Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

On a hot summer day, we were looking at pictures from our last cruise in Alaska. It was a great time: cool days in late summer in Alaska -- what more could you ask for? The best experience on the trip (beside spending quality time with my wife), was the whale watching tour in Juneau.  Late summer is a GREAT time to visit Alaska! Every time we go to Alaska, we see something new...   The experience of a lifetime -- every time! Click on any picture to go to the album and see the actual photos.

The cruise industry is continually topping itself, introducing new ships with features designed to increase guests’ comfort and enjoyment. One of this year’s new ships is the Avalon Panorama , which sets a new standard for European river cruise ships. Avalon calls the Panorama a “suite ship.” It has two decks of suites with wall-to-wall windows that, when open, give the sitting area the feel of a large, open-air balcony. Each suite is 200 square feet, almost one-third larger than the industry standard. The ship also offers amenities, such as an Internet Corner with Wi-Fi access, a library, a spacious Sky Deck with a shade system, a heated whirlpool and an open-air restaurant. In each suite, you’ll find an elegant marble bath, a flat-screen television and fresh flowers. The Panorama is currently sailing 14-night, Amsterdam-Budapest itineraries, stopping in Vienna on the way. Avalon will introduce two more “suite ships” – the Vista and the Visionary – in 2012. Like its sis...

Great information - to read complete article, click this LINK .  The article is written for travel in Erope, but the advice works for any international travel-- including the Caribbean Islands.  The islands may share the North Americian numbering plan with the US and Canada, but international roaming rates can still apply. Electronic communication, such as disposable mobile phones, cheap and easy Wi-Fi, and social networking, is revolutionizing the way we travel. But the digital development I am most enthused about is the smartphone. My iPhone has quickly become my favorite travel companion, whether it's keeping me on top of my work, keeping me in touch with my kids, or simply keeping me entertained.... LINK Also, the information is posted on our Facebook page. To find our site, search for ATTHETA on your Facebook home page.  Once there, click "LIKE" on page to read our Facebook postings.

The breathtaking sight of colorful trees along a stretch of blue ocean is part of what makes fall foliage cruises of New England and Canada ’s Maritime Provinces so appealing. There are also wonderful places to explore on shore. Portland , Maine , sits on a peninsula that extends into the beautiful seascape of Casco Bay . It’s easy to spend a day exploring the charming Old Port area, which has cobblestoned streets and restored brick buildings from the 19 th century. The original occupants – warehouses and offices for the export and fishing industries – have been replaced by specialty shops, restaurants and pubs. Or, enjoy more of the striking coastal scenery by riding a ferry to a quiet island or taking an excursion to a classic coastal village, such as Kennebunkport . If you love walking along a sandy beach, there are several beautiful beaches just outside Portland , some watched over by historic lighthouses. If you have just one day to spend in Bar Harbor , Maine , it ma...

Cruises are our business, but not our only business: we arrange land–based vacation packages.   In that vein, we offer our feedback from our recent trip to Las Vegas.   We spent 4 nights at the Palms Resort, just off the strip.   We were in the city to attend a CLIA training program that included “specialty cruises” – more about that later.   Since our training was at the Palms, we decided to stay there.   We know they have a GREAT restaurant (Garduno’s), from New Mexico.  Anita in Garduno's We arrived at the hotel at mid-day on Wednesday.   The hotel is close to the airport and the strip.   The taxi fare (including tip) was $30.   Cost for a taxi to/from the strip is $12.   Better than renting a car… After four nights, we realized we are not the target audience for the Palms.   We ended up in a smoking room (and it smelled like it) on the 27 th floor, overlooking the pool.   We requested a “non-smoking room...

Political unrest, natural disasters, debt crises and drug trafficking can suddenly flare into front-page news, and unfortunately there is no place that’s completely immune. If you have reservations on a cruise that’s sailing to a part of the world that’s producing troubling headlines, don’t worry, here are some tips: First, work with a cruise travel professional who can help you obtain accurate information about the situation and provide guidance if you need to assess your options. If you decide to alter your plans, it’s best to work with a professional who can expertly navigate the rules and requirements for any cancellation or rebooking fees. Second, keep in mind that cruise lines continually monitor conditions in their ports of call and will redirect ships when necessary. For example, many cruise lines cancelled their port calls in Egypt in early 2011 as that country deposed its leader amid mass demonstrations. Cruise lines and their captains are accustomed to visiting altern...

When you think about cruising, do you picture yourself exploring a port of call, sunning on a beach or trying a new adventure like zip-lining or dog sledding? Or, do you picture yourself relaxing in a deck chair, sipping a cool drink in an on-deck hot tub, or watching as the ship’s head chef demonstrates how to whip up a delicious sauce? Your answer may indicate the type of cruise you enjoy most: a port-intensive cruise that calls on a different location most days of the cruise, or a sea-intensive cruise that spends most days on the open water. On a port-intensive cruise, the ship usually sails at night and arrives in a new port early each morning. You’ll have time to disembark and explore the port, shop for souvenirs or take an excursion designed to help you experience the attractions, scenery, food, wine or culture of the region you’re visiting. Advantages of a port-intensive cruise include plenty to see and do, with no effort on your part to move between ports. Popular dest...

During several weeks of political unrest in Egypt during January and February, more than a dozen cruise lines cancelled their port calls in that country, choosing to visit Istanbul, Kusadasi, Haifa or other eastern Mediterranean ports instead. However, in late April the U.S. State Department replaced its travel warning for Egypt, which advised no unnecessary travel, with a travel alert, which advises U.S. citizens to travel with caution. Some cruise lines have now reinstated their calls on Egyptian ports such as Alexandria, a historic city that is also a starting point for excursions to Memphis, Cairo and the pyramids at Giza; and Sharm-el-Sheikh, resort on the Red Sea that is one of the world’s best diving spots. Others have decided to cancel all port calls in Egypt, the Middle East and northern Africa through the fall or even until next spring.   Deciding whether or not to choose a cruise that includes port calls in Egypt or other areas that have seen recent unrest is a ...

I n a region of beautiful islands, St. Lucia stands out as one of the loveliest. This volcanic Caribbean island is more mountainous that most, and the forested slopes make a stunning contrast to the blue water and beaches of white or dark volcanic sand.   The islands’ signature twin mountain peaks, the Pitons, emerge dramatically from the sea, rising almost a half a mile into the sky. Near the base of the Pitons is the town of Soufriere, the island’s capital when it was a French colony. After admiring the colorful buildings adorned with decorative gingerbread trim, be sure to visit the Soufriere Drive-in Volcano. Don’t worry – the volcano is dormant, but there are plenty of steam vents and colorful sulphur pools (but, be prepared for the rather strong smell of sulphur). The island’s current capital, Castries, is the place to browse for duty-free goods like designer perfume and fine crystal, or for hand-made local crafts and souvenirs. Pigeon Island has served as the home o...

Our thanks to Duane Eng for sharing his experience of the Moana Jet Boat tour on Bora Bora.  Per Duane, "this was our favorite excursion." The trip had three stops:   ·        Sting Ray & Reef Shark swim 3-4 feet of water. ·        Snorkel of the Intercontinental Bora Bora - about 15-20 feet deep.   Lots of fish, and down below, the moray eel ·        Shallow water towards a motu (airport side).   Very shallow warm water 4 feet deep.  Shallow water snorkeling   Snorkel with the Sting-Rays and reef sharks in 3.5-4 ft water. Off the coast of the Bora Bora Hilton on the outside of the Bora Bora Lagoon. Snorkeling off the Intercontinental Hotel, Bora Bora. Water is 15-20 ft deep.