Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

As you’re planning for your next cruise, the current strong demand for air travel means you may have a little sticker shock over the cost of airfare to your ship’s home port – especially if that port is in Europe. In recent years, airlines have reduced costs by trimming flight schedules and flying smaller planes on some routes to conserve fuel. Recent airline mergers have also reduced the number of available flights, even on popular routes. As a result, the supply of airline seats has become more limited, and fares may be higher than you expect. Fortunately, cruise travel professionals can help you find ways to maximize the value you receive for the price you pay to travel to and from your ship. According to a recent survey, the top recommendation of Cruise Holidays owners and agents is to spend some additional time on land at the beginning or end of the cruise. After all, you’ve already paid to get to Miami, Boston, New Orleans, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Venice, or whatever port...

In 2013, Europe will be a cruise destination to be reckoned with. Plus, while cruise prices to Europe remain relatively low, there are signs that pricing for the second half of 2013 may be on its way up – a positive sign for the cruise industry that leisure travelers are once again creating demand. With this in mind, travelers are advised to lock in their preferred itinerary at least eight months in advance. These are a few of the headlines from the 2013 Cruise Holidays Cruise Trends survey – which draws actual cruise pricing and booking statistics from more than 550 cruise specialists across North America. 2013 Cruise Pricing for Europe, Caribbean and Alaska Cruise Holidays consistently studies pricing for three of the most popular cruise destinations and shares it via the Cruise Trends survey. Compared to bookings made in 2011 for 2012, sample pricing for a 12-day Mediterranean cruise for 2013 is lower by about $35 per person, per day. “However, keep in mind that this numbe...

One fact of teen life is that parents can be pretty aggravating and quite embarrassing (you probably thought the same thing about your own beloved parents when you were a teen). Many teens who agree to go on a cruise with their parents secretly (or not secretly) hope they won’t have to spend too much time with them on the ship. Cruise lines understand this, and grant teens’ wishes with teen clubs and lounges. For your peace of mind, crew members who have experience working with teens provide non-parental supervision. On Princess ships, the Remix lounge is the place for teens to have “mocktail” socials, dance to their favorite music, watch late-night movies and more. The ship’s professional dancers often drop by to give hip-hop lessons, and one evening is dedicated to a teen formal, complete with dinner and a show. Norwegian Cruise Lines just introduced Entourage, a new program for teens age 13 to 17. Teens have fun and build confidence playing games like basketball, dodgeball...

With their pools, water slides, deck games, contests and nightly entertainment – not to mention great food available 24 hours a day – a cruise ship is a wonderland for kids. Still, young passengers need a place to meet others their own age, who share their interests and general desire to have fun designed just for them. That’s why many cruise lines have special clubs for kids, staffed by crew members who have experience working with children. These clubs are designed to give kids opportunities to have fun with other kids, enjoy the features of the ship, and even learn something new. As a side benefit, kids clubs give parents some time to relax and enjoy the ship on their own. Royal Caribbean’s kids club encourages the youngest kids to take on the role of cruise ship scientist. In its Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, ages six to 36 months, the littlest guests are cared for by trained professionals. Aquanauts, age three to five, explore the secrets of bubbling potions and dinosau...

Last week, we were asked by a customer for the best way to exchange currency when traveling to New Zealand and Australia.     Our answer - There is no good answer to your question about the best way to exchange currency.   The answer depends if you are looking for convenience or for the best rate of exchange.   At the airport is the most convenient.   If we are going to arrive at our destination late in the day, we exchange currency at the airport where we leave the US. Sometimes, we wait to exchange currency when we arrive.   If you exchange in the US or your destination airport, you can expect to get a lower rate and to pay exchange fees. The best rate of exchange is in a bank in the destination city.   However, that is not convenient and time consuming -- not all banks exchange currency … Most large upscale hotels will exchange currency, but again they offer a lower rate of exchange.    Depending on the itinerary, some of th...

If you’re looking forward to a New Year’s Eve celebration – but not to the organizing, cooking and cleaning that’s usually involved – think about ringing in the New Year on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are all about relaxation and enjoyment, so they are tailor-made for fabulous New Year’s Eve experiences. You can spend the day relaxing on deck, getting a jump on your resolutions with a pre-party workout in the gym, doing some touring on shore or pampering yourself in the ship’s spa. New Year’s Eve festivities vary a bit depending on the cruise line and ship you choose, but you can expect special dinner menus, festive drinks (with or without alcohol), lots of live music and dancing, party games and special events just for kids and teens. As midnight approaches, the party hats and noisemakers will come out, followed by a toast to the New Year and perhaps a midnight buffet to fuel you until morning. When you are ready to sleep, your stateroom will be waiting for you with a freshl...

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and the Allure of the Seas have enticed thousands of vacationers to sail the Caribbean on ships that are unique in their design and amenities. The Oasis was launched three years ago, and was joined by the Allure a year later. While still young in industry terms, the ships have added some new features that make them even more appealing to cruise fans. The Oasis and the Allure are the largest cruise ships at sea and the first to be organized by “neighborhood” (indeed, with the capacity for 5,400 passengers each, these ships are more populous than some small cities). Each ship has seven neighborhoods, including Central Park, a meandering garden lined with shops and restaurants; and the charming Boardwalk, which leads to the open air AquaTheater. Here, passengers can see a show of fountains, lights and aerial acrobatics at night. The ships offer lots of staterooms that overlook the water, many with balconies. Thanks to the ships’ unique de...

This year, we had our annual Cruise Holidays convention aboard the Allure of the Seas, sailing to the Eastern Caribbean from Ft Lauderdale.   Prior to the start of the cruise, we spent two days in training at the Renaissance Hotel in Plantation, Florida.   The hotel is about 10 miles west of the airport in Ft Lauderdale. Since the hotel didn’t offer a shuttle, we took a taxi from the airport.   The taxi charge (including tip) for the one way trip was $45. The hotel rooms were nice and the restaurant/bar was what you would expect from a Marriott property.   However, there is no other restaurant or lounge within easy walking from the hotel.   Personally, I prefer more dining choices than I found in the area – or the hotel. Staying at the hotel over the weekend were several girl softball teams, in town for a tournament…   On Friday night, the girls next door to our room had a party that continued until after midnight.   I guess that team must have...

Cruise lines are seeing renewed interest in world cruises: the grand voyages of 80 nights or more that take passengers to amazing variety of ports on several continents. A world cruise is a truly special experience for retirees or anyone who is able to take an extended leave of absence to see the world. If you don’t fit in either of those categories, a world cruise is still something that you can dream about doing when the time is right. Traditionally, world cruises depart in January and return in March, April or May. However, the window of departure dates is expanding – some world cruises are departing as late as March. And, some cruise lines are meeting demand by offering more than one world cruise a year. Some world cruises don’t literally sail around the world, but they cover a plenty of nautical miles while visiting multiple continents. Some cruises truly do circumnavigate the globe, providing passengers with unforgettable experiences in dozens of ports of call. If you ...

Cruises are all about travel on the water, but when choosing a cruise, check out the water that’s on the ship – specifically, in the pools. Pool decks are usually among the most popular places to hang out on a cruise ship, and many ships now have more than one. Newer ships are also introducing fantastic new water features, such as the one-of-a-kind AquaDuck Water Coaster on Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream . The ride starts on Deck 16 with a thrilling drop and a loop that extends 13 feet over the side of the ship. The thrills continue through more turns, drops and rapids before the riders splash down on deck 12. This ship also features Donald’s Pool for family fun, Mickey’s Pool for young children and Nemo’s Reef for toddlers. There’s also a Quiet Cove area just for adults, with a pool and a swim-up bar. The Aqua Park water park on Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Epic features three multi-level slides that range in excitement level from mild to wild. One is a smooth ride, though it...

One of the great things about working with travel professionals is that they are there for you before, during and after your vacation. They will help you select a cruise or tour, make your reservations, and provide advice and assistance with alternate arrangements if anything goes awry. After your vacation, they’ll want to hear about your experiences, which will help them advise other clients and serve you better on your next trip. And, staying in touch with your travel professional before, during and after your vacation is getting easier. It wasn’t long ago that the only way to contact your travel agency was by old-fashioned land-line phone, or to take time from your day to stop in the agency’s office. Today, you can connect with your travel professional from just about anywhere, at any time, using a desk computer or a mobile device (studies show that 85 percent of international travelers use their smartphones while on vacation). Social media applications such as Facebook ha...

A cruise to the Greek Isles will give you a new understanding of the bright blue and white of the Greek flag: everywhere you look, there will be amazing blue seas and whitewashed villages under a welcoming sun. Still, each island has its own personality and charm, making the cruise a more varied experience than you might expect. It’s possible to cruise the Greek Isles all year long, but the best time is May through October. July and August are the most popular months, and are also the region’s hottest: by cruising a bit earlier or later, you can enjoy smaller crowds and less heat. Many cruises call on one, two or all of the three most-visited Greek Isles: Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini. Mykonos has charming cobblestoned streets lined with artisans’ studios, shops and cafes. This island, known for gorgeous beaches, has a carefree atmosphere. Try some snorkeling or diving before visiting some of the many art galleries. Or, explore the interesting ruins on the nearby island of De...

Seabourn Cruises will be the next cruise line to expand its reach to all seven continents when it begins sailing to Antarctica next year. Beginning in November 2013, the Seabourn Quest, the luxury cruise line’s newest ship, will sail four cruises, each 21 to 24 days, between Valparaiso, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. A highlight of each voyage will be a visit to the remote, vast and beautiful continent of Antarctica. While the ship is always an important consideration when selecting a cruise, when cruising to Antarctica it’s especially important. There are three basic types of ships that cruise to the icy waters of the White Continent – small, medium and large – and each provides a different Antarctic experience. Many of the small ships that sail to the Antarctic were originally icebreakers, specifically designed to break through large amounts of ice and sail into remote areas. These ships usually carry 100 to 200 passengers. Some have comfortable but basic accommodat...

As the U.S. economy continues to recover from the global recession of 2008-2009, the cruise industry is doing its part. The industry experienced a strong rebound from 2009 to 2010. And, during 2011, the industry continued to be an economic bright spot with a total impact on the U.S. economy of $40.4 billion, according to an independent study commissioned by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Spending in the U.S. by cruise lines, their passengers, and their crew members totaled $18.9 billion during 2011, according to the study. Cruise industry employment grew to 350,000 jobs that paid $16.5 billion in wages to U.S. workers. Those wages and salaries showed an encouraging year-over-year increase of 8.3 percent, too. While approximately 80 percent of the economic boost provided by the cruise industry is concentrated in ten states – most of them, not surprisingly, along the coasts – the study said the economies of all 50 states benefit in some way from the North Am...

A leisurely cruise is a vacation to savor, but not everyone has the luxury of enough vacation time to sail away for 10 days, 14 days or longer. The good news is that if your vacation time is limited, you don’t need to rule out a cruise. Many cruise lines are now offering a greater variety of cruises that are seven nights or less.   Shorter cruises appeal to lots of vacationers – and not only those with limited time. There are first-time cruisers who want to “sample” a sea-going vacation before they commit to a longer voyage. There are experienced cruisers who want to try out a different part of the world before exploring it through a longer, more in-depth cruise itinerary. There are vacationers who rely on the value of a short cruise to deliver the most for their vacation dollars; and, those who want to pamper themselves with a brief, luxury-class cruise. Shorter cruises have become an option for more vacationers as the number of home ports has expanded. With ports of emb...

Ghosts of pirates past, creatures from the deep, mermaids and sirens – along with an array of witches, vampires, cowboys and even giant M&Ms – are known to prowl the public spaces of cruise ships each Halloween, October 31. No need to fear: these fantastic creatures are simply your fellow cruise passengers in costume. On a cruise, any night is a good night for a party, but none is better than Halloween. Many ships decorate their public spaces for the celebration – you may see ghosts swooping around the ship’s main atrium and haunted houses popping up on deck. Many ships host costume parties, sometimes with attractive prizes for the most outrageous, beautiful or creative costumes. Given the setting, nautical-themed costumes are popular: in addition to pirates and mermaids, you may see penguins, sharks, sailors and characters from the Love Boat TV series. For efficient packing, you may want to keep your costume simple, or focus on a creepy make-up effect or glamorous mas...

Are you thinking of taking a cruise vacation, but aren’t sure you want to travel on a ship that includes something called a “poop deck”? Or, have you been on several cruises and still don’t know what the “lido deck” is? Let go of your worries: the answers to these and other perplexing cruise questions are right here. You may be relieved to know that a “poop deck” has nothing to do with dog walking or diaper failure. The poop deck is a raised deck at the rear of the ship; often, it forms the roof of a cabin below. In the days of the Roman Empire, sailors would place sacred statues on the raised deck, perhaps so the idols could look down upon the rest of the decks and grant protection to the ship and crew. These statues were called puppis , and the raised deck was called a puppim . The French translated this term to la poupe ; over time, this evolved to “poop” deck. “Lido” is an Italian word for beach: for example, Lido di Venezia is the name of the barrier beach that protects t...

Many cruise vacationers know about “cruisetour” packages that add a land tour to the beginning or end of your cruise. Cruisetours are especially popular in Alaska and Europe, where the ports of call issue a strong invitation to explore what lies beyond. But, did you know that some cruisetours offer a way for you to see more of the continental U.S.? Cruise Holidays offers special cruise and land tour packages, sometimes in unexpected combinations that enable you to explore two diverse areas. For example, the Coasts, Canyons and Cowboys cruise and land tour will begin in the Pacific Northwest on September 22, 2012, with a one-night hotel stay in Seattle. In the morning, you’ll board a motor coach bound for beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, where you’ll board Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl . The Pearl will take you on a six-day cruise along the Pacific Coast, visiting Astoria, Ore.; San Francisco; and Los Angeles. From Los Angeles, you’ll begin a four-day motor coach...

For centuries, Barcelona, Spain, has been an important port on the Mediterranean Sea, attracting a series of invaders who contributed to the city’s rich cultural mix. Today, visitors arrive on ships not to invade the city, but to appreciate the incredible architecture, art, parks and atmosphere of the capital of the Catalonia region. Many visitors head straight for the Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter, the center of the old city. Many of the buildings date from the medieval era; there are even some remnants of Barcelona’s days as a Roman military camp.   Outside the Gothic Quarter, the city has many more architectural landmarks. Some of the best-known, such as the Casa Mila and the Sagrada Familia, were designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, famed for his quirky, organic style. Barcelona has walkable neighborhoods that contain lovely examples of Art Nouveau and Modernist architecture as well. Some of the city’s beautiful works of architecture contain many more pieces of art. The N...

The emerging Caribbean cruise port of Cartagena, Colombia, expects to welcome more cruise passengers during the upcoming 2012-2013 cruise season than ever before. An estimated 313,000 passengers will disembark to explore the port from 175 arriving ships, 11 more ship arrivals than last year. While cruise passengers are just beginning to discover this port, Cartagena has long been a popular tourist destination. The city offers a variety of things to do and see, from lovely beach resorts to a historic old town. The fortified walls of the old town enclose a World Heritage site. There’s an inner ring divided into two districts, El Centro and San Diego; and an outer ring, called Getsemani. You may be tempted to linger in Getsemani to enjoy the cafes and shops, but you’ll want to continue into to the heart of the old town to experience the atmosphere of colonial Cartagena. The Plaza de Bolivar is a lovely square filled with fountains and a statue of Simon de Bolivar, the leader who ...

It's easy for big companies to come up with lavish prize giveaways. But here at Cruise Holidays, as a locally owned business, it's not too often that we get the opportunity to make an offer like this: Join our Facebook community for a chance to win a free cruise for two!   All you have to do is go HERE and enter the contest for your chance to win. The best part is, unlike some online contests that you may not trust, you can be certain this one is the real deal, because it is offered by a local business owner with a vested interest in being part of the community. If you are the lucky winner, we'll contact you and help you plan the cruise to your specifications. Details: Win a free cruise for 2 , offered by Cruise Holidays and Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean will present the winner with a list of cruises to choose from available at the time of the drawing Entries accepted until September 30, drawing to take place October 12, ...

A long, narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the South American country of Chile has nearly 2,900 miles of coastline. At its northern end is the world’s driest desert, Atacama, a source of copper and gold. Heading south, the scenery becomes greener in the Central Valley, which includes the capital city of Santiago. In southern Chile, the coast becomes a maze of fjords, inlets and islands, backed by forests, lakes and snow-topped volcanoes. Clearly, Chile is a dream come true for fans of scenic cruising. Arica, just south of the border with Peru, is Chile’s northernmost cruise port. Arica has miles of beaches, and the waves are famous among surfing enthusiasts around the world. The San Miguel Archaeological Museum has an excellent collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and mummies that date back to 5000 BC. Take a short drive through the desert to visit Codpa, a historic village in a narrow, fertile valley filled with fruit trees. Be sure to sample...