Posts

Showing posts from July, 2025

Warm-Weather Expedition Cruises

Expedition cruises are exciting because they explore some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the planet. You’ve probably heard about voyages that visit Antarctica or the Artic; if you like that kind of exploration but in warmer conditions, there are wonderful expedition cruise destinations in temperate zones, too. An expedition river cruise is a terrific way to see the amazing Amazon River Basin, which spreads across a wide swath of northern South America. The rainforest canopy shelters a fantastic array of wildlife, from jaguars and macaws to pink dolphins and piranhas. Itineraries often include visits to small villages, biological reserves, and islands brimming with indigenous plants and animals. Some journeys can be combined with a pre- or post-cruise land tour to places like Machu Picchu, Peru’s 15 th -century Inca citadel. Another balmy destination for expedition cruising is the Galapagos Islands, about 600 miles off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Some of the animals the...

Popular Cruise Souvenirs

If you enjoy purchasing mementos when you travel, most cruises present plenty of opportunities to buy souvenirs and gifts in shops and boutiques both onboard and onshore. If you would like ideas for souvenirs that will provide memories of your voyage, here are some popular choices. Local artwork and crafts are wonderful keepsakes that can tell a story about the ports you visit. Paintings, drawings, carvings, and jewelry made by local artisans are all lovely options. It can help to do a little pre-cruise research into the places you’ll visit – for example, are they known for things like weaving or pottery, or for certain fabrics or decorations? Note that any crafts made with straw must be declared and presented for inspection when you return home; this guards against the possibility of unintentionally importing a pest. Locally made food and beverages can make great souvenirs. Pop into a grocery store or market to look for local specialties like jams, sauces, candy, wine, spirits or ...

Our website is down

  Please be advised that the Cruise Holidays - OKC website is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance. This important update involves new software, upgraded hardware, and relocation to a different server-farm to enhance your online experience. We anticipate the website will be fully operational within a few days. During this period, you may access our services and information via our temporary website address:      athompson.cruiseholidays.com   Additionally, our travel blog remains accessible and regularly updated at:          blog.attheta.com   We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary interruption may cause and appreciate your understanding and patience.   Cruise Holidays - OKC

The Lingo of Cruising

Just as you learn a few phrases in the language of a destination you plan to visit, you can learn (or brush up on) cruise lingo before you get on a cruise ship. Once you’re on board, the crew will be happy to explain any terms or procedures you don’t understand, but wouldn’t it be nice to set sail feeling familiar with the vernacular? Here are some of the basic terms to know: Onboard Places Ship. This one is important: when you cruise, you’re on a ship, not a boat (boats are much smaller than ships). Gangway: A set of stairs or a ramp that connects the ship to a pier. Cabin: A sleeping compartment, also called a “stateroom.” Bridge: An upper deck where the captain and other officers navigate and steer the ship. Atrium: The central area of the ship, similar to a hotel lobby. Galley: A ship’s kitchen. Lido Deck: The pool deck (often the location of a casual buffet or restaurant, too). Onboard Directions Bow: The front of the ship, also called the “fore.” Aft: The back of the shi...