Was wondering who here has experience being on a cruise (Disney in particular) and being able to still swim. Swimming keeps me mentally and emotionally grounded (something I will need when dragging a 3 year old and a 5 year old around for a week), which is why I don't want to give it up for the week I am away. I realize I can run for cardio in a pinch, but ideally I would like to hit the water a few times! I am all but certain swimming while on the ship will be out of the question (correct me if I am wrong here, those who have experience), but we spend a few days on the Castaway Cay Island. Anyone have experience swimming there? Pool? Open water? Good spots/best time to go?
I am indifferent to the whole cruise/vacation thing. I am really just there to chaperone my kids :P
I don't have kids, so I don't do Disney Cruises...however, I have swum on several Regent and Cunard Cruises in their very small pools and have gotten great workouts where I have kept my conditioning. The key is to get to the pool VERY early, 5:00 or 5:30AM (but I do that at home anyway). The other key is I have made a tether that works very well. I use a web belt upon which I have attached a stretch cord (green) with a carabiner on both ends. One end connected to the web belt and the other end connected to the ladder or some other fixed metal piece. I also use a Tempo Trainer set at :30. It turns out to be just like a USRPT set. I swim as hard as I can for :30 then when the Tempo Trainer buzzes, I stop for :30, then swim again for :30. It works great.
The crew thinks I am nuts, but that's OK...I am.
I was going to mention the stationary swim tether that Glenn mentioned above. I have made impromptu tethers when staying at hotels with small pools (I've never done a cruise either). You could buy something like this pretty cheap. Only $17 on Amazon (link below picture). But as he mentioned...like in a hotel...getting in the pool at the right time is key. So you'll have to go at odd hours. And still...a contraption like this is gonna get you some strange looks.
images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/.../71i63f6BqsL._SX679_.jpgwww.amazon.com/.../
Dan
Thanks for the ideas. I have a stretch cord w/ belt I could probably bring and attach to something and coil it up to add resistance.
Also would like to know though if there are some spots on the island that I can open water swim if need be. Don’t want to be molested by boats, jet skis, or lifeguards who think I’m crazy and can’t take care of myself!
I was going to mention the stationary swim tether that Glenn mentioned above. I have made impromptu tethers when staying at hotels with small pools (I've never done a cruise either). You could buy something like this pretty cheap. Only $17 on Amazon (link below picture). But as he mentioned...like in a hotel...getting in the pool at the right time is key. So you'll have to go at odd hours. And still...a contraption like this is gonna get you some strange looks.
www.amazon.com/.../
Dan
This is great, Dan! I just added it to my "Wish List" for my next purchase. I really could have used it here:
11895
:D
Elaine, are you quite sure that pool is even long enough for an adult human to be horizontal in? :D
Actually, it wasn't! This was at a rental cottage on Sanibel Island, Florida. I got in some great open water swims instead. :agree:
Reading "in ground pool" and getting that is sort of like reading "on site cafe" and finding two vending machines in a back hallway.
One of my all time pet peeves is places advertising their “Olympic size pool” and it’s really just a small hole filled with water. I make sure to remind hotels of this when they advertise for the Olympic size pool: “where is your 50 meter pool? How many lanes? Etc.”
My summer club back when they first built their website advertised their Olympic size pools (plural!). I was like, “you guys HAVE to correct this. Neither pool is Olympic size.” (Although the lap pool WAS an 8 lane 25 meter pool).
People just toss that phrase around like a buzz word. I guess they figure it will get people to come, assuming that they won’t ever check out the pool anyways!
This is great, Dan! I just added it to my "Wish List" for my next purchase. I really could have used it here:
11895
:D
Actually I just ordered one too. I didn't actually have a tether previously. I just usually made an impromptu one with a length of rope and a belt, etc. But wifey and I are travelling more these days for her work...and I figured I'd have one just to throw into my travel workout bag so that I can use the hotel pools for a swim.
Dan
Reading "in ground pool" and getting that is sort of like reading "on site cafe" and finding two vending machines in a back hallway.
Actually, they had a photo of the "pool" in their Airbnb listing, and I just laughed! I knew I wouldn't be using it, because I wanted to do open water swimming and use the island's recreation center pool. The rental ended up being great!
Having said that, I know exactly what you are talking about. The term "Olympic-sized pool" is also WAY overused and VERY exaggerated! :rolleyes:
