Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Cruise lovers eagerly await new ships that promise first-at-sea attractions. Here’s a look at a few features being planned for ships that will debut in 2020. Keep in mind that we never know for sure how many great new features a ship will have until it’s ready to sail: the cruise lines like to keep some things secret, and plans can change while a ship is still under construction. For now, we know Royal Caribbean is getting the 4,198-passenger  Odyssey of the Seas ready to debut in November 2020. It will be the line’s first Quantum Ultra Class ship in North America. Royal Caribbean says the Odyssey’s top-deck SeaPlex will be the most action-packed top deck to date. It will have interactive virtual reality games for individual and group play, augmented reality gaming walls, bumper cars, and glow-in-the-dark laser tag (Yetis vs. Snow Shifters). The SeaPlex will also have familiar (but still exciting) Royal Caribbean features like surf and sky diving simulators, plus a bungee t...

A Caribbean cruise that calls on Barbados actually ventures a little outside the Caribbean. Lying east of the rest of the Lesser Antilles, Barbados is technically in the Atlantic. In fact, there’s not much but water between Barbados and Western Africa; more on that in a moment. Your ship will sail up to the island’s southeastern shore, where the capital of Bridgetown is flanked by stretches of white sand beach. It’s tempting to spend the day relaxing on the sand, enjoying a swim and a lunch buffet, and many visitors do just that. For something a little more adventurous, hop on a catamaran and sail to Turtle Bay, where the wild sea turtles make their nests along the beach. You can swim and snorkel in the bay alongside some of these friendly creatures. If you venture beyond the beaches, you’ll find lots of interesting things to see and do inland. Sugar cane was once the foundation of the Barbadian economy, and while all that remains of many plantations are some atmospheric ruin...

Many adventurous souls dream of sailing the world. If you’re one of them, take a look at the fabulous options for taking a world cruise. What makes a cruise a world cruise? World cruises sail three months or more, visiting multiple continents and immersing you in an array of scenery, historic sites, and modern wonders. World cruises focus on onshore and cultural experiences, and often sail on smaller, luxury ships. The crew makes things easy, taking you from port to port and filling days at sea with learning opportunities and fun activities. Most world cruises set sail in January, with some exceptions. Some literally sail around the globe, making a full circumnavigation. Others don’t, but still visit dozens of ports, including some it’s not possible to see on any other type of cruise. Here’s a look at a few world cruises coming up in 2020 and 2021: A Cunard Line ship completed the first continuous circumnavigation cruise in 1922 and has sailed more world cruises than any other line. Th...

Port Klang is the closest cruise terminal to Kuala Lumpur, called KL by the locals.   There are no markets or sights in Klang, so be prepared for the hour commute into KL, the federal capital of Malaysia. We are familiar with KL since I lived in the area while we built a new cellular telecom network.  However, much has changed in the past twenty years.  Malaysia wanted to be a first-world economy by the year 2020.  The people have improved the economic and the living conditions, but still have room for improvement.  Still, it was a very pleasant surprise – except for the jam. Traffic in KL is almost like a living thing, the jam moves, grows, and blocks traffic.   Don’t go anywhere in a hurry, and always carry something to read and a bottle of water.   Take a ship tour in Malaysia (we do not recommend a private guide), the ship will wait for your tour to return to the dock.   A private guided tour can easily be delayed in the jam and yo...

As much as we love the expansive feeling of cruising on a wide-open ocean, we highly recommend the close-to-shore experience of a river cruise, too. There’s so much to see along the interior waterways of the world: major cities, quaint villages, castles and temples, mountains and valleys, and amazing cultural treats. Where can you take a river cruise? There are lots of possibilities. In Europe, the Danube is a popular choice for cruising. It flows along or through 10 different countries, so you can visit wonderful destinations from Germany to the Black Sea on a single itinerary (though most cruises focus on just one of the river’s three sections: upper, middle or lower). Vienna and Budapest are two of the most popular ports on the Danube. The Rhine is another historic European river, flowing from the Swiss Alps through Germany and the Netherlands to the North Sea. The river goes through areas of outstanding natural beauty, with castles, churches and vineyards perched on t...

Our next port of call was the city of Georgetown on Penang Island (Malaysia), another UNESCO World Heritage site.   It was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. The cruise terminal is within easy walking distance of the old town and Fort Cornwallis (built in 1786). On Penang, we had arranged a private tour of old George Town for our Distinctive Voyages group.   The highlight of our tour was a two-hour trishaw (bicycle powered cart for one passenger) tour of the old town.   The trishaw drivers transported us thru the old town, Little India, and between our tour sites.   At each stop, our driver would wait for us to return to our trishaw and we would go to the next site.   A great way to visit George Town in the heat.   Since Penang is in the tropics, it’s always hot and muggy. One of our stops was a tour of the Blue Mansion, an   historical hotel and filming site for many movies including Crazy Rich Asians and Anna and t...

Rangoon, the largest city in Myanmar (Burma) has two names, Rangoon and Yangon.   Today, the locals call it Yangon.   The Azamara Quest spent three days (two nights) docked in the river near the city. Due to changing tide levels in the river, the cruise terminal is on the Yangon River, south of the city.   Unfortunately, the drive to the city is 90+ minutes.   Road construction and traffic can cause major delays.   In this port of call, we were glad we took tours offered by the ship. A large refinery is near the cruise terminal and gas transports often block both lanes of the two-lane road as they wait to fill their tankers.   On our first visit to Yangon from the cruise terminal, we were stuck in a jam for more than an hour.   Our return to the ship from a tour was more than two hours.   The tour of the city was fantastic!   The Shwedagon Pagoda is the primary tourist site in the city – and well worth the trip.   The...

On our group cruise in Southeast Asia, we stopped in Phuket for an overnight visit – two days on the tropical island.   The cruise pier is south of Phuket City and is in a remote location, no nearby shops or tourist sites. The only way to reach the tourist areas is on a structured tour or to take a taxi into the city. It seems that all the venues are an hour or more away from the pier. On our first day in Phuket, we booked a beach break tour at the Dusit Thani Laguna Resort on the west side of the island.   This is the famous beach area of Phuket. Unfortunately, it rained most of the day and when not raining, it was hot and muggy – not the best day to enjoy the beach.   Since It was a 90-minute drive each way to/from the beach, we did get to see a lot of the island. We returned to the ship in time to change and have dinner before attending an “Azamazing Evening” event in the city.   There, we enjoyed a folkloric event of song and dance by Thai performers in...

In November, we escorted a group on the Azamara Quest, roundtrip Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar. Our last visit to Singapore was four years ago. The city hasn’t really changed, and we have always enjoyed our visits to the island nation. As we left Changi Airport for the hotel, I was surprised by the lack of litter, graffiti, and exhaust fumes from older vehicles.   Then I remembered, Singapore takes pride in a clean city and environment.   You can drink the water and eat at the hawker stands (food courts). Our recommended hotel in Singapore is the Hilton.   It’s on the north end of Orchard road, near shopping, restaurants, and the subway.   We spent three nights at the Hilton Hotel.   It’s in the heart of the city and has plenty of upscale shopping nearby.   We walked a lot and used the MRT (subway) for access to remote sites.    We didn’t go out at night but would not have any concerns about walking to nearby venues – It...

Enduring traditions in art, fashion, music and cuisine make Italy an awesome place to cruise. Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula extends into the Mediterranean Sea, creating more than 1,000 miles of beautiful coastline. There’s an abundance of cruise ship ports to explore on Italy’s western coast alone. Here are some highlights, from north to south. Perhaps best known as the hometown of explorer Christopher Columbus, Genoa is well worth exploring. There are promenades that overlook the sea; the Stade Nuova (new streets) and fabulous palaces built when Genoa was at the height of its wealth; and many historic churches, museums and piazzas. Or, take an excursion to Portofino, a lovely holiday resort on a promontory south of Genoa. Many passengers who disembark in Livorno immediately take off on an excursion to Pisa (to see the Leaning Power), Lucca (to see the Renaissance-era city walls), or Florence (a city filled with Renaissance art and architecture). But Livorno has a lot to offer, too...

Winter is coming, and you may need a break from the stretch of chilly days ahead. Why not plan a winter cruise? We have some suggestions about where to sail. Beautiful and close to home, the Caribbean offers warmth and hospitality all year long, even during the darkest days of winter. The beaches, gardens, dive sites, hiking trails, scenic overlooks and historic ports of the Caribbean will be ready to give you the winter break you dream of, wrapped in warm temperatures and tropical breezes. Central America is a year-round cruise destination, the North American winter is a wonderful time to cruise the Panama Canal. In addition to discovering this feat of ingenuity and engineering, you can take shore excursions to the coffee plantations, rain forests and cloud forests of Panama. Clustered around the equator (and therefore warm all year), the Galapagos Islands will give you a memorable winter cruise experience. These isolated Pacific islands, about 600 miles west of Ecuado...

You may not think of a cruise as a learning environment, but you can actually learn quite a lot on a cruise ship. Many cruises, especially those that include days at sea, offer fun and interesting opportunities to pick up some new skills. Exactly what you can learn depends on your cruise line, ship, and itinerary. But, here are some of the most common things you can learn on a cruise, often at no additional charge. Cooking . Food is an essential and enjoyable part of any cruise, and many ships offer cooking demonstrations and classes. Chef-led classes can show you how to prepare a shipboard favorite or a signature dish from the region you’re visiting. Photography. Several cruise lines have onboard photography classes that will help you take photos like a pro. You may pick up some photo editing skills, too. Linen Folding. You, too, can learn to fold dinner napkins into intricate patterns or construct a work of art out of a bath towel. Use these new skills to amaze your family and frie...

What type of special occasion can you celebrate on a cruise? Just about anything! Lots of people cruise to mark a special occasion, be it a birthday, graduation, family reunion or another life milestone. Anything in the matrimonial category – proposals, bachelor/bachelorette parties, commitment ceremonies, weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, vow renewals – even divorces – are often celebrated on a cruise. Mainstream and luxury cruise lines are very experienced at helping guests celebrate special occasions. Depending on your destination and the features of your ship, you could: Have dinner in your stateroom , a very good choice for a honeymoon, anniversary or any other romantic occasion. If you have a balcony, your room steward and waiter can set up your dinner in the open air. A beautiful sunset and ocean view will amp up the ambiance. Have dinner in a specialty restaurant, another great choice for a romantic dinner, or a gourmet experience for a group. You may have ...

Good news – it’s almost fall, shoulder season! We’re not talking about covering your shoulders against the post-summer chill but taking a wonderful cruise at a time when prices drop, promotions abound and ports are not as busy. Coming after the peak summer season and before the start of any bad winter weather, many consider fall shoulder season to be the very best time to cruise. On some itineraries, you will see a reduction in price versus summertime fares. You should also see more value-added offers, such as discounted airfare to and from the port, or discounts on drinks packages and shore excursions. So, where should you cruise during fall should season? The weather will be cooler but still pleasant in Northern Europe, where you can cruise the British Isles or Scandinavia. Fall brings glorious color to the shores of a European river cruise (just be sure to sail before the Christmas Markets open, when prices will rise again). As for the Mediterranean, cruises in this ...

To experience the newest innovations in cruising, it makes sense to consider cruising on a new ship. Several ships, now in the final stages of construction, are set to make their debuts in 2020, including the following: Celebrity Cruises will launch the Celebrity Apex , the second ship in its Edge series, in April. Like its sister ship, the Celebrity Edge , the Apex will offer new-to-cruising features like the Magic Carpet, a space that can move up and down the ship, transforming from an expansion of the embarkation area, to a restaurant, to a bar with a Deck 16 view. The Apex will also have Infinite Veranda cabins, which use folding windows to blend the indoors and outdoors. The ship will also feature two fabulous new suite classes: the 2,500-square-foot Iconic Suite and the two-level Edge Villa. The ship will make its debut out of Southampton, England, to sail northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Princess Cruises will add to its Royal Class with the Enchanted Princess...

There’s a reason most ships that sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries stop in St. Thomas, the best-known of the U.S. Virgin Islands. There’s an amazing number of things to do and see packed into the island’s 32 square miles. And, it’s all set against a stunning backdrop of green mountains, fringed with natural beaches and the deep blue water of the Caribbean. Your ship will arrive at one of two docks next to the main town of Charlotte Amalie – either Havensight Pier or Crown Bay. There are shops and diversions at both of these docks, but for serious duty-free shopping you’ll want to head into town. Along Veterans Street, there are lots of elegant shops stocked with designer fashion, fine jewelry, perfume, and liquor. If you’re looking for local art and hand-made crafts, many of the best shops and galleries are outside of the downtown so you may want to hire a driver and do a little exploring. While the shopping is great, there’s much more to Charlotte Amalie. Historic sites i...

The winter holidays are a popular time to cruise, and ships fill quickly – but there’s still time to book a great itinerary for you and your family, especially if you work with your professional travel advisor. If you haven’t taken a holiday season cruise before, it’s absolutely delightful. You won’t miss out on any of the festivities, music, food or fellowship that you look forward to at the holidays (and you won’t need to clean or cook while you’re afloat, unless it’s in a demonstration kitchen). Throughout the holiday season, cruise ships are beautifully decorated with glittering ornaments and twinkling lights (providing abundant selfie opportunities). The galley crew creates special holiday dinners with traditional favorites, sometimes with a local twist. You’ll hear the sounds of the season throughout the ship, too, and crew members and passengers often get together for sing-alongs and caroling. During December, Santa is likely to make an appearance or two, equippe...

If you’ve explored Cozumel, Cancun and Riviera Maya, there’s another side of Mexico you should cruise: the Mexican Riviera along the Pacific Ocean. The coastline – lots of sandy beaches backed by lush green mountains – is visually stunning, and the charming ports are ready to welcome cruise ship passengers. The Mexican Riviera is a year-round cruise destination, and there’s a lot to do. Excursions range from exciting watersports to fascinating remnants of ancient civilizations. Ensenada is the northernmost port on the Mexican Riviera, less than 70 miles south of the U.S. Lots of visitors like to visit La Bufadora, a marine geyser that spouts water 60 feet into the air. If you like wine, you may be surprised to learn that the area around Ensenada is a developing wine district – and, you can visit some of the wineries. At the southern tip of Baja California, Cabo San Lucas is where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific, with scenic results. Try your hand at stand-up paddleboa...

A cruise can take you to distant lands, multiple continents, and even all the way around the globe. Or, a cruise can be a brief but fantastic getaway – a “long weekend” experience that relaxes and refreshes you. In fact, taking a weekend cruise has lots of advantages. For one, it’s a really affordable way to cruise. Cruises, in general, are known for their great value, but weekend cruises are especially easy on your budget. And if you haven’t cruised before, a weekend sailing can be a good way to discover how wonderful a cruise vacation is. You don’t have to use up all of your vacation days. Many weekend cruises depart on Thursday or Friday and return Sunday or Monday, so your time away from work will be minimal. It’s an easy way to take a weekend getaway. Once you choose a ship and a stateroom, there’s no need to worry about finding things to do or making dinner reservations. All the dining and entertainment you want will be right on board. Bring the girls, guys, or...

If you don’t have friends who own private islands, don’t worry – just sign up for a cruise that features a visit to a private island. Several cruise lines own a small island (or part of a larger island) for the exclusive enjoyment of their guests. Most are in the Bahamas or the Caribbean, but at least one cruise line plans to establish private islands in other regions. The private island trend began as a way for cruise lines to give guests a hassle-free beach day, complete with lounge chairs and a BBQ lunch buffet. Now, the trend is toward spectacular activities (although you can still enjoy lunch and a nap on the beach). For example, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line recently unveiled a refurbishment of its private island in The Bahamas, “Perfect Day at CocoCay.” A new waterpark features North America’s tallest waterslide (the 135-foot Daredevil’s Peak), the Caribbean’s largest wave pool, a 1,600-foot-long zip line and a helium balloon that will take you up 450 feet to enjoy the view. Get a...

If you love trying new craft beers, it’s a pastime you can indulge in on your next cruise. Whether you prefer ales or lagers, more ships are featuring places to enjoy craft brews, so you’re sure to find one suited to your palate. You’ll have company, too: a recent Travel Leaders Group survey determined that 44% of consumers make a point of trying local or regional craft beers when they travel. If you’d like to set sail with a variety of flavorful brews, here are some options. The Equinox and the Eclipse are two Celebrity Cruises ships that feature craft beer lounges. Originally called Gastrobar on both ships, a recent refurbishment of the Equinox brought a name change to Craft Social. In both lounges, you’ll find about 40 boutique brews on tap or in bottles. There are also cocktails, a nice wine list, and a wide selection of gourmet bar bites, from steamed pork buns to truffled grilled cheese. The ambiance is sophisticated coziness, with low lighting, flat-screen TVs for viewing a game...

The Caribbean is a top cruise destination, and ports like St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Aruba are among the most popular places for cruise ships to visit. There’s a reason for that: these ports are full of wonderful things to see and do, from adventurous excursions to a lazy day at the beach. However, there are other Caribbean ports that, while quieter, have just as much to offer. When planning your next Caribbean cruise, ask your professional travel advisor about itineraries that include some of these less-visited cruise ports. Tortola, part of the British Virgin Islands, is surrounded by clear, calm water beloved by snorkelers, divers, yacht captains, and fish. The mountainous island offers hiking trails and white sand beaches where you can sun, swim or kayak. Or, take a day trip to surrounding islands like lively Jost Van Dyke or Virgin Gorda, where you can explore the “Baths” – boulder formations that shelter cool grottos – and the Treasure Caves of Norman Island. Bonaire’s protectiv...

When your cruise sails to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s an automatic must-see. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated more than 1,000 sites around the world that are considered irreplaceable due to their outstanding cultural or natural importance. Here are just a few of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can visit on a cruise: The Amazon The Amazon River and its massive drainage basin in and around northern Brazil is one of the most biodiverse areas on earth. It teems with wildlife like electric fish, giant otters, black caimans and freshwater dolphins, and colorful flora. Some cruises of the Caribbean include the eastern portion of the Amazon, but you can also find cruises that focus solely on the famous river. Glacier Bay Glacier Bay National Park, a highlight of many cruises of Alaska’s Inside Passage, protects sensitive marine ecosystems and ancestral homelands of the Tlingit people. About 80% of visitor...

The coastline of Norway, decorated with fjords and waterfalls, is dramatic and exciting. It’s a different type of cruise experience and a spectacular alternative to cruises of Southeastern Alaska. Several ice ages helped to carve the Norwegian coastline with deep, U-shaped valleys. When the ice melted, these glacial valleys filled with water, forming the deep, breathtaking fjords you can sail among today. With a wide variety of itinerary lengths and ship types – mainstream, premium, luxury and expedition – you have lots of choices for cruising Norway. To start, many people choose a 7- to 10-day cruise that focuses on the fjords along the southern third of the coast. Options for cruise lines include Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC and others. To maximize your time among the fjords, look for a cruise that departs from Oslo or Bergen and visits ports like Stavanger, Geiranger, Alesund and Flam. If you’d like to sai...

Where can you set sail aboard a cruise ship? Most of us are familiar with the biggest cruise ship home ports, including New York, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Los Angeles. But there are more options, including some that may allow you to drive, instead of fly, to your ship. By some estimates, about half of U.S. residents live within driving distance of a cruise ship. Home ports also typically offer fun opportunities for a pre- or post-cruise stay. Here is a list of cruise departure ports you may not be aware of: In the northeast:  Baltimore, MD: Board a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ship bound for Bermuda, Canada or the Bahamas. Boston, MA: Sail to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, or the New England and Canadian coast with Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises or Royal Caribbean. Montreal, QC: From the cruise terminal in Old Montreal, sail with Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises...

The Galapagos Islands have become an incredibly popular cruise destination and it’s no wonder. These small, volcanic islands are like no place else on earth. A remote province of Ecuador, which lies 550 miles to the east, the islands teem with wildlife found nowhere else on the globe. They are a World Heritage Site, a biological marine reserve, and a national park. In other words, a real treasure. A small-ship cruise is an ideal way to visit these special islands. A luxurious ship provides easy movement between the islands, along with comfortable accommodations and exceptional dining. There are cruises as brief as four days and some as long as 18 days, which usually includes a pre-or post-cruise stay in Ecuador. To see a good variety of Galapagos habitats and species, experts recommend a cruise of at least eight days. Cruise ship routes in the Galapagos are carefully controlled for the protection and preservation of the islands’ unique ecologies, but there are variations be...