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, July 28, 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 15th-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 there are found nowhere else on earth – lava lizards, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and more. With no large predators on the islands, the animals have little fear of visitors or cameras. Over time, the animals have adapted to each island’s unique conditions; that’s why the shells of giant tortoises are shaped differently on different islands, and finches have different beaks.

In Central America, Costa Rica and Panama offer gorgeous backdrops for adventure cruises, which sometimes include a transit of the Panama Canal. These small countries are rich in biodiversity, with national parks and reserves teeming with hundreds of species of plants and animals, including monkeys, sloths, and macaws. There are also beautiful beaches, jungle-covered mountains, and both humid and dry tropical forests. The Pacific coast offers water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, and surfing.

The South Pacific – usually defined as Australia and New Zealand plus the islands that dot Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia – is another place for warm-weather expedition cruising. This is a vast region with a choice of itineraries, but you’re likely to encounter stunning beaches, waterfalls, and archaeological relics (think cave drawings and ruined temples made of coral). Some itineraries also offer opportunities to learn about local traditions and to try some new water sports.

Expedition cruises often have expert naturalists, photographers, and/or historians on board to share their love and knowledge of the destination with you. For expert advice on which warm-weather expedition cruise destination is for you, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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Monday, July 21, 2025

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 a different taste of the local culture to take home. However, note that U.S. and state law might limit the amount of alcohol or tobacco products you can bring back with you, and fruits, vegetables, and meats are usually not allowed. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as a general rule, condiments, vinegars and oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee, tea, and many prepared foods are admissible.

T-shirts are always a fun souvenir. Whether they bear the name of the cruise line or the place where you buy them, they will remind you of your cruise every time you wear them. Look for t-shirts made of good-quality material that will last through lots of washes.

Holiday ornaments can help you remember past cruises, too. Some cruise fans have collections, decking their halls with all the ornaments they’ve collected on their voyages. You might choose a different small item to collect, too, like fridge magnets, bottle openers, coffee cups, or playing cards.

For more ideas, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor. Once on board, ask the crew at the passenger services desk for tips on popular souvenirs and places to shop. Passenger services may also be able to help if you need some local currency for shopping. And, one more tip: before purchasing a souvenir that could be used as a weapon, such as a knife or other sharp object, find out if it will be allowed on board.

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Monday, July 14, 2025

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

Monday, July 7, 2025

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 ship, also called the “stern.”

Starboard: The right side of the ship, when you’re facing the bow. This bit of lingo isn’t related to the stars, though. It comes from the Old English word “steorbord,” or “steer side,” because the oar (or rudder) used to steer a ship was usually on its right side.

Port: The left side of the ship, when you’re facing the bow. This evolved from “larbord,” or “load side,” because a ship’s left side was most often used for docking, loading, and unloading. If you mix up starboard and port, remember that “port” and “left” both have four letters.

Crew Members

Captain: The officer in command of the ship.

Cruise Director: The officer in charge of onboard entertainment and social activities.

Purser: The officer in charge of passenger services and billing.

Cabin Steward: A crew member who cleans and refreshes cabins and provides other guest services.

Safety Terms

Muster Station: A specific location where you should gather (or muster) if there’s an emergency.

Muster Drill: A mandatory drill that teaches passengers where to go and what to do in an emergency.

There’s much more to cruise lingo, but this list gives you a start. To book a cruise where you can use the lingo (and learn more), talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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