Power Trip
Cruising a New Course
How one voyage changed more than weight
By Michele Sponagle
My five-night cruise aboard the Seabourn Encore from Bermuda to Miami both thrilled and worried me. I had lost 75 pounds by making healthier decisions—eating carefully, doing cardio, and strength training at least four times a week at my local gym. With every decision, I pushed back against a lifetime of bad habits.
This voyage would be the first cruise as part of my new lifestyle. It felt like a test.
Seabourn is renowned for its exceptional cuisine, from bountiful buffets to on-demand caviar and champagne. But years of over-indulgence had contributed to my weight gain. If I wanted to stay on track while still enjoying myself, I needed a plan.
Creating A Game Plan
Staying active during a sailing filled mostly with sea days topped my priority list. Soon after boarding, I checked out the fitness offerings at the Motion Studio and booked a personal training session.
At first, I barely noticed the trainer. I was too busy admiring the fitness centre’s floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the ocean—a much more inspiring view than the parking lot I stare at while using the elliptical at home.
Over the course of an hour, I used dumbbells and sleek high-tech weight machines to work my arms and legs with the trainer coaching me through each exercise. He encouraged me to do “one more” repetition and shared practical tips, like doing reps slower to maximize results and being more aware of my breathing.
I rely on strength training to compensate for muscle mass loss that comes with shedding weight, especially for women in their sixties like me. My form was good he said. That made me happy, considering my usual routine was cobbled together from YouTube videos and observing what gym bros did.
Celebrating Small Wins
Just walking through the ship and taking the stairs was a good way to get some steps in, but I needed more so I signed up for stretch classes, too. At my highest weight, I wouldn’t have been able to do them. Getting up and down to do movements on the mat would have been too difficult. Now, I could. This kind of ‘NSV’ (a.k.a. non-scale victory beyond total pounds lost) motivates me to keep going.
Navigating meals onboard turned out to be easier than expected. The ship’s restaurants offered plenty of healthy cuisine. Sushi and The Patio quickly became favourites, thanks to their protein-rich, low-calorie options, including shrimp, chicken, and grilled veggies.
The ample breakfast buffet at The Colonnade was a bit of a carb minefield with a plethora of fresh pastries and breads. I shared a couple with my husband, Brian, but focused mainly on nutritious fare, such as Greek yogurt and fruit. For the rest of the trip, we ordered omelettes through room service.
My New Attitude
When I was much heavier, I never wore a bathing suit in public. Now, more self-confident, I no longer care what others think of my body. I rocked a floral one-piece swimsuit and spent an afternoon chilling at The Retreat, Seabourn’s tranquil sanctuary of private cabanas with attentive concierge service. For the first time in years, I lounged comfortably in the sun in my swimsuit, without hiding beneath a cover-up. It stayed tucked away in my bag.
I often get asked what I’m allowed to eat on my “diet.” The truth is, I eat everything, but not much or often when it comes to empty-calorie foods.
On my final day at sea, I treated myself to a cup of Seabourn’s famous handcrafted gelato. I chose bourbon vanilla. Rich, creamy and delicious, I ate it slowly and savoured every spoonful.
Lessons Learned
This cruise reinforced my belief that healthy living is not about perfection or deprivation. It’s about finding the right balance between making choices that fit with your goals and living life fully.
Since that sailing, I have gone on to lose a total of 94 pounds. Yet the lower number on the scale is not the greatest reward. The real victory is feeling comfortable in my own skin and embracing opportunities I once avoided. Like cruising itself, the journey is half the fun.
Travel Planner
For more cruise details, see seabourn.com
