While I regularly exercise on vacation, cruising takes a bit of work to use the Peloton app. Before I embarked on my last cruise, I did a ton of research to make sure I didn’t lose my Peloton streak.
If you’re like me, you’re going to want to read through this post carefully. In over five years, I’ve taken a Peloton class at least once per week. When I realized I would be gone for over 7 days, I knew I had to find a way to continue my streak.
While it’s unlikely you will find an actual Peloton bike or treadmill on your cruise, I’m here to share how to use the Peloton app even without Peloton equipment. With these tips, you can access every Peloton workout including cycling, running, strength, yoga, and more.
And yes, I realize a cruise is a vacation and you need to relax. But if you’re a Peloton enthusiast, I know how attached you are to the platform. With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy the Peloton experience anywhere in the world.
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Key Takeaways
- Using the Peloton app requires some pre-planning.
- You can use the Peloton app on a cruise ship, even if the ship does not have Peloton equipment.
- Using the Peloton app on a cruise ship requires a stable internet connection.
The Peloton Experience on Cruise Ships
The first thing I did before booking my cruise was to check to see if they had a Peloton bike onboard. I learned that these partnerships are rare, and even perhaps, ending.
The good news is that you don’t need any Peloton equipment at all to get a great workout.
Peloton Bikes
While Celebrity (Apex and Solstice), Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian cruise lines have had several Peloton bikes on select ships, you can’t rely on using them. Many people have complained about their condition and availability.
Reservations and Cost
If you do find a Peloton on your cruise, you’ll likely have to pay extra to use it. Some cruise lines offer Peloton bikes as part of their fitness center amenities, while others charge a fee per class or per day of use.
It’s important to note that Peloton equipment is in high demand, and reservations may be required to use the equipment using either the cruise line’s app or website to book a time slot.
Some cruise lines also require a credit card to be put on file when making a reservation. This credit card will be charged if you do not show up for your reserved time slot.
Recent Update
Celebrity Cruises and Peloton is rumored to be discontinuing their partnership.
I suggest you contact your scheduled cruise line before departure to confirm. Even those ships with Pelotons seem to have older generations and/or broken bikes.
Spin Bikes
Many cruise lines offer their own indoor cycling classes. In my experience on both Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and the Carnival Celebration, the bikes are chained together when class is not in session so they are inaccessible for regular use.
Peloton Tread
There are no Peloton treadmills on any cruise ships, however, the Peloton app works seamless with any treadmill and is one of the best ways to take a class.
Treadmills
Both ships I sailed on had a good amount of treadmills, both LifeFitness brand. They also were situated to have an ocean view. However, with my sea legs, I chose to walk and do Peloton hikes rather than running.
This article, however, is not about Peloton equipment but rather, how to use the Peloton app with equipment you find onboard.
Setting Up the Peloton App on a Cruise
As a diehard Peloton user myself, I know how important it is to stay on track with my workouts even when on vacation. Luckily, the Peloton app makes it easy to stay connected and maintain my fitness routine even while on a cruise. I’ll walk you through the steps for setting up the Peloton app on a cruise ship.
Remember to do your planning before you disembark.
Internet Package
One of the most important things to consider when using the Peloton app on a cruise ship is a stable internet connection.
Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi services for their passengers, but the internet speed can be slow and unreliable according to the location of the ship and number of people using the network, even with Starlink.
On my last cruise, the Carnival Celebration, they offered three WiFi plans. The lowest plan would not allow streaming. The middle plan, i.e., the social plan likely would have worked, however, since there wasn’t much of a price difference with their highest plan, I opted for that one to be safe. This cost me about $150 for a weeklong trip.
To ensure a smooth experience, I recommend purchasing a premium internet package.
Internet Plan Savings Tips
1. Pre-Purchase
Buy the plan before you leave. Most cruise lines give you a 10 to 15 percent discount if you purchase it ahead of time. Carnival does not allow you to buy a plan just for a day or two. You need to purchase for the entire trip. Check with your cruise line for details.
2. Gift Card
You can also buy AARP gift cards for many cruise lines at a discount. Although I haven’t done this, I know people who have used this method to save money.
3. Share your Plan
To save on an internet plan, you can share with others in your cabin, but you have to take turns using it. On my last cruise, my friend and I shared a room and would just log in and out from our devices as needed.
A colleague successfully used this wireless travel router that allows a group to seamlessly share one internet plan and use it simultaneously.
Pre-Load Classes
Before leaving for your cruise, make sure your device is compatible with the Peloton app and that you have downloaded the app. Once onboard, put your phone on Airplane mode and connect your device to the ship’s Wi-Fi network. You can then stream live and on-demand classes directly to your device.
To reduce buffering and increase loading time, I preloaded classes into my Peloton app before I left. You will find your Pre-Loaded classes in the top of the app within the cloud icon.
I wasn’t sure what equipment they would have available in their fitness room, so I chose a variety of fitness classes:
- strength training
- walking meditation
- sleep meditation
- barre
- hike
- row
If you notice I didn’t choose any running classes or spin classes for the reasons I mentioned above.
Classes and Workouts
The only classes you would be unable to take on a cruise are equipment-specific ones. For example, on a non-Peloton tread or bike, you cannot access any of the scenic classes or play Lanebreak.
Technically, you can take live classes with a leaderboard or on-demand classes. I didn’t even try to take a live class. I only used my preloaded classes on the app.
Equipment Needed for the Peloton App
Depending on your workout, little to no equipment is required other than your smartphone or tablet. Remember to bring a pair of bluetooth headphones and a heart rate monitor. I used my Apple watch.
Treadmill
All you need is a good pair of running shoes. To me, it feels very strange to be on a treadmill while the ship rocked back and forth. I kept my workouts to walks or hikes.
Strength Training
I found the dumbbells limited on both my cruises. While they did have various free weights, there was usually only one to two sets of each. I found myself waiting or sharing with others on both cruises.
The fitness centers had cushioned workout mats but they were fairly compact. For example, when I did a plank, I found myself hanging off either the front or back. Next time, I’ll bring my travel yoga mat which folds and packs conveniently into my carry-on, gym bag, or suitcase.
Rowing
On both my ships, they had rowing machines. These were always available. The Peloton app is very easy to use with off-brand rowers.
Walking Track
My favorite way to get moving on a cruise ship is to walk the walking track in the fresh air. I find it best to walk in the morning or evening, especially on at-sea days, as they circle the pools and lounge chairs on the upper decks, meaning you’ll be maneuvering around a lot of people.
Meditations
One of the easiest ways to not lose your Peloton streak is to take a meditation class. I had a hard time sleeping and needed one every night to fall asleep.
Fitness Tip
Take the stairs whenever possible. The elevators are slow. So many cruisers take the elevator to go up or down one level. Do yourself a favor and take the stairs.
Most ships are huge and I had no trouble closing my movement circles on my Apple Watch even on the days when I didn’t work out in the gym.
Water
Either buy a pack of water or bring your water bottle from home into the gym. I also brought my own electrolytes. Although you would think they had water available, I only found fountains. On my Carnival cruise, they didn’t have a water filling station but only a traditional water fountain.
I also found both fitness centers to be extremely warm so I limited to workouts to under an hour.
Scheduling Fitness into your Cruise
Remember you’re on vacation. Stay active. While I understand not wanting to mess with your Peloton streak, enjoy the experience.
That said, here are some tips to help you plan your workout schedule around your cruise itinerary:
- Plan your workouts in advance: Before you embark on your cruise, plan your workouts. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you have time to exercise each day. Most cruise ships have a daily schedule of activities that are planned for each day. Check this schedule to see when you have free time to work out or if they offer any fitness classes that peak your interest.
- Use the Peloton App: The Peloton App offers a variety of workouts that you can do anywhere, anytime. You can use the app to plan your workouts around your cruise itinerary. For example, if you have a port day, you can plan a shorter workout in the morning before you disembark.
- Be flexible: Remember that your cruise itinerary may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Be flexible with your workout schedule and adjust it as needed.
Fitness Center
To make the most of your Peloton app experience on a cruise ship, it’s important to schedule your days. For me, I found it easiest to hit the gym in the morning before breakfast. On both cruises, I found the fitness center fairly empty and never had to wait for a machine.
State Rooms
My room was much too tiny to do any sort of Peloton workout with the exception of sleep meditations. In addition, even on port days, without internet, I got a very weak signal. If I hadn’t purchased an internet plan, I would not have even been able to stream my meditations.
Limitations or Challenges to Using the Peloton App on a Cruise
The top three limitations and challenges are:
- Internet connection. While most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi, the connection can be slow and unreliable. This can make it difficult to stream Peloton classes or use the app effectively. It is recommended to check with the cruise line beforehand to see if they offer high-speed Wi-Fi packages that can support streaming.
- Limited workout space. Cruise ship cabins are notoriously small, and it can be difficult to find a suitable space to work out. While some cruise ships offer fitness centers with Peloton bikes or treadmills, they can be crowded and may require a reservation.
- Most cruise ships do not offer Peloton bikes or equipment. It is recommended to check with the cruise line beforehand to see if they offer Peloton equipment or classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there specific workout classes or content tailored to a cruise ship experience?
Although not technically developed for a cruise ship, there’s nothing better than Peloton’s new walking meditations. There’s something majestic about being on the open sea, disconnected from the outside world, and having a guided focus while walking.
However, Peloton offers a wide range of workout classes that can be done anywhere, including on a cruise ship. They have a variety of workouts that can be done with or without equipment, making it easy to stay active while on vacation.
Can I track my fitness progress while using the Peloton app on a cruise ship?
Yes, you can track your fitness progress while using the Peloton app on a cruise ship. The app allows you to track your progress for all of your workouts, whether you’re on land or at sea. You can view your progress in the app’s dashboard, which shows your workout history, metrics, and achievements.
The app will track your metrics, including your heart rate and distance and display them in real-time on the screen. You can also view your progress after the workout is complete by accessing the workout summary.
Overall, the Peloton app is a great tool for tracking your fitness progress while on a cruise ship. With its advanced tracking features and personalized recommendations, you can stay motivated and achieve your fitness goals even while on vacation.
Read more about my journey to become a certified personal trainer here.
If you have anything to add to this post, please comment below. I’d love to hear your cruising and fitness experience.
Michelle Platt is a content creator and certified personal trainer. Proving it’s never too late to reinvent yourself, she’s a former attorney and teacher who loves to do the research so you don’t have to. She takes a deep dive into each topic and writes about her wellness journey here. She loves trying out new workouts, fitness tips, healthy foods, and products to share with you. This native New Yorker recently made the move to the suburbs of Minneapolis, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and two dogs.