Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

It’s a busy time for the United Kingdom: William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are preparing to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary April 29 while also awaiting the birth of their second child (the baby will be fourth in line to the throne, after his or her grandfather, father and brother). In addition, Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 89th birthday on April 21. She is on her way to becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch; her reign will surpass that of Queen Victoria on September 10. With all of these happy events, the U.K. will celebrate all summer long, making it a wonderful time to cruise this part of the world. The British Isles include Great Britain – England, Scotland and Wales – and lots of offshore islands, as well as Ireland. The coastlines are beautiful, and ships can move from one port to another quickly, giving you more time to explore the ports and take day excursions to inland attractions, such as England’s Stonehenge. A summer crui...

If the thought of meeting a cruise ship dress code is a little intimidating, you’re not alone; no one wants to be the only person who didn’t know that “formal night” calls for a tie, for example. The good news is that while most cruise ships have a dress code, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert will help you interpret the code so that you’ll know what to pack. In fact, if a dress code – or the lack of one – is important to you, your cruise expert can guide you to specific cruise lines and ships that match your wish to dress up or down. “Cruise casual” clothing is predominant on many ships – think of sportswear and what you’d wear to play golf or tennis in at a sports club. Men will be comfortable in polo shirts, sport pants or shorts; women in the same, as well as blouses, skirts and casual dresses. With this dress code, bare feet, tank tops, and very short shorts are generally not included. Shorts are fine during the day, but are usually not welcome at dinner. Jean...

Cruises of China’s mighty Yangtze River have been popular for years; now, ocean-going cruise lines are offering deep-water cruise options for travelers who want to explore this massive, populous and still mysterious nation. China is also a fast-growing market for cruising, so the demand for cruises among Chinese travelers is bringing more ships to the region, too. In fact, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas will homeport in Shanghai. Several of China’s largest cities are located along the Pacific Coast, and here’s what you could see in a few of them: Beijing . Tianjin is the port for Beijing, which lies about 70 miles inland; some cruises feature an overnight stay in a Beijing hotel, providing more time for you to enjoy the city. Must-see sights include Tiananmen Square, the enormous, historic square that encompasses the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the Great Hall of the People, and two massive city gates. The square is next to the Forb...

Southeast Asia is growing as a cruise destination, with an expanding array of cruise styles and itineraries. You can see this colorful, culture-rich region on an ocean cruise departing from Singapore, Hong Kong or Australia; on a segment of a world cruise; or on a cruise along the Mekong or Irrawaddy rivers. Many deep water cruises of Southeast Asia sail between Singapore and Hong Kong, offering an opportunity to get to know each city through pre- and post-cruise stays. A seven-day cruise can take you to exotic ports in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia. Longer cruises often include overnight stays in some ports, so you can take extended excursions to historic sites that lie further inland. River cruises take guests more directly to inland destinations, sailing rivers that have served as lifelines in Southeast Asia for centuries. From Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a combination of Mekong River cruising and land tour will take you to Siem Reap, Cambodi...

Several cruise lines have established partnerships with some of the world’s best-known entertainment companies in order to delight their younger passengers. Imagine seeing your child’s face light up when they meet a favorite character – maybe Dora the Explorer, Alex the Lion from “Madagascar,” or a Disney princess. Even though you’re all grown up, you might be thrilled to share a high-five with Mickey Mouse, too! Norwegian Cruise Line has partnered Nickelodeon since 2010, and the “Nickelodeon at Sea” experience has been maximized on the groundbreaking and family-friendly Norwegian Epic . The kids will love dancing with SpongeBob SquarePants at Dora the Explorer’s Dance Party; they’ll scream with laughter at “Slime Time Live!” in the theater (and yes, someone will get “slimed” with Nickelodeon’s signature green goo). Kids can also get close to their Nickelodeon favorites at arts-and-crafts sessions, character breakfasts, and various meet-and-greets around the ship. Parents are we...

A trip around the world is the dream of many a traveler; and, a cruise around the world is a luxurious way to go. Several cruise lines offer world cruises, which usually last for three or four months and visit multiple continents – and, some itineraries truly do circumnavigate the globe. A world cruise will take you to a stunning variety of ports, letting you experience many different destinations, cultures and cuisines. World cruises also generate a special sense of community among the passengers. There’s lots of time to relax and unwind, enjoy the amenities of the ship, attend classes and lectures, and make new friends with others who love to travel. If a cruise this spectacular sounds like it would be beyond your budget, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert before you cross a world cruise off your bucket list. If you’ve ever thought about taking an extended winter vacation, or if you’re already a “snowbird” who spends the winter in a location warmer than ...

A cruise that includes the Panama Canal is an opportunity to see not only one of the greatest feats of engineering in the world, but a lush and beautiful country. The canal cuts through a slender, jungle-covered isthmus that connects North and South America, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans: it’s a true crossroads of the world. Begun by the French in 1880, the canal was finally finished by the U.S. in 1914 and has been busy ever since. Several cruise lines sail to the Panama Canal, providing you with an excellent choice of ships. For this cruise, you may want to choose a cabin with large picture windows or a balcony – the better to see the canal and the scenery. Panama Canal itineraries are available in a nice variety of lengths, too, ranging from seven days to 21 days or more. Most itineraries include stops in the Caribbean and/or along the Mexican Rivera. Some cruise lines visit the canal all year long, while others focus on the winter months (especially after the r...