Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

In the excitement of preparing to cruise, remember that a little preparation will help embarkation day – the first day of your cruise, when you board the ship – go smoothly. Here are some top tips. Be sure to complete any requirements the cruise line has for health vaccinations, screenings, and tests, including any related to COVID-19. These are subject to change, so ask your professional travel advisor to keep you updated about the current requirements for your cruise line and ship. If you can, check in early. Many cruise lines encourage passengers to complete an online check-in process a few days before embarkation. Completing required forms in advance, as well as printing your boarding pass and luggage tags can save lots of time when you arrive at the ship. Before you leave home, double-check that you have all the documents you need. These may include your passport or other photo ID, cruise boarding pass, COVID-19 vaccination records, and test results, as well as a visa if you...

On cruise ships with multiple dining venues, they often fall into two broad categories: free and specialty. Let’s take a closer look at each, which may help you navigate the dining scene on your next cruise. In free onboard restaurants, everything on the menu is included in your fare (although a very high-end entrée, such as surf and turf, may have a small upcharge). This category usually includes the main dining room, the buffet, and a few other options. Main dining rooms are usually big, elegant spaces with attentive service. Some ships assign passengers to specific seating times and tables, while others let you choose when and with whom to dine. Dinner menus usually offer at least three courses with a nice variety of dishes, all beautifully prepared. The buffet is often located near the pool and is open most of the day, with a variety of salads, sandwiches, side dishes, pasta, main courses, and desserts. Everything is ready when you arrive, so the buffet is a smart choice when...

If the words “cruise vacation” make you think of a tropical getaway, remember that cruise ships can also take you to cooler climes. If you would love to enjoy a cool breeze as you stroll the deck and admire the view, these cruise destination ideas are for you. Alaska . The coastline of the 49 th state is gorgeous, with glaciers, northern rainforests, diverse wildlife, and vibrant local cultures. Explore the historic ports or go hiking, fishing, or dog sledding. Antarctica . A cruise is really the only way to become one of the few who have seen the amazing White Continent. You can view polar wildlife, icy peaks, impressive glaciers, and jagged icebergs. Baltic Sea . Cruise ports on the Baltic Sea include the Scandinavian capitals of Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Helsinki, as well as historic Tallinn, Estonia, which looks like the backdrop for a fairy tale. Chile . A cruise of Southwestern Chile’s Lake District will take you to majestic fjords, snow-capped volcanos, and crystal-cle...

If you’re thinking ahead about a romantic winter getaway, a cruise is a terrific way to go. It’s such an easy way to travel; just get on board, settle into your cabin and start having fun. You and your companion won’t have to stress about finding a restaurant, bar, theater, pool, spa, or gym – all that and more is right there on the ship. And let’s be honest – most cruise ship cabins are cozy to begin with, and if you bring a few battery-operated tealights to scatter around, the atmosphere can be quite romantic. Plus, the activities, entertainment, and dining on board and in port will give you and your companion lots of opportunities to share new experiences. As for where to cruise, there’s a world of options, but here are some island destinations we think are especially well-suited to couples. The Bahamas provides a close-to-home destination – just 80 miles off Florida’s Atlantic coast – in a beautiful setting of turquoise water, sandy beaches, and balmy breezes. The islands are...

Planning your next cruise involves making some important choices, including whether to choose a cabin with a window or without a window. Here are some considerations that can help you decide. Cabins without windows (called interior or inside cabins) don’t have exterior walls, so there’s no opportunity for a sea view. But that doesn’t mean these cabins are always dark; cruise ship designers use lighting to make the inside cabins bright and welcoming. If you expect to use it just for sleeping and showering, an inside cabin can be a good choice: they are usually the lowest-priced cabins on the ship. Amazingly, some ships use technology to equip inside cabins with exterior views. Inside cabins on some Disney Cruise Line ships have “magic portholes,” which are small screens built into the walls and linked to exterior cameras. Inside cabins on some Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships have “virtual balconies,” which are floor-to-ceiling LED screens that also show real-time views from outsi...

For thousands of years, most ships were propelled across the water solely by the wind that filled their sails. But when steam engines were developed in the 1800s, steam-powered vehicles quickly became the preferred way to travel on land and water. Today, most cruise ships move through the water with the help of fuel-powered engines, while most ships that have sails are small craft used for recreation or racing. Still, it’s possible to cruise on a ship powered by sails that harness the wind (these ships are equipped with engines, too, so there’s no chance of becoming becalmed in the middle of the ocean). Along with the timeless thrill of skimming over the water under billowing sails, these smaller ships can visit lovely ports that are inaccessible to big, engine-driven ships. Plus, you can feel good about traveling in a more sustainable way. Let’s look at some options for cruising under sails. Ponant Cruises’ Le Ponant is a three-masted luxury yacht. With just 16 staterooms and su...

If you’re excited about visiting faraway ports on a cruise but aren’t sure what there is to do on the ship, don’t worry. Cruise ships are loaded with ways to keep yourself busy and entertained while you’re sailing between ports or spending an entire day at sea. Start with the pool area, where you can play in the water and relax on a chaise lounge. This is also a venue for activities like trivia games, card tournaments, and dance contests. Plus, some ships have enhanced their pool decks with water slides and other fun attractions. Visit the fitness center to maintain your workout routine or start a new one, get advice from a trainer or join a yoga class. Many ships also have open-air sport courts, outdoor tracks for walking and running, minigolf courses, ping-pong tables and shuffleboard courts. Depending on the ship, you might also be able to try out bumper cars, laser tag, a ropes course or a climbing wall. For some pampering, make a reservation at the onboard spa and select a m...