Most people look forward to the fabulous meals available on cruise ships, but for some who are dieting, either for weight-loss or health reasons, the prospect of seeing all those wonderful dishes they can't have, can be depressing. Or it can tempt them away from the diet they need, with unfortunate consequences in the way of weight gains or guilt over having “cheated”.

At one time, this may have been a problem, but not in today's health conscious world. It's a rare cruise ship that does not have some “healthy choices” on every menu, with a focus on such things as low carb, low fat, heart-healthy and diabetic diets. Ships with health spas may even have restaurants and entire menus dedicated to eating right. But that doesn't mean eating dull. Cruise lines hire gourmet chefs for a reason, and their ability to create tempting and tasty dishes for a variety of passenger requirements is amazing.

If you require any kind of specific diet, you need to mention this while booking your ticket, to see how it can be accommodated, and in what dining rooms. Specialty diets such as kosher, are not offered on all ships, but may be arranged for if enough notice is given. Some cruises will even devote entire dining rooms to continental gourmet dishes from around the world, which will fit a particular diet. Eat hearty and enjoy!