How many of us vowed to get off the couch and become more active at the dawn of the New Year? Or maybe you pledged to give back by helping those less fortunate. Both are worthy resolutions: improving your own health and fitness and selflessly improving the lives of others. If these were on your resolution list and you haven’t quite gotten around to them yet, I have good news: Crystal Cruises shore excursions can help you achieve your 2015 goals!

Active Adventure

Crystal Cruises shore excursions offer a huge variety of active adventure at interesting ports of call throughout the world. They feature eco-adventures with wildlife and nature focus, as well as sporting and water-related activities. And if you’ve been on that couch for a little longer than you’d like to admit, not to worry. The activity level of Crystal Cruises shore excursions ranges from soft to extreme adventure and include wheelchair accessible to strenuous walking levels. There’s an active adventure for every fitness level, so no excuses – get out and get your heart pumping and muscles moving!

The new 2015 Crystal Cruises shore excursions include all kinds of awesome adventures from scuba to caving to Rainforest eco-hikes to ATV riding. Here are some of my personal favorites:

• Beach Horseback Ride & Swim (Corsica, France) – Don your swimsuit and bring your sense of adventure as you discover the beauty of Corsica’s vegetation-covered hills, breathe in the fresh sea air, and befriend a steady steed.
• Running the carriage roads of Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Maine) – Closed to motorized traffic, the carriage roads within Acadia National Park are ideal for exploring the 35,000-acre preserve, particularly this 5k-running route accompanied by an expert guide and Crystal’s own fitness director.
• Peak to Fjord: A Downhill Bike Ride (Gelranger, Norway) – Take in the incredible beauty of Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a bike ride from 3,000 feet above sea level down to the fjord, with a guide and service car along the way to ensure a care-free and exceptional experience.
• Mystic Mountain Zipline, Chairlift & Bobsled (Montego Bay, Jamaica) – Spend a full day of adventure on breathtaking chairlift rides, zip-lining through the forest and bobsledding down the twists and turns of a natural landscape,
• Porsche 911 Carrera S Driving Experience (Portimão, Portugal) – Zoom around the Algarve International Circuit Track in a finely-tuned Porsche 911 Carrera S. Enough said!

Voluntourism Adventure

Crystal Cruises also gives guests an opportunity to make a difference in the local communities they visit with a special “You Care, We Care” program. A complimentary Voluntourism Adventure is available to both guests and crew on nearly every itinerary. Participants can contribute directly to a specific community need through hands-on volunteer efforts with no obligation for financial donations.

Programs range from marine animal rehabilitation and cat rescue to tree planting and orchard picking. In honor of Crystal Cruises’ 25th anniversary, Crystal’s Voluntourism Adventures have been expanded this year to include:

• Gallinas & Focas (Palma de Mallorca, Spain) – Pitch in to assist the work of the mentally challenged who, in partnership with a non-profit foundation, tend gardens and an olive grove and even produce fine wines.
• SOL International (Roatán, Honduras) – Roll up your sleeves and paint a wall mural, interact with children and play games at the non-profit School of Life International Foundation.
• Edmund Rice International Heritage Center (Waterford, Ireland) – Learn all about the history of the center that provides assistance to Waterford’s vulnerable through music and dance programs, recreation activities, and lessons in heritage and history.
• Feed Nova Scotia (Halifax, Nova Scoia) – Assist a charitable organization that collects and distributes food for more than 150 food banks and meal programs by sorting cans, repacking produce or cleaning shelving.
• Domus Christi (Dubrovnik, Croatia) – This shelter for the poor, elderly and infirmed dates back to 1347. Meet the residents, assist with some gardening and accompany some on a walk to the Old Port.

So you see, Crystal Cruises shore excursions really can help make you a better person. You can take an intentional step toward fitness with active adventure excursions and help to sustain a community in need by lending a helping hand. And did I mention you can do all this while vacationing in luxury on the only cruise line to be consistently voted “World’s Best“ for two straight decades?

To find out more about the Crystal Cruises experience, contact Covington’s cruise experts.