The Best Cruise Line Private Islands

Really, any cruise line private island could be on this list of the best: all of them are lovely tropical getaways designed to provide a relaxing experience. While cruise line private islands have that in common, each has unique features, and focusing on the differences enabled us to make these picks:

Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line. We rate this 1,000-acre island in the northern Bahamas highly for its wonderful array of family activities, combined with serene adults-only spaces. There’s a splash playground for the youngest guests, a club for school-aged kids and a teen hideout. Everyone can enjoy kayaks and paddleboats, foosball and table tennis in the Game Pavilion, and snorkeling in the crystal-clear lagoon. Rent a cabana – in the family area or at adults-only Serenity Bay – to enjoy comfortable lounges, a stocked mini-fridge, your own shower, beach gear and butler service. Guests rave about the quality of the food at Castaway Cays’ beach buffet, too.

CocoCay, Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean recently spent $250 million to refurbish this island in the Bahamas, and the results are fantastic. The centerpiece is a waterpark with North America’s tallest water slide (the 135-foot Daredevil’s Peak), a giant wave pool, and a helium balloon that will take you 450 feet up in the air. Grab a bite at the Chill Grill, or enjoy upscale fare at the Coco Beach Club. Visit the swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon, then lounge on a swim-up island. Rent a clamshell chair or a cabana on the sand; or, try Bali-style luxury in an over-water cabana with bottled water, fresh towels, a USB outlet and a Bluetooth speaker for your music.

Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line

Harvest Caye is distinctive because it’s one of few cruise ship private islands outside the Bahamas. Just a quick ferry ride off the coast of Belize, Harvest Caye has a resort vibe, with a 15,000-square-foot pool, a seven-acre beach, and a splash playground for little ones. Glide across the caye on a zip line; paddle across the lagoon in a kayak; and visit macaws, toucans and other tropical friends in the nature park. Shady cabanas equipped with air conditioning, bathrooms and Wi-Fi are available for rent. Surprisingly, there’s no buffet: instead, select from locally-operated island bars and restaurants.

For more information about these and other private islands – including Princess Cays, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay and MSC Cruises’ Ocean Cay – talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

Transatlantic Cruising: A Great Vacation Choice

If you want a different type of cruise experience, a transatlantic cruise might be what you’re looking for. If you seek tranquility, a transatlantic voyage gives you time to find it. A cruise ship usually takes at least six days to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and more if there’s a stop or two along the way; some transatlantic crossings take two weeks or more.

Most of the cruise is spent at sea, and you can spend time reading, writing and reflecting; enjoying portable hobbies like knitting or embroidery, or simply gazing at the changing colors and moods of the ocean. The peacefulness of a transatlantic crossing is a wonderful opportunity for romantic partners or old friends to reconnect.

You’ll also have lots of time to enjoy the amenities of the ship: for example, working out in the gym, pampering yourself in the spa, and trying all of the dining options. Transatlantic cruises tend to bring extra entertainment and learning opportunities on board, so you could learn to paint, bake or fence, or add to your knowledge of music, history or drama. You’ll have time and opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers, too.

There are two basic types of transatlantic cruises:

·         Repositioning cruises usually take place in spring or fall, when a ship relocates from one part of the globe to another. For example, ships that sail the Baltic or Mediterranean during the summer might cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean or South America for the winter season. Many major cruise lines – including Celebrity, Holland America, and Princess – offer this type of cruise.

·         Other transatlantic cruises are not for repositioning a ship, but simply for the joy of crossing the Atlantic. These are mostly offered by luxury cruise lines like Crystal, Cunard, or Silversea. The season for regular transatlantic cruises is April through November.

On a transatlantic cruise, you’re likely to visit at least one port of call. Popular stops include Bermuda, where attractions include golf courses, art galleries, historic British forts and pink sand beaches. Ships repositioning from the Mediterranean might call on Madeira, a beautiful garden island; or Tenerife, where 12,000-foot-high Mount Tiede overlooks banana plantations, charming villages and pretty beaches.

Transatlantic cruises often have attractive fares, but keep in mind that you’ll need to book at least one transatlantic flight – unless you book back-to-back transatlantic cruises. To consider the options, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

Try a Suite for Family Cruise Fun

When you plan a cruise for your family, you’re the best judge of how much cabin space you need. If you plan to be up on deck or exploring the shore most of the time, using your cabin just to shower and sleep, consider an economical standard inside or outside stateroom. But, if you need a little more elbow room to be happy, consider a cabin designed with families in mind. You’ll spend a bit more, but the extra space and amenities may raise everyone’s enjoyment of your family cruise vacation.

Disney Cruise Line caters to families, and its ships offer many connecting cabins so parents and kids can enjoy separate-yet-connected spaces. In addition to a full bath, most Disney cabins have an additional half bath, a major advantage for families. You can also go way upscale: on the Disney Magic, the Concierge Royal Suite with Veranda sleeps seven, with four TVs and floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll love the walk-in closets, granite and marble baths, down duvets, and pillow menu.

Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Encore offers a Family Oceanview Cabin (technically it’s not a suite, so it’s easier on the budget). Kids can gaze at the water through the picture window or watch a movie on the big-screen TV. These cabins have great storage space, and larger bathrooms with bathtubs – a plus when traveling with little ones. Some Norwegian ships also have two-bedroom, two-bath villas in The Haven, a special ship-within-a-ship area. These villas have 24-hour butler service, plus exclusive pool and dining areas just for Haven guests. The Haven has a focus on tranquility, so this may be a good choice for families with older (or at least quieter) kids.

Most Royal Caribbean ships have a range of cabins designed for families, from interior cabins that accommodate a family of six to a lavish Presidential Family Suite that comfortably houses 14. If you want to go all-out on a memorable family cruise experience, the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas is spectacular. Use the in-suite slide to glide from the second level to the first (there are stairs, too). Have fun with the LEGO construction wall, the cinema room with gaming consoles, the dining table that converts to air hockey, the bunk room and much more. You’ll also have your own personal Royal Genie to provide concierge services for your family.

To discover more sweet suite options for your family’s next cruise, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

Picture-Taking Tips for a Cruise

Wherever you may cruise, you’ll want to capture some beautiful images to preserve and share your memories. But, taking good (or great) photos while on a cruise takes some special know-how, starting with how to handle the movement of the ship.

Anytime you take a photo onboard, the movement of the ship, however gentle, can make the camera shake a little, which can result in blurred images. Tripods don’t really help because they can’t mitigate the movement. Instead, use your body to steady your camera: spread your feet a bit wider than usual, hold your elbows close to your torso, and hold your camera with both hands. Depending on the angle you want, you can also literally lie down on your stomach (but not if you’re in a high-traffic area) and use the deck to steady the camera.

On ship or onshore, pay attention to the light. Lots of cruise ports are in sunny climates, but the sun may not be your friend when you’re taking a photo. The basic rule is not to take a photo when facing the sun (unless it’s a selfie, and your camera is reversed toward your face). If the sun is behind who or what you’re photographing, you’re likely to capture a lot of shadows. Also, when on or near the water – whether it’s the ocean or the onboard swimming pool – be careful that the sun’s glare off the surface of the water doesn’t wash out your image.

Another lighting tip is to take photos during the “golden hour” just after sunrise and just before sunset (“hour” is figurative, but it gives you an idea of when you can take advantage of the best light of the day). When the sun is low in the sky, it gives a softer, more diffused light than in the middle of the day, which is flattering to photography subjects.

Finally, some photo-worthy cruise moments can be planned or anticipated, but many are spontaneous. So, stay alert for photo opportunities and have your camera ready, or at least close to hand. Part of being ready for unexpected photo opportunities is understanding the layout of your ship so that when the crew announces a wildlife sighting off the ship’s bow, stern, port side or starboard side, you’ll know the quickest way to get there to photograph the moment.

To select a cruise destination that will produce wonderful photo opportunities for you, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel