New research from an independent cruise comparison website has found that two thirds of British cruisers consume more calories each day on a cruise than they do so in everyday life. A third of which, eat an extra 1000 calories per day and blame the cruise liner for ‘always having food available’.

In a bid to further investigate the holiday habits of Britons, an independent cruise comparison website conducted a study to discover how life differs for holiday makers when experiencing a cruise holiday compared to when they are on dry land.

The study, conducted by www.CruiseCompare.co.uk, polled 1,281 British cruisers to discover how their life changes when enjoying a cruise holiday. The respondents were asked if they allow themselves to indulge and take part in things that they would normally refrain from doing in day to day life.

Initially, the respondents to the study were asked ‘when on a cruise holiday, do you consume more calories on a daily basis than you do when at home?’ to which more than two thirds, 67%, answered ‘yes, every day’. A further 17% answered ‘most days’. 

The respondents who admitted to eating more calories everyday when on a cruise holiday were then asked to stipulate further. More than a third, 34%, explained that they consumed an average of an extra ‘1000 calories’ per day when enjoying their cruise holiday.

Furthermore, almost a tenth, 8%, of those who admitted to consuming extra food on a cruising holiday stated that they ate an average of an extra ‘1,500’ calories per day. Almost the same amount of calories a woman should consume each day, according to the recommendations of the government and NHS.

According to the study, 31% of the respondents stated that they over indulge when on a cruising holiday due to the ‘high quality’ of food provided on-board. Whilst a further 14% that admitted to consuming extra calories on-board said they did so because they are ‘extremely disciplined on calorie intake’ in their everyday life. 

A further 6% of those who stated that they consume extra calories on-board a cruise ship admitted that ‘gluttony’ was simply the reason for their overeating. However, 11% blamed the cruise liner for ‘always having food available’.

Danielle Fear, Managing Director of CruiseCompare.co.uk, said the following:

“Cruise holidays are a time to relax, experiencing new places and cultures and indulge in a lifestyle that one can not normally lead in everyday life. One thousand calories does seem an awful lot of calories, however cruise liners do tend to offer at least three courses with every meal; so it is easily done.”

She continues:

“Previous research has shown that cruisers also tend to exercise more than normal when enjoying a cruise holiday due to the scenic views. Therefore, I am sure the exercise and extra calorie consumption levels out somehow. Everything in moderation is always a good motto to have, but if you don’t allow yourself to over indulge on holiday, when do you?’