Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

A cruise can be a sojourn for one, a romantic voyage for two, a fun break for a group of friends, or one of the easiest family vacations you’ll ever plan. Many popular cruise lines have incredible features that are well-suited to families who sail together, whether it’s parents and their kids or three or four generations of family fun. Here’s why you should choose a cruise: Easy travel from place to place . A cruise vacation keeps you moving, with new things to see and do onboard or onshore every day. But you don’t have to worry about unpacking and re-packing as you go. Your stateroom or suite is yours for the duration, and the crew does the driving (or sailing, in this case), mostly while you are deeply asleep. Everyone will be entertained . While your ship moves between ports or spends a day at sea, there will be onboard activities for family members of all ages. Depending on the ship you choose, there may be live shows, games and tournaments, lectures, films, libraries, f...

Where the coral atop the Cayman Ridge peeks above the waters of the Western Caribbean, it forms the Cayman Islands, known for spectacular diving and other tropical pastimes. Of the three Cayman Islands – Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac – Grand Cayman is by far the largest, at about 76 square miles. Grand Cayman is a popular port on many Caribbean cruise itineraries, and many visitors head straight for the island’s famed Seven-Mile Beach (it’s actually about 6 miles long, but that’s plenty). The entire beach is public property, meaning you can stroll the full length without having to avoid any private resort beaches. There are lots of lounge chairs shaded by umbrellas, beachfront bars and restaurants, and water sports vendors – everything you need for a great beach day. Of course, if you prefer a quieter and more secluded beach, there are several on the western end of the island. If windsurfing is your passion, head the east end for some windsurfing. Serious S...

If you’re a current, retired or veteran member of the U.S. military, you may be eligible for significant discounts on some cruises. Many cruise lines offer discounts to military personnel, although the rules, qualifications, and the form the discounts take will vary. Your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert can help guide you to some attractive deals, but here’s basic information from some popular cruise lines to get you thinking. Celebrity Cruises offers special rates on some sailings to active or retired members of the military, including the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or National Reserves; and the Canadian National Defense. You’ll need to bring proof of active or retired military status to the port to show during check-in. Royal Caribbean occasionally offers special rates to active, retired or veteran military personnel on selected sailings. The rate usually applies to specific types of staterooms. In addition, the cruise line sometimes offer...

Every Hawaiian island is beautiful, yet each is unique, with a surprising diversity of scenery and activities. The best way to get acquainted with them is an unforgettable cruise: just get on board, settle in, and let the ship move you from one postcard-perfect island to another. There are two basic ways to cruise Hawaii. The first is a one-way voyage between the West Coast and the islands, or the reverse. Either direction includes several days at sea and is a good choice if you want time before or after your Hawaiian adventure to enjoy the ship. The second is a roundtrip flight to Hawaii with a roundtrip cruise of the islands from Honolulu. Currently, Norwegian Cruise Line is the only line to offer this option: cruises on the Pride of America are available year-round. NCL combines a seven-day island cruise with three or four days of land tours on the island of Oahu, giving you an immersion in Hawaiian history and culture. Oahu has some of Hawaii’s most modern and most ...

A cruise ship stateroom is truly a wonder of design and engineering: an efficient space that’s well-equipped to serve as your personal sanctuary during a cruise. And, you don’t even need to make your own bed: your cabin steward will keep everything ship-shape. While your stateroom provides everything you need, they are smaller than your average hotel room. But, we’ll let you in on a few secrets that can help you organize and make the most of the space. For example, even frequent cruisers may not know that stateroom walls are magnetic – all of a ship’s structure is made of metal. Bring along a few refrigerator magnets to stick up important papers and notices where you can see them. The majority of cruise ship staterooms are equipped with two beds that can be combined as one larger bed. If the beds aren’t configured the way you want when you board, just ask your cabin steward to make a change. Also, many stateroom designs allow the bed to be re-oriented – if you want to sleep with your h...

If you’re planning to cruise to Alaska, be sure to consider the Alaskan cruisetours offered by many cruise lines. A cruisetour is a combination of a cruise along Alaska’s scenic coastline and a land tour that will take you to part of the state’s vast interior. Some people say you can’t really experience Alaska if you do only a cruise or a land tour, but doing both will give you a true Alaskan experience. Still, a cruisetour isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re seeing Alaska via cruise because you don’t enjoy overland travel via train, bus or car, you may want to stick with a cruise only. But if the idea of a cruisetour interests you, consider the amazing places you can see on the land tour portion. One popular destination is Denali National Park, an enormous natural treasure that includes and surrounds Denali, the highest mountain in North America. There are glaciers, forests and tundra, and impressive Alaskan wildlife, including moose, caribou, bears, wolves and Dall shee...

For some people, sailing across a wide expanse of water, warmed by the sun and refreshed by a cool breeze, is a thrill. If you love the “days at sea” that are part of most cruise itineraries, consider an Atlantic crossing, also known as a transatlantic cruise. There are two kinds of transatlantic cruises. One crosses the Atlantic Ocean simply for the fun of it, which is a specialty of Cunard Line: the Queen Mary 2 regularly sails between Southampton, England, and New York City. The second repositions a ship from one cruise region to another, such as from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean or Baltic. Either type will give you a string of relaxing days at sea. Transatlantic cruises are not entirely port-free – after all, there’s at least one on each end. The western end might be Miami, Tampa or New York; the eastern end could be Copenhagen, Southampton or Barcelona. Some itineraries visit Atlantic islands like Madeira, the Canaries, the Azores or Bermuda. It takes a cruis...

If you and your family are looking for a family-friendly cruise experience on a big ship, but want the amenities of a luxury ship, you can have both. Most luxury cruise ships are small – less than 2,000 passengers, and sometimes no more than 200 – and while they have top-notch everything, they don’t always suit the needs of cruising families. They don’t offer special facilities or activities for children, nor do they have space for the number of dining spots or entertainment venues found on ships that accommodate 4,000 passengers or more. The good news is that the “ship within a ship” option offered by some cruise lines will give you a luxury experience on a ship that also has lots of features to please family members of all ages and tastes. Examples include: The Haven , featured on nine Norwegian Cruise Line ships, is a collection of suites and other spaces for the exclusive use of Haven guests. Staterooms in The Haven are the most luxurious and spacious on the ship...

The Bahamas are a fantastic cruise destination: the archipelago of more than 700 islands (about 30 are inhabited) are close to home for most U.S. residents. The closest island, Bimini, is only 50 miles east of Miami, and there are lots of convenient departure ports all along the east coast. You can cruise the Bahamas for two to eight nights at any time of year. Most days see temperatures in the 80s, with refreshing breezes and lots of sun. Any rainclouds usually pass over quickly. While the Bahamas can be affected by hurricanes, cruise ship captains are very good at monitoring conditions and avoiding rough weather. The low, flat islands are full of unique plant and bird life. Whales and dolphins play in the turquoise water, while smaller and more colorful fish flutter around the world’s third-largest barrier reef. The Bahamas are also a great beach destination, with long stretches of powdery white or pink sand. Common ports of call include: Nassau, New Providence Island, home to abou...

In the Southern Caribbean, the ABC Islands – part of the Netherlands – are unique and beautiful cruise destinations. This small line of islands doesn’t exactly follow its “ABC” nickname: from west to east, they are Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. Aruba is the best-known, and Curacao is familiar to fans of the blue-colored, orange-flavored liquor produced there. But for many cruise passengers, Bonaire is an unknown waiting to be discovered. You’ll come ashore in the Bonaire’s laid-back capital, Kralendijk, where the stucco buildings are painted in tropical pinks, oranges and greens. A stroll through town will reveal bargains on a wide variety of interesting gemstone jewelry and items made from wood, leather, silver and ceramics. There are always prints and paintings, painted fish and locally made dolls for sale. If you have a chance to eat lunch on shore, you’ll find Creole-influenced dishes, along with Dutch staples like smoked meats and creamy cheeses. Cactus soup in a common, and tasty, ...

Have you thought about taking a luxury cruise vacation, but worry it won’t fit your casual lifestyle or your budget? Read on to find out why luxury may suit you. The ships and staterooms. Luxury ships tend to be small or mid-size, with all-suite, all-balcony accommodations. In your suite, you’ll find high-end linens and bath products, granite or marble countertops, elegant fabrics and thoughtful touches like fresh flowers or binoculars for wildlife viewing. While sophisticated, luxury ships aren’t stuffy. In recent years, dress codes have become more casual, closer to those of mainstream cruise lines. The service. Luxury cruises sail with more crew members per guest, and the crew is trained to provide highly personalized service: they will know your name, remember your preferences and anticipate your needs. Don’t be surprised to come back to your suite to find your shoes polished (even if you didn’t ask). The dining. There won’t be as many dining venue available as on some the largest ...

If you’ve already cruised Alaska’s coastline or even ventured to the Antarctic, here’s another cruise destination you may enjoy: Norway’s Arctic region. It’s a special place of abundant natural beauty where you can follow in the steps of early Arctic explorers. While some adventure cruise lines sail this region all year long, the most popular time to sail is summer, with its long hours of daylight. Early in the season, itineraries tend to be a bit shorter and more southerly as winter ice continues to melt. Sailing during July or August will give you the experience of high summer in the Artic, with warmer temperatures and the tundra in full bloom. You may spot polar bears and other Artic wildlife raising their young, too. In September, the ice begins to advance again and ships return to more southerly routes. Cruises of the Norwegian Arctic depart from a variety of North Sea ports, including Hamburg and London (Southampton). Typically, cruises are 10 nights or more, giving you plenty of...

If you’ve booked your first river cruise in Europe, Asia or India, you already know some of the ways they differ from ocean cruises. Here’s a quick refresher on what to expect: you may discover some new tips here, too. A more intimate experience . Most river ships carry just 100 to 200 passengers, making it easy to be social: you’ll dine and explore on shore with the same people each day, so it’s natural to make new friends. While there won’t be as many dining or entertainment venues as you would find on an ocean cruise ship, you’ll enjoy the advantages of sailing close to shore, which provides a constantly changing view and a greater feeling of connectedness to the places you visit. River cruises do tend to attract mature travelers who have the time and resources to enjoy this type of vacation; but, a growing number of younger people – and even some families – are choosing the port-filled itineraries and easy pace of river cruising. Easy sightseeing . Your cruise may in...

Cruises are surprisingly affordable vacations: you get lodging, dining, entertainment and transportation between ports for a set price that compares very favorably with what you would spend if you arranged all that on your own. When people say that cruises are expensive, it may be because they purchased a cruise at the wrong time, sailed during peak season, or purchased onboard luxuries beyond their budget. There are some simple ways to ensure the greatest value from your cruise vacation: Purchasing a cruise well in advance assures the best fare. Last-minute sales, if there are any, can easily be negated by the cost of last-minute airfare to the port. Booking six months to a year in advance is often best: get more advice on this from your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert. Peak season brings peak prices, so cruise a little before or after the busiest time. For example, look at Caribbean sailings between Spring Break and graduation season; or the Greek Isles in fall. You should e...

Cruising to Cuba is nothing new for Canadians, but now, it’s an option for Americans who wish to take a trip to Cuba. Canada-Cuba relations can be traced back to the 18 th century and is the third most popular overseas destination for Canadians. In addition, Canada is Cuba’s largest source of tourists with more than one million citizens visiting the country annually.  More recently, there has been plenty of interest from Americans in this large and beautiful Caribbean island. Cruise lines like Azamara Club Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Royal Caribbean are calling on Havana, and sometimes other Cuban ports, too. The U.S. has a long-standing trade embargo with Cuba, and travel to Cuba for purely tourist activities is still prohibited; so, cruise lines are required by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control to ensure that excursions and tours have a focus on education or cultural exchange. This quali...

Cruising is an affordable and inclusive vacation that’s a natural choice for families with kids. And, when you select a family-oriented cruise line, your kids will have an abundance of activities to choose from, so no need to worry about bringing along toys and games. Still, experienced family cruisers know that there are a few simple items you can pack to make the experience even better for your family. Walkie-talkies . Cruise lines are beginning to offer apps that enable you to communicate with other family members onboard. But for now, if you want to be able to talk with your kids no matter where they are on the ship, your best bet is to bring some two-way radios, or “walkie-talkies.” Be sure to bring chargers or extra batteries, too. Sticky notes. These come in handy when family members sleep in. If you’re ready to go up on desk for breakfast but everyone else is snoring, leave a quick note on the stateroom door to let them know where they can find you. Highlighter. Each morning...

As your cruise ship approaches the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, what you will notice first are the Pitons – dramatic twin peaks that rise a half-mile above the sea. Their beauty is simply a prelude to what you’ll find on this lovely island, where thousands of acres of protected rainforest help maintain an authentic and unspoiled feeling. Cruise ships call on the town of Castries, where there’s some fine duty-free shopping. But, to truly see this lush, hilly and historic island, you’ll want to take an excursion. Many visitors go to the southern part of the island to visit Soufriere, a charming town in the shadow of the Pitons, established by French colonialists in 1746. It offers great beaches including Sugar Beach, a stretch of white sand located right between the Pitons; and Malgretoute Beach, a more rugged beach of grey sand and pebbles. From Soufriere, it’s a short distance to Sulphur Springs, often described as the world’s only “drive-in” volcano. It’s true you can...

Vikings once roamed Norway’s Lofoten Islands, carving out a rugged existence on these mountainous islands that lie inside the Arctic Circle. Today, you can roam the islands, too, with all the luxurious comforts of a modern cruise ship. The scenery of the islands is spectacular, with dramatic peaks and cliffs that loom over sheltered bays and stretches of open water. Summer temperatures are surprisingly mild, averaging in the 50s and 60s, with long hours of daylight; the sun doesn’t really set from the end of May through mid-July. All that daylight gives you plenty of time to explore these fascinating islands. There are tours that will take you to picturesque fishing villages flanked by white beaches and crystal-clear water. For example, Nusfjord is one of the best-preserved cod fishing villages in all of Norway – you’ll feel as if you stepped back into the late 1800s. If you’re ready for some exercise, there’s a popular cycling trail that passes through Nusfjord. Henningsvaer is a larg...

Among the many appealing elements of a cruise vacation are ease and convenience: everything you need is right on board, where and when you need it. Still, there might be a wait for some of the things you want to do, especially on larger ships that sail with thousands of passengers. For example, you might need to wait in line to get on or off the ship, at the buffet, or even for a lounge chair around the pool. (Note that trying to cut the line, for whatever reason, is terribly rude and won’t be tolerated by your fellow passengers.) The good news is, there are some simple ways to avoid waiting in line on a cruise ship. Here are a few: If you tend to sail on the same cruise line most of the time, join its loyalty program. Many cruise lines maintain separate, faster-moving lines for their most loyal customers at embarkation, debarkation and the guest services desk onboard. Plus, you’ll enjoy the other perks and special offers that come with being a loyal customer.  Depending on the...

The easternmost of Caribbean islands, Barbados is known to many as the birthplace of pop singer Rihanna. But, cruise fans know Barbados as a beautiful island with gentle green hills (and some steep cliffs on the eastern side) that slope down to white sand beaches. The daytime temperature is between 75 and 90 all year, with a refreshing breeze from the trade winds. Cruise ships dock a mile west of downtown Bridgetown, the island’s capital. Stroll down the Princess Anne Highway to Pelican Village to visit artisan boutiques, a cigar factory and a fish market; then, stroll through a lovely park and into downtown. Watch for cars driving on the left side of the road, one of the many traditions left over from Barbados’ long tenure as a British territory. There’s a lot to see, beginning with the Mount Gay Rum Factory, producing delicious rum for three centuries. You’ll have the chance to taste and enjoy the flavors of all six varieties. Barbadians are also proud of their pottery. The family-...

This review was written by good friends and experienced cruisers.  It is posted with additional comment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sorry this has taken so long but I have no excuses. Feel free to use as you see fit. Disney Wonder Pacific Coastal Cruise  5 Nights- San Diego to Vancouver BC with a stop in San Francisco Airline -  Alaska is one of the best. Good planes and always on time .   Baggage was available by the time we reached the claim area. Transportation to hotel.  We took a cab that cost $17 Hotel - Stayed at the Residence Inn Bayside.  Great location across the street from the cruise terminal.  Hotel is unique in that it shares a lobby, eating area and elevators with a sister property, the Spring Hill Suites. Highly recommend this hotel.  It was great and everything worked just fine. Embarkation - Disney had made a big deal a...

The trend in cruise ship dining is to give passengers a greater choice of venues, including specialty restaurants. Still, most ships maintain a main dining room that delivers reliably delicious food. It’s typically a large, sit-down restaurant with a multicourse menu and attentive waiter service. Most serve breakfast, lunch (sometimes only on days at sea) and dinner, changing the menu daily. Breakfast and lunch are usually open seating during set hours. Dinner is often more structured, with a choice of two assigned seating times (you’ll be expected to arrive promptly). Whether you’ve just booked your first cruise or are looking forward to your 20th, here are some tips that will help you make the most of your time in the main dining room. Meals in the main dining room are included in your cruise fare. So, go ahead and order the lobster, or any other dish that you would usually shy away from due to the cost. Or, try something you’ve never tried before. Escargot? Roasted tofu? You ma...

The island nations of Australia and New Zealand are often paired in people’s minds and on cruise itineraries – but in reality, New Zealand couldn’t be more different from its neighbor to the west. Rugged mountains and deep valleys, thermal features, Maori culture and pastures full of grazing sheep are all part of what makes it unique. Plus, New Zealand is long and narrow and most of the country is close to a coast, which makes it perfect to explore via cruise. While New Zealand is a featured stop on some South Pacific cruises, world cruises and repositioning cruises, other cruises really focus on New Zealand. Some sail roundtrip from Auckland, or from home ports on the east coast of Australia. So, where can you go and what can you see on a New Zealand-intensive cruise? Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, has a harbor full of yachts and a maritime culture. There’s a great aquarium, museums, gardens and the Sky Tower. You can tour historic villages and black-sand beach...

Experienced cruisers may find it hard to believe, but this is a real objection travel agents hear from people who have never taken a cruise: “I’m afraid I’ll be bored.” Some people think there’s not much to do on a cruise ship. Once they take a cruise, they know: cruise ships are very well equipped with amenities and activities that invite you be as busy as you like. In fact, it can take a whole day just to explore the amenities of a ship: pools and hot tubs, sports decks, fitness centers, shops, spas, lounges, internet cafes, libraries, theaters and more. Some larger ships combine all that with incredible features like water parks, ropes courses, observation pods, skating rinks and bowling alleys. Here are just a few of the things you can do to keep boredom at bay while you’re on board. ·          Take an exercise class in the ship’s fitness center (exercise is always more fun in a group). ·       ...

It’s good to know your ABCs, especially when they are Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, the “ABC Islands” of the Southern Caribbean. Aruba, where cruise ships dock in the capital city of Oranjestad, is the most-visited of the three. If you haven’t cruised there yet, there are some things that may surprise you about Aruba: ·          While the island has a European flavor, thanks to Spanish and Dutch colonists, it’s just a few miles off the northern coast of South America. ·          Aruba lies well south of the path of most hurricanes that enter the Caribbean. ·          Aruba is an arid island with plenty of cactus. It’s the Caribbean island with the least annual rainfall and the most sunny days, too. There’s a lot to do on Aruba, but the beaches are the real star of the island. The soft white sand has a high crushed shell content that keeps it cool on your fee...

Some think that river cruising – with its leisurely pace and emphasis on the attractions on shore, rather than on the ship – is only fun for people older than they are. So, you may be surprised to learn that a growing number of people in their 20s and 30s are choosing river cruise vacations. In fact, river cruise lines have put some thoughtful effort into appealing to the Millennial generation. After all, one study found that 36% of Millennials (in this case, defined as ages 18-38) are interested in taking a river cruise during the next 12 months. Why are more Millennials looking at river cruises? Perhaps because they want something new and different, and river cruises are different from the ocean cruises they may have taken with their parents. Another theory is that Millennials enjoy experiencing the culture of a destination, and river cruises offer more time on shore, with opportunities to explore authentic sights that are off the beaten path. Accordingly, river cruise o...