Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

When thinking about the next cruise you want to take, consider embarking from a home port outside of North America. There are dozens of fabulous cities where you can catch a cruise ship and enjoy a memorable pre-cruise or post-cruise stay. To get your imagination fired up, here’s a quick sample of home ports around the globe – and where you could sail from each one. London, England. Actually, only small ships can sail up the Thames to the city of London; ocean-going ships usually depart from Southampton. That’s just two hours away from London, so you can spend some pre-or post-cruise time soaking up history in the city’s museums, parks, galleries, and palaces. Many cruise itineraries are available from Southampton; for example, an 11-day London to Rome cruise may include port calls in Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy. Or choose a ship that sails north to the Norwegian fjords or the capital cities around the Baltic Sea. Hong Kong. Spread over several small islands, Hong Kong’s imm...

Years ago, there was really only one choice for dining on a cruise ship – the main dining room, a sit-down, banquet-style restaurant with multicourse menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner (a midnight buffet was common, too). Each passenger would have an assigned dining time and table, getting to know their tablemates throughout the cruise – the beginning of many enduring friendships. With elegant surroundings and favorite dishes from a mix of cuisines, main dining rooms are still a popular onboard dining choice. But while the dining room endures, most ships now offer other options for any meal. This provides more choice and flexibility, but can be a little confusing when you first step on board. Here are a few pointers that can help. As an alternative to the main dining room, most ships offer a casual buffet on the Lido Deck (where the main swimming pool is located). With a variety of main dishes, sides and desserts, the buffet is quick and convenient. And, while you should wear mo...

Today’s cruise ships have fabulous features to keep you entertained onboard, but many people cruise for what’s on shore as much as what’s on board. Shore excursions can be the most memorable part of a cruise, and more of them are being designed to provide active, cultural, and educational experiences. Here are some examples of new types of shore excursions being offered on a growing number of itineraries. Food excursions. It’s fun to learn about and taste the authentic local cuisine. Look for culinary shore excursions that visit a farm, restaurant, or cooking school. Some even start with a trip to a market to select ingredients for a favorite local dish, followed by watching – or even helping – a trained chef prepare it. Sustainability excursions. Many shore excursions emphasize the appreciation and preservation of nature and some cruise lines take care to work with local tour operators who are committed to reducing any impact on the environment. Some excursions take this a step fu...

As cruise lines make plans to restart operations, cruise fans are looking forward to sailing once again to their favorite destinations. If you haven’t made plans for your next cruise yet, consider one of these perennial favorites. The Caribbean The beautiful, blue waters of the Caribbean Sea are a year-round cruise destination. It’s close to home for many North Americans; Caribbean cruises sail from numerous ports along the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. The diverse islands of the Caribbean range from flat to mountainous, and sandy white beaches, turquoise water, and coral reefs are common features. The Caribbean also has lots of history and culture – the legacies of indigenous peoples, Africans, and European colonists – that make shore excursions beyond the beaches quite interesting. Alaska Alaska is rugged, and some of its most stunning scenery is actually best seen from a cruise ship. It’s smart to keep your camera ready to take photos at all times. There are misty...