Will I gain weight?

Well... it's not hard to over-indulge, but you don't have to gain weight.

Yes, it can be difficult to say no to mouth-watering steaks and delectable desserts. That said, cruise also offer a lot of ways to keep fit onboard. Some suggestions...

• Sample, don't pile high. There are so many wonderful options that you will want to try a lot of different things. Many first-timers fill up and then see even more things they would like to try. Especially at buffets, if you take small portions of a lot of different things you enjoy a wide range of foods without feeling over-stuffed.
• Stick to the main dining room for dinner. This may sound counter-intuitive, but it definitely works for some. In the Lido (more casual, buffet-style dining) it is all too easy to take extra-large portions. In the dining room, you get a four-course meal but you pick one thing for each course off a menu, and each course is generally provided in sensible portions. (That said, they'll happily bring you seconds if you ask....)
• Exercise. Modern ships have great exercise facilities. In general, the newer the ship the better the equipment, but even older ships typically have very good facilities (treadmills, ellipticals, weights). The exercise equipment is free (with the rare exception of special Pilates machines that require supervision). If you are really concerned about keeping fit on your vacation, you can sign up for yoga, spinning, and Pilates classes, usually about $10-$15 for an hour. You can even hire a personal trainer onboard, typically for about the same price as trainers back home.
• Avoid sugary drinks. Those tropical cocktails are fun, but not recommended for dieters. One margarita can have 200 calories! Diet colas, or soda water with a slice of orange, make great lo-cal drinks and mixers.
• Spa menu. Every major cruise line offers healthier options on their dining room menu. This may be called "Lighter Fare" or "Spa Menu." These are usually marked to indicate lower fat, salt and/or sugar content.