not only experience the richness of your destinations—you’ll rediscover the richness within yourself.
So go ahead—book the excursion, taste the dessert, sip the wine, and walk the deck.
Live fully. Travel lightly. Come home renewed.
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