Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

If you’re booking a cruise of the Western Mediterranean, it’s a great opportunity to get to know the city where your cruise begins or ends. If you’re flying to Europe and back, it simply makes sense to spend a few extra days in one of the region’s beautiful, historic cities. Barcelona, capitol of the Catalonia region of Spain, is a home port for several cruise lines. This enchanting city is full of wonderful art, culture, food, architecture and sports, all at the edge of the sparkling Mediterranean. You can spend hours strolling La Rambla, Barcelona’s busiest and most famous boulevard. It starts at Plaça de Catalunya, a lovely square that’s considered the center of the city: this is where delirious FC Barcelona fans celebrate when the beloved soccer team wins yet another cup. The tree-lined boulevard proceeds toward the Mediterranean, threading between the Gothic Quarter, the center of the old city, and the El Raval neighborhood, known for its nightlife. Along the way, you’ll ...

No one wants to think about it, but certain events could disrupt your cruise vacation plans – such as illness, airline delays or an urgent family matter. Fortunately, you can easily put your mind at rest by purchasing travel insurance. Cruise lines take responsibility for some disruptions, such as mechanical troubles. But issues like a personal illness or luggage lost by your airline are not the cruise line’s responsibility, and won’t result in any reimbursement of your costs – unless you have travel insurance. It’s a smart way to avoid losing your investment in your cruise vacation. Insurance is available for all lengths and types of cruises, from a short 3-night cruise to a four-month world cruise. Costs vary, but will be a small percentage of the cost of the cruise. Depending on the coverage you purchase, travel insurance can provide reimbursement for any of these unfortunate situations: ·            -   An illness that forces you to ca...

For some cruisers, the most important aspect of a cruise isn’t the destination, but the experience they have while on the ship. And, the onboard experience is highly influenced by ship size. The size of a ship determines a lot, from where it can go to how many options there are for activities and entertainment. Mid-size ships can strike a perfect balance between too big and too small; as Goldilocks would say, they’re “just right.” The smallest cruise ships carry just a few hundred passengers, and the largest sail with more than 6,000. In general, midsize ships accommodate about 600 to 2,600 passengers. That means you can look forward to meeting some delightful new friends without losing them in the crowd for the remainder of the cruise; or, you can socialize with a different group every night. Service on mid-size ships is often a bit more personal than on a larger ship, where the crew has to take care of so many guests that service can feel a bit institutional. The crew is...

It’s easy to understand the appeal of a spa vacation: the pampering, the special treatments, the serenity of calm surroundings, and time to rediscover the simple pleasure of feeling good. Instead of vacationing at a land-based spa, why not look to the sea? Cruise ships have spas that rival any found on land, and some ships present a truly indulgent and immersive spa experience. The luxurious Spa at Seabourn, found on the Odyssey , Sojourn and Quest , is a beautiful, two-deck-high facility that’s surprisingly large given the small ship size.  Features include a hydrotherapy pool, a thermal suite with herbal sauna, a relaxation room with heated loungers, a yoga room with a Kinesis wall, and a private deck for quiet relaxation. For an immersive experience, rent a Spa Villa: these private hideaways are furnished with oversized bathtubs, comfortable living areas and day beds. Here, you can relax with a personalized package of treatments, such as a 24-karat gold facial. The...

Cruise lines know that cruise fans are always looking for new adventures, and they keep things fresh and exciting by regularly offering new destinations and ships. Here’s a look at some new developments for 2016: Holland America Line will introduce its first new ship since 2010, the Koningsdam , in April. It will be the first in the line’s new Pinnacle class. During its first year, the ship will sail the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and to Iceland before relocating to Port Everglades for Caribbean cruises. The ship will have Holland America’s first purpose-built staterooms for solo travelers and for families, as well as new programming in the Culinary Arts Center. Regent Seven Seas will introduce its latest all-suite luxury ship, the Explorer , on July 20. The ship will increase the line’s fleet capacity nearly 30 percent, but will still be exclusive, with just 750 passengers. They will enjoy six open-seating gourmet restaurants, a nine-deck atrium and a two-story theater. The s...

The world of leisure cruising has expanded in the past few years with new options for ocean and river cruising. Both will take you to interesting ports, but that’s about as far as their similarities go. Their differences are many, providing you with a choice of distinctly wonderful vacation experiences. Ships Ocean cruise ships vary in size, but can have as many as 18 decks and room for more than 6,000 passengers. You can expect multiple stateroom choices, expansive areas for sports and fitness, spas, lounges, theaters, swimming pools, a range of dining venues, and special features like on-board water parks and demonstration kitchens. River cruise ships have three decks at most, accommodate about 200 passengers, and are built to glide beneath the many bridges they encounter. The atmosphere is more like that of an elegant private yacht than the “floating resort” style of an ocean cruise ship. Entertainment, activity and dining options are much more limited, but everything ten...

When planning your next cruise, don’t forget about the wonderful options available out of Los Angeles. More than a dozen cruise lines sail from the World Cruise Terminal (technically located in San Pedro) throughout the year, including Crystal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean. From Los Angeles, you have a choice of cruise destinations, lengths and styles. For example, it’s a popular port for a quick getaway cruise along the West Coast, featuring ports like the sophisticated city of San Francisco, scenic Monterrey, and relaxed and beautiful Catalina Island. Or, board a ship that sails south to the Mexican Riviera. Popular ports along Mexico’s gorgeous Pacific coast include Puerto Vallarta and its busy beachside boardwalk; Mazatlan, where you can watch adventurous high-divers or experience the thrill of sportfishing; and Cabo San Lucas, where the Pacific mingles with the Sea of Cortez, creating stately rock formations and some...