All aboard

Women's Fitness writer Lucy Miller took her family on a Royal Caribbean fitness cruise from Southampton to Spain

- Lucy Miller

One lap, two laps, three laps, four... imagine running around a track on the 12th deck of a cruise ship. Now, imagine doing that while sailing from Spain to Lisbon and back again. It's tranquil: the waves gliding and crashing against the ship, the salty sea breeze in your hair and not another person or thing in sight, except for the dolphins that pop up most mornings to perform their playful tricks.

A cruise was never on my agenda, but when I spotted a seven-day sail from Southampton, which fell perfectly over the May half-term, how could I resist? Stepping aboard the Independence of the Seas, I was stunned by the padel courts, fully equipped gym with weights and cardio machines, climbing wall and crazy golf. Not to mention fitness classes from morning to night, Pilates at 7am, followed by Spin and even meditation.

A game of padel on deck 13 was the perfect way to meet other guests and get moving, as were ballroom dance lessons and karaoke. Whether chatting to fellow passengers over dinner or while queuing to disembark for an onshore adventure, the vibe was friendly, open and sociable. This no-fly cruise from Southampton to Spain and then Portugal gave me sunshine, fitness and community - without the airport stress. And with two little ones in tow, that made all the difference.

Yes, 'sea legs' (the ability to not feel sea sick while at sea) were a worry for me, but I can happily say I was fine. Okay, there was one morning on the rowing machine when I felt a little queasy - it felt like I was rowing across the North Atlantic as I looked out of the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the open sea - and I had to get off, and a few little wobbles here and there, but nothing major. That's totally to be expected, right?

CRUISE CUISINE