Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Australia’s major cruise ship port, Sydney, is included in many a world cruise and South Pacific itinerary. But if you really want to explore Australia, take a look at the coastal cruises that visit multiple ports around this vast island. These itineraries provide excellent opportunities for you to enjoy excursions to Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, national parks, historic communities, wineries, beaches, and many other attractions.   Cruises of coastal Australia often focus on a certain portion of continent. For example, some will take you to the sunny, beach-strewn shores of Queensland in northeastern Australia, also known as the Sunshine Coast. Port calls may include Newcastle, Brisbane, Cairns, and Moreton Island, as well as emerging destinations like Mooloolaba , the Whitsunday Islands, and Port Douglas, adjacent to the Daintree Rainforest.   Cairns is a base for excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest and most spectacular coral r...

Some exciting new ships will enter the cruise scene in 2017. Whether you cruise regularly or haven’t hit the waves for a while, one of these ships may tempt you to organize your next cruise vacation right now.   The Viking Sun will be the third ocean-going ship for Viking Cruises, previously best known for river cruises. This 930-passenger ship will debut in an impressive way, launching December 15 from Miami to sail a 141-day world cruise, Viking’s first.   The Silver Muse will be the new flagship for Silversea’s luxury fleet, accommodating up to 596 guests. The ship will launch in April for a 13-day cruise from Monte Carlo to Nice, followed by cruises throughout Europe, Canada, North and South American and the Caribbean.   The Majestic Princess from Princess Cruises will launch April 4 in Rome, with a capacity of 3,560 guests. The ship will sail some Mediterranean itineraries before being deployed to China to help meet the high demand for cruise vacation...

Barbados is the easternmost of Caribbean Islands; in fact, it’s technically in the Atlantic. The ocean crashes against the rugged eastern shore, most dramatically against the scenic cliffs at the island’s northern tip. The interior is beautiful, too, with fields of sugar cane and splendid plantation houses. The protected western and southern shores are lined with white sand beaches.   It’s delightful to spend a day on Barbados basking on a sunny beach, but there are lots of other choices for an excursion. To explore the island’s interior, take a 4x4 vehicle excursion to places like Joe’s River Forest, filled with lush, towering trees; the Scotland District, which reminded early settlers of the highlands of Scotland; and Rock Hall Village, the first island community founded by emancipated slaves.   If the turquoise water around the island call to you, hop on a catamaran and sail to Turtle Bay, where the beach is a nesting spot for wild sea turtles. You can swim in the ...

There’s a lot of advice on packing for a cruise out there, and it’s all good – but, what are the most essential tips and tricks? Here are three that we think are absolute musts:   Put some thought into what to pack (and start well in advance of your cruise). Look at the length of your cruise, the expected weather, and your ship’s dress code before you decide what to pack. Remember, clothes storage space will be limited, so you need to be selective with your wardrobe. And, all cruise ships have laundry services: some are self-service, others will do your laundry for a fee.   Put some thought into how to pack . Look at your luggage: Can it hold everything you need, or do you need to invest in something new? If you’ll fly to your ship and back, check the luggage weight and size restrictions for your airline, as well as fees for extra or overweight bags. That may help you pack less!   Put essential items in your carry-on bag . After you check your bags at the do...

It’s not fun when a cruise that you’ve planned and saved for is disrupted by illness, whether from a virus, a bacteria, or a bit of overindulgence. So, take these steps to stay healthy for the duration of your cruise. Wash your hands . Think of a cruise ship like any other public space – schools, offices, stores, restaurants – and protect yourself from picking up (or spreading) germs just as you do in those places. The best thing to do is wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or drinking. Bring a little medicine . You don’t need an entire pharmacy, but bring small supplies of things you know will help you with minor discomforts: pain reliever, seasickness preventive, allergy medicine, antacids. If you take prescription medications, be sure to bring enough for the length of the cruise, and don’t forget to take them regularly. Eat and drink in moderation . Food and drink are plentiful, delicious and always available. Treat yourself, but do so in moderation. It...

For more than 100 years, the Panama Canal has been an invaluable shipping link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It’s a wonder of the modern world, and worth seeing just for the magnificence of its engineering. The canal is also surrounded by the lush, tropical scenery of Panama, making it that much more attractive as a cruise destination. There are three ways to see the Panama Canal via cruise ship: a full transit of the 50-mile canal and its three sets of massive locks; a partial transit; or a day excursion from the port of Colon, on the Atlantic end of the canal. A day excursion (or “faux transit”) from Colon won’t take you into the canal on your cruise ship, but on a smaller excursion boat. First, you’ll take a bus to the town of Gamboa. You’ll board a boat that will take you through two sets of locks, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Then, you’ll ride a motorcoach back to your ship. If you’re on a cruise that calls on Colon, be sure to check your options for thi...

Some luxury and adventure cruise lines are simply for adults, and unapologetically so. They don’t necessarily ban children: they just make it clear that their onboard experience is designed for adults. But, some cruise lines make a special effort to attract families with children, offering programs that are specifically designed to delight toddlers, kids and teens. For example, Celebrity Cruises has Toddler Time for children under three; the Fun Factory for age three to 11; and the X Club for teens. Cruise line activities for kids often manage to mix a little education with the fun. On Celebrity ships, teens can learn to create their own videos using high-definition, wide-angle video cameras. The top videos receive prizes at the X Club Film Festival. All kids three and older can have fun with the Xbox gameplay stations and mobile consoles located around the ship. And, if a member of your family lives with autism, take note: Celebrity Cruises has earned an Autism Friendly Certification,...

If you’re putting lots of time into planning your wedding, don’t forget about the honeymoon! A cruise is a perfect choice: romantic, fun, affordable. And, planning gets really easy when you work with a Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert, who will save you time (and probably money) by searching out the best cruise line, destination and fare for you. Still, you’ll need to make a few decisions about your honeymoon cruise. Here the most important questions to consider: How busy do you want to be? If all you want to do is put on a swim suit and relax by the pool, that’s fantastic: look at cruises that spend some days at sea, rather than calling on a new port every day. Or, if you can’t wait to explore new places with your sweetie, look for a port-intensive itinerary. What kind of stateroom do you want? A honeymoon cruise is special, and a good time to reserve the very best stateroom your budget allows. A balcony stateroom would be wonderful for a morning coffee or evening...

Venturing to areas where the Zika virus has become more prevalent continues to be a concern for some travelers, particularly those who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant imminently. If you are considering a cruise for this winter, you may be going to one of the areas with locally transmitted cases of Zika, including Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America to some of the South Pacific islands. Zika is usually a mild illness: the majority of people who get it don’t even notice any symptoms. About 20 percent of infected people experience a mild fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes, headache or muscle ache. The illness typically resolves itself within a week. For most people, Zika poses little to no risk. However, for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, it’s a different story. There is a link between Zika in a mother and congenital birth defects in their children, including microcephaly (being born with an unusually small head as a result of incomplete ...

This report was written after a seven day, round-trip from New York in October, 2016 As usual we had a wonderful trip.   New York.  We stayed at the Marriott Marquis because of it's perfect location for us.  The hotel is very nice.  We saw Lion King which was right across the street. We got our tickets 4 hours before show time and got to sit in the front row which was fantastic.  WE love it.  The theater was a  one minute walk.  Closeness is becoming very important to us as we get older.  We took the 6 hour Gray line tour around NYC again because it was close and because it did exactly what we wanted to see. We had perfect weather in NYC which made the tour very enjoyable. Airports-  LGA is not good.  They have solved some of the near term construction woes but it is still not good.  Cab fare was $62 to the Marriott. Cab to ship was $49 which again is in line of what you thought.  Fares are traffic depende...

If worries about maintaining your special diet have prevented you from taking a cruise, know this: cruise lines go above and beyond to accommodate special dietary needs, and they do it well. If you are vegetarian or vegan; follow a low/no fat, low/no salt, lactose/dairy free, gluten- or wheat-free, low cholesterol, low sugar, Kosher or Halal diet; or are allergic to specific foods, the ship’s culinary staff can accommodate you. But, it’s your responsibility to alert the cruise line about your special needs well in advance of your cruise. Many cruise lines have an official special needs form just for this purpose. Your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help you provide the cruise line with complete and specific information about your needs. While on board, the chefs and crew will do their best to give you a great dining experience: but, it’s up to you to let them know if there’s been a mistake and you find a forbidden food on your plate. Here are some tips to make sure all goes...

Just a bit larger than the state of Massachusetts, the island of Jamaica boasts three major cruise ports: Ocho Rios, Falmouth and Montego Bay. With a central spine of rugged mountains, waterfalls that cascade into deep valleys, and pretty beaches lapped by turquoise water, it’s easy to fall in love with this Eastern Caribbean destination. Each port has its attractions, and each is a great starting point for excursions all around the island. Here’s a look at what’s unique about each Jamaican port: Falmouth A bustling town during Jamaica’s days as a British colony, Falmouth has been reborn as a cruise port. The cruise terminal, opened in 2011, has Georgian style: but, in Falmouth itself, you can see buildings actually constructed during the Georgian Era. Just beyond the port complex, there are gems like the Falmouth Court House and St. Peter’s Anglican Church. It’s an easy walk, but there are also trolley tours that leave from the port. Montego Bay Popularly known as MoBay, Montego Bay...

Cruising is a great way to explore the world, but some of the most memorable destinations are actually close to home. Alaska is a U.S. destination that has some of the most incredible coastal scenery anywhere on the planet, as well as beautiful wildlife and multi-cultural experiences waiting on shore. When we say the scenery is breathtaking, it’s no exaggeration. There are majestic mountains, dense forests, thundering waterfalls, and massive glaciers that glow deep blue and green. Along the shore, you may see brown bears, black bears or moose; Dall sheep and mountain goats scamper on the ridges. In the water, you may spot whales and seals, with seabirds gliding above. As you plan an Alaskan cruise, the first decision is when to go. The cruise season is May to September, perfectly aligned with summer vacations. June, July and August are the warmest, with daily high temperatures from the mid-50's to mid-70's, but can also be a bit rainy. May and September are cooler but drier, an...

One of the joys of being a grandparent is spending time with your grandchildren and seeing the world through their fresh eyes. And, you can help them discover a little more of the world on a cruise. A grandparent-grandchild cruise can be a wonderful bonding experience, but it takes some preparation. Here are some tips: First, talk with your grandchildren’s parents to find out if they think their children are ready for an extended vacation without them. If they don’t think the kids are ready, they’re right: wait another year or two. If the kids are ready, decide together how you’ll propose the idea to them. Also, make sure you understand the kids’ eating and sleeping schedules and what they like to do during playtime. It’s important to stick to their regular schedules as much as possible; and to know what interests them so that you can avoid boredom and the crankiness that can come with it. Also, if you have one grandchild, talk with the parents about possibly taking a friend along....

I f you want to cruise to some beautiful beaches, look for itineraries that include a call on Antigua. This island in the Eastern Caribbean is said to have 365 beaches along its 54 miles of coastline – one for each day of the year. Amazingly, the beaches of Antigua are quite diverse. Calm, sparkling water and soft white sand make Valley Church Beach and nearby Darkwood Beach among the most beautiful on the island. Some visitors prefer the more developed and lively Dickinson Bay Beach, which offers lots of watersports and is lined with restaurants and bars. To watch wind surfers in action – or take a lesson yourself – make your way to lovely Jabberwock Beach. You can also hop on the ferry to Antigua’s sister island, Barbuda, to enjoy 17 Mile Beach, all of it covered with gorgeous pink sand. And, there’s more to Antigua than its beaches. Cruise ships dock in the capital of St. John’s, where you can tour the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. Exhibits explain the history of the islan...

Lots of people love their holiday traditions: to spend time with friends and family, share traditional meals, admire decorations and open gifts. Still, those traditions can take a lot of preparation: shopping, cooking, cleaning, organizing, wrapping, and more. If your holiday traditions are beginning to seem more like work than joy, consider an alternative: book yourself (and as many family members as you like) on a holiday season cruise. Cruise ships really get into the spirit of the season, celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year with decorations, traditional foods, special performances and lots of seasonal activities, from caroling to on-board religious services. And, you can expect to find your ship beautifully decorated from one end to the other. Here are some tips for loving the holidays at sea: Book soon. As always, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help you find the cruise line, ship and itinerary that’s right for you. Talk ...

Now that the kids are back in school and you know their spring break schedules, waste no time planning and booking a spring break cruise. It’s one of the most popular times of year for families to cruise, because everyone will be ready for a break from school, work and winter. If you’re tempted to wait until after the winter holidays to book a spring break cruise, don’t! Your top choices for cruise dates, itineraries, accommodations and flight schedules are likely to be gone by then. Reserve now to secure your top choices, based on the ages and interests of your kids and the type of cruise experience you’re looking for. Here are some things to consider: If you have elementary school kids who like to play and socialize with other kids, look at cruise lines with strong “kid’s club” programs. These programs, supervised by trained counselors, keep kids active and happy – which gives you some time to relax on your own, too. Disney Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Norw...

Why take a world cruise? It’s simply a spectacular way to go. Most world cruises take a leisurely three to four months: some actually circumnavigate the globe, while others explore a significant part of it. Most of the cruise lines that offer world cruises are premium or luxury lines. They use mid-size ships that carry about 600 to 1,500 guests, offering a nice social experience on days at sea. Luxurious as they are, world cruises provide tremendous value: consider that a land-based around-the-world itinerary would include multiple flights, others forms of transport, and a variety of lodging. Plus, with a world cruise, you board the ship, unpack and settle in; there’s no need to repack until your cruise is finished. Most world cruises depart in January (a wonderful way to start a new year). So, what do the cruise lines have in store for world cruises in 2017? There’s more variety than you may think! Some examples: ·        Crystal Cruises...