Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

The next Alaska cruise season begins in May 2014, and while there’s plenty of availability on popular ships and itineraries, they’ll begin to fill up soon. That makes now a great time to book your Alaskan cruise.   What draws so many people to cruise the rugged coastline of Alaska? The coastline itself is a major draw, with thousands of miles of stunning scenery that segues from majestic mountain peaks to rainforest, glaciers, and Arctic tundra. And, there’s beautiful wildlife – including whales, seals, seabirds, eagles, moose and bears – that you can often see from the ship.   In addition, Alaska’s ports of call are fascinating and surprisingly diverse. Ketchikan is a center of Tlingit Indian culture; Skagway maintains the character of a Gold Rush-era town; and Sitka preserves important pieces of its history as a Russian settlement.   While the cruise lines that visit Alaska offer lots of variety in cruise length, itineraries and style of ship, there are tw...

Where will cruisers be headed in droves in 2014? For that, you’ll need to look not only to the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean, but also the deep blue seas and the rivers of Europe. Here are some of the most interesting cruise trends of 2014 being highlighted by the cruise-specialty agency, Cruise Holidays International. The data was drawn from a survey of more than 130 Cruise Holidays professionals, as well as actual booking data by more than 600 Cruise Holidays cruise experts.   Top 10 Cruise Destinations The Caribbean continues to enjoy the top spot in cruise bookings for the year ahead, by a wide margin. Thanks to its nearly year-round sunny weather and convenient access from the southern and eastern United States, the Caribbean drives the majority of all cruise bookings. Here is the full list of the top 10 cruise destinations being booked by Cruise Holidays professionals across North America:   1. Caribbean (includes Bahamas) 2. European Ocean C...

  In early November, we were fortunate to spend a few days in NYC. It was our first visit to the city since 9/11.   We stayed in the Millennium Hilton, in lower Manhattan – right across the street from the memorial that is still under construction. If you have an opportunity, you really should visit the site of the World Trade Center: so much history, so many memories… The new Tower 1 nears completion, just a short distance from the footprints of the old towers.   I was surprised to learn that seven towers are planned.    New Memorial in World Trade Center   If you want to see the World Trade Center, then consider staying at the Millennium Hilton, it’s in a good location, close to Wall Street, Battery Park, and the subway entrance is outside the main entrance of the hotel. The hotel was clean and the staff was courteous.  One World Trade Center The best way to get around lower Manhattan is by walking or taking the subway.   We took t...

If you have a medical condition, onboard medical facilities are probably part of your criteria for selecting a cruise ship. If not, you may be surprised by how well-prepared cruise ship medical centers are to provide care for minor injuries and illnesses, as well as more serious conditions.   The size of the medical staff depends on the size of the ship, but will include some combination of qualified doctors, nurses and medical technicians. Doctor’s office hours are usually published in the ship’s daily bulletin, and emergency assistance is always available, 24 hours a day. There will be a charge to see the doctor, which varies by ship.   In an onboard medical center, you can expect to see lifesaving equipment such as cardiac defibrillators, external pacemakers, ventilators and respirators. Diagnostic equipment – including EKG machines, X-ray machines and blood testing equipment – are also common, as are well-stocked pharmacies.   Some cruise lines have...

Spring break has evolved from a mid-term break for college students to a generation-spanning vacation phenomenon. College students still revel in the opportunity to party on the beaches of Florida, Texas, Mexico and the Caribbean, but Spring Break is now for all ages: who doesn’t need a “sun and fun” break after a long winter?   And, there’s no better way to enjoy a truly relaxing break than to take a cruise. Spring break cruises offer nonstop fun and terrific value, rolling accommodations, dining and entertainment into one affordable price.   But, the real key to a relaxed spring break cruise is to plan and book early. These popular cruises begin to fill even before the snow starts to fly: if you have a specific ship or dream destination in mind, make your arrangements now. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a spring break cruise:   If you have children under age 12, ask your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert about cruise lines and sh...

Cruise travel experts from across the United States and Canada met for one of the premier networking and educational events for those in the cruise travel industry: the 2013 Cruise Holidays Annual Convention. It took place November 10 – November 17, 2013, aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Breakaway . More than 200 Cruise Holidays franchise owners, agents and top cruise industry executives were present.   Norwegian Breakaway   The convention is the most important educational and networking event of the year for Cruise Holidays travel agents, which are located across North America, the United Kingdom and Australia. Participants learned about the latest industry trends, networked with other travel experts, and discussed ways to help travelers get the most value out of their vacation. Anita at Trade Show on Breakaway   Those in attendance said the conference reinforced their belief that there is an important place for travel agents in traveler...

Our Thanks to Dick & Jeanine for writing this helpful review of their Viking River Cruise and allowing us to book it for them.  Thanks, Dick & Jeanine! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just want to thank you for helping with our trip - it was just wonderful!  Everything was perfect and we would highly recommend Viking to anyone!   Our flight on Delta from Sea-Amsterdam-Paris was very smooth.  The nonstop from Paris to Seattle was very smooth also.  Granted it was an 11 hour flight, but knowing that we didn't have to get off and change planes was very nice.  They fed us many times and we watched about 4 movies!   The car service you arranged at Paris was an excellent idea.  We picked up our luggage, walked out of baggage claim and there he was!  Simple and easy!   The hotel was okay, but I wouldn't recommend it - it's more of a business hotel.  No...

You may know Baltimore as a terrific Eastern seaboard city, but did you know it’s also a great cruise ship port? Baltimore’s position on the map makes it an easy “drive-to” port for more than 40 million people. Currently, about 100 cruises embark from the Port of Baltimore each year. And, ships depart all year long: a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled boarding bridge will keep you warm as you board a ship for a winter cruise to the Caribbean. Depending on the season, ships depart from Baltimore for New England and Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas or the Caribbean. For example, the port of Baltimore can send you: ·        On a brief but relaxing cruise to Bermuda and back. ·        On a roundtrip cruise to Port Canaveral, Fla.; Nassau in the Bahamas; and Key West, Fla. ·        To the Eastern Caribbean, with stops such as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Philip...

Winter is approaching quickly, and it’s prime time to book one of the best winter getaways: a Caribbean cruise. Be sure to take a look at itineraries that include the Dominican Republic, which continues to develop as a vacation paradise. Christopher Columbus claimed the island of Hispaniola for Spain on his 1492 voyage of exploration. About 200 years later, the Spanish ceded the western third of the island – now known as Haiti – to France. Spain retained the eastern two-thirds of the island, the present-day Dominican Republic. In the capital city of Santo Domingo, cruise ships dock at the Sansouci Pier, the main cruise terminal. It’s a quick taxi ride to the sights of the city, which include the Zona Colonial (Colonial City), a UNESCO World Heritage site with the first cathedral, first hospital and first fort built in the Americas. No one is certain where the remains of Christopher Columbus lie, but residents of Santo Domingo will tell you they are at El Faro a Colon , wh...

While talking about how technology has changed the workplace, President Obama recently said that travel agents no longer exist. With all due respect, we must disagree. Not only do travel agents still exist, they provide significant value to the traveling public. We know this because our clients regularly tell us so. A vacation is a big investment, and travel agents can ensure that travelers receive the best value for their vacation dollars. Travel professionals have access to deals, discounts and special offers that are not available to the general public. And, their long-standing relationships with a variety of preferred travel and lodging providers enable them to offer airline, hotel, restaurant and tour reservations that travelers can’t easily make on their own. Travel agents love to travel, and their first-hand experiences – combined with their professional training – give them the expertise needed to provide wise travel guidance. They are passionate about their work and ...

Booking a cruise lets you look forward to the thrill of sailing on the open sea, the ease of having everything you need right on board, and the excitement of seeing new places. And, when you work with a Cruise Holidays expert who specializes in cruises, you can look forward to some luxury amenities – at no additional cost. Cruise Holidays’ Distinctive Voyages program selects sailings on premium cruise lines and on ships bound for some of the world’s most desirable destinations, then adds extra amenities to enhance your cruise experience. These extra touches include: ·        The services of a concierge host, who will be available to assist you and answer your questions throughout the voyage. ·        An invitation to a private cocktail reception where you can meet fellow passengers and make new friends to share in your cruise adventures. ·        An exclusive on-shore event that wil...

This past weekend, Princess Cruises invited us to spend two nights on the new Royal Princess.   Of course, Anita said yes! We both wanted to see the new ship.   We were to board the ship, in Ft Lauderdale on October 27, the day the ship arrived in the US from Europe. This is the ship that was christened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.   We always try to travel to a cruise port a day or two before the ship sails.   Too many things can go wrong when you travel on the same day as you board the ship…   This time, we spent two extra days in Ft Lauderdale at the Embassy Suites on 17 th Street.   The hotel was under renovation – and we didn’t know it.   I believe the hotel should have advised us of the construction at the hotel.   We may have stayed there anyway, but we would have made an informed decision.   Better the inconvenience happen to us than to one of our customers. On Friday night, the hotel hosted two wedding rec...

Not long ago, cruise fans looked forward to the annual “World’s Largest Cruise Night,” when special discounts were available from many cruise lines. In recent years, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) decided that one night is not enough. CLIA has announced plans for National Cruise Vacation Week, a full seven days of great cruise discounts, to be held October 20-27. It’s all part of National Cruise Vacation Month, when cruising takes the spotlight in the travel industry.   “There’s no other promotion in the travel industry of the size and scope of National Cruise Vacation Week,” said Christine Duffy, President and Chief Executive Officer of CLIA. Special offers during the week are expected to include two-for-one pricing, free stateroom upgrades, credits that can be used for extra amenities onboard, and more.   So, if you’ve been considering a cruise, National Cruise Vacation Week is an ideal time to book it. The special offers may allow you to: ...

While just a few of the cruise ships bound for Alaska currently call on Nanaimo, British Columbia, this delightful harbor-front town is poised to grow as a port of choice.   Nanaimo is centrally located on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island, almost directly across the Strait of Georgia from the city of Vancouver. The cruise terminal is able to accommodate even the largest cruise ships, and passengers step right off the ship into town.   Visitors enjoy the water and mountain views while strolling on the Nanaimo seawall, which winds along the waterfront. If you walk far enough, you’ll pass quaint shops, a lighthouse, and the Bastion, the oldest free-standing Hudson's Bay Company fort in North America. The Bastion now houses historical exhibits; and, during the summer, the old fort’s cannon is fired daily at noon. Right next door is the impressive new home of the Nanaimo Museum, where you can learn about the island’s early history from the perspectives of First N...

What began as Gastown, a small settlement built around a sawmill and a tavern, is now the vibrant coastal city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Positioned between the water and the North Shore Mountains, Vancouver is a busy port for cruise ships bound for Alaska. Some ships even home port in Vancouver, providing an opportunity to spend a few extra days in the city.   Cruise ships dock at one of two terminals: Canada Place, just steps from downtown’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions; or Ballantyne Pier, just a 10-minute taxi ride away. You can still walk the cobblestoned streets of Gastown , which is now a hip neighborhood of fashion and design boutiques, antique stores and galleries. There are lots of enticing restaurants, as well as clubs that spring to life at night.   Vancouver's Chinatown is the second largest in North America (after San Francisco’s). There’s an impressive China Gate on Pender Street; the historic Sam Kee building, the world’s narro...