Seas the Moment
7 Wellness Practices for a Healthy Cruise
Spending time on a balcony and taking in the sea or port views is one of the BEST ways relax and enjoy the moment. Did you know every Virgin Voyages cabin comes with a red hammock?
No one doubts that teachers make huge sacrifices for the sake of our children. We spend nights grading papers, pay for snacks and supplies with our own funds, and make sure to greet them with smiles even when we may not feel like it. But we can only give so much when our own cups are empty. That’s why it is so important to take some time to refill your emotional bucket, and what better way to do it than on a cruise.
Mindfulness is the practice of living in the moment with a positive mindset. Here are a 7 things you can do to make sure you take full advantage of your cruise and return to school refreshed and relaxed. Make sure to read all the way through to the last practice, it’s one rarely anyone thinks about ;)
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Practice #1: Turn Off the Device
We all know that devices can be addictive and distractions to the present. And finding ways of limiting their use on a trip can allow you to live in the moment as well as be present for your fellow travelers. So here are some suggestions for limiting phone use:
Put your devices in the cabin safe to make sure you physically remove yourself from all outside distractions and truly enjoy every minute of the cruise.
No Wifi Plans - Save some $$$ and gain some mindfulness. Don’t purchase any of those expensive plans and literally keep yourself offline.
Use Airplane Mode - By putting your phone in airplane mode while on the ship you can avoid expensive international cell phone charges as well as keep yourself disconnected. Oh, and those cruise applications still work while in airplane mode, so you wont miss anything.
Photos Only - While keeping your phone in airplane mode, only use it to take photos. Taking photos is a great way to be in the moment, capture memories you can relive later on, and express yourself creatively. So, commit to only taking photos on the trip; make yourself the designated photographer. I always love making a photobook on Snapfish when I come back from a cruise. I create the project and wait until there is a 75% off sale to purchase.
Lock It Up - If you are impulsive and know that having the phone anywhere near you will tempt you to check work email or group chats, then lock it up in the cabin safe. This will physically cut you off from the outside world. What if the cruise experience is dependent on an app? Then grab a hard copy daily guide from Guest Services and bring a handy highlighter to keep track of what is going on the ship (old school style).
Practice #2: Mindful Walking
There are so many beautiful sights to see both on and off the ship. Spend time walking either by yourself or with a partner and take in the scenery and decor. Walking is not only great exercise but it also clears your head and allows you time to process thoughts (like retiring and becoming a full-time cruiser). Take a slow walk around the deck or along the shore during a port stop. Focus on your steps, your breath, and how your body feels while moving. Of course, make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes.
One of the best places to walk is the track at the top of the ship, especially at sunrise or sunset. Get 360° views but stay to right in case there are any runners.
Practice # 3: Mindful Eating
WHAT!? Why, on a cruise, should I be worried about eating as a healthy practice? Well, eating is an experience of the senses which can often affect our mood. Take your time to enjoy your meal. Look at the presentation, savor each bite, and enjoy the taste of each ingredient the chef prepared for you. Avoid the extremely crowded buffets where you feel rushed and overeat. Find opportunities to dine in more intimate settings like the main dining room or specialty restaurants, where you can take your time and enjoy the food and company. Also, If you know that a dish would be too big and make you feel nauseated afterwards, ask the dining staff to create a smaller portion which you can savor.
Specialty Dining might come at a premium additional cost. But some would say it is worth it for the experience, like the Globe dessert in Royal’s Wonderland restaurant.
Practice #4: Connect with Cabinmates
Cruising is all about experiences, and most of those experiences are shared. Plan intentional time with your family and friends. Play games and participate in on-board activities together, like trivia or putt-putt golf. Also get to know fellow travelers at socials or on excursions. We recently went on a half-day excursion in Antigua and bonded so well with the other couples that we all decided to grab lunch together. For more info on how to plan a great excursion, read our last article.
At a loss for words? One of my favorite questions to ask is “What has been the best thing to happen to you today (or this cruise)?” Reflecting on the positives promotes healthy relationships and mindsets. Keep in mind that while chatting with companions or meeting new people, listen actively. Avoid distractions and give your full attention to the people you're with.
Take advantage of on-board activities, like putt-putt, to create authentic ways to spend quality time with family and friends on a cruise ship.
Practice #5: Alone Time
Balcony cabins may be expensive but they offer a place of respite and seclusion, perfect for a mindful break. Sit back, watch the ship pull out of port, listen to the waves; it’s all very therapeutic. Plan a specific time in your cruise day to focus on yourself. Personally, Peter and I do this whenever we get back from port or an excursion. He likes to continue exploring on his own, while I relax in the cabin or balcony. We then meet up for dinner and share what we did separately.
But what if you do not have a balcony cabin? Well, there are many places on a cruise ship that are quiet and offer great views. The Solarium on Royal Caribbean ships, The Dock on Virgin Voyages, The Sunset Bar on Celebrity ships and other adults-only areas often have comfortable loungers with great views on the front or back of the ship. They are great areas to spend hours taking in the views and contemplating changing careers (just kidding . . . maybe).
One of the best places to relax and rejuvenate is the Solarium, an adults only area located on most Royal Caribbean ships. There are always lounges or pool areas located on the front or afts of ships that are great for solo lounging. Take some time to find these venues.
Practice #6: Meditation
This is quite obvious, but daily meditation is a great way to be more mindful. Wake up in the morning and before grabbing a cup of coffee, take some time to think about what you are grateful for while practicing breathing exercises. You can listen to mindful breathing exercises on Youtube (these also make great warmup activities for your classroom). Some cruise lines, such as Virgin Voyages, even offer yoga, Pilates and guided mediation classes onboard, often on the top deck, poolside.
Secluded beaches make a great place to practice mindful breathing or guided meditation. Next time you are at one, dedicate five minutes to this healthy practice.
Practice # 7: Gift Giving
When considering mindfulness, we often focus on ourselves. But thinking about others and showing them how much they matter can be a cathartic practice. Here are some simple ideas for gift giving that can make both you and someone else feel better while on a cruise:
Matching Lanyards - Purchase twin lanyards (from Amazon) for your cruise cards or keys and present it to your partner when you first get into the cabin.
Thank-You Notes - Bring along some thank you cards from Dollar Tree and write personal messages to the crew members who go above and beyond. They will truly appreciate it and it will fill your bucket as much as theirs.
Cruise Ducks - This trend started years ago. Some passengers hide ducks around the ship for others to find. They even will have tags with addresses or QR codes for communicating with one another. If you are interested in learning more about cruise ducks, there is a Facebook Group dedicated to the topic with over 300,000 members! Honest note: I tried it once, and I thought that it was too much of an obligation, but others may get enjoyment out of doing this activity.
A Good Read- If one of your cabinmates loves to read, pack one of their favorite books/magazines or purchase a new one in the airport terminal. Gift it to them and leave them in peace for a good read on the balcony or a nice lounge or solarium.
A Card Game - Bring Uno or a set of playing cards for down time.
Themed Fun Socks or Flip Flops - Nothing says, I get you, better than fun socks.
Snack Pack - Bring a Ziplock bag of their favorite treats. Or buy some in the airport terminal before a flight.
For more cheap items to pack for your cruise, check out our article about cruise essentials at the Dollar Tree.
Cruise ducks are fun for younger families to hide and find. You can even purchase tags here.
Come back to the classroom reinvigorated and ready to greet your students. Whether through meditation, mindful walking, or simply being present in the beauty of nature, these practices not only foster a sense of calm but also encourage us to appreciate the little moments that make cruising so special. Embracing mindfulness allows us to navigate not just the waters, but also our thoughts and emotions, enriching our journeys both on and off the boat.
Stay tuned for more interesting and information-packed articles on cruising. We will do our best to post one article every Sunday. And don’t forget to join our Facebook Group! Make sure to join our email list and Facebook group to receive messages about upcoming articles such as How to SAVE $$$ on your Cruise and What to buy at Dollar Tree for your cruise.
