Your life is a vacation. At least that’s what the outsider might think. Paid to have experiences many people take out loans to afford, your life on a cruise ship is, if nothing else, full of interesting experiences that can’t be found anywhere else.

And ok, the busboy in a cruise ship ballroom isn’t quite having the same experience that guests are paying for. Nevertheless, this is a life full of opportunity. You see places most people dream about. Enjoy experiences that can’t be replicated in any other line of work.

There are so many incredible ways to spend your days off. Some of that time should go to horseback riding. Why, when you can do nearly anything, should you consider this? Besides the fact that horses are awesome, there are proven benefits to equine encounters that warrant attention.

Horse Encounters Can Improve Your Mental Health

Animal interactions reduce cortisol and adrenaline production in your brain. These chemicals cause feelings of stress and anxiety. On a cruise ship, you might have easier access to acute forms of stress relief.

You might have a drink at the bar or monitor Preakness results to see how your horse fared. These are both legitimate ways to relax and improve your wellness.

However, they should be balanced with other activities that contribute more specifically to your emotional baseline.

Horseback riding is a great example because it gets you interacting with animals, it provides exercise—you burn up to 550 calories per hour on horseback—and it keeps you outside. Working on a cruise gives you the unique ability to ride horses in some of the most incredible locations on the planet. In the next few locations, we will spotlight areas that are worth your time.

Jamaica

In the cruise industry, Jamaica has one of the strongest associations with great horseback riding. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one thing, the area is a frequent destination for a wide variety of cruise lines.
More importantly, though, it is stunning. Horseback riding opportunities can take you through lush forests. Along beaches. Even in the water.
While you’re there you can look into other classic island activities. Laze about the beach. Take an incredible hike. Zipline through the forest.
A standard Jamaican horseback riding session lasts for about an hour giving you ample time to fit in other activities during your day off.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is another typical cruise line stop with ample opportunity for really special horseback riding. What makes this stop unique is the ability to ride your horse through the national rainforest land in San Juan. There are many different horseback tour options in the region, allowing you to decide between forests, beaches, mountains, or maybe all three.
While you're in San Juan, consider budgeting a little bit of time to see the city. It's known for its beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets.

Roatan, Honduras

Honduras is so often associated with its hardships; it is easy to forget that this is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Lush with rainforests and sparkling with pristine beaches it’s a truly unique place.
Roatan is considered by many to be the safest city for tourism in the country. Crime rates are low, and locals are very receptive to tourists—knowing that they play a pivotal role in the economy.
Horseback riding through the rainforest or across a gorgeous beach is a magnificent way to explore the area safely. While you’re there, consider taking a hike, or maybe budgeting a little bit of time for a quick dip in the beautiful water.

Saint Lucia

Finally, Saint Lucia. As any cruise crew member will know, this is a very popular stop in the Caribbean region. The unique landscape includes mountains, forests, volcanoes, and beaches. What better way to experience all that geographic variety than on horseback?

Can you say “biodiversity”? The word may not send shivers down your spine if you are a few years removed from your last science class, but it should. Tours of the Saint Lucia region offer a unique opportunity to see multiple ecosystems in one trek.

If you’re a waterfall kind of person—and really, who isn’t? — this is a great opportunity to see them in abundance.

Guided tours give you the opportunity to safely explore a unique region you simply won’t find anywhere else. Really, isn’t that the appeal of any horseback adventure?

As a cruise ship employee, you see so much of the world. While you are working, those experiences might not excite and delight you. During your time off, however, there’s the exciting chance to routinely have experiences most people only dream about. Horseback riding is a great way to take full advantage of that unique opportunity.