Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Tipping on a cruise ship is a good thing to understand before you set sail, and even experienced cruisers can benefit from a quick review of current tipping practices.     The most important thing to understand about tipping the crew on a cruise ship is that it’s customary and expected. It’s a traditional way to show appreciation for the hard work of the crew, but it’s also an important part of the crew’s compensation. Many cruise lines pay base wages with the understanding that crew members will increase their income through tips earned by doing their jobs well.     It used to be common for passengers to tip crew members with cash, but that was not very convenient – it meant bringing a bunch of cash on board, then roaming around the ship...

Cruise ship design creates long hallways lined on each side with identical stateroom doors; you might find the visual consistency soothing, or you may feel the urge to do a little decorating that makes your door stand out.     Stateroom doors are clearly numbered and carefully keyed, so there’s little chance that you would actually step into the wrong one. Still, decorating your door is a fun chance for some self-expression. Stateroom door décor often reflects a holiday or a special occasion being celebrated by the occupants, such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, graduation, or a reunion of family or friends.   However, before you make any door decorating plans or buy supplies, check out the guidelines for door decorations on your ship – your professional travel advisor can help. Some cruise lines ban d...

Antarctica, the Earth’s southernmost continent, is so remote that there’s no record of it even being seen by humans until the 1820s. Cold, windy and almost completely covered with ice, Antarctica is a beautiful and fascinating cruise destination.     In fact, cruising is possibly the best way to get close to this mysterious and magnificent continent. And, several cruise operators recently announced new Antarctic itineraries; some feature scenic cruising, and others give passengers the opportunity to actually set foot on the White Continent (weather permitting).     Princess Cruises has announced a new, 16-day Antarctica and Cape Horn itinerary on the  Diamond Princess , sailing between Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The itinerary includes Punta Arenas, Chile, on the Strait of Magellan; Ushuaia, Argentina, at the southern e...

If you dream of a carefree day on a beautiful, beachy, and – best of all – private tropical island, you can live that dream. Simply book a cruise that includes a stop at the cruise line’s private island. Costa, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, MSC, Princess and Royal Caribbean are among the cruise lines that operate their own private islands. Technically, some are private sections of larger islands, but that doesn’t diminish the feeling of being in an exclusive paradise. Many cruise line private islands are in The Bahamas or the Caribbean; here’s a quick look at a few. Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay has the same vibe as its family-friendly cruise ships; Disney characters will be there to greet you and get the dance party started. Choose from multiple beaches, including one for teens, one for adults, one for active sports, and one for families to enjoy together. Kids will love the activities at Scuttle’s Cove, as well as the floating play area with two twisting water slides an...