Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

If you’ve booked your first river cruise in Europe, Asia or India, you already know some of the ways they differ from ocean cruises. Here’s a quick refresher on what to expect: you may discover some new tips here, too. A more intimate experience . Most river ships carry just 100 to 200 passengers, making it easy to be social: you’ll dine and explore on shore with the same people each day, so it’s natural to make new friends. While there won’t be as many dining or entertainment venues as you would find on an ocean cruise ship, you’ll enjoy the advantages of sailing close to shore, which provides a constantly changing view and a greater feeling of connectedness to the places you visit. River cruises do tend to attract mature travelers who have the time and resources to enjoy this type of vacation; but, a growing number of younger people – and even some families – are choosing the port-filled itineraries and easy pace of river cruising. Easy sightseeing . Your cruise may in...

Cruises are surprisingly affordable vacations: you get lodging, dining, entertainment and transportation between ports for a set price that compares very favorably with what you would spend if you arranged all that on your own. When people say that cruises are expensive, it may be because they purchased a cruise at the wrong time, sailed during peak season, or purchased onboard luxuries beyond their budget. There are some simple ways to ensure the greatest value from your cruise vacation: Purchasing a cruise well in advance assures the best fare. Last-minute sales, if there are any, can easily be negated by the cost of last-minute airfare to the port. Booking six months to a year in advance is often best: get more advice on this from your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert. Peak season brings peak prices, so cruise a little before or after the busiest time. For example, look at Caribbean sailings between Spring Break and graduation season; or the Greek Isles in fall. You should e...

Cruising to Cuba is nothing new for Canadians, but now, it’s an option for Americans who wish to take a trip to Cuba. Canada-Cuba relations can be traced back to the 18 th century and is the third most popular overseas destination for Canadians. In addition, Canada is Cuba’s largest source of tourists with more than one million citizens visiting the country annually.  More recently, there has been plenty of interest from Americans in this large and beautiful Caribbean island. Cruise lines like Azamara Club Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, and Royal Caribbean are calling on Havana, and sometimes other Cuban ports, too. The U.S. has a long-standing trade embargo with Cuba, and travel to Cuba for purely tourist activities is still prohibited; so, cruise lines are required by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control to ensure that excursions and tours have a focus on education or cultural exchange. This quali...

Cruising is an affordable and inclusive vacation that’s a natural choice for families with kids. And, when you select a family-oriented cruise line, your kids will have an abundance of activities to choose from, so no need to worry about bringing along toys and games. Still, experienced family cruisers know that there are a few simple items you can pack to make the experience even better for your family. Walkie-talkies . Cruise lines are beginning to offer apps that enable you to communicate with other family members onboard. But for now, if you want to be able to talk with your kids no matter where they are on the ship, your best bet is to bring some two-way radios, or “walkie-talkies.” Be sure to bring chargers or extra batteries, too. Sticky notes. These come in handy when family members sleep in. If you’re ready to go up on desk for breakfast but everyone else is snoring, leave a quick note on the stateroom door to let them know where they can find you. Highlighter. Each morning...

As your cruise ship approaches the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, what you will notice first are the Pitons – dramatic twin peaks that rise a half-mile above the sea. Their beauty is simply a prelude to what you’ll find on this lovely island, where thousands of acres of protected rainforest help maintain an authentic and unspoiled feeling. Cruise ships call on the town of Castries, where there’s some fine duty-free shopping. But, to truly see this lush, hilly and historic island, you’ll want to take an excursion. Many visitors go to the southern part of the island to visit Soufriere, a charming town in the shadow of the Pitons, established by French colonialists in 1746. It offers great beaches including Sugar Beach, a stretch of white sand located right between the Pitons; and Malgretoute Beach, a more rugged beach of grey sand and pebbles. From Soufriere, it’s a short distance to Sulphur Springs, often described as the world’s only “drive-in” volcano. It’s true you can...

Vikings once roamed Norway’s Lofoten Islands, carving out a rugged existence on these mountainous islands that lie inside the Arctic Circle. Today, you can roam the islands, too, with all the luxurious comforts of a modern cruise ship. The scenery of the islands is spectacular, with dramatic peaks and cliffs that loom over sheltered bays and stretches of open water. Summer temperatures are surprisingly mild, averaging in the 50s and 60s, with long hours of daylight; the sun doesn’t really set from the end of May through mid-July. All that daylight gives you plenty of time to explore these fascinating islands. There are tours that will take you to picturesque fishing villages flanked by white beaches and crystal-clear water. For example, Nusfjord is one of the best-preserved cod fishing villages in all of Norway – you’ll feel as if you stepped back into the late 1800s. If you’re ready for some exercise, there’s a popular cycling trail that passes through Nusfjord. Henningsvaer is a larg...

Among the many appealing elements of a cruise vacation are ease and convenience: everything you need is right on board, where and when you need it. Still, there might be a wait for some of the things you want to do, especially on larger ships that sail with thousands of passengers. For example, you might need to wait in line to get on or off the ship, at the buffet, or even for a lounge chair around the pool. (Note that trying to cut the line, for whatever reason, is terribly rude and won’t be tolerated by your fellow passengers.) The good news is, there are some simple ways to avoid waiting in line on a cruise ship. Here are a few: If you tend to sail on the same cruise line most of the time, join its loyalty program. Many cruise lines maintain separate, faster-moving lines for their most loyal customers at embarkation, debarkation and the guest services desk onboard. Plus, you’ll enjoy the other perks and special offers that come with being a loyal customer.  Depending on the...