Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Cruise Holidays recently conducted a survey of its agencies across North America, asking its cruise experts to use actual client booking data to help identify trends in cruise travel. We previously looked at the most popular destinations nationally and internationally; now, let’s look at the most popular ships, based on bookings for 2015. 1.      Independence of the Seas , Royal Caribbean. This ship’s recent $7 million refurbishment added digital signage that makes it easier to find your way around the 3,600-passenger ship; a cupcake shop; an Italian restaurant; and a nursery for the youngest guests. Royal Caribbean’s signature entertainment features, including a surfing simulator and ice skating rink, make the ship a great choice for families. 2.      Oasis of the Seas , Royal Caribbean. First launched in 2009 with an innovative “neighborhoods” concept, this 5,400-passenger ship had a recent overhaul to add some of the dining and technol...

There’s a new cruise destination in the Western Caribbean: the Banana Coast of Honduras. Until now, cruise ships could call at the island of Roatan, a world-class snorkeling and diving destination just off the coast, but there was no option for visiting the country’s mainland. Now, the port of Trujillo offers a gateway to the rest of Honduras. Trujillo’s natural deep-water harbor is fringed by miles of beautiful white sand beach. It’s historic too, being the place where Christopher Columbus first made landfall on the mainland of the Americas in 1502. Trujillo is also the historical center of banana production on the north coast of Honduras. The Banana Coast has a spectacular natural setting between the sparkling Bay of Trujillo and a pair of jungle-covered mountains, Mount Capiro and Mount Calentura. Although the Banana Coast is a new stop for cruise ships, there are already more than a dozen options for excursions on shore. To provide a few examples, you can explore the e...

Cruise vacations are all about breaking away from your normal routine to relax and indulge in new places, tastes and activities. That can include breaking the mold of your usual exercise routine and trying some new ways of staying fit and healthy. Most sizable cruise ships have impressively equipped gyms; plus, your onboard workout can feature an ocean view! Following are some of the most intriguing fitness opportunities at sea. Holland America Line’s Cardio Ki-Bo Circuit classes . These classes combine aerobic conditioning, kickboxing and other moves to help release chi, the Chinese term for essential life energy. If KI-Bo sounds a bit too intense, try an aquaerobics or yoga class. Cunard Line’s Pilates Institute at Sea . Pilates is a form of yoga that focuses on improving strength and flexibility, and the Queen Mary 2 has staff from the famed Pilates Institute who present lectures and lead personal and group sessions. You can learn to use Pilates to release tension, imp...

The increasing variety of river cruise itineraries is making the non-coastal capitals of Europe more accessible to cruise travelers. Paris, France, is a perfect example: it’s 150 miles from the English Channel, and ocean-going ships must dock at the port of Le Havre or at Rouen. River cruise ships, however, can travel up the winding Seine river right into Paris, docking near the Eiffel Tower and other incredible sights in the City of Lights. From the river, you’ll see some of the dozens of bridges that cross the Seine, including Pont Neuf, which connects both banks of the Seine to Île de la Cité, where Paris began. The island is home to the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris; climb the stairs inside the towers for a wonderful view of the city. There’s also Sainte-Chapelle, a royal chapel in the Gothic style; and the sobering history of the Conciergerie prison, where thousands of prisoners awaited execution during the French Revolution. In addition to the Eiffel Tower, be sure to...

Traversed by sailors since ancient times, the Adriatic Sea sparkles between the Italian and Balkan Peninsulas. Today, the Adriatic welcomes cruise ships and passengers who appreciate this relaxed, scenic part of the world. A northern arm of the Mediterranean Sea, the Adriatic has something of a split personality. The western shore – essentially, the long eastern coast of Italy – is known for gentle water and sandy beaches. The eastern shore, shared by Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, has dramatic, with rocky islands and cliffs that rise from the water, backed by inland mountains covered with deep green forest. Many cruises of the Adriatic begin or end in Venice, the dreamy city that occupies a series of islands in the delta of the River Po. Ornate bridges and romantic canals link the islands and the landmarks they hold, such as the famous Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) and its imposing cathedral. Venice is full of historic buildings that appear to float on the...

Rome, Italy, sits on the banks of the Tiber River but depends on Civitavecchia, a small city 50 miles to the northwest, to serve as its port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the Mediterranean. Civitavecchia, a commercial port since the second century, boasts a massive fort – part of it was designed by Michelangelo. Still, you won’t want to spend too much time there when all of Rome is waiting for you. It’s a 20-minute walk from the port into Civitavecchia, but most cruise lines will have shuttles waiting to take you into town. There, you can board a bus or hire a taxi to get to Rome; the ride will take 90 minutes to two hours, depending on traffic. There is also train service, which is a bit faster, delivering you to Rome in just over an hour. A knowledgeable travel consultant will also be able to assist with private transportation options. There’s a lot to see in Rome, and there are a variety of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time there. If you’d like to see...

Travelers who are concerned that simply being on a plane or cruise ship with someone who has been exposed to the Ebola virus could lead to infection should be reassured by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent for CNN, who reports that, Ebola is not highly contagious; and, the virus does not travel through the air. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that the Ebola virus spreads only through contact with blood or other body fluids from an infected person who is actively displaying the symptoms of the disease. Ebola virus disease is a certainly a serious health concern, especially in West Africa, where the largest outbreak ever continues to claim victims. In an abundance of caution, the travel industry is taking steps to further reduce the extremely low risk of contracting Ebola from a fellow traveler. For example, the Cruise Lines International Association worked with public health authorities to develop guidelines for its member cruise line...