Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

From the lava flows of the Big Island to the waterfalls of Kauai, Hawaii is a wonderful destination for island-hopping. All of the islands are spectacular, and each has its own unique character, climate, and traditions. There’s plenty of history here, from the ancient kingdoms of Hawaii to the heroics of World War II. And everywhere you look, there’s breathtaking beauty. There are three basic options for a cruise of Hawaii: sailing roundtrip from Honolulu; sailing roundtrip from the West Coast; or visiting during a repositioning cruise across the Pacific. What are the advantages of each? Roundtrip from Honolulu : This option really maximizes your time in the islands, as there are no days at sea traveling to or from the West Coast. However, to comply with U.S. laws related to passenger shipping, cruise ships that are not U.S.-flagged must call on at least one international port each time they sail: that’s why some itineraries include a call on Tabuaeran, also known as Fanni...

Some dispute the claim of St. John’s, Newfoundland, to be the oldest city in North America: but, there’s no doubt that by the mid-1500s, Europeans regularly sailed across the North Atlantic to fish in the waters around the Avalon Peninsula. Today, St. John’s is still a capital of the fishing trade, but also a charming, easygoing place that feels like a bit of Ireland or Scotland floated across the water and attached itself to the eastern edge of Canada. Shorelines dotted with inlets and coves, hilly terrain and brightly colored buildings all invite cruise ship guests to explore. Ships dock right in town, just a five-minute walk from the shops along Water and Duckworth Streets, as well as the many British-style pubs of George Street. In some of these, you can take part in a “screech in” ceremony (taking a shot spiced rum before kissing a cod fish) that will make you an honorary Newfoundlander, and sample the local delicacies of fried cod cheeks and cod tongues. Take an excursio...

On a cruise ship, sipping a cocktail can be an event. Several cruise lines now offer some of the most inventive cocktails and bars found not only at sea, but anywhere on earth. At the Bionic Bar on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships, the bartenders won’t listen to your stories, but they will mix your drinks with precision. That’s because they’re robots, of the type originally developed to manufacture cars. You’ll order on a smart tablet, then watch as the robots pull bottles from an array hanging from the ceiling, add mixers, and stir or shake. Every now and then, they pause to dance or display a cheeky pick-up line on the bar’s digital screens. If you like your drinks icy, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic , Escape and Getaway feature the wonderfully Arctic SVEDKA and Inniskillin Ice Bar, kept at a frosty 17 degrees. The bar, the seating, and the glassware are all made of ice. You’ll be provided with a cozy parka and gloves for your time in the bar, where you can choose from ...

If you have the urge to explore Asia, a river cruise is a great way to go. You’ll glide along on a floating hotel, enjoying a look at life along a historic and beautiful waterway. Not long ago, China’s spectacular Yangtze River was the main option for an Asian river cruise. Now, you have Vietnam’s Mekong River and Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River added to your choice of itineraries. The Yangtze is Asia’s longest river, flowing from glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea. In addition to rural life along the river, overnight stays in Beijing and Shanghai will give you a look at urban life in China. Your ship will sail through the stunning Three Gorges region; shore excursions may include visits to local schools, temples, museums and artisan workshops. ·        Cruises are offered April to October; know that the weather can be rainy June through August. ·        Most Yangtze cruises are part of cruisetour package...

Cruises to Alaska are the third most popular domestic destination for U.S. travelers this year – just a smidge behind Orlando and Maui – according to Travel Leaders Group’s 2016 Travel Trends Survey. And, there’s a surprising variety of choices for cruising the state’s rugged coastline. Two big choices for you to make are the size of your ship and the route you will take. Ship size has a lot to do with how you will experience Alaska, with smaller (1,000 passengers or less) and larger ships to choose from. Small ships generally belong to premium or luxury cruise lines, so the passengers tend to be older than on larger ships, which more often cater to families. Smaller ships can visit smaller ports and can more easily maneuver toward shore for spontaneous wildlife viewing. Small ship cruise fares tend to be higher, but offer good value: for example, shore excursions and other extras are often included. Staterooms are very comfortable, although balconies may be in short supply. And, onbo...

A cruise can be very good for your health, starting with stress relief as you take a break from your daily routine to relax and play. The last thing anyone wants is to end a cruise feeling less well than when they embarked. But, illness can spread onboard, with norovirus being the most notorious culprit. Be assured that cruise lines do all they can to guard against the spread of viruses on their ships; and, there are things you can do to protect yourself, too. Understanding norovirus . Norovirus is a very common (only the common cold is more common). It can flourish and spread quickly wherever people gather in close proximity: schools, restaurants, hotels and many other places, including cruise ships. Norovirus is so often associated with cruise ships simply because health officials monitor illness on ships (unlike hotels and resorts), so outbreaks are quickly identified and reported. Norovirus is often called the “stomach flu,” although it’s actually not related to the flu virus....

Some cruise lines not only take you to the Bahamas – they’ll treat you to a day on their own private Bahamian islands. These islands are wonderfully designed to give every guest an ideal beach day. Princess Cruises’ has its own island called Princess Cays.  It’s on the south end of the island of Eleuthera, and it’s included on many of its Caribbean itineraries. Among its features, Princess Cays has more than a half-mile of white-sand beach for guests to enjoy.  Before you arrive, you can reserve an air-conditioned bungalow or a beach clamshell (a shaded lounge made for two), or just stretch out in one of the many lounge chairs. You can also reserve water sports equipment – including Hobie Cats, Sunfish sailboats and kayaks – or enjoy swimming and snorkeling. There’s an observation tower for marvelous views of the blue sky, blue-green water and deep green of the island. Princess even offers some excursions here, including a trip to the town of Rock Sound, which has a pris...