Cruises Can Cause Obesity

We just returned from our sixth cruise adventure in about 20 years. Last year we cruised with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines to the so-called Mexican Riviera, stopping at the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan. This year, somewhat unhappy with Royal Caribbean, we returned to Carnival and hit the other Riviera ports in Mexico: Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, and Manzanillo.

My wife and I, being a little on the "fluffy" side (Ewes not fat, ewes fluffy), worked to lose a little weight before we boarded the funship, Carnival Spirit. Knowing that food is a highlight, (heck, the centerpiece for many), we thought it would be prudent to pre-lose the 5 pounds one puts on during an 8-day cruise.

While we cannot be sure, but judging from what we saw on board, many cruisers fit the profile of the 60% of Americans who are obese. Few looked like they starved before the cruise, although in fairness, either did I look malnourished. What I noticed on this cruise compared to others was the sheer number of obviously obese people on board. Cruising is certainly anathema to weight loss. The Biggest Loser reality show would not stage an episode from a cruise ship.

Although I came out even after the cruise (lost 5, gained 5), I was shocked at the number of morbidly obese people who come on a cruise. I actually include myself in that group, but still marvel at the people stuffing their faces with pizza or ice cream or escargot (OK, I ordered two escargot appetizers, but those little guys are seafood, aren't they? Never mind the melted butter).

Cruises offer three full dining room meals each day, and if you don't like the more formal dining arrangement, the buffet on the Lido deck offers many more selections. The pizza place and ice cream shops are open 24 hours, as is the great room service (we took advantage of that a couple times too).

The ships do offer fitness centers and swimming pools as well as a running track and there were many people doing all of those things. But it was the wrong people. The skinny Minnies (and Mickeys) were the ones sweating on the Stairmasters and treadmills, racing around the deck, weaving between the fat folk as they completed their laps. I did, however, see a few of the more portly in the swimming pools and hot tubs, but they were only bobbing up and down - not a great workout.

So my advice to the plumpsters like me is to avoid cruises altogether. They are not healthy places, and who knows, the cruise lines may make you buy two seats in the lifeboat.