Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

I am proud to be certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as an Elite Cruise Counselor. The Cruise Counselor Certification Program is CLIA's most comprehensive training which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences, and conduct ship inspections. Anita Thompson, Attheta Travel, dba Cruise Holidays.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Carnival Imagination, Western Caribbean

Cruise feedback and photos from Elise Nelson -- thank you, Elise!

Our first stop was Key West and we decided to go parasailing. Instead of spending $90 a person booking through the ship, we went directly through the company Fury Water Adventures (www.furycat.com) and saved over $100. We had a great time! (even though I look terrified).



This is the inside of the main atrium. The ship was really nice inside and very clean.



The Imagination had lots of seating outside of the Horizon Buffett. Here is Charlie eating breakfast before we headed out to Key West to parasail.



This is me at one of the art auctions. I HIGHLY recommend going to these. They are really fun and I won two pieces of art and Charlie one a gold bracelet!



We decided to do the sit down dinner every night at 6 pm. The food was GREAT and our servers were amazing. They knew our names by the first night and remembered just how I liked my espresso with dessert, seen here!



Our second stop was Cozumel, Mexico. Here I am on the pier headed to the beach!



We decided not to book any tours in Cozumel. We got off the ship, hopped in a taxi and asked them where the best beach was. We went to Paradise Beach and boy was it paradise!



This is the inside of the theatre. They had some really good vegas style shows here. Our favorites were the comedians though. They had multiple shows each night so you could always fit it in your schedule.



Hope these are helpful!
-Elise

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Special Father’s Day Gift

A good friend of ours loves cruising – and cruise ships!  For Father’s Day, his family got up at 4:30AM so they could go to the pier in Seattle to watch three ships come into the harbor from Alaska.  After the ships docked, the Nelson family went to breakfast at the Edgewater Hotel.  The hotel is built out over Elliott Bay. The Edgewater is famous for the picture of the Beatles fishing from the window of their hotel room. 

 
Ned’s story and pictures --
Here is a defination of a perfect father's day for a cruise nut like me.
  •   4am - Wake up
  • 4:30 - Leave home with warm clothes
  • 5am - Starbucks
  • 5:15 - Arrive on Seattle's Elliott Bay to watch the cruise ships come in: Sapphire Princess and the HAL Oosterdam
  • 5:45 - Drive to Pier 66 for a close up view of the Norwegian Pearl
  • 6:30 - Breakfast next door at the Edgewater Hotel
 Now that is living. Family really loves me to get up that early.

 
Ned

 
Carolyn, Ned, Jodie, & Elise

 

 
Andrew, Carolyn, Ned, & Elise

 
Sapphire Princess & Ned Nelson

 
Norwegian Pearl, Elise, Carolyn, Ned, & Jodie

 
Norwegian Pearl, Carloyn & Ned at Pier 66

 
Breakfast at the Edgewater Hotel

 

 

Monday, June 6, 2011

Shore Excursions Galore

Shore excursions are a wonderful addition to a cruise, providing the opportunity to explore ports of call and nearby attractions. Some ports offer just a few excursions, but often the array of choices can seem bewildering.

Cruise Holidays recently asked its cruise experts what types of shore excursions they book most often for their clients. Here are their top five answers:


1.      General sight-seeing tours, which usually make use of a coach bus, automobile or train. This type of excursion focuses on taking guests to the most popular attractions in port, such as historic landmarks, shopping districts and scenic views. There’s often a tour guide who provides information about what you see. While most of these tours make frequent stops to allow guests to take a closer look at the attractions, walking is usually minimal.

2.      “Soft adventure” excursions, such as zip lining, biking, kayaking, rafting, ATV tours, fishing, swimming and horseback riding. These excursions often take place in areas that showcase the natural beauty of the destination. Take care to select a soft adventure excursion that suits your level of fitness – your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help.

3.      A private vehicle and driver that will take you to the sights of your choice. This type of excursion provides the flexibility to see what you want and to spend as much time as you like at each stop. However, you will need to do some research to know where you most want to go, though your driver will certainly be able to offer suggestions.

4.      Walking tours, which are popular in historical areas where the city streets are too narrow or rough to accommodate modern vehicles; and, in more modern cities where busy traffic patterns make it easier to walk to places of interest. Before signing up, be sure that you will be comfortable with the amount of walking required.

5.      Water activities, such as snorkeling or scuba. Snorkeling can be done by just about anyone who can swim and is comfortable in the water. A brief lesson on how to use a diving mask and snorkel breathing apparatus is all that most people need to get started viewing colorful fish, corals and other sea life. Scuba, a form of underwater diving, requires more equipment and more instruction.

These “top five” are just the tip of the iceberg of shore excursion options. Depending on your itinerary, you may be able to choose from excursions that feature a relaxing afternoon at a beach club, jet boat rides, culinary or wine-tasting experiences, cultural events, flightseeing (sightseeing from a helicopter or small plane) and many others. Ask your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert about the excursions available on your next cruise.