Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

This promises to be an exciting year for cruise fans, as various brand-new ships are scheduled to begin riding the waves. Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas is ready to begin its reign as the world’s largest cruise ship at the end of January. Passengers will enjoy the ship’s innovative new performance spaces and activities, comfortable cabins and suites, and exciting new restaurants and bars. And – for your advance cruise planning – Royal Caribbean plans to add two more new ships to the Icon class by mid-2026. Princess Cruises will also introduce a new class of ship this year. The Sun Princess , debuting in February, will be the first ship in the Sphere class. This will be the largest ship in the Princess fleet, offering new types of suite accommodations, the first rollglider ride at sea, and new areas where kids, teens, and families can enjoy themselves. The Sun Princess will sail in the Mediterranean before moving to the Caribbean. Disney Cruise Line’s new ...

For those new to cruising, learning the ins and outs of cruise travel takes time; even frequent cruisers constantly pick up new tips. To help add to your cruise knowledge, here are some common assumptions that may not reflect reality. All cruise lines are about the same. No, not at all. In fact, cruise lines work hard to differentiate themselves and establish a signature style. Some specialize in small ships, some in big ships, and some offer variety in their fleets. Some focus on the onboard experience, others on destinations and onshore activities. Some are popular with families, and others are beloved by singles, couples, or friend groups. Your professional travel advisor can give you insight into cruise lines that interest you. All cruises are all-inclusive. Some cruise lines offer all-inclusive fares that cover everything from travel to and from the ship to shore excursions in every port. But more often, your cruise fare covers a lot – your cabin, dining, onboard entertainme...

It’s been a while since the COVID-19 pandemic was at the top of everyone’s thoughts, but it remains important to protect yourself from infectious disease – especially when you’re all set for a beautiful cruise vacation. You should be aware of what the cruise lines do to help prevent illness on board, and about steps you can take to protect yourself too. All cruise lines and ships that operate in U.S. ports are subject to the Vessel Sanitation Program of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has high standards for cruise ship cleanliness. Under this program, cruise ships that dock in U.S. ports must submit to unannounced inspections of their kitchens, medical facilities, restaurants, pools, and other public areas, as well as their water and ventilation systems. The top score for an inspection is 100, and many ships do receive perfect scores. All violations that result in a lower score must be corrected. To further safeguard passenger health, some cruise li...

  Every time you step on a cruise ship, you join a few hundred or a few thousand other people who are ready for a wonderful vacation. So, for as long as you’re on board, it’s important to be considerate of your fellow passengers. Skipping the line, smoking on a balcony, making noise in a hallway, or talking during a performance are just a few examples of disruptive behavior to avoid. But above all, don’t be a deck chair hog – it’s a top irritator on many cruises. Chair hogs put towels or other belongings on deck chairs (usually in a prime location, such as next to the pool or looking toward the best view). Then they disappear, expecting the chairs they claimed to remain theirs for the entire day – even while other passengers are searching the decks for available chairs. Chair hogging may seem like standard cruise behavior, but it’s not a way to make new friends on board. Chair hogging can make you unpopular among your fellow passengers and also among the crew, who receive the f...

If your Western Caribbean cruise itinerary includes a call on Grand Cayman, you’re in for a treat. This low-lying island is only 76 square miles but offers a lot to see and do. It begins with the beauty of Grand Cayman’s white sand beaches, including the one at Smith Cove, near the tender boat docks. Seven Mile Beach, Governor’s Beach, Spott’s Beach, Cayman Kai Beach, and Rum Point Beach are popular with residents and visitors. In addition to sunning and swimming, many beaches offer water sports like kiteboarding, paddleboarding, and fishing. Grand Cayman is also popular with snorkel and dive fans. The island has hundreds of dive sites, including beautiful coral reefs, steep drop-offs, and sunken vessels like the USS Kittiwake . Some snorkel and dive excursions include a stop at Stingray City, where friendly stingrays gather around a shallow sandbar for gentle interaction with visitors. You can also get close to green sea turtles at the Cayman Turtle Conservation Center; go birdw...

Fans of river cruising are always interested in new and different ships and destinations, and we’re happy to report that river cruise lines are providing some exciting new options. With a new ship, the Alegria , Avalon Waterways has begun cruising Portugal’s Douro River. The eight-day voyage visits vineyards and villages perched on the hillsides of the scenic Douro Valley and includes an exploration of the historic city of Porto. Passengers can discover Douro Valley treasures like port wine, olive oil, and cork. Viking River Cruises is expanding its presence on Egypt’s storied Nile River. A new ship, the Viking Hathor , debuted in August; another, the Viking Sobek , will be introduced in 2025. Their 12-day itineraries include the Great Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the temples of Luxor, and stops in Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. Uniworld was the first river cruise line to offer a world cruise – something common among ocean-going cruise lines, but rare in river cruising. The Rivers of...

Now that many people are able to work remotely, there’s a new word in the working world: “workcation.” The combination of “work” and “vacation” means doing your job from a vacation venue, such as a cruise ship. A top requirement for a workcation is access to a reliable internet connection, and cruise ships have been improving theirs. Many now use satellite internet, an improvement over trying to connect to towers on land. Still, shipboard internet access can be a bit spotty or a bit slower than what you’re used to, and there’s often a charge to connect. Your professional travel advisor can help you with details about internet access on ships and itineraries you’re interested in. Another requirement for a workcation is a comfortable space to work in. Many, but not all, cruise ship cabins are equipped with a desk area and a chair, so be sure to check on the furnishings. Some ships also have libraries, quiet lounges, business centers, or other areas where you can work productively. ...