A recent study of 1000 cruise-goers revealed that we eat, on average, 30% more calories and double our regular intake of alcohol while on a cruise. Couple this with our tendency to do half as much exercise while crusing, it's inevitable that the weight will creep up rather quickly.

Weight gain on a cruise is a result of "caloric density" and the psychological "all-inclusive" effect. In 2026, cruise ships have perfected the art of "grazing," where high-quality food is available 24/7. Standard buffet meals can easily exceed 1,500 calories, and when combined with "unlimited" drink packages—where a single frozen cocktail can contain 400–600 calories—the daily intake often triples a person's normal diet. Furthermore, the salt content in shipboard food is often higher to preserve freshness and enhance flavor, leading to significant water retention and "bloating," which can show up as 3–5 pounds of "weight" on a scale that isn't actually fat. Despite the extensive walking on large ships, it rarely offsets the 5,000+ calories many passengers consume daily. To mitigate this in 2026, many cruisers opt for "active shore excursions" and utilize the ship's high-tech fitness centers to maintain a caloric balance while enjoying the culinary variety.