Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Just off the northeast coast of South America, the ABC Islands of the Southern Caribbean – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao – are beautiful cruise destinations. Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the islands have spectacular weather all year long. They also lie south of the paths of most Atlantic hurricane systems, so they’re a great choice for summer and early fall cruises. Aruba, the most-visited of the three, isn’t your average tropical island. The climate is drier than you might expect, and the island is dotted with forests of cacti. If you explore them, you could see some animals found nowhere else, including the Aruban Whiptail – a blue-hued, long-tailed lizard – a brown-throated parakeet, or the endangered Aruba rattlesnake (don’t get too close). The glittering casinos in the port of Oranjestad are an attraction, but many visitors choose Aruba due to its wonderful beaches. The southern and western shores are mostly sheltered from strong ocean currents, with stretches of soft whit...

Cruising: The Best Way to Explore Hawaii There’s more than one way to see Hawaii, and we would pick a cruise every time. Here’s why: While they’re all stunning, each Hawaiian Island has its own unique landscape and special character, from the volcanoes of the Big Island to the towering waterfalls of Kauai. You’ll want to see more than one island, and a cruise makes that easy. You board your ship, unpack and relax, with no worries about having to repack to catch a flight each time you change islands. A cruise is cost-efficient, too: Taking flights between islands gets expensive. Also, meals on shore can be pricey. As a cruise passenger, you’ll have the option of returning to the ship for delicious meals that are included in your cruise fare. A cruise also guarantees some spectacular over-the-water views of the islands from the ship’s decks, if not from your very own stateroom. That’s something you don’t necessarily get from a hotel or resort, even if it’s on the wate...

The best cruise ships for families are equipped to keep kids entertained, especially while at sea. Many cruise ships offer great child- and family-friendly activities, but some offer truly heart-pumping attractions to thrill the kids. We find that Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships offer quite a few activities that fall into the “thrilling” category. (Parents, note that many of these thrills can be enjoyed by the whole family.) Racetracks . Norwegian Cruise Line’s Joy and Bliss are the first ships at sea to offer two-level racetracks designed for competitive racing. Kids can zoom along at up to 30 mph. Escape Rooms. Several Norwegian ships have escape rooms with a carnival theme. When a carnival act goes wrong, the kids must solve puzzles to “Escape the Big Top” before time runs out. Ziplines. On Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, kids can zip from deck 16 to 15, high above the Boardwalk neighborhood. Norwegian also features ziplines on the Getaway an...

The stunning scenery is a huge draw, but some people cruise Alaska for a different reason: to see the wildlife that abounds there. What animals can you expect to see – at least through binoculars, and perhaps close-up – on a cruise of southeast Alaska? On Land The most commonly sighted Alaskan bear may be the “rock bear,” which turns out to be a boulder on the shoreline. However, it’s common to spot brown or black bears while sailing near shore or even while hiking: some shore excursions will take you to salmon streams where bears (and eagles) love to feed on fresh fish. Mountain goats can be spotted throughout southeast Alaska. When you sail close to craggy mountains or cliffs, watch for the shaggy, surefooted creatures on high ledges. So that you won’t be disappointed, know that one Alaskan animal you’re unlikely to see while cruising is the moose. There’s always a chance, but they usually stay farther inland. In the Water Alaska’s Inside Passage is a good place to spot adorable sea...

Dubrovnik, known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, is perched on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, directly across the Adriatic Sea from Italy and not far from Venice. Dubrovnik has become a mainstay of Eastern Mediterranean cruise itineraries that also include Venice, Athens, and the Greek Isles. When you visit, you may find that Dubrovnik is one of your all-time favorite port calls. Larger ships often dock in suburban Dubrovnik, where you can hop a bus or take a taxi to the historic Old Town. Some smaller ships are able to dock right in the midst of this medieval treasure, which is best experienced by walking tour. Under the terracotta roofs, you’ll find centuries-old monasteries, churches, synagogues and even one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. Get your bearings by first walking atop the Old Town city walls. About 80 feet high, the walls provide a birds-eye view of the historic heart of the city, the sparkling Adriatic, and the brooding mountains to the east. Come down from the walls ...