Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Thinking about a destination wedding? There’s a way to do it that’s fun, romantic, affordable and low-stress: marry your sweetheart on a cruise. Cruising is already a carefree vacation, and it makes weddings carefree, too. Lots of cruise lines offer planning services and package pricing for weddings (and for symbolic ceremonies and vow renewals, too). Just step on board for a seamless wedding-to-honeymoon experience. Here’s a look at wedding services offered by some popular cruise lines: The captains of Celebrity Cruises’ ships can officiate legal and symbolic ceremonies: anything from an intimate shipboard ceremony for just the two of you to a shoreside ceremony with guests. You can also choose from a variety of add-ons, such as a welcome reception, a cigar-and-whiskey party or champagne and strawberries in your suite on your wedding night. Special feature: a fun “trash-the-dress”-style photo shoot. Disney Cruise Lines’ “Fairy Tale Weddings" are especially suit...

Have you cruised the Mayan Riviera? Riviera Maya lies along the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where a combination of mangrove forests and sandy beaches meet the turquoise water. Popular stops for cruise ships include Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Costa Maya. Here are some of the adventures you can enjoy there. Scuba and Snorkel . In a 1960s documentary, oceanographer Jacques Cousteau declared the sleepy island of Cozumel to be one of the world’s best places to scuba dive. There’s excellent visibility in the water around Cozumel, where snorkel and dive enthusiasts can explore part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, one of the largest in the world. Punta Sur . Seafaring Mayans made Cozumel their home, and you can still see remnants of a Mayan village at Punta Sur Ecological Park. There’s a white sand beach, a lagoon beloved by crocodiles and two lighthouses to explore, too. Tulum . Local Mayan culture and history are the pride of the port Playa d...

If you’re looking forward to your next cruise and wondering if there’s a way to make the experience even better, there is. You’ll be traveling to the ship’s home port, so make the most of your vacation investment and spend an extra day or two there, either before or after the cruise. Here’s a quick overview of some popular U.S. home ports and what you can do there. New York City needs no introduction as a great place for a pre- or post-cruise stay, but here’s another northeastern port to consider: Boston . From this charming city, you can sail to Bermuda, the Canadian Maritime Provinces (especially during fall color season), the Bahamas and the Caribbean. While in Boston, you can walk the city’s Freedom Trail to see 16 historic sites in just 2.5 miles. At one end is Boston Common, a lovely park next to the Boston Public Garden, where swan boats float around the pretty lagoon. Miami is known for its Cuban flavor, but it is also a melting pot of Caribbean cultures. It’s a perfect place...

Ready for the exciting new features that will float out on new cruise ships during 2019? If you haven’t heard about them yet, here’s what you can look forward to. Set to launch in April, Royal Caribbean’s fourth Quantum Class ship, Spectrum of the Seas , is being purpose-built for the Asian cruise market, sailing from Shanghai or Hong Kong with up to 4,246 passengers. Like its sister ships, the Spectrum will have bumper cars, a skydiving simulator, and a North Star viewing pod; but, it will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature a new suite area. Guests in the Silver and Golden Suites will have exclusive access to a private elevator, restaurant, and lounge, as well as The Balcony (sunbathing with beautiful views) and The Boutique (a private shopping enclave). Details are beginning to emerge about Norwegian Cruise Line’s Encore , which will sail in fall 2019. The ship will carry nearly 4,000 passengers from Miami to Caribbean ports and is also scheduled to operate some...

Before the winter holidays shift into high gear, take a little time to think about spring – specifically, planning a spring break cruise. Many people don’t think about making spring break cruise reservations until after New Year’s Day, but you should. Experienced cruise fans know that many of the best itineraries, staterooms, and discounts will be gone by January, so it’s smart to make your reservations now. As you plan, here are some things to keep in mind. If you’ll cruise with kids, whether in kindergarten or about to graduate from college, their spring break is probably just a week long. So, cruises that leave from domestic ports to sail the Caribbean, Mexico’s Riviera Maya or Mexico’s Pacific Coast are good choices: you’ll have time to get to the port, cruise in delightful weather for five to seven days, and get back home before school starts again. If you’re not traveling with kids, you can look at longer cruises that set sail from domestic ports or take off for a home por...

Some people think of Thailand as a land shrouded in mystery. In reality, more than six million people visit the Kingdom of Thailand each year, and quite a few of them arrive on cruise ships. Bangkok is a popular port although most ships dock at Laem Chabang, about two hours south. Once you’re transported to Bangkok you’ll be amazed by its mix of glittering skyscrapers and ancient temples (more than 400 of them). The must-see in Bangkok is the Grand Palace, built as the official royal residence and still used for ceremonies and state functions. The palace complex includes the most sacred temple in Thailand, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (actually made of beautiful green jade) and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, home to a famous statue of a Buddha ready to enter Nirvana. Another popular excursion is the Damnoen Saduak floating market outside the city. A maze of canals is lined with long-tail boats piled high with a dazzling array of fruits and vegetables. It’s mainly a produce mar...

When you cruise, your fare includes everything you really need: your stateroom, dining, entertainment, and the use of many shipboard amenities. In addition, most cruise lines offer additional amenities – at a price. Which of these extras will add to your cruise enjoyment? Here are some to consider.  Beverage packages On a cruise ship, tap water, coffee and tea are usually gratis, but a bottle of water or glass of fountain soda can be $2 or more. A glass of wine starts at about $7. Most cruise lines offer pre-paid beverage packages that include some combination of bottled water, soda, juice, wine, and spirits at a reduced cost versus what you would spend buying one drink at a time. Give them a careful look. Shore excursions When your ship is in port, your cruise line will offer a variety of fun excursions on shore. Unless you’ve been to the destination before and know what you’d like to do, it’s probably best to choose and pay for an excursion in each port. You’ll hav...