Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Summer is the time that many vacation travelers – new graduates, honeymoon couples, solo travelers, families and retirees alike – look toward Europe as a cruise destination. Whether you would like to take a cruise or a cruisetour (a cruise combined with a land-based tour), visit a specific port of call or just sample what the Mediterranean or the Baltic has to offer, Europe can produce your dream cruise vacation. With growing demand for flights to Europe – as well as rising fuel costs and new fees and surcharges – airfares to Europe are currently on the high side. The Summer Olympics that will take place in London are driving up summer airfares not only for that city, but for other European capitals, like Brussels and Amsterdam, that are reasonably close to London via rail. However, don’t let intimidating airfares rule out a European cruise this summer. There are excellent values available on a variety of European cruise itineraries – in fact, savings on your cruise fare might ...

If you’re looking for some insight into up-and-coming cruise destinations, it may help to look at the new itineraries the cruise lines are planning to introduce in 2013. When established cruise lines add new itineraries, it can mean that the destination is on the verge of becoming hot! Carnival Cruise Lines recently announced that the repositioning of two ships will create an opportunity to offer new cruises of South America. While repositioning from the West Coast to New York during February and March 2013, the Carnival Splendor will sail three South American voyages: one from Long Beach, Calif., to Santiago, Chile; one from Santiago to Buenos Aires, Argentina; and one from Buenos Aires to New York. Once positioned in New York, the Splendor will sail to the Caribbean year-round. March 16-31, the Carnival Miracle will reposition from New York to Long Beach via the Panama Canal and will call on ports in five different countries: Turks & Caicos, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemal...

Recognizing that some cruise passengers enjoy smoking and some enjoy being free from smoke, many cruise lines designate certain areas on their ships for cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking, and others as smoke-free zones. Most cruise lines have made their indoor areas, including passenger cabins, completely non-smoking. Some ships make exceptions in areas such as casinos, discos, and bars – either a portion or the entirety of these areas may be open for smoking.   On many ships, smoking is permitted on certain outdoor decks, often on one side of the ship. Watch for signage or the presence of ashtrays, which will help you identify where smoking is or is not allowed. Note that smoking policies and designated areas are not necessarily consistent from one ship to another, even when the ships are in the same cruise line’s fleet. Penalties for evidence of smoking in restricted areas also vary, but usually involve a significant cleaning fee. Smoking is sometimes permitted on priv...

In November 2008, Celebrity Cruises introduced its first Solstice Class ship with features never before seen at sea, such as a half-acre “Lawn Club” with real, growing grass, and a “Hot Glass” glassblowing show. In addition, larger staterooms – thoughtfully designed by a group of five discerning women – and new, hip specialty restaurants created lots of Solstice Class fans. Since the first ship in the class, the Celebrity Solstice , made its debut, Celebrity has launched three more: the Celebrity Equinox , the Celebrity Eclipse and the Celebrity Silhouette . A fifth ship, the Celebrity Reflection , is scheduled to launch in October. The Solstice Class still earns rave reviews for its more-spacious-than-usual cabins. Passengers love the roomy bathrooms, the warm colors used in the decor, and the considerable storage space. Balconies are attached to an impressive 85 percent of Solstice Class cabins.   In addition to the Lawn Club and Hot Glass Show, each Solstice Class ship...

Last weekend, the Disney Wonder was in Seattle -- heading out on a maiden voyage to Alaska!  Since this was a "new ship" to the Seattle area, two good friends (Ned & Carolyn) wanted to see the Disney Wonder at the pier. This was expected...  Ned loves cruise ships!  His idea of a great Father's Day is to get the family up early and go to the Port of Seattle to watch the cruise ships return from Alaska.  After the four ships have docked, the family will go for a well deserved breakfast before returning to the Eastside. Our thanks to Ned & Carolyn for sending these pictures of the Disney Wonder in Seattle to post on our blog. Ned, we hope you and your family have nice weather for your Father's Day trip to the pier.  Please send pictures!  Oh yes, we wish you a Happy Father's Day at the pier.