Andrea Pass, Vice President, Media Relations for award-winning Marketing Maven Public Relations (www.MarketingMavenPR.com), recently traveled the Mediterranean on a 12-day Royal Caribbean (www.RoyalCaribbean.com) cruise. She spoke with Mark Alyn “Late Night Health Radio” to highlight the adventure while keeping good health in mind.

Weeks before the cruise consider eating healthy as much as you can. You may drop a few pounds, but will also train your appetite not to want to eat all the wonderful food found on board ship. And you can come back from your travels without gaining any weight!

With long-days at port and a late dinner seating, it is always important to plan in advance. Eat a breakfast high in protein to increase energy during land excursions including the Acropolis or standing outside of The Vatican in almost 100 degree temperatures. Stay hydrated and remember to carry a water bottle and to re-fill throughout the day.

A great way to see the sites in Florence, Rome and Athens was to arrange private tours. Pass connected with travel buddies through www.TripTogether.com to fill the private excursion with like-minded travelers. In this case, she was looking for English-speaking, non-smoking companions who were comfortable with walking, hiking and being out in the heat for extended periods of time. Meeting new friends through TripTogether balanced the trip and kept it moving at a rapid pace since there are limited hours in each port.

When on a cruise, take the stairs. While there are many cruisers who wait on line for elevators, by taking the steps, you’re certainly burning more calories and staying in shape.

The gym on cruise ships has every imaginable piece of equipment. Save the gym for days at sea and make sure to visit early in the morning to enjoy the day ahead. Stay active on sea days by walking the track which surrounds the upper deck of the ship.

Remember to get a good night’s sleep. Don’t skimp on trying new foods or having a cocktail. Have a great time!

air date: 7/22/16