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.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Window or No Window?

Planning your next cruise involves making some important choices, including whether to choose a cabin with a window or without a window. Here are some considerations that can help you decide.

Cabins without windows (called interior or inside cabins) don’t have exterior walls, so there’s no opportunity for a sea view. But that doesn’t mean these cabins are always dark; cruise ship designers use lighting to make the inside cabins bright and welcoming. If you expect to use it just for sleeping and showering, an inside cabin can be a good choice: they are usually the lowest-priced cabins on the ship.

Amazingly, some ships use technology to equip inside cabins with exterior views. Inside cabins on some Disney Cruise Line ships have “magic portholes,” which are small screens built into the walls and linked to exterior cameras. Inside cabins on some Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships have “virtual balconies,” which are floor-to-ceiling LED screens that also show real-time views from outside. You may forget that you don’t actually have a window.

If you want a cabin with a window (called outside or ocean view cabins), you’re likely to have some options, starting with cabins that have portholes. These small, round windows bring in light and views, but usually don’t open. To have a larger window that opens, you may need to pay a bit more for an outside cabin on a higher deck.

Balcony cabins admit even more natural light and wider views through swinging or sliding glass doors. Some cruise fans simply won’t sail without a balcony, which can be an oasis of calm on a busy ship; it may not be large, but it will be all yours. If you want a bigger balcony, look at forward and aft cabins that face out over the bow or the stern of the ship, which often have larger-than-standard balconies.

If you want a balcony and your budget allows it, consider reserving a suite. In addition to more inside space, many suites come with larger balconies, or even more than one. Be sure to reserve as early as possible, as balcony cabins are very popular and can be the first type of cabin to sell out.

Of course, exactly what types of inside and outside cabins are available to you depends on the cruise line and ship you choose. Let Anita, your professional travel advisor, help you select a cruise line, ship and cabin that will provide you with a great experience.

 Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

 

Monday, November 21, 2022

Cruising Under Sails

For thousands of years, most ships were propelled across the water solely by the wind that filled their sails. But when steam engines were developed in the 1800s, steam-powered vehicles quickly became the preferred way to travel on land and water.

Today, most cruise ships move through the water with the help of fuel-powered engines, while most ships that have sails are small craft used for recreation or racing. Still, it’s possible to cruise on a ship powered by sails that harness the wind (these ships are equipped with engines, too, so there’s no chance of becoming becalmed in the middle of the ocean).

Along with the timeless thrill of skimming over the water under billowing sails, these smaller ships can visit lovely ports that are inaccessible to big, engine-driven ships. Plus, you can feel good about traveling in a more sustainable way. Let’s look at some options for cruising under sails.

Ponant Cruises’ Le Ponant is a three-masted luxury yacht. With just 16 staterooms and suites, sailing on Le Ponant is an intimate and sophisticated experience. Depending on the time of year, this ship sails among the Greek Isles, in the Seychelles, or along the coast of Western Australia.

Windstar Cruises has three yachts with sails: Wind Star, Wind Spirit, and Wind Surf. Wind Star and Wind Spirit each have four masts and can accommodate up to 148 passengers. In winter, Wind Star sails in Central America – including Panama Canal transits – then repositions to the Mediterranean for the rest of the year. Wind Spirit sails in the South Pacific, calling on Tahiti, Bora Bora, and their neighbors in the Society Islands and Tuamotu Islands. With five impressive masts, Wind Surf, which can carry up to 346 passengers, spends the winter in the Caribbean and sails the Mediterranean for the rest of the year.

In addition to sails, Windstar’s masted yachts are equipped with the cruise line’s unique water sports platform. Located at the rear of each ship, the platform opens up and lowers down to the water line. Passengers can borrow a variety of equipment – paddleboards, kayaks, snorkels, floatation devices, and more – to make a splash and enjoy playing in the water beneath the white sails.

As interest in sustainable cruising continues to grow, we expect cruise lines to develop more options for cruising with sails. Ask Anita, your professional travel advisor, to keep you informed about new ships that can capture the wind.

 Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

 

 

Monday, November 14, 2022

Entertainment Abounds on Cruise Ships

If you’re excited about visiting faraway ports on a cruise but aren’t sure what there is to do on the ship, don’t worry. Cruise ships are loaded with ways to keep yourself busy and entertained while you’re sailing between ports or spending an entire day at sea.

Start with the pool area, where you can play in the water and relax on a chaise lounge. This is also a venue for activities like trivia games, card tournaments, and dance contests. Plus, some ships have enhanced their pool decks with water slides and other fun attractions.

Visit the fitness center to maintain your workout routine or start a new one, get advice from a trainer or join a yoga class. Many ships also have open-air sport courts, outdoor tracks for walking and running, minigolf courses, ping-pong tables and shuffleboard courts. Depending on the ship, you might also be able to try out bumper cars, laser tag, a ropes course or a climbing wall.

For some pampering, make a reservation at the onboard spa and select a massage, wrap, facial or other rejuvenating treatment. Many also offer salon services like hair styling, manicures and teeth whitening.

Most ships offer fun and informative classes that can range from napkin folding to computer skills. You might be able to learn a new dance step, work out a quirk in your golf swing, or find out how to mix the latest cocktail.

To get to know the ship better, join a behind-the-scenes tour. Some ships offer tours of the galley, where the culinary staff produces amazing quantities of delicious food; or the bridge, where officers navigate the seas and steer the ship.

Evenings on a cruise ship feature some combination of live theater, comedy routines, first-run movies, magic acts, music, dancing and more. Some ships invite passengers on stage to participate in a talent show, often with impressive results.

We should mention that many ships also have daytime and evening activities designed specifically for kids, tweens and teens, helping them socialize and have fun together.

To find out what’s happening on board each day during your cruise, check the cruise line’s app on your mobile device or the printed schedule your steward will place in your cabin. Lots of activities are included in your cruise fare, but a few – such as spa treatments – come with a fee.

For more information about onboard activities on your next cruise, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

 Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

 

Monday, November 7, 2022

 Holiday Gifts for Cruise Travelers

The holiday shopping season is underway, and a cruise is a fantastic gift for someone you care about. But if your budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, here are some ideas for smaller gifts that will be appreciated by the cruise fan in your life (even if that cruise fan is you).

Battery operated fan. A breeze from a small fan can be refreshing in a cruise ship cabin, especially if it has no window or the window doesn’t open. Make sure the fan is battery operated; on most ships, outlets are not plentiful and power strips are not allowed.

Battery operated tealight candle. The glow of small faux candles can serve as a nightlight, or help set a serene or romantic mood.

Dry bag. Dry bags help keep electronics and other valuables dry during beach visits, waterfall hikes, kayaking adventures, and other activities near or on the water.

Fitness tracker. It’s fun to track steps taken while exploring a cruise ship or a port. Be sure to select a tracker that doesn’t require an internet connection; Wi-Fi is now available on most cruise ships, but access often comes with a fee.

Insulated mug. Standard cruise ship coffee cups are fine, but an insulated mug may do a better job of keeping a cup of coffee or tea hot while enjoying a sunrise or moonset on a balcony or up on deck.

Magnetic message board (with a marker and eraser). Passengers can leave messages for each other on handy whiteboards that cling to cabin doors, which are usually made of metal. Note that most cruise lines don’t allow message boards that leave marks on the door or extend into the passageway.

Water bottle with filtration. Water on a cruise ship is safe to drink, but a water bottle with a built-in filter can be helpful on shore excursions. As the bottle is filled, the filter will remove particulates and pathogens.

Waterproof e-reader. A cruise is a great time to catch up on reading, but books can take up a lot of luggage space. A slim e-reader saves space, and waterproofing means there are no worries about using it around the ship’s pool.

Waterproof tote bag. A tote bag comes in very handy for carrying belongings around on the ship and on shore excursions.

If you’d like more gift ideas for friends and family members who love to cruise, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel