When I told people I was going on a 41-day vacation—including a 15-day transatlantic cruise—they all smiled and said, “That sounds amazing!” And it was. But in the back of my mind, I was already calculating how I’d keep my eating on track while surrounded by endless buffets, restaurant meals, desserts, and drinks.
Let’s be honest: everyone knows a two-week cruise can easily mean gaining 8 to 10 pounds. You can imagine the food anxiety I was feeling knowing my gluten-free choices might be limited to potatoes, rice, pasta, and gluten-free rice noodles and GF breads. ALL CARBS. I’ve gained weight on previous cruises and took months of WW to get off the weight.
Eating out at restaurants at home can be tricky. Eating out for 41 days straight in restaurants being gluten-free and vegan too? Remember, I don’t eat chicken, meat, dairy, fish or eggs. That’s next-level.
But I had a serious goal: don’t gain weight before the family wedding in Spain—which was just three weeks into the trip. I wanted to feel good and, yes, fit into the dresses I brought with me!
So, I came up with a plan before we even boarded the ship in Miami.
First I took a pic of myself the day we left for the cruise port! (above)
My Plan: no alcohol, no desserts, no fried food, and keep it simple on the first 15 days on the cruise.
We set sail on a 15-day cruise across the Atlantic, stopping on the second half of the cruise in Casablanca, two of the Canary Islands, Valencia, Spain and finally Barcelona, Spain. The first eight full days entirely at sea meant lots of downtime, food temptations, and chances to either stay focused or totally give in.
To my surprise (and delight), the ship was actually super vegan- and gluten-free-friendly. They even had little fruit and other bento boxes for breakfast so I didn’t have to do the whole sit-down thing each morning. I’d grab a box, eat fresh fruit on the deck, and then go for a 45-minute walk under the open sky (I found a walking partner) Honestly, it was one of my favorite parts of the day.
Lunch was easy, too. The ship had a great salad bar with chickpeas, tofu, fresh veggies, and lemon wedges—so I skipped the dressing and stayed completely on plan.
Eating dinners at the seven delicious dinner restaurants was a bit more of a dance, but I managed to stick with whole foods, plant-based dishes, and kept things light. I even had a few slices of gluten-free vegan pizza (twice!), which felt indulgent but didn’t throw me off track. I weighed myself every few days in the gym.
I brought along my trusty protein bars—vegan, gluten-free, and full of protein but low in calories. This helped me ensure that I had sufficient protein on the trip. Half a bar in the afternoon or during a long tour kept me satisfied. And honestly, they taste like dessert, so I never felt like I was missing out.
Fifteen days in… no weight gain, no regrets, and I felt great. I was still fitting comfortably into my dresses, and my energy was high. I totally enjoyed the cruise—just without the sugar highs and lows and groggy hangovers.
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| Last day of the cruise saying goodbye to wonderful friends we met on the cruise including my walking partner in black with long hair next to me. |
After departing the cruise we were off to Girona, Spain where we stayed in an Airbnb for four days. This is where things got easier in some ways, because I could do some of my own mini meal prep. The local supermarket was full of gems—tiny jars of cooked chickpeas or black beans and lentils, and pre-washed salad mixes with olives and fresh veggies Total lifesaver.
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| Available sealed in all the supermarkets for about $3 – perfect for my lunch with some chickpeas or beans for two days. |
I kept my rhythm going: fruit for breakfast, salad and chickpeas/black beans for lunch, and dinners we ate out where I could be a little more flexible.
One night I found a charming restaurant with gluten-free veggie burgers on a delicious gluten-free roll on the menu, and another place served Patatas Bravas cooked in a dedicated fryer (no gluten contamination!). That’s one of my favorite Spanish tapas—crispy potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce—so I was thrilled. (forgot to take pics!!)
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At this point, I wanted to enjoy a sangria (after all we were in Spain) and we were walking 20,000 steps a day, easily, which helped balance out the occasional sangria or higher-carb meal. I was still on plan, still feeling good, and still dress-ready for the wedding in Toledo.
The first 19 days taught me something really valuable: you can stay on track on a cruise and while traveling—even with the added dietary restrictions. It takes a little planning, some flexibility, and a few protein bars in your suitcase. But it’s so worth it.
And the best part? I didn’t feel deprived. I felt empowered. I enjoyed the food, the culture, the sights, and didn’t feel like I needed to buy a new wardrobe at the end. My jeans fit perfectly and truthfully I knew it was healthier.
Next up: Another full week eating out in Madrid and then finally the 3 days of the wedding. Let’s see how I held up!!
