CENTRAL AMERICA

AND THE CARIBBEAN

WHAT? An indulgent cruise reimagined for wellness seekers WHERE? Jamaica, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras

HOW MUCH? Tui’s Exotic Explorer cruise starts at £1,739 for seven nights, including flights; tui.co.uk

WHO? Lizzie Pook, WH contributor

Oh, come on, cruising – really? Ye of little faith – this is cruising in 2018, which is a very different, much fitter, beast. At 5am, I head out on to the blustery deck and steadily make my way around the 400m running track as the sun slowly rises, searching for the telltale spouts of passing humpback whales in the water around us. My aim is to expend as much as energy as possible while I’m on board, which involves jogging round the track, sweating it out in the small but functional gym or trying my hand (and knees, toes and elbows) at the climbing wall. And off-ship? There are more gains to be had than cocktails. Be savvy and choose shore excursions that cater for adrenaline seekers. In Belize, I’m delivered to shore and head into the tropical forest – the foothills of the Mayan mountains rising in the distance – to zip-line among mahogany trees, black orchids and squabbling monkeys. You can descend into the mouth of the crystal caves – once used by the Mayans for human sacrifices – to ride on rubber rings along the river that runs through them. In Guatemala, why not kayak along the Dulce river until the muscles in your shoulders burn, surrounded by pure white egrets, swooping pelicans and the throaty boom of toads lining the banks? Once the ship reaches Honduras, it’s time to take to the ocean for cardio as intense as you want, to snorkel among moray eels, stingrays and huge conch shells the size your head. And come dinner time? The trappings of excess – aka pina colada on tap and buffets the size of Swindon – are real. The days spent at sea are full of foodie temptation, with no fewer than seven restaurants – including Asian and Indian cuisine and even a hearty steakhouse – on Tui’s brand new Marella Discovery 2. Most churn out food all day long, but you can find healthier options on every menu. Yes, I may have spent one afternoon drinking six Singapore slings but, by shaking off the usual holiday sloth vibes and packing activities around filling meals, I still managed to come home fitter, and with slightly looser leggings, than when I arrived.