Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

  In December, we embraced the thrill of a "back-2-back" cruise adventure, setting sail from Miami through the iconic Panama Canal, and then back to our starting point in Miami. This journey consisted of two unforgettable voyages: the first whisked us through the Southern Caribbean's dazzling gems—Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and Cartagena—leading us to the vibrant Panama City. From there, we embarked on our return journey, traversing the canal once more and journeying up the coast of Central America back to Miami. Contrary to my initial thoughts, there weren't as many sea days, which allowed us plenty of time to savor the ship's amenities alongside the refreshing Caribbean breeze. During the first leg of our cruise, we had the incredible opportunity to sail with Dondra Ritzenthaler, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Azamara, who took the helm in May 2024. Her impressive tenure as the Senior Vice President of Sales at Celebrity Cruises brought a wealth of...

 In early November, our adventure began as we jetted off to Quito, Ecuador, to kickstart a thrilling journey to the Galapagos Islands. Despite our late-night arrival at Quito International Airport (UIO), a 40-minute drive through winding mountain roads led us to the impressive JW Marriott hotel. What a delightful stay it was! The hotel offered one of our most enjoyable experiences, albeit with a small hiccup: we were advised against drinking tap water. Thankfully, the hotel thoughtfully provided bottled water in our rooms, and we took full advantage of the complementary water bottle filling station in the lobby. It was a botanical delight, with fragrant cut roses—one of Ecuador's treasures—adorning every hotel corner. Nestled in the Andean Mountains, Quito sits at an impressive elevation of 9,350 feet, leaving us breathless in more ways than one! Sleeping posed a challenge for some due to the high altitude, and a few members of our group needed a little medication to aid in adjus...

Established ports that have lots of cruise ship visits need upgrades from time to time, whether to refurbish aging facilities or provide new and improved services for passengers. Here are some recent and current port upgrade projects that you might come across on a cruise. Nassau, The Bahamas, recently completed a major port reconstruction that created more space for visiting cruise ships, as well as new retail and entertainment venues. Better passenger flow and two new marinas help get land- or water-based shore excursions off to a smooth start. Shops in the port area now offer more Bahamian-made crafts and other products. There’s also a museum that celebrates Junkanoo, the Bahamian national festival. The Caribbean island of St. Lucia has begun a complete redevelopment of its cruise port in Castries. The project is intended to improve the docks, retail spaces, traffic flow, and overall passenger experience. It will take at least two years to complete, but there will be no pause in...

There are lots of easy ways to help yourself enjoy a cruise to the fullest. Take a look at these tips and make a note to try some of them the next time you sail. ·          Don’t miss the sail-away party. As the ship heads out to open water, go up on an open deck to join the party, enjoy the view, and feel the fresh sea breeze. The joy and anticipation in the air are infectious! ·          Explore the ship. Cruise ships are marvels of engineering and design, so get to know yours. In addition to the dining spots, entertainment venues, and pool, seek out some cozy nooks where you can relax. ·          Organize your cabin. Rather than leave your belongings in your luggage and your luggage on the floor, take some time to unpack and organize. Put your clothes and shoes in closets and drawers, place toiletries in the bathroom, and stow your luggage where you won’t trip...

For all who live an alcohol-free lifestyle, there’s good news about cruising, as popular cruise lines strive to welcome and support passengers who are committed to sobriety. Many cruises have some events and activities that center on alcohol, such as onboard wine tastings or shore excursions that feature local wineries or breweries. But, one of the wonderful things about cruising is that everyone can make their own choices about how to spend their time on ship and on shore, and there are always alcohol-free options. Those in recovery should know that most cruises offer daily “Friends of Bill W.” meetings. These are onboard meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, named for Bill W., one of the founders of AA. Look for the meetings on the ship’s daily schedule of events. Cruise lines also support sober lifestyles by serving a variety of nonalcoholic spirits, wines, and beers on board. ·          Princess Cruises just announced that it will launch its Amore...

Brazil is a fantastic cruise destination with more than 4,500 miles of coastline and a high-energy culture. A variety of cruise lines call on this vast country, which covers roughly half of South America. Here’s a quick look at some ports you can visit along Brazil’s Atlantic coast, from north to south. Like many Brazilian port cities, Belém has a historic center where colonial-era buildings make a scenic contrast with the skyscrapers in newer parts of town. Belém’s Cidade Velha (Old Town) includes the lovely Teatro da Paz, charming squares, and the busy Ver o Peso market. In Fortaleza, named for a fortress that dates from 1649, you’ll find Parque Ecológico do Cocó, a huge urban park, and the Mercado Central, full of handmade jewelry, leather goods, and local tastes. Or, head for a sandy beach that’s backed by dramatic red cliffs at Morro Branco. A network of rivers, lagoons, and bridges makes Recife the “Venice of Brazil.” Enjoy the beach at Boa Viagem, or view collections of m...

Some who cruise see their time on board as an opportunity to unplug from daily life, disconnect from work or school, and put their digital devices away. But others want to stay connected while they cruise, whether it’s to stream a favorite TV show, update family and friends at home, check in with colleagues at work, or even work remotely. If you’re in the second category, here’s what you should know about internet availability on cruise ships. Internet service at sea has been improving, and most ships now provide service through their wireless networks (with the exception of some that sail to remote locations). On many ships, WiFi access is an extra – it’s not included in your fare, so you’ll need to pay for it. If you want access for the duration of a cruise, you may be able to purchase a discounted WiFi package in advance. But if you know you’ll need to be connected for only part of a day or two, wait until you’re on board to purchase access at an hourly or daily rate. Some cru...