Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

If your Western Caribbean cruise itinerary includes a call on Grand Cayman, you’re in for a treat. This low-lying island is only 76 square miles but offers a lot to see and do. It begins with the beauty of Grand Cayman’s white sand beaches, including the one at Smith Cove, near the tender boat docks. Seven Mile Beach, Governor’s Beach, Spott’s Beach, Cayman Kai Beach, and Rum Point Beach are popular with residents and visitors. In addition to sunning and swimming, many beaches offer water sports like kiteboarding, paddleboarding, and fishing. Grand Cayman is also popular with snorkel and dive fans. The island has hundreds of dive sites, including beautiful coral reefs, steep drop-offs, and sunken vessels like the USS Kittiwake . Some snorkel and dive excursions include a stop at Stingray City, where friendly stingrays gather around a shallow sandbar for gentle interaction with visitors. You can also get close to green sea turtles at the Cayman Turtle Conservation Center; go birdw...

Fans of river cruising are always interested in new and different ships and destinations, and we’re happy to report that river cruise lines are providing some exciting new options. With a new ship, the Alegria , Avalon Waterways has begun cruising Portugal’s Douro River. The eight-day voyage visits vineyards and villages perched on the hillsides of the scenic Douro Valley and includes an exploration of the historic city of Porto. Passengers can discover Douro Valley treasures like port wine, olive oil, and cork. Viking River Cruises is expanding its presence on Egypt’s storied Nile River. A new ship, the Viking Hathor , debuted in August; another, the Viking Sobek , will be introduced in 2025. Their 12-day itineraries include the Great Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the temples of Luxor, and stops in Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. Uniworld was the first river cruise line to offer a world cruise – something common among ocean-going cruise lines, but rare in river cruising. The Rivers of...

Now that many people are able to work remotely, there’s a new word in the working world: “workcation.” The combination of “work” and “vacation” means doing your job from a vacation venue, such as a cruise ship. A top requirement for a workcation is access to a reliable internet connection, and cruise ships have been improving theirs. Many now use satellite internet, an improvement over trying to connect to towers on land. Still, shipboard internet access can be a bit spotty or a bit slower than what you’re used to, and there’s often a charge to connect. Your professional travel advisor can help you with details about internet access on ships and itineraries you’re interested in. Another requirement for a workcation is a comfortable space to work in. Many, but not all, cruise ship cabins are equipped with a desk area and a chair, so be sure to check on the furnishings. Some ships also have libraries, quiet lounges, business centers, or other areas where you can work productively. ...

Waiting to book a cruise until just before the departure date might yield a last-minute bargain, but there are situations in which it’s wise to book your cruise early. Consider early booking when you want to be sure you can lock in an attractive fare, secure a favorite cabin, sail at a peak time of year, or visit a destination with a short cruise season. Often, fares for a cruise are lowest when that cruise first opens for reservations, which can be as long as 18 to 24 months in advance. There are always exceptions, but it’s typical for fares to start low, and then rise as the ship begins to fill. Many cruise lines also offer attractive incentives for early booking, such as complimentary airfare to and from the ship, free cabin upgrades or beverage packages, onboard credits, and more. And, you may need to provide only a small initial deposit to hold your reservation; it may be refundable if your plans change. Your professional travel advisor will have all the details about early book...

A cruise is a special travel experience, and a cruise ship is a terrific venue for all kinds of celebrations – including a pre-wedding bachelor or bachelorette party. Some of the best things about cruising fit beautifully with the goals of a bachelor or bachelorette getaway. Here are a few examples: It’s a brief, but exciting getaway. A three-day cruise from a U.S. port lends itself well to a bachelor or bachelorette party schedule. It’s enough time to relax and enjoy yourselves without taking too much time away from work and wedding preparations at home. Itineraries to consider include: ·          Three-day cruises to the Bahamas from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. These are offered by several popular cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. Some Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line itineraries include a day on their private islands in the Bahamas, which are a treat to visit. · ...

Why Use a Travel Advisor Relationships with suppliers – you know when you’re visiting your neighborhood restaurant where the servers are familiar and give you a new dessert to try with your meal sometimes? Companies and people love to reward loyalty and the same is true about travel providers. Travel advisors have relationships with these companies and their staff and want to keep that relationship mutually beneficial! The suppliers know that if they can keep their travel advisors’ clients happy, they’ll be more likely to send more people their way. Sometimes this can translate into extra attention, free upgrades, or even things like chocolate-covered strawberries in your room! Knowledge about products – what’s the best travel insurance and should you get it? If something were to go wrong or there were any last-minute changes, which suppliers ha...

Cruising with friends is always fun, but a cruise is also an opportunity to meet new friends. On a ship with hundreds or thousands of passengers, how do you find those you’d like to spend time with? Connect with your fellow passengers before the cruise begins. Groups for passengers of specific cruises can pop up on social media well before the departure date. Future shipmates use these groups to share tips and recommendations and make plans to meet on board. Ask your professional travel advisor where to look for social media groups for your upcoming cruise. Get involved in onboard activities. Be sure to choose a cruise that offers activities you enjoy, whether that’s sunning by the pool, working out, going on shore excursions, playing deck games, listening to guest speakers, or taking in a live performance. The activities will get you out of your cabin and into the mix with people who enjoy the same things you do. Sit with others at dinner. In the ship’s dining room, ask the m...

Cruise fans have a lot to look forward to because a new crop of cruise ships is preparing to debut in 2025. New ships can be many years in the making; they are marvels of modern engineering. Planning and design often take several years, and the actual construction of a ship – from laying the keel to the first float out – can take 18 months or more. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas , first announced in 2016, just entered service in January 2024. Here are some of the ships scheduled to make their first voyages in 2025: MSC Cruises is planning an April launch for World America , which will be dedicated to the North American market. The ship will have lots of bars, lounges, and dining spots, a 350-foot-long promenade, fabulous waterparks, an 11-story drop slide, and an over-water swing ride. With a passenger capacity of 6,762, World America will sail the Caribbean from Miami. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua is also set to launch in April. It will have the li...

Those who think cruising is only for travelers in their golden years haven’t seen this survey statistic from CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association: the average age of cruise passengers is 46, and more than a third are under age 40. This means that millennials – loosely defined as people born between 1981 and 1996, who are now aged 28 to 43 – are likely to find quite a few of their peers on a cruise ship. Millennials now make up about 22% of cruise passengers and 88% of those who have cruised plan to do so again. Millennial interest in cruising may originate in cruise trends like more relaxed onboard dress codes, more adventurous cuisine, more modern ship décor, and more accommodations that suit solo cruisers (a growing number of passengers, currently almost 10%, sail on their own). Like passengers of all ages, millennials are drawn to things that cruises excel at, like visiting multiple destinations and providing vacation value. If you’re a millennial new to cruising –...

Situated along both sides of the equator in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are an enchanting place where endemic species – including some found nowhere else on Earth – live in unspoiled settings. These beautiful, volcanic islands are part of Ecuador, which is about 550 miles to the east. Cruising is a wonderful way to explore this bucket-list destination. The amazing animals that inhabit the islands include giant Galapagos tortoises; marine iguanas, the only iguanas known to feed in water; flightless cormorants; Galapagos penguins, the world’s only tropical penguins; several species of tanagers, also called Darwin’s finches, whose characteristics vary from island to island; and blue-footed boobies, named for their bright blue, webbed feet. There’s also magnificent sea life, from hammerhead sharks to frigatebirds and albatrosses; and unusual plants, including lava cactus. Most cruises sail with experienced guides who help you prepare for and understand what you’ll se...

This is a truism for any type of travel, and especially for cruise travel: the less luggage you bring along, the better. Less luggage is easier for you to handle and keep track of; airline baggage fees can add up if you have too many or overweight bags; and, you’ll want to have some extra luggage space for gifts and mementos you acquire while cruising. So, here are some tips for packing small. Start by making a list of what to pack, because an hour or two of wardrobe planning can help prevent overpacking. Make a list of things that are right for the climate where you’ll cruise; add any special items for theme parties or shore excursions, as well as essentials like a swimsuit, pajamas and underwear. Then, take a deep breath and pare the list down, keeping only items that can be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits. Be sure to ask your professional travel advisor about your ship’s laundry and dry-cleaning services; using them may help you pack even less. Special note for cool-c...

If you’re a frequent cruiser, you may have noticed that some cruise ship traditions are making way for more modern versions of themselves. If you haven’t cruised for a few years, or you’re planning your first cruise, here are some cruise ship features that are entering a new era: Formal nights are fading. Just as dress codes in schools and workplaces have become more relaxed, some cruise lines are relaxing or completely doing away with “formal night” dress codes. Still, if you love dressing up for dinner, you certainly can! Paper newsletters are going digital. Lots of passengers look forward to receiving their daily onboard newsletter and schedule of events, but it’s now more likely to appear on your mobile device than under your cabin door. Cruise lines are also using their apps to provide personalized recommendations for onboard and onshore activities, reminders of upcoming spa appointments or specialty restaurant reservations, and more. Buffets are going full-service. For a ti...

You can cruise on ships big or small – anything from a megaship that accommodates more than 7,000 passengers to a yacht-style ship that carries less than 100. So, before you make a cruise reservation, think about the size of the ship you’d like to sail on based on what you’re looking for from a cruise vacation. In general, big ships offer more of everything: more cabin categories, pools, dining spots, entertainment, activities, shore excursions, and more. But, a big ship’s common spaces can be somewhat busy and noisy; or, threaded with lines waiting to enter a restaurant or theater, claim a poolside lounger, or disembark in a port of call. Small ships don’t have the space to offer as many choices, but they often provide a higher level of service and a more personalized cruise experience. Seeing the same people every day makes it easier to get to know your fellow passengers, too. Here are a few more things to think about before you answer the “big or small” question for yourself: ...

Japan is a nation of islands, which helps make it a fantastic cruise destination. The 14,000 islands of Japan stretch about 1,900 miles, from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the Philippine Sea in the south. While ships call on only a few of the islands, there are many reasons to cruise there, including: The islands are beautiful . Japan is on the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, and its volcanic islands are mountainous, heavily forested, and often edged by beaches. Japanese gardening is an art form, as is Japanese architecture; both are admired worldwide for their elegant simplicity. The cities are energizing . Much of Japan’s population lives in bustling urban areas on the coastal plains of its major islands. Tokyo offers everything from gorgeous public gardens and museums to incredible shopping. Osaka features an iconic castle, neon-lighted Ferris wheels, and thousands of restaurants. It’s also the gateway to nearby Kyoto, Japan’s cultural capital, with over 2,000 Shinto shrines ...

If you already booked a cruise that will set sail during the upcoming winter holidays, we’re don’t need to convince you to sip a seasonal drink by the pool, enjoy holiday meals prepared by expert chefs (with no need for you to cook or clean up), and otherwise celebrate the season on the open sea. But, we can still offer a few tips for making the most of your time onboard. Preparation for a lovely holiday cruise can begin before you leave home. Consider bringing along your most elegant (but still packable) outfit; you may wish to dress up for a holiday dinner or show. Even if you keep it casual, pack some fun accessories – maybe a Santa hat, holiday-themed jewelry, or some soft reindeer antlers for your head. You can dress up your cabin, too, with a tiny Christmas tree, a small menorah, or some sparkly garland. But, be sure to sure to check your cruise line’s rules: for example, most do not allow decorations that have to be plugged in, candles with flames (battery-operated are usu...

After you spend time carefully packing for a cruise, it’s distressing if your luggage goes astray somewhere between your home and your cruise ship cabin. While we hope this never happens to you, you should know what to expect and what to do in this unfortunate situation. To help avoid a lost luggage event, use at least one way to track your luggage. For example, download your airline’s mobile app and use its luggage-tracking feature. Many travelers also place small tracking devices in their luggage – these devices can share their exact location with your mobile device. And even when you use these precautions, be sure to pack an extra outfit – plus essential paperwork and prescription medication – in a carry-on bag that will stay with you. After you fly to your departure city, If your luggage doesn’t appear on the baggage claim carousel, look around; airport staff may have set it aside. If not, go to the baggage service desk for the airline you arrived on and show your luggage claim...

Some cruise ships are as large and as populous as a small city, so knowing how to find your way around is important. Even on a smaller ship, the number of decks, elevators, and hallways can make things a little confusing. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources to help you get to where you want to be. You can start by becoming familiar with the ship before you cruise. Most cruise lines provide online deck plans for their ships; if you prefer paper, your professional travel advisor can provide a deck plan brochure or printout. Use the deck plan to locate your cabin and see how you can get to the closest elevators, the pool, the dining room and buffet, the show lounge, etc. If the cruise line’s website includes photos of the ship, take a look at them so things will seem at least a little familiar when you get on board. Once on the ship, take a little time to orient yourself and develop a sense of forward (toward the front of the ship) and aft (toward the back of the ship). If y...

The Caribbean is balmy all year long, the water is beautifully blue, and the beaches are legendary. For these reasons, it’s one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations. If you haven’t already sailed there, here’s a quick introduction to the region and the places cruise ships call on. The Caribbean Sea is defined by the Greater Antilles islands on the north, the Lesser Antilles islands on the East, the northern edge of South America on the south, and Central America – plus Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula – on the west. Cruise destinations in the Greater Antilles include Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic (which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti), Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. The Greater Antilles, made mostly of continental rock, are known for mountainous beauty. Popular ports include San Juan, Puerto Rico (the departure port for some Caribbean cruises); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The Lesser Antilles is an a...

On many cruise ships, food is a main attraction. Why? There are a few reasons: ·          Cruise ship food has a historic and justified reputation for being both plentiful and delicious. ·          On most ships, several dining venues are included in the fare, with specialty dining experiences available for a reasonable charge. ·          Most ships offer a choice of restaurants and cuisines to sample. ·          Cruise ship menus have shifted to a greater focus on healthy choices and fresh ingredients. ·          On some cruises, menus highlight the food of the region the ship is sailing in. ·          Cruise line chefs are used to accommodating special dietary needs. So, what are some must-try dishes at sea? There are so many...

Compared to other choices you need to make before a cruise – such as a cruise line, destination, and itinerary – picking a cabin may seem like a relatively minor decision. However, where your cabin is located on the ship can enhance your cruise experience. Should you pick a forward (toward the front), middle, or aft (toward the back) cabin? Be assured that there’s no one correct answer to this question; the answer that’s right for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Let’s start with cabins that are mid-ship. The most important thing to know about them is that they are usually the most stable if the ship has to sail through rough water. If you’re prone to motion sickness, a midship cabin may be the best choice. These cabins are often close to more than one set of elevators, too, which may be an advantage for you. Forward cabins can be a good choice if you value having a view from your cabin. The sides of a cruise ship often curve inward a bit near the front of th...

The newest Cunard ship to sail under the cruise line’s signature red and black funnel is the Queen Anne , which accommodates up to 2,996 guests and 1,225 crew members. The ship is sailing a variety of itineraries from its homeport of Southampton, England, venturing to Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and beyond. The Queen Anne is Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years, and it blends the cruise line’s traditional art deco elegance with a contemporary vibe. Examples include the Grand Lobby, which has a timeless black-and-white marble floor, but also a three-story-high LED screen where constantly changing images tell the Cunard story. Another triple-deck space on the Queen Anne is The Pavilion, centered on a pool surrounded by modern navy and white tiles. Overhead, a glass dome opens or closes to suit the day’s weather. The dome also shelters a bright and open Wellness Studio, a small performance stage, and a new restaurant, the Pavilion Wellness Cafe. (If you prefer an open-air pool, t...

A cruise on the Saint Lawrence River is a wonderful way to explore part of the border between the U.S. and Canada. The river is the main outflow of the Great Lakes, flowing east from Lake Ontario to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and onto the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern part of the river is deep and wide enough to accommodate midsize cruise ships (and also whales, which you may spot near Saugenay-Saint Lawrence Marine Park). Ships often sail from Boston or New York through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, then as far as Québec City or Montreal (or the reverse). Port calls to or from the river may include Portland or Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The historic port cities on the river include Québec City, Trois-Riviéres, and Montreal. Québec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America, and its old city walls still stand. You can see churches and a monastery that date from the 1600s, or picnic on the Plains of Abraham – o...

While every aspect of a cruise is carefully planned to deliver a terrific passenger experience, there’s always the possibility that something may go wrong. We hope you never have a cruise complaint, but if you do, here are some steps you can take. Talk to someone about your complaint while you’re still on the ship. Don’t wait until later to write an email or letter of complaint to the cruise line. Instead, allow the crew to improve your cruise experience while it’s happening. Take your complaint to the right crew member. This usually is not the cruise director, whose job is to manage onboard entertainment and activities, but not to manage complaints. To find the right crew member, visit the passenger service desk, briefly describe your complaint, and ask who you should speak with. Talk about the specifics and details of your complaint. When you talk with crew members who can help you, provide as much detail as you can. The goal of the cruise line and the crew is to give you a gre...

The magical Greek Isles spread across more than 8,000 square miles of the sparkling Ionian and Aegean Seas, taking a cruise is a great way to experience multiple islands. A variety of cruise lines sail among the isles on ships large and small. The cruise season is generally spring through fall, but you can find cruises in the winter months, too. Some itineraries focus only on the isles, and others include additional Eastern and/or Western Mediterranean ports. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most-visited Greek Isles: Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. Corfu is one of the greenest of the Greek Isles, receiving enough winter rain to sustain pine forests and olive groves. Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has impressive historic fortresses; Spianada Square, a large town square with historic landmarks, a music pavilion, and a cricket pitch; and restaurants serving delicious moussaka and dolmades. Santorini, one of the most visually stunning Greek Isles, is part of th...

If you’ve ever had to rush back from a shore excursion to return to your cruise ship on time, you might enjoy a cruise that features one or more overnight port stays. When a ship has permission to stay in port overnight, it’s possible to enjoy a leisurely dinner in an onshore restaurant, attend an evening sporting or cultural event, or dance the night away in a local club. Plus, some daytime activities have a different look and feel at night – think European Christmas markets or Venetian gondola rides. Many cruise lines offer overnight port stays, including Azamara, Celebrity, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Virgin Voyages, and Windstar. Overnight stays are more likely on longer cruises that call on larger port cities. And, the cruise lines offer nighttime shore excursions that arrange special experiences for you. These are just a few of dozens of ports where it’s possible to stay overnight on a cruise: Reykjavik, Iceland. The sun is up for long hours during the ...