Before we answer that question let us tell it like it is:

Medallions of young cod with a rich shellfish sauce, prawns wrapped in pancetta, flamed in Armagnac, Potted fresh and smoked salmon seasoned with herbs, lemon and fromage blanc, New York steak cooked to perfection and served with garlic, parsley, Cognac and special savory steak sauce...Rack of lamb coated with a mushroom duxelle, wrapped in puff pastry and baked until honey gold. A creamy vanilla pudding flavored with a hint of nutmeg, diced apples and sultana grapes, warm crepes flavored with orange and Grand Marnier, oozing, melt in you mouth 7 layer chocolate cake. Still breathing?

That's just ONE SMALL example of what Cruise Ships are creating for you. In a nut shell, Cruise Ships provide all food all the time 24/7. Why? Because they love you. And want to please, please, please you! So there it is; an ocean of food on the high seas. All styles from simple casual to sophisticated gourmet. You wanted us to be honest didn't you? So back to answering that all important question; Will you gain a ton and sink the ship?

Before you ever climbed onboard your ship, or planned your Cruise to the inth degree you have been for years deluged with information: Low carbs, High carbs, no carbs, calorie counting, no counting, food pairing, food "blending", fasting, metabolic rates, weight loss patches, and diets, diets diets, South Beach, the Zone, Atkins, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystems, The Chocolate Cake Diet, the Grapefruit Diet. And as we speak the Food Industry couldn't be happier getting to market quickly a new box of cereal shouting the trend Du Jour 0% of whatever plastered all over the box. Well Okay, we could go on for a month. Here's the deal:

You are intelligent. We are giving you all the credit. We KNOW that you know this fact: You are a direct result from all your daily actions. Yup. If you ARE overweight now, you either were never taught how to eat for your own body or never learned yourself from some time spent researching and caring enough.

YES, of course there are in very few cases comparatively exceptional biological reasons actual blocks to normal weight management occur. Most of the time it is you and your eating choices. Food types, amounts, times of day, accompanied by the lack of appropriate exercise. In reality when you are on your Cruise you will most likely continue your same culture of eating so here's a big eating management tip: Look at the food menu or actual display in front of you and ask yourself this big question, " CAN I GET THIS AT HOME? OR DOWN THE STREET AT MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT?" If the answer is yes, do you really need it right then?

Opt for the items you swear you have never seen or will never see again. If something is truly extraordinary go for it, it will become a part of your Cruise fond memories. If you are not overweight, watch out! You could fall prey to the "I never gain weight" aura that surrounds you at home. Remember a Cruise is an aberration in the most luxurious form. Again, you will be surrounded by food. You will say to yourself, "I'm on vacation, I'm going to get my money's worth". In the 50's and 60's there were "all you can eat" places and people painfully stuffed themselves to get "their money's worth". You're not overweight now because of your selective eating habits at home. Take that same virtue with you on your Cruise... tasting only the finest offerings and you'll be fine.

And for all of you. Again know that the Cruise Director has your best interests in mind especially in the area of soup to nuts. If you have special dietary needs just say so. You can request and get confirmed your special requests for, vegetarian, kosher, diabetic, low-fat, low-sodium, low-cholesterol, gluten-free and lactose-free diets.

Well prepared food is to be seductive, selective, sipped and savored. Enjoy the art.