Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Set to be christened by its glamorous godmothers – the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes – on May 8, Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Breakaway will call New York City home. The ship’s exciting new features include The Waterfront, an outdoor boardwalk lined with open-air dining spots and lounges; and Ocean Place, a three-deck, ship-length atrium with 17 restaurants, 12 bars, numerous shops and the ship’s casino. A cruise on the Breakaway will also be a great opportunity to enjoy a few extra days in one of the world’s most exciting cities, before or after your cruise. The hard part may be deciding which of New York’s must-see sights to take in – you’ll need to be selective. Top sights include: Central Park. This spectacular public park in the center of Manhattan has a tree-lined mall, walking and bridle paths, a zoo, an outdoor theater and a small castle. Fountains, sculptures and bridges add to the park’s beauty. New Yorkers also come here to enjoy birding, rock climbing and...

If your family will celebrate a high school or college graduation this year, you may be wondering what type of gift should mark such a great achievement. How about a cruise? Before you pick a cruise, know that there’s one major difference in presenting a graduation cruise to a high-school graduate or a college graduate: most cruise lines require that passengers be at least 21 years old to travel without a chaperone. Some lines require that chaperones be at least 21; others require them to be at least 25. While you can probably send a college grad and off on a cruise alone or with a friend, someone older will probably need to accompany a high-school graduate. (Perhaps that someone could be you!) To select a cruise that a new grad will enjoy, you may need to set your own preferences aside. While great dining opportunities or a well-appointed spa may be most important to you, the graduate may enjoy a ship that provides lots of opportunities to be active. Royal Caribbean is often...

Some travelers enjoy cruising to places they know they love, because they’ve been there before. Others want a new and different experience each time they cruise. If you fall into the second category, consider some of the cruise destinations that are less well known, and as a result often under-rated. Cruise Holidays recently asked its expert travel agents across North America which are the most under-rated cruise destinations. The top responses were: Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dubrovnik has emerged from the shadows and damage inflicted by Croatia’s war for independence from the former Yugoslavia, which ended in 1995. Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” is becoming a feature of Eastern Mediterranean cruises. The medieval Old Town is delightful for strolling and exploring monasteries and churches, shops and cafes. There are beaches and biking trails nearby; antiquities and wineries offer more options for inland excursions. Istanbul, Turkey. Another emerging Eastern Mediterran...

Leisure cruising is a terrific vacation value, thanks in part to all-inclusive fares. Fares generally include accommodations, all meals and snacks, lots of entertainment and other amenities – not to mention that the ship moves you from one wonderful port to another with no effort on your part. Still, to find out which cruise lines deliver truly exceptional value, Cruise Holidays asked the experts in its agencies across the U.S. which lines provide the best value per dollar. The top five are: Celebrity Cruises Royal Caribbean International Regent Seven Seas Cruises Holland America Line Princess Cruises Celebrity is a premium cruise line that delivers attentive service: for example, you’ll be handed a glass of sparkling wine or a mimosa when you step on board. Every stateroom is equipped with plush terrycloth robes, and suites come with private butler service. Concierge Class accommodations step up the amenities with luxurious bedding and a unique “pillow menu.” On Solstice ...

A glass of wine is fine any time, but even better when you sip it on a cruise ship. Whether you’re on deck toasting the sunset, savoring a multicourse gourmet meal in a specialty restaurant or simply enjoying some time in the comfort of your stateroom, a delicious wine can enhance the cruise experience. Cruise lines appreciate wine enthusiasts and accommodate them in special ways. Many cruise lines offer wine-tasting events, a great way to spend a day at sea. Some ships offer educational programs designed to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of wine, or special dinners in which each course is paired with an ideal wine. Cruise ship wine bars have become popular spots to relax, sample new wines and chat with other wine aficionados. Royal Caribbean offers the Vintages wine bar on its Voyager class, Freedom class and Oasis class ships. There, you can sample wines from some of the world’s most famous vintners – some available only at Vintages. Celebrity Cruises has more tha...

When Norwegian Cruise Line’s fabulous new ship, the Norwegian Breakaway , sails for Bermuda this April, it will depart from a growing region for home ports: the northeastern U.S. The Breakaway will sail from New York City, a home port that offers fantastic pre- and post-cruise opportunities. There are lots of enjoyable sights, shops, restaurants and more to explore in other northeastern home ports, too, which include Boston, Mass.; Bayonne, N.J., just across Upper New York Bay from Brooklyn; and Baltimore, Md. Millions of people live within easy driving distance of one or more of these ports. And, driving rather than flying to your cruise ship can free up more of your vacation budget to spend on the ship and in the ports you visit. Boston is a popular port for cruises to New England and Canada on Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean ships. These cruises are no longer limited to the height of the fall color season, but sail from May through October....

With cruise ship home ports stretching along the Eastern Seaboard, the Gulf Coast and up the West Coast, millions of Americans and Canadians live within easy driving distance of a ship. While many cruise passengers opt for the ease and speed of air travel, there can be definite advantages to driving to your ship. You can spend the money you save on airfare to reserve a higher class of stateroom; you can enjoy the sights along the drive; and, you can bring back lots of purchases without worry about stuffing them all into your luggage or paying airline fees for extra baggage. But, how easy is it to park your car at the pier? In most cases, it’s very easy, though there are fees involved. For example, if you’re sailing from New York City, parking is available at the Port of New York’s gated facilities with 24-hour security for $30 per day. In Miami, you can park for about $20 per day. If you drive up in a large recreational vehicle, expect to pay about $40 per day. Miami also has...