Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

For centuries, the naming of a new ship has been an occasion for special rituals. Ancient civilizations poured water and wine, installed onboard shrines, and even performed blood sacrifices to ask their gods to protect new ships and those who sailed them. Today, all that gets sacrificed upon the naming of a new cruise ship is a bottle of champagne, wine or even whiskey, which is ceremoniously smashed against the ship’s hull as cameras capture the moment. The honor of christening the ship goes to the ship’s godmother or godfather – most often, a celebrity or other well-known person who brings attention and excitement to the occasion. Current cruise ship godparents are a diverse and accomplished group. They include singer and actress Jennifer Hudson (Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream ), Olympic Figure Skating Champion Katarina Witt (Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas ), movie star Sophia Loren (godmother to 14 ships over the years, including MSC Cruises’ Bellissima ), rapper Pitbu...

There’s an easy way to be assured of a higher level of fun and camaraderie on your next cruise – make a reservation for a hosted cruise. Hosted cruise programs include you in a small group of passengers who benefit from the guidance of a friendly, knowledgeable cruise host. The host will sail right along with you and make sure you have all the information and assistance you need for an elevated cruise experience. There are a few reasons why cruise hosts are a great resource. First, they simply love cruising, and they know how to help others get the most enjoyment from a cruise. Your host will know the ship and can help you with anything from finding the spa, to tipping the crew, to arranging a one-of-a-kind shore excursion. Your host will also be familiar with the cruise itinerary and all you can do and see onshore. Based on your interests, your host can provide recommendations for how to spend your time in each port. Being part of a hosted group means you’ll have ready-made ac...

Most cruise lines have straightforward policies on cruising with pets – in most cases, it’s not allowed. That may be unhappy news for pet lovers who want to cruise, but there are good reasons why most cruise lines and ships don’t allow pets on board. While many ships have spacious outdoor areas, they aren’t designed for the safety of pets who like to run around and explore. Some passengers may be allergic to dogs, cats or other types of pets. Plus, pets wouldn’t be allowed to disembark in most international ports of call. Still, if you’re determined to cruise with a beloved pet, there is an option. Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 runs a kennel program on its transatlantic cruises (between Southampton and New York). While pets are not allowed to be in their owners’ staterooms, there are lovely kennels for them in a designated area of the ship. Owners are welcome to visit and play with their pets. A dedicated kennel staff takes care of feeding, exercising and cleaning up after the pets. ...

New health and safety measures designed to guard against the spread of viruses and other germs have become part of daily life. The cruise industry is part of this movement as well. Some new cruise health and safety measures – such as electrostatic spraying to disinfect staterooms between cruises, washing linens at higher temperatures and the installation of new, hospital-quality air filtration systems – are “behind the scenes” changes. But others – such as wearing masks and maintaining social distance in the common areas of the ship – will be very visible. And while some may disappear over time, we expect some are here to stay. These include: On-line and touchless check-in. Most cruise lines now conduct at least some check-in procedures online, which helps reduce the time passengers need to spend standing in line and filling out forms at embarkation. We expect this trend to continue as more cruise lines use downloadable smartphone apps to gather the pre-cruise information they ne...

If you’ve ever thought about taking a world cruise, now may be the time to make your plans. Many cruise lines have already announced their world cruise itineraries for 2022, and they’re fabulous. If you’re not familiar with world cruises, the name says it all. These are extended cruises – usually 100 days or more – that visit dozens of ports around the world. They generally set sail in January and return in April. Some literally sail around the world, making a full circumnavigation of the globe; some begin and end in different ports, but visit multiple continents along the way; and some concentrate on a specific region. Whatever the details of a world cruise itinerary, you can count on it being an exotic, memorable experience. World cruises that have been announced for 2022 include the following: Crystal Cruises’ Serenity will embark on the “Myths, Marvels & Monuments” world cruise from Miami on Jan. 17, 2022. Highlights include ports along the Mexican Riviera, in New Zealan...