Vitamin Sea: Cruising is Healthy

Discover the (proven!) health benefits of cruising

By Heather Mikesell

Although most people don’t immediately think of a cruise vacation as an opportunity to get in shape or make positive lifestyle choices, today’s cruise ships provide a host of healthy options that can help transform a week at sea into the ultimate wellness retreat.

For many years, cruising got a bad rap for its tempting all-you-can-eat buffets and sedentary lifestyle it seemed to promote. However, nothing could be further from the truth these days, as health and wellbeing programming takes center stage.

“Cruising provides wonderful access to the open seas and its natural benefits, such as re-energizing and detoxifying sea-salt air, the flow and lull of the waves, and being close to the water,” says Mary Bemis, editorial director of Insider’s Guide to Spas. “The health benefits are numerous, as more ships have awoken to consumer demand for healthy lifestyle and wellness options.” As a result, wellness-minded passengers are discovering the many healthy rewards to be found on a cruise.

Me Time

While the advantages of just getting away from it all are obvious, cruising goes beyond helping people to disconnect.

“One of the biggest benefits is the gift of time, when you’re freed from any tasks or responsibilities,” says Ann Brown, a spa industry veteran and founder of Saltability. “Most of us are so overwhelmed, and a cruise gives us a pause that allows us to set our intentions to whatever our goals may be — more sleep, better nutrition, increased workouts — or giving back to ourselves in ways we wouldn’t naturally do, such as having our meals prepared or getting a massage.”

According to Brown, it’s the benefit of taking time for themselves that really allows people to relax, which is especially important these days. In fact, in a 2014 Stress in America survey commissioned by the American Psychological Association, 75 percent of Americans reported experiencing….

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