Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

This shared message was written by our customer after a river cruise in November on the Viking Spirit from Paris.  As you will read, she was very pleased with her river cruise.   Jeanine, thanks for sharing your thoughts about your trip! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Just want to thank you for helping with our trip - it was just wonderful!  Everything was perfect and we would highly recommend Viking to anyone! Our flight on Delta from Sea-Amsterdam-Paris was very smooth.  The nonstop from Paris to Seattle was very smooth also.  Granted it was an 11 hour flight, but knowing that we didn't have to get off and change planes was very nice.  They fed us many times and we watched about 4 movies! The car service you arranged at Paris was an excellent idea.  We picked up our luggage, walked out of baggage claim and there he was!  Simple and easy! The hotel was okay, but I wouldn't recommend it - it's...

In 1873, the fictional adventurer Phineas Fogg managed to go “Around the World in 80 Days” by ship, train, elephant, and even wind-powered sled. Today, he could simply book a world cruise. Of course, world cruises usually last 90 to 120 days, so Fogg might not have made his deadline; but, the cruise would have allowed him to relax, unwind and enjoy a more leisurely look at exotic cultures without worry about making his next connection.   A variety of cruise lines offer world cruises. Cunard Line offers grand and elegant world cruises; Crystal Cruises provides another luxury option. For a luxury small-ship experience, check out the world cruises from Silversea and Seabourn. In addition, Princess Cruises, Holland America and Costa Cruises offer world cruises on comfortable midsize ships.   With lengthy itineraries, world cruises tend to offer a mix of major ports and those outside the usual cruise routes. For example, Cunard’s 2014 world cruise on the Queen Elizabeth ...

In its 2014 Cruise Trends survey, Cruise Holidays International asked its experts across the U.S. and Canada about their clients’ top reasons for booking a particular cruise. For the fourth consecutive year, cruise itinerary was the top consideration, followed by price.   Fortunately, c ruising is always a terrific vacation value. Everything you need is included in the cruise fare (some optional items, such as spa treatments and shore excursions, are usually available at an extra cost). But, some cruise destinations provide even better-than-expected value; and, you may be surprised to know that these include some of the most popular regions for cruising.   In its survey, Cruise Holidays also asked its experts which regions they expect to present the best values during 2014. The top answer is one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations: the Caribbean.   The Caribbean actually has three distinctive areas for cruising: the diverse islands of the Easte...

Prior to the beginning of our cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago, we had several surprises.   As you might expect, not all surprises are pleasant… Exchange Rate Our first surprise was the currency exchange rate.   We try to enter a country with a limited amount of local currency.   We don’t want to look for an ATM or money changer when we are tired and jet lagged.    While waiting for our flight to Buenos Aires from Houston, I exchanged dollars for Argentine Pesos.   After the commission, we received about 5.5 pesos to the dollar, while the standard exchange rate is 6.5 pesos to the dollar.   Not a good start, but we had pesos in our pocket. While on the bus from the airport in Buenos Aires to our hotel, we were told the official rate is 6.5 pesos to 1 dollar, but many merchants and street traders will give you a much higher rate for dollars.   This fluctuation in value appears to be caused by a high rate of inflation – t...

The cruise industry’s 2014 calendar includes the launches of exciting new ships for deep water cruises and river cruises. Built with the latest technologies for safety, security, stability and environmental protection, these ships also offer new features for passengers’ comfort and enjoyment.   In its 2014 Cruise Trends survey, Cruise Holidays International asked its experts across the U.S. and Canada which is the most-anticipated new ship for 2014. The overwhelming choice was Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas .   While this ship won’t launch until November, it’s been open for booking since May 2013. With unique features like a skydiving simulator, a glass capsule that rises 300 feet above the water for wonderful 360-degree views, and virtual balconies that bring outdoor visuals to inside staterooms, it’s no wonder the ship accounts for nearly 20% of all Cruise Holidays cruise bookings looking into 2015. Quantum of the Seas will sail from Cape...

To tour Europe’s interior in a comfortable, relaxing way, more travelers are choosing river cruises. And, thanks to Cruise Holidays’ 2014 Cruise Trends Survey, we know the five European cities that river cruisers are visiting most often:   Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The museums are full of masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh; charming buildings line the historic canals and city squares, and cozy cafes are everywhere. Cruises from Amsterdam venture down the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, some as far as Budapest. During the height of tulip season, round-trip cruises from Amsterdam focus on the region’s gorgeous tulip fields.   Budapest, Hungary. Buda, on the west bank of the Danube, and Pest, on the east, were separate cities until 1873. Pest’s tree-lined avenues include Andrássy út, a world heritage site that begins at Heroes’ Square. The Castle District of Buda is full of medieval and baroque architecture, including Buda Castle, first occupied in 1...

This past weekend, we returned from our cruise around Cape Horn in South America.   The cruise was only 14 days, but we escaped from the cold for almost four weeks.   It was a great trip!   During the trip, we were able to mark off three of our “bucket list” items: Iguazu Falls, Cape Horn/Patagonia, and Machu Picchu! Within the next few weeks, we expect to write more details about our trip and some of the unexpected experiences along the way.   That’s what makes travelling fun, the unexpected experiences…   You are correct, some are good and others are not so good…   Wait until we write about our experience exchanging dollars for Argentina currency. Since Iquazu Falls is on the border of Brazil and Argentina, you can stay at a hotel in either country.   However, If you stay at a hotel in Brazil, you need a visa.   From the US, the Brazilian visa is difficult to obtain and it’s expensive.   If you stay at a hotel in Argentina, ...