cruising

Fit Tips From Carnival Vista’s Fittest Crew Members

I sailed on the Carnival Vista a few weeks ago for the first time and was blown away by how beautiful the ship is. I also loved the overall atmosphere and environment (not to mention the food!). There are so many people that work hard to make the experience memorable. Two of such people are Cruise Director Matt Mitcham and Executive Chef Shiva.

It’s a little surprising to see how fit and healthy these two guys are. When you think of a Cruise Director and a Chef on board a cruise ship… the words fit and healthy probably don’t come to mind. After-all, they have access to unlimited “cheat meals” including chocolate buffets and the popular on board Guy’s Burger Joint.

These 2 guys are great at what they do. Matt is a comedian, entertainment director, party planner (for 5k people!) and your cruise BFF all rolled into one. Chef Shiva is in charge of creating all of the fabulous meals in the ship’s dining rooms and managing the entire dining staff. But, there is one thing they have in common – they work very hard behind the scenes to keep themselves in shape! I was running on the treadmill one day in the ship’s gym and thought a guy a few treadmills down looked familiar to me. Come to find out it was Chef Shiva who I met when I sailed on Carnival Breeze. I didn’t recognize him since he was not wearing his white chef’s uniform and he was darting up a 12% incline hill. Matt is also no stranger to the gym. He makes fitness a priority on board and regularly works out with his girlfriend who also works on the ship as an entertainer. Both of these guys are in great shape and it shows.

I decided to ask them a few questions about their fitness routine and how they stay so fit. I figured it might inspire some cruisers (including me) because if these guys can LIVE on the ship and can avoid gaining 500 lbs, then we can stay fit (or get fit) 7 days! They have access to the same exact food and workout equipment that we do…so no excuses!

Q&A With Cruise Director Matt Mitcham:

Have you always been this fit?

I started working out in my Mid 20’s. It wasnâ€™t until I started working with dancers with 6-packs (lol)… I had to keep my self in shape so I could keep up with them. Its hard going to the beach when all your friends have bodies like Ken from Barbie. I started with mainly cardio in the early stages and the progressed to weights once I knew what it was I was actually doing

How do you resist the urge to eat at Guy’s Burger Joint every day?

Hahaha – I have a strategic walkway when entering the lido deck, either that or I close my eyes but the smell still gets me. I have my fair share of burgers throughout the contract!

What is your favorite healthy meal on board?

My go-to meal is the Serenity deck salad. Lots of good greens with a great protein side. Thats what I try to eat.. it’s hard to by pass all the treats!

A few times I’ve been on the treadmill or doing my HIIT workout at the gym – and the boat got pretty rocky! Any tips for working out when things get rough on board?

I’d avoid the running machine (treadmill) and maybe focus on cross trainers or skipping rope. Either that or a few shots of vodka and you’ll be running straight anyway 🙂 only drunk people walk straight on a cruise!

What’s your current favorite workout style (HIIT, Tabata, running, etc)?

I really enjoy HIIT. Its something that I’ve been focusing on this year.

I know you are a busy guy – so how much time do you devote to your workouts each day?

I limit myself to 1 hour a day. It’s a good challenge for me to get my weights (45mins) and 15 mins of cardio in. This way I don’t procrastinate during my workouts…I’m in and out!

Do you have friends on board you workout with, or do you prefer to workout solo?

I actually do most of my workouts with my Girlfriend Chloe here on board (She’s one of the dancers). She is very active and encourages me to do things that are out of my comfort zone like Yoga. They say a couple that train together stays together and we’re big believers of that.

Where is the strangest or coolest place you’ve done a workout on board?

After a 6-month contract I tend to take 2-3 months off and go traveling. This is when workout bands come into play. I’ve had the pleasure of working out on some of the most pristine beaches in Asia.

What advice would you give cruisers who want to stay fit during their cruise?

The gym is open 6am-10pm. There is plenty of time to work out however I would just focus on not binge eating junk food and allow your body to relax for a week.

Have any funny workout stories?

I was working out in the guest gym and in walks Ronnie Coleman (former Mr. Olympia) who is the most daunting person to workout next to!

People watching is the best in the gym, I’ve ran next to people that will take a margarita into the gym while working out! I guess it is their vacation!

Q&A With Executive Chef Shiva:

How long have you been with Carnival?

I joined Carnival in 2001, itâ€™s been 18 years.

Have you always wanted to be a chef? Tell me a little about your background.

It was my Dadâ€™s choice to put me in Culinary School, My Mom and Granny are great home cooks and I’ve grown up with their cooking inspirations. I was hungry to learn more and wanted to be better in this profession. I have spent the last 23 years in many professional kitchens and always had the luxury of working with expert chefs, modern equipment and global ingredients. Iâ€™m just saying, I guess, that I got very lucky.

Have you always been fit and like to exercise?

I like to be healthy and active while working in the kitchen!

What is your favorite healthy meal on board?

Everything I taste 🙂

When do you think is the best time to workout on the ship?

With my work schedule I would say 3 pm to 4 pm.

I know you like the treadmill – can you tell me a little about your treadmill workout (how long do you workout, what speeds, inclines. etc)?

I do one hour at 4mph and an incline of 12.

I know you are a busy guy – so how much time do you devote to your workouts each day?

One hour a day, 5 days a week.

It’s so tempting to eat all of the delicious food you make! How do you not weigh 500 pounds?

Eat responsibly 🙂

Photo Credits: Arturo Olmos, Matt Mitcham

Tips For Traveling on Carnival Breeze

I recently got back from another amazing vacation with Carnival Cruises. This time my family and I went on the Carnival Breeze. The Breeze is one of their bigger ships and has lots to offer everyone including families, fitness enthusiasts, spa lovers and even foodies. I had an amazing time and want to especially thank crewmember Ivana – who went out of her way to make us feel special! She was truly amazing and she made us feel right at home!

I’ve traveled quite a bit on Carnival and I can say that they are my favorite cruise line. In my experience (myself and close family members have traveled on many different cruise lines) – Carnival is the most fun and definitely have more things to do for kids. This was my second time on the Breeze – so I wanted to share some of my top tips if you are thinking of cruising on the Breeze – or other Carnival Cruise.

Book your trip early. We sometimes wait too long and are surprised by how many of the rooms are already sold out. So, book your trip as soon as you decide to go. Carnival is also really good about allowing you to cancel without penalty (date restrictions apply) or use your deposit towards a future cruise.

Pack lightly and take advantage of storage in the room. For my first few cruises, I always packed way too much! Then, I realized that I was either in workout clothes, bathing suits or evening attire. So, now…I usually pack about 5 mix and match workout outfits that can also double as bathing suit cover ups (tanks and shorts are great for this) and that I can also wear out on excursions (there is usually a lot of walking). Then, I usually pack 2-3 bathing suits and a 1 good cover up dress. For the evenings – we love dining in the dining room (see below) so I have fun planning outfits for this. Also, in the evenings they have photographers set up all over the ship ready to take your photos- so it’s fun to dress up! I usually bring 5-6 new outfits but sometimes will rewear my dark jeans or top (to layer) and then 2 “formal” outfits that are usually dresses or rompers. Also, the less you pack – the more room you’ll have in your stateroom. The staterooms are surprisingly laid out well though and take advantage of the drawers, closets and cabinets for your things and store your suitcases under the bed.

Getting ready for dinner in my stateroom

You may want to bring a stroller. Check your itinerary and also what excursions you plan on doing. Some cruise terminals are very long (like in Cozumel) – where you have to walk quite a far way before you get to your excursion check-in point. Also, if it’s in summer and super hot – strollers with sun shades can be great for little ones. However, if you aren’t getting of the ship much or are taking a smaller boat directly from the ship – you may be able to leave your stroller at home. Just do some research first.

Eat most of your dinners in the dining room. The evening dining on board is really a great experience and the food is fabulous. I have to admit – before I started cruising, I expected most of the dining to just be so/so and very limited. That’s not the case on the Breeze (or other Carnival ships). The chefs on board have many years of experience and come from all over the world. The dishes are very creative with great presentation and above all – taste amazing. I was fortunate to get a private tour of the galley and tasting with Senior Sous Chef Davide and Executive Chef Shiva. I want to give special thanks to them for allowing me to sample all of the wonderful dishes! The food is very creative and there is something for everyone – foodies, vegans and healthy eaters.

With Chefs Davide and Shiva

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A sample of the evening’s appetizers

DefinitelyÂ visit the steakhouse. – The small extra charge is way worth it. The FahrenheitÂ 555 Steakhouse on the Breeze has a cool modern atmosphere and they really go above and beyond to make your dining experience special. I had the lobster tails with baked potato and it was fabulous and still healthy. Don’t miss the amazing presentation of the “Art at the Table” dessert. The chef comes to your table and basically creates a piece of art on a large board with fruit syrups, jellies and candies for paring. Then, the finale is when you crack open a chocolate ball with your spoons to reveal a surprise! Highly recommended!

Â Â Â Â Â “Art at the Table” dessert

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â With Fahrenheit 555 Chef BrendanÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Take advantage of the gym and outdoor fitness equipment. I did a mix of workouts including indoor gym workouts (treadmill and free weights) but then also ran on the outdoor track and used the outdoor gym stations (body weight machines and boxing bag). They have mini golf and basketball too! Sometimes it’s hard to fit in workouts in between all the fun things to do, but you will feel so much better about yourself – even if you just take 20 minutes a day.I did most of mine early before my kids woke up. Then, I didn’t feel so bad about indulging in some of the amazing desserts on board (hello chocolate melting cake!). Check out my other postÂ for sample workouts to do on board a cruise ship.

Mini Golf!Â Â

Fitting in my workouts!

If you have kids – make sure to reserve the Dr. Seuss breakfast. This is such a fun event where they transform one of the dining rooms into a Dr. Seuss wonderland with red, fun table decorations, an ice sculpture, special appearances from Dr. Seuss characters and of course…a very special breakfast. Although the “green eggs and ham” weren’t appealing to me – they had many other fun items for the kids as well as “normal” things for the adults like eggs your way, turkey bacon and more.

Play with your kids at Camp Ocean. If you don’t want to leave your kids at Camp Ocean (which is amazing and super fun) or they don’t want to stay – you can play with them during “family play” times. Just check the schedule for available times when you can go.

If you get sick, they have you covered. I can sometimes be a worrywart – soÂ I like to know where I can go if one of my kids or myself gets sick on vacation. Luckily – they have a full staff of onsite doctors and nurses there on the ship to help. They can even work with your insurance.

5 Fun Workouts To Do On A Cruise Ship

One of the things I love most about cruising is being able to mix up my workouts and take advantage of all the fun workout environments on board the ship. On my last Carnival cruise a few weeks ago – I decided to do some of my workouts outside because I wanted to enjoy the view.Â I feel like I get a new perspective on my workouts and feel so much more alive just by having a completely different workout environment. It’s so amazing being able to workout in the middle of the ocean!

I recommend trying the ship’s gym as well – because most are very well equipped and even have great classes. But, if you want to mix things up, try theseÂ 5 fun ideas for workouts to do on your next cruise that are not in the gym.

*Please be careful when exercising outdoors on a cruise ship. Ships are often rocky, windy and unstable due to the weather conditions. Always be mindful and hold on to railings where applicable, or head indoors if it’s safer.Â

1. Outdoor Run + HIIT Circuit

This was my favorite. I took advantage of the ship’s outdoor track (almost all of them have an outdoor track) and decided to mix in some strength training. I started my Runkeeper app during my first run and soon found out that the gps was too accurate. It was factoring in the speed of my ship with my run and said I ran 8 miles in 25 minutes at a 3:03 min mile pace! If you aren’t familiar with running….let’s just say that would make me a world record holder and gold medalist! haha!

Warmup jog 5 minutes

Do 20 walking lunges along side of the track, do one loop around and then find a bench or stable chair and do 20 pushups + 20 tricep dips.
Run 3 minutes at a medium/fast pace.

*Repeat entire circuit 2-3 times.

2. Outdoor Stair Workout

Ships have LOTS of stairs. Most are 12+ floors high – so you can always get in a mini workout each day by taking the stairs alone! Sometimes it’s actually quicker too! The outdoor areas also have stairs leading from the lido deck and upper decks, etc. I found some stairs near the back of the boat along the jogging track. Here is a quick sample workout I did there:

Warmup walk or jog around the ship for 5 minutes.

15 elevated lunges on each leg (place your back foot behind you on the first or second step)
15 tricep pushups with hands on step (the lower the step – the harder)
Jog (or walk) stairs for 2 minutes

*Repeat entire circuit 2-3 times.

3. Yoga on The Upper Deck

I like to find a spot that’s a little more hidden. On Carnival they have the “Serenity Deck” and also areas outside on level 12 that sometimes are a little more private. If it’s too windy – you can just do a standing vinyasa flow, or if you are on a lower deck or less windy place you can grab your pool towel and even do a series on the “mat” (towel). Keep in mind – yoga you will do on the ship will be quite challenging since the ship is moving! This will make it harder to balance – but that makes it great for your core! Here is a Simple Yoga Workout you can do, or if you prefer something more challenging try This Hip Opener Sequence.

4. Mini Body Weight Circuit on Balcony

I did have a balcony room, but if you don’t you can do this same circuit out by the pool or on one of the upper decks. This was a workout I did sometimes while my kids were napping and it worked out great. I packed an extra resistance band to use to mix in some extras like bicep curls (you can borrow one from the ship’s gym) and then I used a towel to do core on the ground.

Warmup 5 minutes (do fast squats, go walk around the ship, etc)
20 pushups with hands on balcony railing (please be careful not to lean over!)
20 alternating reverse lunges
20 jump squats
20 tricep dips using the deck chair or table (make sure it is stable/sturdy first!) *another option is to do them on the ground (aka crab dips)
60 second plank hold on the ground

*Repeat entire circuit 2-3 times.

5. Swimming Workout In The Pool

Most of the pools on cruise ships aren’t very big – but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in a workout. During peak hours they are probably going to be too crowded to get in some laps – so I recommend going during an off-peak time like when they first open in the morning. Your “laps” will be very short – but you can still swim laps on one side of the pool away from the other swimmers, or just dodge your way around your family and kids and make it a fun game!

Swim laps or tread water for about 2 minutes.
Inner/Outer Thighs. Hold on to the side of the pool and do 25 standing hip abductions (push leg out to the side) and then 25 hip adductions (bring leg across your body to work inner thigh). Keep your legs pretty straight. Repeat on both legs.
Swim laps for 2 minutes.
Ab crunches. Tread water and do standing abdominal crunches (if you have to hold on to the side you can). Bring your knees up to your chest and do a mini “crunch” with your core, then straighten legs back out. Repeat 10 times.
Swim laps for 2 minutes.
Shoulder Raises. Stand or tread water and keep your hands by your sides (by legs). Make sure your shoulders are under the water and keep your palms your legs. Keep arms straight and raise them up so they come up to the top of the water, then press them back down to your legs. Repeat 20 times.
Swim laps 2 minutes.

*Repeat entire circuit 2-3 times.