Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

The lovely Bayport Cruise Terminal in Houston, Texas, presents a new home port option for cruise passengers. Princess Cruises plans 27 departures from Houston during the 2013-2014 cruise season, sending the Caribbean Princess on seven-day cruises of the Western Caribbean.   In 2014, Norwegian Cruise Lines will also begin sailing seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from Houston on the Norwegian Jewel . Bayport Cruise Terminal is actually located just outside Houston, in Pasadena, Texas, along the Houston Ship Channel. Travel experts believe that Houston will be a convenient port of departure for many vacationers: in fact, more than 15 million people live within a half-day drive of Houston. Cruise fans from the Western and Midwestern regions of the U.S. also have a shorter trip to Houston than to the cruise ports of Florida. Traveling to Bayport Cruise Terminal by air is convenient, too, as the terminal is easily accessible from both of Houston’s airports, George Bush Inte...

Barcelona, Spain, is a major launching point for cruises of the Eastern Mediterranean, and the city’s art, architecture and culture tempt many cruisers to add some extra days to their cruise vacations to explore the capital of Catalonia. From the cruise ship dock, head to Las Ramblas, a wide avenue perfect for strolling. On the west side is the Raval neighborhood, known for theaters, nightlife and La Boqueria, an open-air market where you can sample Iberian ham and other regional specialties. On the east side is Barcelona’s oldest neighborhood, the Barri Gotic, full of historic buildings and airy plazas. Sprinkled among the stately churches and Roman-era walls are boutiques and cafes that serve delicious tapas (small plates) of Spanish omelet, Manchego cheese and Galician-style octopus, among other delicacies. You don’t have to be an architecture buff to enjoy the work of Antoni Gaudi, the architect most closely associated with Catalan Modernism. Several buildings in Barcelon...

Cruising is inherently romantic – picture you and your loved one out on the sea, away from the pressures of daily life, with nothing to do but enjoy yourselves. Taking a cruise that includes Valentine’s Day guarantees a romantic atmosphere – still, Cupid’s holiday calls for something extra-special. When booking a Valentine’s cruise, consider two very important choices: your destination and your stateroom. Some destinations automatically conjure romance (think Hawaii, Tahiti, Rio de Janeiro). Any cruise ship stateroom can be a romantic nest for two – but, for a Valentine’s cruise, think about stretching the budget a little to reserve the highest category of stateroom that you can afford. On many ships, higher-category staterooms come with extra amenities – private balconies, high-end linens, larger bathrooms, butler service or fresh flowers – that will make your Valentine’s Day more luxurious and memorable. Many cruise lines can facilitate extra touches of romance – for exa...

The rivers and seas of Europe have always been essential to life and trade. But, until the mid-1800s, European boats and ships were only concerned with moving cargo or hauling in the day’s catch – not with passengers or their comfort.   In 1835, Arthur Anderson, a sailor from the Shetland Isles, wrote about his vision of providing passenger service from Scotland to Iceland in the summer months, and from Scotland to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) in winter. Two years later, he co-founded the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), which became a major operator of passenger liners.   Other shipping lines, which got their start by carrying mail across the Atlantic, began to offer passenger service. More ships began to consider the comfort of passengers: in 1840 the Britannia , the first ship to sail under the Cunard Line name, reportedly took a cow on board to supply fresh milk on a trans-Atlantic crossing.   By the early 1...

All-inclusive vacations are an attractive option for many people who want to spend their vacation dollars wisely. “All-inclusive” means the basic costs of the vacation – lodging, dining entertainment and local transportation – are included in one base price. Cruises are considered to be all-inclusive, as are the all-inclusive resorts that dot the globe. What are the similarities and differences?   Whether you choose a cruise or a resort, you can expect your accommodations, meals and snacks, nightly entertainment and use of the ship’s or resort’s facilities to be included in the base price. A cruise or a resort will also have separate charges for optional extras, which can include airfare, specific beverages, spa treatments and gratuities, as well as shore excursions on a cruise and some activities at a resort. One other important similarity: with both types of vacations, you only have to unpack once.   Many vacationers would be equally happy on a cruise or at res...