Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Have you dreamed of spending a day on a private island? It’s easy – just look for a cruise itinerary that includes a call on the cruise line’s private island. These enclaves are designed to provide a wonderfully relaxing day on an island that you can imagine is your very own. Here’s a quick look at some of these idyllic islands: Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay is 1,000 acres of sun and sand in the Bahamas. Like Disney’s parks, the island has a tram that can whisk you around. There are lots of family-oriented activities on the beaches, and you can snorkel in the lagoon, try the water slides or hit the water play area. Holland America’s island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, is less developed than most, and that’s by choice: the cruise line wants you to experience the island’s natural beauty. There are pristine white beaches, private villas for rent, horseback riding, snorkeling, kayaking, bicycle tours and more. Royal Caribbean has operated CocoCay in the Bahamas sin...

There are a few tips and tricks to making the most of embarkation day – the day you board your ship and prepare to sail to an exciting destination. Here are some of our favorites: Dress casually and comfortably . If your cabin is being cleaned, you may not be able to go there to change clothes right away (remember, your ship probably just returned from the previous cruise). Plus, you’ll check your bags at the dock and it might be a few hours before they are delivered to your cabin. So, unless you pack a change of clothes in a carry-on bag, you’ll be wearing your boarding outfit for a while. Dress comfortably and incorporate a layer or two so you won’t get too warm or too chilly. Make your reservations . Boarding is a good time to order beverage packages; make reservations for shore excursions, specialty restaurants, and spa treatments; and enroll the kids in any special programs. Then, take a dip in the pool or hot tub (bring a swimsuit in your carry-on bag), hit the gym, rela...

With 2,653-miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, the South American nation of Chile is simply made for cruising. Nestled between the coast and the peaks of the Andes, blessed with diverse and stunning natural beauty, several scenic ports along the lengthy coastline give a warm welcome to cruise ships. Several cruise lines offer voyages to Chile, which are generally 14 days or longer. Many itineraries sail around the southern tip of South America to call on Argentina, Uruguay, the Falkland Islands or Brazil, too. In Chile, popular ports include: Santiago . Valparaiso, the port for Santiago, and has its own attractions; funiculars travel up and down the steep hills dotted with colorful homes and colonial architecture. Still, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit Santiago and its historic center, beautiful parks and spectacular views of the snow-capped Andes in the East and sparkling Pacific waves in the west. In the shops, look for jewelry made with brill...

Humans arrived in Papua New Guinea, which occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea (the other half is part of Indonesia) as many as 45,000 years ago. Still, it’s one of the world’s least explored countries, thought to be home to numerous groups of uncontacted people living in the dense rainforests and rugged, mountainous terrain. It’s also one of the most culturally diverse countries, having been settled and then colonized by an array of African, European and Asian peoples. Clearly, Papua New Guinea is a fascinating place to visit on a cruise. You can visit one or more of several ports of call: Alotau is a gateway to some of the most remote communities and pristine offshore islands in Papua New Guinea. You can get acquainted with the area on a tour that also provides a history World War II’s Battle of Milne Bay, which changed the town. It’s fun to simply walk around and meet some of the friendly local residents (the local word for “foreigner” is dimdim , so please...

We think there’s no such thing as too much pampering while you’re on a cruise. It’s your chance to disconnect from the hustle and pressures of daily life; to enjoy great cuisine, fun activities and new sights while the crew and captain take care of transportation and so much more. If you love that carefree and pampered feeling, consider taking a luxury cruise. Luxury lines take all the wonderful services and amenities provided by mainstream, family-oriented cruise lines step it all up a notch (or several). Luxury cruises also tend to be more inclusive of “extras,” such as beverages and shore excursions; so, you may find that the cost is not much more than your last mainstream cruise. What are the differences you can expect when you choose a luxury ship? Here are a few: There are more crew members per passenger, and the crew is trained to anticipate your needs. They will often provide what you’re thinking of – such as drawing hot bath, refreshing your drink or polishing yo...

Northern lights, or aurora borealis , appear when energized particles released by the sun zip through space on solar winds. As they enter the Earth’s magnetic field, they lose their energy and produce a diffused glow in luminous shades of green, red and blue. Mysterious and beautiful, the northern lights are a featured attraction on a growing selection of Artic cruises. Be aware that these winter cruises can’t guarantee an appearance by the northern lights – there’s always an element of luck. However, the lights are quite common on clear winter nights from October through March. A variety of cruise lines and ships, small to midsize, can take you along the coast of Norway, and perhaps to Iceland and Greenland, too, with the potential to see the aurora borealis each night. During the days, you can visit snow-covered fishing villages, ride on sleds pulled by husky dogs or reindeer, tour historic settlements, and learn about people live in a region of nearly perpetual winter. ...

Bermuda’s high repeat visitor rates prove that it’s a cruise destination that passengers fall in love with. The pink sand beaches and authentic Bermuda shorts help draw first-time visitors, but many return to re-experience this tiny nation’s unique vibe: a blend of sophisticated and simple. On the sophisticated side, there’s afternoon English tea and high-end shopping in Hamilton, the island’s capital. Browse the stores along Front Street, Queen Street and Church Street for upscale clothing, jewelry, leather, linen and more. Explore the alleys, too, where boutiques and galleries sell items made from Bermuda cedar, banana-leaf dolls, and locally made glass and perfume. Bermuda has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world, so you can have a memorable day on the links. There are beautiful art galleries and museums, too, including the Bermuda National Trust Museum and a number of older homes maintained as examples of Bermudian architecture through the cen...