Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

For all who live an alcohol-free lifestyle, there’s good news about cruising, as popular cruise lines strive to welcome and support passengers who are committed to sobriety. Many cruises have some events and activities that center on alcohol, such as onboard wine tastings or shore excursions that feature local wineries or breweries. But, one of the wonderful things about cruising is that everyone can make their own choices about how to spend their time on ship and on shore, and there are always alcohol-free options. Those in recovery should know that most cruises offer daily “Friends of Bill W.” meetings. These are onboard meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, named for Bill W., one of the founders of AA. Look for the meetings on the ship’s daily schedule of events. Cruise lines also support sober lifestyles by serving a variety of nonalcoholic spirits, wines, and beers on board. ·          Princess Cruises just announced that it will launch its Amore...

Brazil is a fantastic cruise destination with more than 4,500 miles of coastline and a high-energy culture. A variety of cruise lines call on this vast country, which covers roughly half of South America. Here’s a quick look at some ports you can visit along Brazil’s Atlantic coast, from north to south. Like many Brazilian port cities, Belém has a historic center where colonial-era buildings make a scenic contrast with the skyscrapers in newer parts of town. Belém’s Cidade Velha (Old Town) includes the lovely Teatro da Paz, charming squares, and the busy Ver o Peso market. In Fortaleza, named for a fortress that dates from 1649, you’ll find Parque Ecológico do Cocó, a huge urban park, and the Mercado Central, full of handmade jewelry, leather goods, and local tastes. Or, head for a sandy beach that’s backed by dramatic red cliffs at Morro Branco. A network of rivers, lagoons, and bridges makes Recife the “Venice of Brazil.” Enjoy the beach at Boa Viagem, or view collections of m...

Some who cruise see their time on board as an opportunity to unplug from daily life, disconnect from work or school, and put their digital devices away. But others want to stay connected while they cruise, whether it’s to stream a favorite TV show, update family and friends at home, check in with colleagues at work, or even work remotely. If you’re in the second category, here’s what you should know about internet availability on cruise ships. Internet service at sea has been improving, and most ships now provide service through their wireless networks (with the exception of some that sail to remote locations). On many ships, WiFi access is an extra – it’s not included in your fare, so you’ll need to pay for it. If you want access for the duration of a cruise, you may be able to purchase a discounted WiFi package in advance. But if you know you’ll need to be connected for only part of a day or two, wait until you’re on board to purchase access at an hourly or daily rate. Some cru...

When travelers begin to think about a cruise vacation, they often think about ocean cruises: big ships sailing across big expanses of water to beautiful ports of call. But, there’s another option for a cruise vacation – sailing on one of the storied rivers of the world. If you haven’t tried one yet, here’s a quick look at what to expect on a river cruise. River ships are much smaller than ocean-going ships, which makes it a different kind of cruise experience. The ships are small because they must be able to glide under bridges, through shallow water, and into narrow docks. Ocean-going ships may carry thousands of passengers, but many river ships carry less than 200, providing more opportunities to get to know your fellow passengers. River ships stay close to land. Part of the enjoyment of a river cruise is watching the scenery on shore, which can quickly change from farmland to bluffs or from small villages to urban centers. The narrow design of river ships means almost all cabins...

Everything about Royal Caribbean’s new ship, the Icon of the Seas , promises a new kind of cruise experience. That includes a terrific variety of onboard entertainment. With an emphasis on the excitement of live music performance, the Icon sails with dozens of musicians on board. They perform at Lou’s Jazz & Blues, the Dueling Pianos bar, the Point & Feather English Pub, and several other venues around the ship. Musicians are also an integral part of two productions in the Royal Theater. A 16-piece orchestra accompanies a spectacular staging of the beloved musical fantasy “The Wizard of Oz” (the classic tale has been updated with some modern touches, too). And, a show called “SHOWBAND! Live. Music. Now.” puts the spotlight firmly on talented musicians. More than 75 other performers, from singers to skateboarders to ice skaters, will be ready to take their places under the lights of the ship’s multiple performance venues. Here are a few highlights: In the AquaDome – an ...

This promises to be an exciting year for cruise fans, as various brand-new ships are scheduled to begin riding the waves. Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas is ready to begin its reign as the world’s largest cruise ship at the end of January. Passengers will enjoy the ship’s innovative new performance spaces and activities, comfortable cabins and suites, and exciting new restaurants and bars. And – for your advance cruise planning – Royal Caribbean plans to add two more new ships to the Icon class by mid-2026. Princess Cruises will also introduce a new class of ship this year. The Sun Princess , debuting in February, will be the first ship in the Sphere class. This will be the largest ship in the Princess fleet, offering new types of suite accommodations, the first rollglider ride at sea, and new areas where kids, teens, and families can enjoy themselves. The Sun Princess will sail in the Mediterranean before moving to the Caribbean. Disney Cruise Line’s new ...

For those new to cruising, learning the ins and outs of cruise travel takes time; even frequent cruisers constantly pick up new tips. To help add to your cruise knowledge, here are some common assumptions that may not reflect reality. All cruise lines are about the same. No, not at all. In fact, cruise lines work hard to differentiate themselves and establish a signature style. Some specialize in small ships, some in big ships, and some offer variety in their fleets. Some focus on the onboard experience, others on destinations and onshore activities. Some are popular with families, and others are beloved by singles, couples, or friend groups. Your professional travel advisor can give you insight into cruise lines that interest you. All cruises are all-inclusive. Some cruise lines offer all-inclusive fares that cover everything from travel to and from the ship to shore excursions in every port. But more often, your cruise fare covers a lot – your cabin, dining, onboard entertainme...