Unless it's a fitness cruise, most cruises are notorious for being horrible for your health. This could be due to the ever present buffets or the laziness that being on a giant ship evokes.

Regardless of your reasons for gaining a few extra pounds while cruising, if you're planning a cruise this year, be sure to use these tips on staying fit on a cruise:

• Eat 5-6 meals: Get out of your 3-meal rut. It's healthier to eat 5-7 small meals per day than 3 large traditional meals. Take advantage of the all-day food access by having more, but smaller, meals.
• Grab a snack: If going on a day excursion off the ship remember to grab something healthy like a banana or an apple at the breakfast buffet so you can conveniently snack on it later.
• Sushi is the same price as French fries: Many landlubbers eat junk food because it's cheap and easy. On a cruise, the food and its preparation are included in the price. Hence, healthy choices are as accessible as the 99¢ menu back home. Room service is often free as well.
• Buffet tips & tricks: Buffets: Many people think "buffet" is a French term for "fat." This can be the case if you aren't careful. Start with the healthiest items you enjoy first. Odds are you may fill-up before you can get to the "danger" items. Danger items include: hamburgers, eggs benedict, pizza, creamy pastas, waffles with whipped cream, anything fried, sweets. Power foods include: oatmeal, almonds, salmon, turkey, sashimi, whole wheat bread, eggs/egg whites, edamame, peanut butter, fruit, low fat yogurt.
• Drink plenty of water: While the food is included, sodas are not. Sodas can be expensive onboard the ship- often $2 per can. Sodas are full of empty calories; this is an ideal time to kick your 4 can-per-day Coke habit by drinking lots of water.

There are five more tips, so read more

• Avoid fatty "side dishes": Don't fill up on the mashed potato or macaroni & cheese side items that come with an entrée. You are better off appeasing your appetite with two main entrees (e.g., chicken, fish) than filling up on these empty calorie side dishes. Remember the food is all-inclusive so there is no additional cost.
• Sign-up for a class: Most ships come equipped with state of the art gyms. Many offer specialty classes (generally an additional fee of $10). Sign-up for a paid specialty class - if you have a paid commitment you will most likely stick to it. Take the opportunity to try something new like Power Yoga. If you can balance on a ship you can balance anywhere.
• Get off the ship: When in port try and spend most of your time off the ship. Simply walking and exploring will help burn calories. Also, if you're doing an athletic event like snorkeling or hiking simply add 10 minutes at the end of it where you do a little sprint swimming or jogging.
• Take the stairs: Skip the small and claustrophobic elevator rides and get some exercise by taking the stairs. At a minimum, avoid the elevators at peak times - generally around meals and when first arriving at port.
• Jet Lag: Often you will be traveling to a location that has a different time zone. The first few days will take awhile for you to acclimate. Take advantage of your body waking up early by hitting the gym. Most cruise gyms are open 24 hours. Since it will be dark out, it's one of the few activities available at this time so you won't be missing out on anything.

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