Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Cruises to Alaska are the third most popular domestic destination for U.S. travelers this year – just a smidge behind Orlando and Maui – according to Travel Leaders Group’s 2016 Travel Trends Survey. And, there’s a surprising variety of choices for cruising the state’s rugged coastline. Two big choices for you to make are the size of your ship and the route you will take. Ship size has a lot to do with how you will experience Alaska, with smaller (1,000 passengers or less) and larger ships to choose from. Small ships generally belong to premium or luxury cruise lines, so the passengers tend to be older than on larger ships, which more often cater to families. Smaller ships can visit smaller ports and can more easily maneuver toward shore for spontaneous wildlife viewing. Small ship cruise fares tend to be higher, but offer good value: for example, shore excursions and other extras are often included. Staterooms are very comfortable, although balconies may be in short supply. And, onbo...

A cruise can be very good for your health, starting with stress relief as you take a break from your daily routine to relax and play. The last thing anyone wants is to end a cruise feeling less well than when they embarked. But, illness can spread onboard, with norovirus being the most notorious culprit. Be assured that cruise lines do all they can to guard against the spread of viruses on their ships; and, there are things you can do to protect yourself, too. Understanding norovirus . Norovirus is a very common (only the common cold is more common). It can flourish and spread quickly wherever people gather in close proximity: schools, restaurants, hotels and many other places, including cruise ships. Norovirus is so often associated with cruise ships simply because health officials monitor illness on ships (unlike hotels and resorts), so outbreaks are quickly identified and reported. Norovirus is often called the “stomach flu,” although it’s actually not related to the flu virus....

Some cruise lines not only take you to the Bahamas – they’ll treat you to a day on their own private Bahamian islands. These islands are wonderfully designed to give every guest an ideal beach day. Princess Cruises’ has its own island called Princess Cays.  It’s on the south end of the island of Eleuthera, and it’s included on many of its Caribbean itineraries. Among its features, Princess Cays has more than a half-mile of white-sand beach for guests to enjoy.  Before you arrive, you can reserve an air-conditioned bungalow or a beach clamshell (a shaded lounge made for two), or just stretch out in one of the many lounge chairs. You can also reserve water sports equipment – including Hobie Cats, Sunfish sailboats and kayaks – or enjoy swimming and snorkeling. There’s an observation tower for marvelous views of the blue sky, blue-green water and deep green of the island. Princess even offers some excursions here, including a trip to the town of Rock Sound, which has a pris...

Cruise lines are always looking toward new horizons: developing new destinations, itineraries and ships in order to offer every cruise traveler, from first-timers to long-time cruise fans, with a choice of fresh experiences.   Here’s a look at some of the new (or renewed) ships set to delight cruise passengers in 2016. Crystal Cruises will enter the river cruise market with the Crystal Mozart , launching from Vienna in July. Crystal purchased and is refurbishing this river cruise ship, which is one of the largest in Europe. It has rare features like an indoor swimming pool and wraparound promenade. Crystal is also planning to debut four new-build river cruise ships during the next two years. Cunard Line will put the Queen Mary 2 in dry dock on May 27, relaunching June 21 with fully renovated suites and restaurants. The refurbished ship will have the latest incarnation of the venerable Verandah Grill, serving gourmet French cuisine and tableside theater at lunch and din...

A cruise in the Caribbean is a welcome respite any time of year. It’s beautiful, it’s balmy, and it’s convenient to the U.S. and Canada; but, it’s much more than that. The Caribbean is a world-class beach destination, and a cruise gives you an opportunity to visit and enjoy multiple Caribbean beaches, each with a unique vibe. Forbes recently published “The Ultimate List” of the best Caribbean beaches: while it’s certainly a matter of personal choice, we agree with many of the picks. They include: Eagle Beach, Aruba. Aruba’s widest beach is well-loved for its soft white sand, backed by low-rise resorts. There are shaded areas for picnics and a variety of water sports to enjoy. If you’re there during sea turtle nesting season (March through September), red-and-white markers will alert you to the protected nests. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to watch some tiny hatchlings make their way to the ocean. White Bay, Jost Van Dyke. The British Virgin Islands have many beaches, and this is one...