Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

When thinking about the next cruise you want to take, consider embarking from a home port outside of North America. There are dozens of fabulous cities where you can catch a cruise ship and enjoy a memorable pre-cruise or post-cruise stay. To get your imagination fired up, here’s a quick sample of home ports around the globe – and where you could sail from each one. London, England. Actually, only small ships can sail up the Thames to the city of London; ocean-going ships usually depart from Southampton. That’s just two hours away from London, so you can spend some pre-or post-cruise time soaking up history in the city’s museums, parks, galleries, and palaces. Many cruise itineraries are available from Southampton; for example, an 11-day London to Rome cruise may include port calls in Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy. Or choose a ship that sails north to the Norwegian fjords or the capital cities around the Baltic Sea. Hong Kong. Spread over several small islands, Hong Kong’s imm...

Years ago, there was really only one choice for dining on a cruise ship – the main dining room, a sit-down, banquet-style restaurant with multicourse menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner (a midnight buffet was common, too). Each passenger would have an assigned dining time and table, getting to know their tablemates throughout the cruise – the beginning of many enduring friendships. With elegant surroundings and favorite dishes from a mix of cuisines, main dining rooms are still a popular onboard dining choice. But while the dining room endures, most ships now offer other options for any meal. This provides more choice and flexibility, but can be a little confusing when you first step on board. Here are a few pointers that can help. As an alternative to the main dining room, most ships offer a casual buffet on the Lido Deck (where the main swimming pool is located). With a variety of main dishes, sides and desserts, the buffet is quick and convenient. And, while you should wear mo...

Today’s cruise ships have fabulous features to keep you entertained onboard, but many people cruise for what’s on shore as much as what’s on board. Shore excursions can be the most memorable part of a cruise, and more of them are being designed to provide active, cultural, and educational experiences. Here are some examples of new types of shore excursions being offered on a growing number of itineraries. Food excursions. It’s fun to learn about and taste the authentic local cuisine. Look for culinary shore excursions that visit a farm, restaurant, or cooking school. Some even start with a trip to a market to select ingredients for a favorite local dish, followed by watching – or even helping – a trained chef prepare it. Sustainability excursions. Many shore excursions emphasize the appreciation and preservation of nature and some cruise lines take care to work with local tour operators who are committed to reducing any impact on the environment. Some excursions take this a step fu...

As cruise lines make plans to restart operations, cruise fans are looking forward to sailing once again to their favorite destinations. If you haven’t made plans for your next cruise yet, consider one of these perennial favorites. The Caribbean The beautiful, blue waters of the Caribbean Sea are a year-round cruise destination. It’s close to home for many North Americans; Caribbean cruises sail from numerous ports along the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. The diverse islands of the Caribbean range from flat to mountainous, and sandy white beaches, turquoise water, and coral reefs are common features. The Caribbean also has lots of history and culture – the legacies of indigenous peoples, Africans, and European colonists – that make shore excursions beyond the beaches quite interesting. Alaska Alaska is rugged, and some of its most stunning scenery is actually best seen from a cruise ship. It’s smart to keep your camera ready to take photos at all times. There are misty...

Cruise lines are proud of their reputations for excellent onboard service – and that requires a hard-working crew. While on a cruise vacation you should focus on having a wonderful time, but don’t forget to appreciate the crew members who make it possible for you to do so. Cruise ship crews include an amazing variety of skilled professionals. They clean, cook, serve, mix drinks, do laundry, entertain, keep accounts, and lead activities. The crew also includes carpenters, engineers, electricians, officers, and – of course – the captain. Each of them is worthy of your appreciation. And if you want to go beyond basic politeness and really help the crew remember you fondly, here are some tips: Learn and use the names of the crew members who serve you. Your room steward, in particular, will learn your name and call you by it, and it’s courteous to return the favor. Take a moment to chat. If a crew member isn’t in a hurry, politely ask where they’re from, how long they’ve worked on the...

TRAVEL LEADERS NETWORK Happy Holidays from Anita & Garry Thompson, Cruise Holidays VIEW OUR HOLIDAY MESSAGE TRAVEL BETTER WITH ANITA, YOUR TRAVEL EXPERT. We’re here to ensure y...

< It's that time of year where the sky gets darker earlier, and people start to put lights on their houses, and towns begin to look a little brighter. The holidays are a special time of the year; we've come up with a list of places that go all out to celebrate! Christmas Woodstock, Vermont Named one of the "prettiest small towns in America" and included on the Yankee's list of "Best Christmas Celebrations in New England," Woodstock is a must-see during the holidays. It has become a popular destination, especially during its annual Wassail Weekend event. What you can expect if you visit during this festive weekend: Leavenworth, Washington Leavenworth is located to the east of the Cascade Mountains in North Central Washington. The snowy landscape's incredible views with over half a million sparkling lights make this Bavarian-style town a must-see destination during the holidays. Here are some things you can expect to see and do on...