Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Note: this client returned to Seattle from Vancouver the day AFTER the bridge collapsed on I-5. We left Vancouver at 11:30 am and finally arrived in Seattle at 6:00 pm!  It was a long bus ride, but we saw some very nice scenery!  If you have any clients that are going on a cruise leaving out of Vancouver, you might want to advise them of this bridge problem.  People might want to take the train or if they drive or take a bus, might want to get up to Vancouver a day ahead of schedule.  Also, upon returning to Seattle, people might want to take the train back (although you get into Seattle late - about 9 pm) and if they're flying out, spend the night in Seattle.   We had a really great cruise -  the suite was perfect for 4 people!  Room service was super fast!  Of course, I called them about 5 am for coffee and not many people are up that early!  We really enjoyed the Neptune Lounge!  Our cabin steward was great!  A wheelcha...

So far, 2013 has been an incredible year for new ship launches, especially for river cruise lines. No launch has been more attention-getting than one held March 20 in The Netherlands, where Viking River Cruises christened 10 new ships in a single day. In fact, the event received recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records : Viking is now entered as having “the most ships inaugurated in one day by one company.” All 10 ships are identical Viking Longships, a series first introduced in 2012. These long and low ships (made to glide under low bridges and into narrow docks) include river cruise ship innovations such as indoor-outdoor viewing areas and two-room suites; they are also equipped with herb gardens, solar panels and energy-efficient hybrid engines. The ships are now sailing major rivers in France, Germany and Austria; in the Eastern European countries of Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria; and through the springtime tulip fields of The Netherlands. Riv...

Since ancient times, ships have been ceremoniously blessed before their first voyages in the hopes that the gods, and the seas, would treat them kindly. Long ago, ships were blessed with a splash of water, wine – or human blood. As time went on, the ship-christening liquid of choice became champagne, and the honor of breaking a bottle over the ship’s hull was given to female members of royal families. More recently, ship christenings have become major red-carpet events, and the bottle-breaking honors belong to “godmothers” who lend their star status, prestige and glamour to the launch of a new ship.   Female royalty still rank among the most elegant godmothers. Queen Elizabeth has christened two ships for Cunard Line; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will be the godmother of Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess when it launches on June 13.   Some godmothers bring Hollywood style to cruising, including actresses Julie Andrews (Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity ); Soph...

One of the best parts of a cruise is the opportunity to get off the ship for a shore excursion! These excursions can enhance your cruise by giving you great experiences on shore: think wine-tasting in France, glacier hiking in Alaska, or swimming with dolphins in Mexico.   So, when it’s time to leave the ship to enjoy some time on land, what should you take with you? You’ll want to pack your bag as lightly as possible, but there are some essentials you should bring along.   It’s always a good idea to take a bottle of water with you, especially in warmer weather or a low-humidity location. Even when the weather is cool, it may be difficult to find a readily available source of drinking water on shore.   In a sunny location, bring some sunscreen and a hat with a brim, especially in locations – such as the Greek Isles – that have little shade.   If you’ll be near water – say, taking a hike up to a waterfall – bring a small towel to wipe away wa...

Summer is coming, which means your summer vacation is fast approaching, too. Summer is the busiest travel time of the year, but a little advance thought and planning can help ensure that your vacation travel will be lovely and relaxing.   Whether you are heading off on a cruise or a different type of vacation, you’ll probably be spending some time in a car, bus, train or plane. If you’re traveling with kids, think about what you’ll need to keep them occupied and happy. Pack some small toys and games, as well as some healthy snacks. Remind tweens and teens to bring along the chargers for their mobile phones and music players and to charge the devices up before setting off. Be sure to keep close tabs on all electronic devices so they aren’t lost or stolen.   If you haven’t flown for a while, remember the Transportation Safety Administration’s 3-1-1 rule for carry-on bags. Any liquids, aerosols or gels must be in individual containers of 3.4 ounces or less; they must al...