There are some pretty tall traveler’s tales about the gargantuan banquets served aboard Megaliner cruise ships, otherwise known as “Binge Boats.” Midnight pizza pig-outs and Gala Mexican buffets at 1:30 a.m., ice cream eating contests for kids, chocoholic buffets with chocolate pizza and even chocolate sushi (how do they even do that?). And to repent, if you so wish, these humongous, 855-foot, ten-decker, 70,367-ton, 2,600 passenger and 1,000 crew member “fun ship cruises” which can feel like Las Vegas and the Starship Enterprise all rolled into one, offer pre-breakfast Cardio-shock and Pump-aerobics classes.

Although the scenery is beautiful – blue ocean, palm trees, white sandy beaches - it seems that what people talk about most after a cruise is what they ate. Either because they gained 50 pounds or it made them sick. Or because it was totally, totally awesome.

Passengers onboard Healthy Adventures’ recent maiden voyage in the beautiful Caribbean—many of whom actually lost weight during the cruise—can’t stop talking about the exquisite vegan and raw cuisine of world-renowned chef celèbre Chad Sarno, Executive Chef and Founder of Vital Creations. Months after the trip, the five-star sunsets pale beside memories of Crostini with lavender plum jam, caramelized shallot and pine nut Parmesan; White truffled Alfredo with linguini of courgette and coconut, shaved peppers and aged Balsamico; Stuffed Piquillo peppers with tofu, caper Ricotta, micro cress and toasted pumpkin seeds – AND – yummies like New England apple spice cake with cashew cream cheese, citrus confetti and berry coulis.

“A divine gourmet experience!”

“Unbelieveable!”

“Fabulous!”

“Gorgeous and original!”

“Magic!”

“Phenomenal!”

“Creative, imaginative – and luscious.”

“Ohmygawd desserts!”

Yes, but where was this enticing cuisine being served? Did anybody notice? It was in the Virgin Islands (known as “The V.I.’s”) the Caribbean archipelago of 40 islands, islets and cays, secluded far, far away from the rigors of day-to-day life.

Chad Sarno, Executive Chef and Founder of Vital Creations, Inc. held the passengers aboard the three-decker, 102-passenger Nantucket Clipper so enthralled with his lavish buffets and sit-down dinners that many of them, including the non-vegetarians, swore they wouldn’t eat onshore. But venture onshore they did. In between the healthy feasting complemented by freshly squeezed juices and organic teas, there were chances to explore both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands while learning about its history and indigenous flora, fauna and Arawak and Carib peoples.

There was hiking amidst the fig trees and elephant ear vines on Sage Mountain National Park in Tortola and Gorda Peak on Virgin Gorda. Snorkeling off Peter Island was a favorite of many as were the sunlit labyrinths of The Baths’ magnificent 40-foot high granite boulders at Spring Bay on Virgin Gorda.

There were visits to an old rum mill in Cane Garden Bay in Tortola and a ruined sugar plantation, and browsing and boutiquing in St. Thomas, St. John and among the 18th century Dutch streets in Road Town, Tortola.

Both on and off the ship, passengers agreed that this cruise offered something for everyone. Intellects were stirred by the nightly health lectures by world-renowned living foods nutrition experts Drs. Brian and Anna Maria Clement, co-directors of Hippocrates Health Institute, and Viktoras Kulvinskas, author of Survival Into the 21st Century, as well as Paul St. John, creator of Neuromuscular Therapy. Miriam Novelle, New York City’s Tea Guru, presented afternoon talks on teas around the world and tea tastings throughout the week. Souls were stretched by sunrise meditation, and limbs were limbered by pre-breakfast yoga and Pilates and mountain hikes and limbo contests. More indulgence was offered with spa experiences such as massage, cranio-sacral therapy and reflexology. And for nightlife you could go ashore and mingle with the locals, dance by moonlight or just relax on the observation deck with fellow travelers.

“Unless you have your own private yacht and you take your own chef, you can’t get an experience like this,” says Ruth Shomron, a classical singer who traveled with her husband Daniel, a renowned painter and their daughter Calya, 25, who is studying social work at New York University. “The number of passengers was perfect and we all had common goals. The organizers (Healthy Adventure), captain and crew were really great—personal, accommodating and good-humored and Chef Chad was a real magician. He made you love this kind of food.” Customer service was at its highest with 37 heart-felt crew members attending to the needs of only 102 guests.

Calya loved being with the dolphins, and sensed that the dolphins were extremely happy to be swimming with vegetarians. “They had no fear of us. I loved them. I was totally obsessed. When everyone left the dolphin pool I had to go back and sneak an extra kiss.”

Jacklin Romeo is a 5th grade science and health teacher from Bridgeport, West Virginia. She traveled with her husband Jim and daughter Jamie and loved the advantages of a small cruise ship.

“The ship was big enough to feel luxurious, yet we could get into ports that the big ships couldn’t even dream of. It was so easy to disembark and our cabin had a window much bigger than I ever had on any giant cruise ship. You got to know everyone and they all had such interesting lives. The itinerary was beautifully planned and you could do what you wanted. You didn’t have to stay with your husband,” Jacklin laughs.

“I’m 58 but I felt like a kid again,” Jacklin continues. “I ran on the beach, did the limbo at the beach party with the Reggae band at Leverick Bay in Virgin Gorda, and yoga on the deck every morning at sunrise as we came into port. It was a life-changing trip, motivating me to continue to eat right and have a better quality of life.”

Aine Cafferty of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. will never forget swimming with the dolphins at Prospect Reef on Tortola. “It was an awesome awesome experience. Many months have passed since the trip and I can still feel their presence. I was scared at first because I never learned how to swim, but as soon as I surrendered and let go, two dolphins put their noses against the soles of my feet and pushed me forward and out of the water with such force! They are so powerful, but so gentle. I got to pet them and fly through the water while holding on to their fins. It was an incredible experience that will stay with me forever. And because of the dolphins I am enrolling this summer, at the age of 67, in swim lessons.”

“The trip was paradise, a feast for my eyes, body and soul.” Aine continues, “I felt absolutely energized by the food, the yoga, the clean air, the blue water and the lushness. I loved the places we visited.

“Another highlight was learning about the medicinal aspects of the local herbs. At Cruise Bay National Park our guide was so excited by my interest that he took time to identify the various herbs for us. All of our guides were very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and proud of their heritage and country.”

Karen Tippins from Pittsburgh, PA says she wishes the cruise had never ended. “My husband Bill loved the snorkeling. We saw sea turtles, gorgeously colored fish and an octopus. It was very interesting to see those suckers all over. I wasn’t afraid, because it didn’t want to eat me—and I didn’t want to eat it.

“The highlight for me was waking up and having all that amazing bounty of food. My husband was surprised that he could go a week without eating any meat. He said he felt great.”

“Yes,” says Bill Tippins. “I trusted Karen’s judgment when she said the food on the cruise was going to be really good, but I wondered if I was I going to be tempted to grab a hotdog behind the scenes. And my mom who is a meat eater said before I left, ‘Oh you’re going to be tortured.’

“Well, I was delightfully surprised. I walked away from every meal feeling full and satisfied. I did not have the desire to eat in port, although we were encouraged to do what we wanted.

“I’ve been on regular cruises where I’ve gained 10 pounds. After this cruise I came out the same weight I went in, though I was eating full plates of food and desserts. It was by no means a feeling that you were on a boring “health camp” diet.

“It was amazing that Chad Sarno was working with a kitchen staff who were limited to typical cruise ship food and had never prepared food like this before. With this kind of chef, I would not hesitate to do it all over again.”

Gloria Davis, a nurse anesthetist and writer from Rochester, Minnesota almost didn’t make the cruise. The day before she left she had an accident that crushed the end of her radius bone in her arm. Rather than spend the week waiting at home for her scheduled surgery, she left behind the snow and ice, with her arm in a cast, for the sun and fun, and says it was the best thing she could have done.

“This was my first cruise. It was like a luxurious taxicab taking me from one wonderful place to the next. The food in itself made the trip more than worthwhile. I did yoga every morning, even with a broken arm. In the afternoon I could go for walks or wander around the little towns. The crew went out of their way to help me. Every need was taken care of. The lectures kept my mind occupied. Paul St. John introduced me to his neuromuscular therapy and I met other people who changed my life forever in many wonderful ways.”

Arran Treadway took the place of his father Scott, who wasn’t able to make the cruise. Though Arran feared the trip might be too tame, he says his first cruise “was really cool.”

“The snorkeling was awesome. I saw fire coral reefs. The Caribbean is completely gorgeous. I loved the island topography. I loved walking past the people’s houses, with goats in their front yards.”

The speakers were equally enthralled, each of whom lectured in a different port of call. I asked them if how growing “sea legs” added to the adventure of lecturing at sea. Viktoras Kulvinskas, who co-founded Hippocrates Health Institute with Ann Wigmore 50 years ago said, “Healthy Adventure has raised the bar for the raw and living foods movement.” He continued, “This is the finest and certainly the most enjoyable event that I’ve ever attended.”

Drs. Brian and Anna Maria Clement, co-directors of Hippocrates, echoed these sentiments. “We know that Ann Wigmore—the visionary and founder of this movement—is looking down on us from heaven now and beaming with pride.”

So where is Healthy Adventure off to next? I sat down with the company’s founders Eric Zayes and Brian Connolly, and asked them this question. With huge smiles on their faces, they said “Exuma, Bahamas!” Health Adventure has found the perfect getaway—secluded, quiet and full of Island life. “We are committed to offering the most exciting, healthy vacation experiences at top destinations around the globe,” say this pair of adventure-loving entrepreneurs. Currently they are exploring the farthest reaches of the planet and considering whale encounters in Cozumel, trekking in the mystical ruins of Machu Piccu, and lively celebrations at an ancient castle in Ireland. Whether on a cruise ship visiting exotic ports of call or at a quaint and inviting resort like Palm Bay Beach Club in Great Exuma, one thing is certain…magic awaits. Check their website, www.HealthyAdventures.com, for all the delicious details!

Proceeds from the Healthy Adventure Cruise help fund the Hippocrates Scholarship Program, which provides the opportunity for people with serious illness, who do not have the financial resources, to attend the Hippocrates Life Change Program. To date, $30,000 has been committed toward this important cause.