How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions on a Cruise in 2026
From Veganuary and Dry January to fitness and family time, here’s how to stay healthy, balanced and happy at sea
How to stay fit on your next cruise. Canva AI Generated image
January cruises are often seen as a contradiction. On one hand, it’s the season of fresh starts, Veganuary, Dry January and fitness goals. On the other, cruising is synonymous with indulgent dining, cocktails on deck and lazy sea days.
But here’s the truth: cruising in January 2026 may be one of the easiest ways to keep your New Year’s resolutions.
Modern cruise ships now prioritise wellness just as much as entertainment, with calorie-labelled menus, plant-based restaurants, alcohol-free bars, world-class gyms and daily fitness classes - all wrapped up in winter sun and zero everyday distractions.
Whether your goal is to eat healthier, drink less, get fitter, spend more time together as a family or simply travel more, this guide shows how to stay on track without feeling deprived - and why a January cruise might actually help you stick to your resolutions for longer.
New Year, New You
A very Happy New Year - and thank you for stopping by.
Happy New Year - Image: Fireworks over Cruise ship. Canva AI generated
January is that familiar time when good intentions rise to the surface and New Year’s resolutions come into sharp focus. Whether it’s one small habit change or a complete lifestyle reset, the start of a new year often feels like the perfect moment to recalibrate.
But what if you’re kicking off the year on a cruise?
With indulgent dining, cocktails on deck and long, lazy sea days, cruising doesn’t sound resolution-friendly - yet modern cruise ships in 2026 make it easier than ever to stay on track without sacrificing enjoyment.
Below, I’ve taken the most common New Year’s resolutions and explored how realistic (and enjoyable) it really is to keep them while cruising.
1) Lose Weight While Cruising
Can you lose weight on a cruise?
Short answer: yes - with a little planning.
First, a reminder: only make weight-loss goals for your own wellbeing, never to meet the expectations of others. Feeling good matters more than a number on the scale.
Forward Planning
Download calorie-tracking or points-based apps before sailing (Wi-Fi at sea can be patchy)
Preview main dining room and speciality restaurant menus in advance
Decide where you’ll indulge — and where you’ll keep things lighter
What to Eat on a Cruise Diet
Breakfast
Choose an exotic fruit plate for an indulgent cruise breakfast. Image: Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown
Fresh fruit plates eaten on deck feel indulgent yet light
Fat-free or Greek yoghurt, boiled or poached eggs
Grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, lean ham or grilled bacon
(And yes - you can walk past the pastries, hard as that might be)
Lunch & Dinner
Salad bars, carveries and grill stations are your allies
Choose tomato-based sauces over creamy ones
Opt for lean protein: grilled fish, chicken or turkey
Look for “lighter choice” or calorie-counted symbols on menus
Many ships now publish calorie information in spa cafés and wellness venues, especially on newer ships.
Pro tip: Allow yourself one indulgent dessert every few days - restriction is rarely sustainable.
Exercise at Sea
Most ships have jogging tracks such as this one n Virgin Voyagges Valliant Lady. Image : Kathy Taylor
Walking tours in portf
Dance classes, aqua fit or morning stretch sessions
Jogging tracks, gyms and outdoor fitness zones are standard on most ships
📣 I’d love to know - has anyone ever come home lighter than when they embarked?
2) Eat Healthier on a Cruise
Is cruise food unhealthy?
It doesn’t have to be.
Cruise ships in 2026 offer more fresh produce, lighter menus and wellness-focused dining than ever before — making a cruise an ideal reset after festive excess.
Eat the Rainbow
Aim for colour and variety:
Orange & yellow: citrus, peppers, squash (vitamins A & C)
Green: spinach, kale, avocado (vitamins K, B & E)
Purple & red: aubergine, red cabbage, grapes (antioxidants)
A mixed salad with grilled chicken or fish, wholegrains and legumes can be both filling and nutrient-dense.
Health-Focused Cruise Dining Venues (2026)
Celebrity Cruises: Blu (AquaClass), plus plant-forward MDR menus across Edge-class ships
Royal Caribbean: Vitality Café, Solarium Bistro (many dishes under 500 calories)
Princess Cruises: OceanNow healthy options and expanded wellness menus
Virgin Voyages: Naturally lighter, no buffets, and plant-forward by design
Raw bars, sushi counters and poke bowls now feature widely across new ships — indulgent, but surprisingly nutritious.
3) Eat Less Meat (Veganuary & Beyond)
Is vegan food available on cruises?
Yes — and far more so than in 2020.
Cruise Lines Leading the Way
Virgin Voyages
Razzle Dazzle remains the first predominantly plant-based restaurant at sea, across Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady.Oceania Cruises
Still industry-leading with hundreds of vegan dishes fleetwide and cold-pressed juice bars on Marina and Riviera.Celebrity Cruises
Separate vegetarian menus in main dining rooms, clearly marked plant-based dishes and rotating options across Edge-class ships.Royal Caribbean
Fleetwide vegan menus now available on request in main dining rooms.
Vegetarian and pescatarian cruising is straightforward; fully vegan cruising still benefits from pre-sailing dietary requests.
4) Reduce Alcohol Intake on a Cruise (Dry January)
Choose from a range of mocktails onboard ship just like these Virgin Pina Coladas. . Image Kathy Taylor
Can you cruise without a drinks package?
Absolutely — and it’s often easier than you think.
Tips That Actually Work
Decline the drinks package if possible — having to sign for drinks creates mindfulness
Choose virgin cocktails — they look and taste identical
Set alcohol-free times (before dinner, or every other day)
Order singles instead of doubles
On all-inclusive cruises, remember: drinks are only one part of the value.
If alcohol dependency is a concern, Friends of Bill W meetings are held on every cruise ship — discreetly and judgement-free.
5) Get Fit on a Cruise Ship
Keep fit whilst enjoying the view in the ship’s gym. Credit: Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown
Are cruise ship gyms good?
Modern cruise ship gyms rival land-based health clubs — especially on ships launched post-2020.
Fitness Options at Sea
Sunrise yoga & Pilates
Zumba, dance and stretch classes
Jogging tracks and outdoor circuits
Sports courts, table tennis and swimming
Royal Caribbean continues to lead on adrenaline:
Rock climbing
iFLY skydiving
Trapeze schools
Surf simulators
Even informal movement - pool games or deck walks — adds up.
6) Spend More Quality Family Time
Cruising removes everyday distractions — cooking, commuting, chores — creating rare, uninterrupted family time.
Family Experiences at Sea
Go-kart racing (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Rope courses (MSC Cruises)
Water parks and surf simulators (Royal Caribbean)
Private islands like Perfect Day at CocoCay
Shared dining, shows and spontaneous moments (hello, midnight buffet stargazing) are where memories are made.
7) Learn a New Skill While Cruising
What activities can adults do on cruises?
Cruises are perfect low-pressure environments to try something new.
Ballroom dancing (P&O, Cunard)
Passenger choirs (Princess, P&O)
Art classes, cookery demos, language tasters
Casino lessons with professional croupiers
Or go big:
Rock climbing
Aerial skills
Ice skating
Surfing
No long-term commitment required - just curiosity.
8) Travel More in 2026
This one needs no justification.
January cruises are ideal for planning ahead:
Low deposits onboard
Bonus onboard credit
Future cruise discounts
From Alaska to the South Pacific — or even a World Cruise — consider this the year you start ticking destinations off your list.
The Lowdown
Cruising in January doesn’t mean abandoning ship or your New Year’s resolutions. In fact, with the right mindset - and the right ship - it can be one of the best environments to reset, rebalance and refocus.
Frequently Asked Questions: New Year’s Resolutions & Cruising
Can you really keep New Year’s resolutions on a cruise?
Yes. Modern cruise ships offer healthy dining, fitness facilities, alcohol-free options and wellness-focused activities, making it easier than ever to stay aligned with your goals while still enjoying your holiday.
Can you lose weight on a cruise?
It is possible. Choosing grilled proteins, fresh produce, sensible portions and staying active onboard and ashore can help prevent weight gain — and some cruisers even return lighter than when they embarked.
Is cruise food unhealthy?
Not necessarily. While indulgent options exist, most cruise lines now offer fresh fruit, salad bars, lighter menus, calorie-counted meals and plant-based dining venues.
Are vegan and vegetarian options widely available?
Yes. Vegetarian dishes are standard across most cruise lines, and vegan menus are increasingly common, particularly on Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
Can you do Veganuary on a cruise?
Absolutely. Many cruise lines now support plant-based diets with dedicated menus, vegan-friendly restaurants and advance dietary requests.
Do cruise ships have proper gyms and fitness classes?
Most modern ships have fully equipped gyms, jogging tracks and offer daily classes such as yoga, Pilates, aqua fitness and dance. Some specialist classes may incur a small fee.
Can you cruise without a drinks package?
Yes. Drinks packages are optional on most cruise lines, and many travellers prefer to pay as they go or choose a soft drinks package instead.
Are alcohol-free drinks available on cruise ships?
Yes. Alcohol-free beers, wines, spirits and mocktails are now widely available, including frozen virgin cocktails.
Let me know in the comments:
Which resolutions are you keeping at sea this year?
Happy New Year 🥂