Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

Shore excursions are a wonderful part of any cruise: they provide the opportunity to learn about a different culture, try a new adventure or simply take in the sights of a port of call. When you and your loved one cruise as a couple, shore excursions offer a chance to explore a destination together.   Couples who appreciate history might enjoy excursions that focus on the fascinating remnants of ancient cultures, such as the former Greek port of Ephesus, just 20 miles from the cruise ship dock at Kusadasi, Turkey. You can view the remains of a massive outdoor theater; the Library of Celsus, which once held 12,000 scrolls; the Basilica of St. John; and the lone column that is all that remains of the Temple of Artemis . Only an estimated 15 percent of Ephesus has been excavated, and work on this vast outdoor museum continues daily.   It takes two to tango, and couples sailing to Buenos Aires, Argentina, have the opportunity to watch experts perform the romantic...

A few weeks ago, I wrote about our 7 day cruise in the Caribbean on the Allure of the Seas.   At that time, I want to clarify my thoughts before writing more on our shipboard experience. In my opinion, I would like to sail an Oasis class ship like the Allure on a repositioning cruise from the US to Europe (a sailing without any/many ports of call).   On a small ship, I get cabin-fever after a few sea days.   On the Allure, I don’t believe it is possible to be bored – too much to do!     If I had children traveling with me, I would love to sail on the Allure to almost any destination.   Again, many things for kids to do, including an ice ring, Flow Riders, cartoon characters, children program… If I were going with an extended group of family members, I would like to sail on the Allure (or the Oasis) for the same reason – lots to do. For the two of us to sail the Caribbean, the Allure is not our favorite ship – it’s too big and carries t...

While most elements of a great cruise vacation are bundled into one base price – including comfortable accommodations, attentive service from the cabin crew, fabulous meals and snacks, nightly entertainment, deck games and more – beverages are usually not part of that base price, other than the basics such as juice, milk and coffee or tea. For the convenience of passengers, many cruise lines offer fountain drink packages that guests can purchase when they come on board. For a set cost, these packages provide unlimited soft drinks, served with a smile. Fountain drink packages are popular, especially with passengers who like to know their costs in advance. Now, to accommodate a wider range of beverage preferences, some cruise lines are beginning to offer packages for alcoholic drinks. Carnival Cruise Lines’ CHEERS! Program is currently available on a limited number of ships, including the Victory , Splendor , Breeze and Dream , on cruises of six days or more. For $42.95 per...

On the evening of January 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia struck rock off the western coast of Italy. Through a gash in the hull, water flooded parts of the engine room, causing the ship to lose power, list to one side and become partially submerged. While the large majority of passengers and crew were successfully evacuated from the ship, there were injuries and loss of life. While accidents like this one are extremely rare in cruising, the tragedy led the cruise industry to review its safety practices and find opportunities for improvement. Less than a month after the Concordia’s accident, the cruise industry announced a new emergency drill policy that requires muster station drills to be held for embarking passengers before ship departs. This policy exceeds legal requirements, which mandate a muster drill within 24 hours of the ship’s departure. Muster drills ensure that passengers are informed of essential safety procedures, including procedures and routes for emergency e...

As you’re planning for your next cruise, the current strong demand for air travel means you may have a little sticker shock over the cost of airfare to your ship’s home port – especially if that port is in Europe. In recent years, airlines have reduced costs by trimming flight schedules and flying smaller planes on some routes to conserve fuel. Recent airline mergers have also reduced the number of available flights, even on popular routes. As a result, the supply of airline seats has become more limited, and fares may be higher than you expect. Fortunately, cruise travel professionals can help you find ways to maximize the value you receive for the price you pay to travel to and from your ship. According to a recent survey, the top recommendation of Cruise Holidays owners and agents is to spend some additional time on land at the beginning or end of the cruise. After all, you’ve already paid to get to Miami, Boston, New Orleans, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Venice, or whatever port...

In 2013, Europe will be a cruise destination to be reckoned with. Plus, while cruise prices to Europe remain relatively low, there are signs that pricing for the second half of 2013 may be on its way up – a positive sign for the cruise industry that leisure travelers are once again creating demand. With this in mind, travelers are advised to lock in their preferred itinerary at least eight months in advance. These are a few of the headlines from the 2013 Cruise Holidays Cruise Trends survey – which draws actual cruise pricing and booking statistics from more than 550 cruise specialists across North America. 2013 Cruise Pricing for Europe, Caribbean and Alaska Cruise Holidays consistently studies pricing for three of the most popular cruise destinations and shares it via the Cruise Trends survey. Compared to bookings made in 2011 for 2012, sample pricing for a 12-day Mediterranean cruise for 2013 is lower by about $35 per person, per day. “However, keep in mind that this numbe...

One fact of teen life is that parents can be pretty aggravating and quite embarrassing (you probably thought the same thing about your own beloved parents when you were a teen). Many teens who agree to go on a cruise with their parents secretly (or not secretly) hope they won’t have to spend too much time with them on the ship. Cruise lines understand this, and grant teens’ wishes with teen clubs and lounges. For your peace of mind, crew members who have experience working with teens provide non-parental supervision. On Princess ships, the Remix lounge is the place for teens to have “mocktail” socials, dance to their favorite music, watch late-night movies and more. The ship’s professional dancers often drop by to give hip-hop lessons, and one evening is dedicated to a teen formal, complete with dinner and a show. Norwegian Cruise Lines just introduced Entourage, a new program for teens age 13 to 17. Teens have fun and build confidence playing games like basketball, dodgeball...