Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Travel is a way to enjoy the beauty and diversity of our world, and many travelers want to take action to help improve the economy or ecology of the places they visit. That’s called voluntourism, and it’s taken hold in the cruise industry. Voluntourism can help you find a balance between enjoying your cruise and knowing that you’ve done something to help and support the ports you visit along the way. Voluntourism opportunities in the cruise world range from onboard fundraising activities, to spending some time doing volunteer work onshore, to taking a charter cruise with the sole purpose of supporting a nonprofit organization. Onboard fundraising supports programs from cancer research to preserving habitat for wildlife. Holland America’s On Deck for a Cause program invites passengers to join in a 5k walk around the decks in exchange for a $20 donation. The proceeds support cancer organizations in six different countries, so it’s an easy way to do good (and feel good because y...

To all lovers of cocktails and craft beer: don’t worry that you’ll need to endure a cruise without enjoying your favorite libations. Creative cocktails and brews abound on cruise ships; you can imbibe a familiar favorite or try a new taste. Here are a few of the trendsetting bars you can enjoy at sea, and their signature drinks. The atmosphere in Celebrity Cruises’ Martini Bar is cool, thanks to the ice-topped bar. The bartenders are cool, too, putting on a bottle-flipping, glass-stacking show. If you can’t pick just one martini flavor, order the Martini Flight to try six: the flavors change over time, but you can count on trying a classic, a fruity Blue Wave, and other delicious tastes. The Craft Social beer lounge on the Celebrity Equinox offers 40 boutique brews from around the globe; you may find Delirium Tremens from Belgium, Canada’s La Fin du Monde, or Fuller’s London Pride. Perch on a leather-upholstered bar stool or sink into a lounge chair to enjoy your beer with s...

The popularity of cruising probably owes something to “The Love Boat,” the much-watched Saturday-night TV series that debuted in 1977 and ran for nearly 10 years. Each week, Hollywood stars would board a cruise ship for comedic and romantic adventures. Some scenes were filmed on real cruises along the Mexican Riviera. The actors (and the real passengers) dined in the main dining room, played shuffleboard on deck, danced in the onboard disco and indulged at the midnight buffet. A lot has changed since then, from how cruise ships are designed to how they entertain guests. For example, the Love Boat was set on the S.S. Pacific Princess , which carried 750 passengers at most. Today, some ships can sail with 6,000 passengers; a ship that carries less than 1,000 is most often a luxury or specialty ship. Ships now have better stabilizers, which help minimize seasickness, as well as modern safety systems and eco-friendly features. Dressing up for dinner was a daily event on the Love...

Perched on the Pacific Ring of Fire at Asia’s eastern edge, Japan is welcoming more visitors via cruise ship. There’s a lot to discover here: in addition to the scenic mix of ocean, temples and mountain peaks, Japan is renowned for its sophisticated city life and quiet country retreats, as well as distinctive art, cuisine, cinema, technology and pop culture. Popular ports of call in Japan include: Tokyo . Your ship is likely to dock in the port city of Yokohama, but the metropolis of Tokyo is just 20 miles away. This may be unlike any other city you’ve ever experienced: the busy streets, neon lights, gaming parlors, markets, and myriad bars and tiny restaurants create a non-stop stimulation of the senses. Tokyo’s serene temples, shrines and parks – not to mention the elegant, high-end shops – provide a contrast to the exhilarating activity on the streets. Shimizu .  This is the gateway to Mount Fuji, the sacred, snow-capped volcano that towers over this region of Japa...