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This year more than 10.5 million people will go on a cruise. Almost all of them will have a fabulous time but when they step on the scales after they get home, they will let out a shriek at how much weight they have put on.

However, going on a cruise can be both fun and healthy. You can eat, drink and be merry without packing on the pounds by following our ten simple steps for fun and fat free cruising.

Now before you all roll about laughing, let me explain that I have just come back from my first ever cruise. I ate three meals and some a day, drank more than my doctor would have liked me to yet I didn’t put a single pound on for the seven days we were at sea. I appreciate that most of us go cruising to get away from it all and have a good time.

Many of us even go on a diet before sailing so that we look our best as we lounge by the pools but there really is no need to put on a lot of weight while we are at sea only having to shed it all once we get back home.

Follow our ten easy steps and you will have a great time on your cruise and look fabulous when you arrive home.

1. Eating

Enjoy the fabulous food - that is one of the main reasons we all go on cruises. The cruise lines go to great lengths nowadays to make sure that there are plenty of healthy options and portions sizes are large enough to fill you up without adding unnecessary calories. My wife and I cruised on the Carnival Glory and the food -and service - was fantastic. However, if like us, you do overindulge every now and then go to step 2.

2. Exercise

Get into the gym and get on a treadmill - even if it’s only for 15 minutes (although 30 minutes is better!). It will speed up your metabolism and help burn off unwanted calories. The first full day at sea the gym is normally packed with people with good intentions. You may even have to wait to get on an exercise machine. The second day the lines are not so long and after a couple of days you can usually take your pick of machines. Exercising after breakfast is a great idea as it allows you to burn off those eggs, bacon and pancakes with the bonus that your elevated metabolic rate will continue to burn off additional calories for another two or thee hours as you bask in the sun.

3. Spa

Pamper yourself. Enjoy a relaxing massage and then dive into the steam room or sauna. You’ll feel great and you’ll lose a few more unwanted pounds.

4. Walking

Going for a walk may seem a strange idea on a cruise ship but you have miles of decks to saunter along. Wear a hat and sunscreen and carry a bottle of water and after a couple of circuits you’ll know the layout of the ship, have checked out the best places to sunbathe and burned off enough calories in time for your next meal.

5. Swimming

Swimming is great exercise and even if you can’t actually do laps because of all the other people in the pool, you can tread water for a few minutes each day which is great exercise both for burning off calories and strengthening and toning muscles.

6. Stairs

You can often wait several minutes waiting for elevators on a crowded cruise ship. Take the stairs instead - it is often quicker and it will do you more good. If you are on a large cruise ship with 12 or more decks, take the elevator up three or four decks and then walk up the rest. Don’t overdo it, but if you use the stairs regularly you will get great aerobic exercise and by the end of the cruise you will notice the difference in your leg muscles.

7. Shore Excursions

Take advantage of shore excursions because you’ll get to see some really interesting places and you’ll probably get the opportunity to do some more walking - around shops, around ancient monuments, or go snorkeling, swimming and so on.

8. Drinking
Enjoy your tipples but drink a lot of water as well. It will help keep you hydrated and that is good for your metabolism and general wellbeing especially in hot weather. If you do have a few drinks too many, drink lots of water the next day and think about step 2!

9. Dancing

It doesn’t matter how old you are, find a bar or nightclub aboard that is playing your kind of music and get up and dance. It doesn’t matter if no one else is dancing or how well you can dance - the chances are you will never see any of your fellow cruisers ever again!

10. Romancing

You’ve dined, wined and danced now it is time to take a moonlight stroll along the deck with your partner. While burning off calories may be the last thing on your mind that is what you’ll be doing - and what better way to end the day!

Don Philpott spent 20 years as a senior correspondent with Reuters/Press Association wire service traveling the world on assignments. He has had more than 5,000 articles and 56 books published on travel, security, wine, food, and diet and health.

He recently completed a five year project writing a series of 22 travel guidebooks on Florida and the Caribbean. His latest book The Trailside Cookbook, was co-authoried with his wife Pam and was published by Firefly in March 05. He is host of http://www.wineinfo101.com, a wine and food appreciation website and senior editor of Florida Features which specializes in articles on Florida and the Caribbean. He is a member of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association and the North American Travel Journalists Association.

A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will be also to take care of any buildings that are on or near the water, and the docks themselves as they can get covered with bird droppings, dirt, spider webs, and anything like that. Wood decks, docks and piers are subject to attack by moss, insects, sun, salt spray, fish guts, water damage, physical wear, foot traffic, rain, snow, morning dew. All of which are quickly absorbed into unprotected wood causing it to swell, deteriorate and chip away, also causing shrinking, warping, splitting, cracking and discoloration.

Because docks are horizontal, they hold water and snow for prolonged lengths of time. The dampness attracts pollen and fungal spores, which collect and cause this ugly discoloration and black algae. And, of course, these horizontal surfaces are subject to 40 to 50% more direct sunlight than their vertical counterparts. The bottom of a dock may be as much as 50 to 60 F cooler than the topside.

Any upscale marinas, and even those that are not so upscale, would be a great market for approaching to do this. You’ll need just the equipment that you have: pressure washer and source of water if it isn’t already attached to the pontoon boat through your franchise. Approach the marina manager or the dock master and explain to him that you can take care of their thorough periodic cleaning and make it much more presentable as a marina and help in keeping their customers happy. You may find him giving you an exclusive for washing all vessels in the marina.

If you are in the boat cleaning business you should consider deck cleaning as an additional service for you customers. If boaters see you cleaning the dock, you are more likely to have them ask you for your business card and think of you next time they need their boat cleaned.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

During a hurricane your sailboat can be in severe jeopardy even if the storm doesn’t pass near to you. The most important thing is to make preparations in advance. As a storm grows close the weather can make it difficult to prepare your boat and supplies could already be sold out. There are different strategies you need to be aware of if your boat is moored at a dock or kept in dry-dock on a trailer. If at all possible it is always best to try to move your boat inland and toward high ground.

If your boat is moored at a dock it is important to re-enforce the moorings and double check that the cleats on the boat and dock are secure. Attach double lashings at each of the four points you are tied off to, and make sure to move the attachment higher up on the pylons to allow for the rising tide. During a rough storm the lines will chafe along the boat, which can cause one of the lines to break free and slam your boat into the dock. Cover any points that make chafe with leather, plastic or rubber coverings to prevent a line from breaking free. Old garden hose cut into sections will work well for a line covering. Secure any equipment from the deck down below and pull any outboard engines to be stored. Secure bumpers and tire to the sides of the boat to prevent damage from the dock.

If your sailboat is stored on a trailer make sure to lash the boat down to the trailer at more than one place. Tie the boat down to four different points to secure objects. Follow the advice above in removing any equipment possible and storing anything possible down below. Drain the air from the trailers tires and place chocks (Bricks, wood or cinder blocks) in front and behind the wheels. Strip the boat down as much as possible and try to place the trailer in a secure location with enough distance from other boats.

Find out everything that you should know about hurricanes at http://my-hurricane-guide.info

For Alaskans and Alaska visitors who yearn for a different kind of day cruise in Southcentral or Southeast Alaska there’s good news this spring, summer, and fall from the folks at the Alaska Marine Highway System. And we’re talking fast ferries here — sleek, spiffy double-hull catamarans that can transport passengers from Cordova to Valdez or from Juneau to Skagway faster than you can say “Beam me up, Scotty.”

Well, maybe not that fast. But fast. As in 36 knots (41 miles per hour)
fast.

Two high speed ferries will offer this kind of service: the M/V Chenega
will home port in Cordova and the M/V Fairweather will be based in
Juneau.

Each ship is barely a year old and can accommodate up to 150 passengers.
Each boasts a comfortable observation lounge that can accommodate all 150
travelers. Or, for a change of perspective, 109 of these passengers may also travel
in either vessel’s mid-ship area. The interior space features a combination of
reclining airliner-type seats and table arrangements with some zones dedicated to
work and study. Additional seating is available in the ship’s exterior solarium,
located aft. There are no passenger cabins. Each ship offers a full-service snack bar
and can carry up to 35 cars.

From Cordova, the Chenega will offer daily service through Prince
William Sound to Valdez and Whittier, both connected by road to Anchorage and
Southcentral Alaska.

From Juneau the Fairweather will offer non-stop sailings to Sitka, Haines, and
Skagway, the latter two connected by highways to the main body of Alaska via
Canada’s Yukon Territory.

30% Discounts on Selected Routes

More good news: Starting May 1 passengers will get a new 30 percent discount
on one-way and roundtrip Chenega travel between Cordova and Valdez
and between Cordova and Whittier. The discounted fares will be valid May 1 through
September 30.

This translates into one-way fares of $34 for adults 64 years and younger and
$24 for seniors 65 years and older on the Valdez run. Between Cordova and Whittier
the fares are $60 and $43, respectively. The 30 percent discount also applies to
children’s fares, cars, bikes, and kayaks.

In Southeast Alaska the same discount - 30 percent - applies to trips between
Juneau and Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park, May 1- August 16. Fares will
be priced $28 for adults and $20 for seniors. Between Juneau and the picturesque
tiny community of Pelican, fares will run $34 for adults and $24 for seniors from
May 1 through September 30. (Please note: The Bartlett Cove and Pelican trips will
be aboard either the traditional ferry vessel LaConte or the Aurora.
not the Fairweather.)

Chenega’s Spring Schedule in Southeast

At present the Fairweather is laid up for engine repairs. In the
meantime, until mid-April when the Fairweather returns to Southeast Alaska service
and the Chenega heads to Southcentral Alaska and its Cordova summertime
homeport, the Chenega is providing fast ferry service between Juneau and
Sitka on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and between Juneau and Haines/
Skagway on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The Juneau-Sitka trips depart at 8 a.m. for an approximately four and a half
hour journey to Sitka (depending on tides in Sergius Narrows), then a departure
from Sitka at 1:30 p.m. with arrival back in Juneau around 6 p.m. - again depending
on tides.

Chenega’s Juneau departures for Haines/Skagway are at 8 a.m.,
arriving in Haines in two hours and 45 minutes. The vessel will then execute a 30-
minute shuttle Haines-Skagway-Haines for a southbound departure to Juneau at
12:15 p.m. Arrival in the capital city will be at 4:45 p.m.

Fairweather’s Summer Schedule in Southeast

May 1 through September 30, 2006 the fast ferry Fairweather will again sail the
popular routings that garnered the vessel high praise in summer ‘05: Juneau non-
stop trips to and from Sitka, Haines, and Skagway. The schedule is especially
attractive for both Alaskans and visitors from Outside who are looking for a one-day
cruising excursion or a two-day (or longer) overnighter. Here’s how it all
shapes up:

On Mondays and Wednesdays, ship will depart Juneau’s ferry terminal at
nearby Auke Bay at 8 a.m. for a 12:30 p.m. arrival in Sitka. Departing from Sitka at
1:30 p.m., the vessel will arrive back in Juneau at 6 p.m.

Tuesdays, the vessel will leave Juneau at 8 a.m., arrive in Skagway at 10:30
a.m., depart at 11 a.m. and be back in Juneau at 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays through Sundays Fairweather will provide two round trips,
one to and from Haines and the other to and from Skagway. The first will be an 8
a.m. departure from Juneau with a 10:15 a.m. docking at Haines; departure from
Haines at 10:45 a.m. and arrival back in Juneau at 1 p.m. After a half-hour
turnaround, the vessel will leave Juneau at 1:30 p.m., arrive in Skagway at 4 p.m.
then depart Skagway at 4:30 p.m. for an arrival back in Juneau at 7 p.m.

You can make reservations for either of these vessels or aboard any other of
the Alaska Marine Highway System’s ships at http://www.ferryalaska.com or
by calling toll free 800-642-0066.

Alaskan travel writer Michael “Mike” Miller lives in Juneau where his current passion is
publishing an information-packed website about Alaska cruising and ferry travel:
http://www.AlaskaCruisingReport.com Miller has authored or contributed to a
number of books (Fodors, Sierra Club Books, Globe Pequot, The Milepost and
others). He also writes for TravelAge West (for travel agents) as well as for major
newspapers and magazines.

Alaska cruises can be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance that magnificent experience with Celebrity Alaska cruises.

Celebrity takes cruising to the next level and their Alaska cruises are no different. Consistently being rated at the top in service by such experts as Conde’ Nast Traveler should give the most discerning cruise passenger a comfortable feeling about cruising with Celebrity.

Add to that a fantastic itinerary like Alaska, and you have a winning combination. The beauty of the land matched with the beauty on board. Celebrity has impeccable service having one staff member for every two cruise passengers. Fine wines being sipped on your Celebrity stateroom deck while watching an Alaskan glacier calving is an experience you will not soon forget!

In 2005, Celebrity will be running three ships during the Alaska cruise season. These magnificent ships offer exceptional amenities.

The Celebrity Cruise Lines’ Mercury is the newest of their Century-class of ships. Visually appealing with world class amenities and service make Alaskan cruising aboard this Celebrity a special treat!

Celebrity’s Infinity will be sailing Alaska cruises this year as well. Experience a world-class meal or a theatrical production of Broadway proportions. Celebrity Cruise Lines has done a marvelous job of décor on Infinity. Experience Alaskan cruising surrounded by warm woods, polished marble and etched glass.

The third Celebrity ship cruising to Alaska this year is the Summit. Alaska cruises aboard Summit will have cruise passengers feeling that they have reached the pinnacle of cruise experience with Celebrity!

Itineraries for Alaska cruises vary somewhat, but rest assured that whatever itinerary you choose, the experience will be unforgettable. Magnificent scenery, majestic glaciers, pristine waterfalls and the myriad of wildlife are all awe-inspiring and Celebrity brings it all to you.

Celebrity cruises to Alaska have six departure ports and cities. Included are Ensenada Mexico, San Francisco and Los Angeles in California, Seattle Washington, Seward Alaska, and Vancouver British Columbia.

Upon leaving one of these ports, Celebrity Alaskan cruising takes you from the hustle and bustle of every day life to wonderful relaxed ambiance where the staff seems to anticipate your every desire. Be pampered as you absolutely deserve to be! Alaska cruises with Celebrity will have you feeling “special”!

For more information on Alaska cruises and Celebrity Cruise Lines, browse through some of our other informative articles at a1-discount-cruises.com/articles. For the best cruise deals on the net, check out the merchant links on our a1-discount-cruises.com main pages. Compare the values, find your preferred itinerary, ship and stateroom. Then all that’s left to do is to book your cruise on-line and get excited!

Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount-cruises.com your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit http://www.a1-discount-cruises.com to book your fabulous romantic gift cruise vacation! For more interesting articles visit our Article Map pages.