Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

According to the AAA, 21.7 million U.S. residents will set sail on an ocean cruise during 2026, an increase of 4.5% from 2025. If you want to be among the 21.7 million, we’re in the midst of a wonderful opportunity to make a cruise reservation – Wave Season. Wave Season is an annual extravaganza of deep cruise discounts and special promotions. This “wave” of tempting cruise deals was originally a way to engage travelers during a typically slow season – January through March – for cruise reservations. Now, cruise fans eagerly await the arrival of Wave Season. A consultation with your professional travel advisor is your best bet for sorting through Wave Season deals, but here are some things you may want to look for. Fare discounts. Wave Season brings some of the deepest discounts of the year on cruise fares. Some discounts take the form of a substantially reduced fare; some are buy one, get one free; and some are free fares for the third and fourth occupants of a cabin. Suite di...

Many cruise ships have at least one pool for passengers’ enjoyment, and many have more (Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas currently boasts the most – seven pools – in addition to an onboard waterpark). You can usually find a ship’s main pool on the Lido Deck, often flanked by hot tubs. Most cruise ship pools are relatively small and shallow, which means no diving. Lap swimming can be a challenge, too; to maintain a lap swimming routine while cruising, look for a ship with a dedicated lap pool. Whatever the number of pools on your ship, some simple rules of etiquette apply to them all. Here’s a quick overview. Poolside furniture cannot be reserved. Pools are usually surrounded by chaise lounges, as well as tables and chairs for poolside dining. Pool area furniture is for the use of all passengers and cannot be reserved. If you place your belongings on a chaise or table to “reserve” it for later, your things will probably be gone when you return. If a crew member moves them, they a...

With a magnificent landscape that has everything from glaciers to volcanoes and rugged fjords to shimmering hot springs, Iceland is an amazing island in the North Atlantic that may be best explored by cruise ship. Several popular, luxury, and expedition cruise lines visit Iceland from May to October. Itinerary options include regional voyages, departing from Europe or North America, which visit ports in destinations like the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada or Greenland in addition to Iceland. You can also take a flight to Iceland, then board a cruise ship that will sail around the island. Iceland’s scenery is enchanting. For example, runoff from Iceland’s glaciers feeds an estimated 10,000 waterfalls. Some spectacular waterfalls are easily accessible by bus tour, but you can also take an adventurous hiking or ATV excursion to see even more. About 10% of Iceland is covered by pristine glaciers, some of them concealing active volcanoes. Tour boats can take you to view the outflows o...

On any cruise, shore excursions are a highlight because they give you the chance to experience the sights, tastes, and traditions of your cruise destination. To make the most of an excursion, take a few minutes the night before to pack a small bag to take ashore with you. Your carry-on bag may work as a shore excursion bag, but you can also pack a foldable tote bag or a small backpack into your luggage. If your shore excursion schedule includes beach time or water-based adventures, you’ll want a shore excursion bag that’s waterproof. Exactly what you pack depends on your location and the type of excursion, but some items are pretty universal. They include: The shipboard card serves as your onboard ID and cabin key. The crew must scan this card as you leave the ship and again when you return. Note that it’s usually best to leave your passport locked up in your cabin safe (unless your cruise line instructs you differently). Some cruisers like to make a paper copy of their passport ...

  Cruising is a way to explore ports around the world, but cruises also include time to relax and play on the ship. There are lots of options: most ships have a selection of board games, and many are equipped with popular gaming systems, colorful arcades, and casinos for adults (the last two require some money to play; you may want to set a budget for yourself!). But here, we’re looking at cruise ship games that get the crowd around the pool or in the show lounge, clapping and cheering. Participating can be a terrific way to have fun with your companions and to get to know some fellow passengers. Scavenger hunts will have you roaming the decks looking for miscellaneous yet specific objects, like a hat with a sports team logo, a drink umbrella, or a chip from the casino. You might be asked to take a picture of each object, or to physically bring them to a home base. Either way, it’s fun to work as a team to find the items. Some adult-only versions get a bit risqué, which adds to...

If you’ll cruise with your children or grandchildren during the winter holidays, congratulations! There’s nothing like a cruise for creating family memories. But, we have a piece of advice: before you leave home, talk with your young ones about staying safe while cruising. Kids are accustomed to the safety practices they follow at home and school, but a cruise ship is a different and exhilarating environment where it can be easy to forget about common-sense rules. Here are a few things you and the kids can talk about together: Follow the rules set by the cruise line and crew. For example, a cruise ship has lots of railings along decks, staircases, and balconies that can be tempting to kids who love to climb. But the railings are there for safety and not for play. Climbing on railings, leaning over them, or swinging from one balcony railing to another are all absolutely forbidden. There’s also no running through the hallways, around the pool, or up and down staircases. Remind t...