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...