Essential Foods to Skip on Your Cruise: Healthier Alternatives to Enjoy

Here’s how to keep your stomach happy on your next cruise.

Cruising has come a long way regarding culinary offerings. From ships featuring Michelin-starred chefs to those celebrating local cuisine, there are vessels with numerous restaurants to choose from.

While such culinary options sound enticing, there are a few things passengers may want to steer clear of. Hence, here are foods that experts recommend avoiding on your next cruise.

Don’t overdo it on the spice.

According to Nancy Mitchell, a registered nurse and contributing writer at Assisted Living Center, it may be wise to avoid high-fat and spicy foods that could irritate the stomach lining and worsen nausea. Moreover, she adds, “Digestion can be much slower for people with digestive issues, and greasy foods tend to exacerbate the situation.” Therefore, she recommends steering clear of these foods from the night before the cruise.

Don’t forgo the water.

It can be tempting to replace your usual drinks with beverages that feature tiny umbrellas; however, as Mitchell points out, consuming plenty of water is essential to prevent dehydration and headaches associated with seasickness.

Additionally, Mitchell suggests carrying along mint sweets or a mild ginger drink in case you start feeling queasy, as these are helpful in alleviating nausea symptoms.

Think twice about open-air dining options.

Buffets can serve as a convenient choice for grab-and-go meals; however, with the ongoing pandemic, Aimee Takamura, director of wellness and sustainability at Restaurant Associates and a registered dietitian, suggests it may be better to avoid them for now.

“If something doesn’t look quite right—such as gray-blue or glossy fish, or wilted salad greens—skip it. These might indicate that food has been left at room temperature for too long,” Takamura advises. “Moreover, avoid compromised foods. If you witness someone using their bare hands to grab ready-to-eat food or the serving utensil falling into the dish, notify a server to remove the contaminated items.”

Skip foods that have triggered you in the past.

Now may not be the ideal time to retry foods that previously caused discomfort. Instead, DJ Mazzoni, a certified dietitian, nutritionist, and medical reviewer at Illuminate Labs, recommends exercising caution to avoid ruining your cruise experience.

“Avoid foods that have triggered an adverse reaction in the past, or those you haven’t tried before,” Mazzoni states. Food poisoning on a cruise can be especially challenging due to the possibility of seasickness, making it prudent to be cautious.

Skip the alcohol if you’re feeling seasick.

This tip may seem self-evident; however, it is essential to emphasize: Avoid alcohol if you’re experiencing nausea.

“Refrain from drinking alcohol if you feel seasick, as it can further disorient you and induce vomiting,” advises Mazzoni. If seasickness begins to set in, experts recommend sipping ginger ale and consuming bland foods, such as crackers or plain bread, to help.

But remember, you’re on vacation.

While avoiding foods that might upset your stomach is wise, Takamura reminds us that vacations are meant for enjoyment. “Indulge in the foods you truly love and disregard those you don’t care for. By being in tune with your eating experience, you’re less likely to eat aimlessly,” suggests Takamura. “Depriving yourself can lead to overeating, so listen to your body—eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full.”

Takamura concludes, “Relish the foods that bring you joy and appreciate the opportunity to enjoy them.”