Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Contact-Free Technologies for Your Next Cruise   Long before the COVID-19 pandemic began, the cruise industry was working on new technologies to make cruising more convenient. For example, cruise line apps have made it easier for passengers to check the daily activity schedule, message each other onboard, pull up deck maps, make spa reservations, and more. But now that the whole world is more aware of the risks that come with a highly contagious virus, cruise line apps are valued for more than the convenience they deliver: they also make a cruise more contact-free.   You can expect to see other contract-free technologies on future cruises, such as facial recognition technology. These systems scan faces to quickly recognize you as they get on or off the ship, el...

A cruise ship does much more than get passengers from one port to another; it’s a self-contained entertainment complex, too, with loads of options for fun, relaxation and education. So, how can you make the most of your time onboard?   Our advice is to learn about your ship before you embark. The cruise line’s website has lots of information about the layout and features of the ship and the activities available during your cruise. When you know more about what’s onboard, you can make a plan. Here are a few things to consider:   With the exception of some river cruise ships, most ships have a swimming pool – and often more than one – surrounded by lounge chairs. It’s easy to spend a whole afternoon there with a good book and a refreshing drink. And, your s...

Do you have a hobby you love, or an interest you want to explore? Ask your professional travel advisor about themed cruises that can immerse you in activities you enjoy, with the added attraction of visiting an exotic port or two. There are themed cruises on topics as diverse as dance, motorcycles, scrapbooking, holistic therapies, food and wine, sports, cats – and many more.   Lots of themed cruises focus on music. There’s a week-long Jazz Cruise on the  Celebrity Summit , scheduled to depart Miami in January with more than 100 jazz musicians on board and ready to perform. The ship will call on the beautiful islands of Curacao and Aruba, too. And that’s just one example; other music-themed cruises will surround you with the sounds of rock, country, hip-hop, soul, classical, disco, and other genres.   Some themed cruises are based on popular television sh...

The next time you step aboard a cruise ship, why not take a long cruise? If you’re yearning to get out to sea and explore new destinations, you could consider an amazing world cruise that calls on multiple continents.   And if you don’t have time for a full world cruise (usually 100 nights or longer), consider booking a segment of a world cruise. It’s a wonderful option for enjoying a long, relaxing cruise without committing to a complete world cruise.   More good news: there are many world cruise segments to choose from. Here’s a sampling of the segments announced for world cruises set to launch in early 2022:   The  Crystal Serenity  will depart from Miami for a 116-night world cruise, but you can book o...

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...