Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Cruise fans in the U.S. and Canada have an abundance of close-to-home cruise options, including the coast of New England and Maritime Canada; the Bahamas; the Eastern, Western or Southern Caribbean; the Mexican Riviera; and the coast of Alaska. And, if you’re looking for something a bit off the usual cruise pathways, there’s yet another option: the Pacific Coast.   Cruise lines like Princess and Holland America Line cruise the coastline of California, Oregon and Washington: some itineraries also include British Columbia. There are a number of appealing ports, including San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, Calif.; Astoria, Ore.; and Seattle, Wash.   San Diego has enviable weather nearly every day and many wonderful attractions, starting with the shops, restaurants and galleries of Seaport Village, near the cruise terminal. The San Diego Zoo is one of the world’s best: don’t miss the giant pandas. The zoo is just one of the attractions in Balboa Park, which ...

China, a vast nation with a fascinating history, can be explored by ocean-going cruise or river cruise. Ocean-going ships generally call on two major ports, Shanghai and Tianjin (for Beijing); river cruises explore China’s mighty Yangtze River.   Shanghai, one of the world’s largest cities (24 million people as of 2013), is located where the Yangtze River joins the East China Sea. It’s the world’s busiest port for container ships, but also welcomes cruise ships at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal. Some larger ships dock at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port, about 20 miles from the city center.   The international terminal is close to the Bund, a waterfront street of colonial-era buildings that contrast with the city’s sleek skyscrapers. Cruise ship passengers flock to Nanjing Road, a major shopping street that extends from the Bund. Or, head to Shanghai’s Old Town and sample fragrant dim sum in the bazaar before strolling through the beautiful YuYuan Garden...

Australia is a dream destination: its wonderful diversity of people, landscapes, cuisine and attractions are overlaid with a welcoming, relaxed attitude. To see as much of the continent as possible in one trip, consider an Australian cruise.   More than 10 major cruise lines visit Australia. You can enjoy the elegance of Cunard Line, Regent Seven Seas or Crystal Cruises; or, the family-friendly ambiance of Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean or Princess Cruises. Paul Gaugin Cruises calls on northern Australia ports in combination with Fiji or the islands of Southeast Asia. Seabourn’s intimate ships also call on ports in eastern and northern Australia on cruises that that also visit New Zealand or Southeast Asia.   Sydney is the anchor of many Australian cruise itineraries, with good reason. The beautiful harbor, the nearby beaches, the historic Rocks district and the misty Blue Mountains in the distance are just some of the features that elevate this sprawling ...

Shore excursions – opportunities to step off a cruise ship to explore and experience a port of call – are one of the best reasons to choose a cruise vacation. And, there are an incredible variety of shore excursions available: anything from a simple a day at the beach to “flightseeing” in a private plane.   In its 2014 Cruise Trends Survey, Cruise Holidays asked its expert agents which types of shore excursions they book most often for their clients. You may be surprised by the activity level of the top responses: evidence that cruising isn’t just for lazy people who love to spend time at the buffet!   General sight-seeing tours. Getting to know a destination by touring its most famous, historic or scenic sites is a very popular choice. Depending on your itinerary, you might walk among ancient ruins, marvel at classic architecture, spot some wildlife or browse through a bustling market. For a more personalized experience, you can reserve a private vehicle and dr...

After 40 years working in telecommunications with the last 15 in wireless services (mobile), you would think I would know more about international roaming charges.   Well, I may understand the enabling technology, but how the roaming charges are calculated is still a mystery.   My experience during a recent trip to South America demonstrates my ignorance.   Before leaving on a month long trip to South America, I knew we would need some kind of international roaming package.   Therefore, I visited an AT&T office to discuss international roaming options.   After talking to the agent, we agreed to a limited “roaming package” that contained both voice and data for my iPhone.   I told the agent that we would be on a cruise ship and visiting several countries during our trip.   No problem, I agreed to a purchase an international roaming package for about $120.   We knew that we needed to limit our voice and data usage during our trip. ...