Welcome to the Atlas Holidays Travel Journal — your go-to destination for stories, insights, and expert advice on all things travel.
From luxury cruises to packaged holiday escapes, this is where we share tips, destination highlights, behind-the-scenes knowledge, and curated inspiration to help you plan your next unforgettable journey.
Whether you’re dreaming of Mediterranean sunsets, Caribbean coastlines, or exclusive resort retreats, you’ll find it here.
Escape the chill, sail the sunshine — and discover why winter is secretly the best season to be at sea. While most people are reaching for scarves and umbrellas, seasoned travellers are packing swimwear and sunglasses. Cruising in winter isn’t just an escape — it’s a clever travel hack. Fewer crowds, better value, and sun-kissed…
Taking your first cruise is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between embarkation day, endless dining options, and a schedule brimming with entertainment, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing something. As a Holiday Concierge, I often speak with seasoned cruisers who have “been there and done that.”
A pint at Stansted, a £12.50 beer at Dubai’s Hard Rock Café, a bus ride that felt like it was heading to Bangkok, and a one-wheeled suitcase! Travel rarely goes to plan, but it always delivers a story. Here’s my Dubai layover misadventure — plus the ultimate 7-day guide if you want to do it properly.
Explore Valletta with our cruise guide — Baroque beauty, harbour views, unmissable sites, dining tips, and a perfect day ashore in Malta.
Sail from Southampton and discover the breathtaking beauty of Norway’s fjords and Iceland’s volcanic landscapes. From charming Haugesund to the dramatic Sognefjord, then on to Reykjavík’s vibrant culture and Akureyri’s Arctic charm — this no-fly cruise is a journey of pure wonder.
🌊 Embrace the art of doing nothing… beautifully.
Whether it’s your first cruise or your tenth, a Sea Day is your chance to truly unwind. From sunrise coffees to poolside lounging, here’s how to make the most of every blissful moment onboard. 🛳✨
Discover the Mediterranean flavours you can enjoy at sea—from Greek classics to Italian pastas. Insider tips, ship recommendations, recipes, and more.
Join me as I share one of my favourite cruise memories: watching the sun set behind Santorini’s cliffs from the ship’s deck. Let’s plan your own unforgettable sail-away story.
Dubai is one of those places you hear about long before you ever set foot there—a city of record-breaking skyscrapers, golden deserts, and vibrant souks. For many travelers, it’s a dream destination that promises both modern luxury and timeless tradition. In this post, I want to share my personal journey through Dubai—the moments that surprised…
If there’s one place I’d urge you to put at the top of your travel list this year, it’s Thailand. Few countries offer such a perfect blend of jaw-dropping natural beauty, rich cultural traditions, incredible food, and the warmest people you’ll ever meet. Whether you’re craving adventure, relaxation, or a little bit of everything, Thailand…
Barcelona has always been one of those cities I dreamed about, and when I finally spent a weekend there, it felt like stepping into a postcard that came alive. Even with just two days, I managed to soak up so much beauty, energy, and history—it’s the kind of place that stays with you long after…
Mediterranean Cruise Inspiration Discover the charm, history, and beauty of the Med – one destination at a time. 🌍 Explore This Cruise Guide 🇭🇷 Cool Croatia 🇬🇷 Historic Greece 🇪🇸 Spain & the Balearic Islands 🇲🇹 Magical Malta 🇹🇷 Türkiye & the Eastern Mediterranean 🇮🇹 Classic Italy There’s nowhere on earth quite like the Mediterranean….
Enchanted Princess, a new sister ship in the Princess Royal-class, will share all of their spectacular luxury and style, while introducing new exclusive attractions of her own. Get ready for the most pools and hot tubs ever, one-of-a-kind dining experiences, and world-class entertainment venues hosting dazzling performances. Enjoy a leisurely evening stroll along the SeaWalk, which gives you the feeling of walking on water, whilst enjoying panoramic views of the ocean. Eighty percent of the ship’s cabins will have balconies and you can enjoy land-like connectivity thanks to Medallion Net, the best wi-fi at sea.
On-board at a glance:
Just like a restaurant at home, Anytime Dining enables guests the freedom to dine when and with whom they wish, at any time between 5:30 PM and 10 PM. Both main dining rooms will feature signature dishes from chef Curtis Stone. Personal reflections on the menu by Chef Stone elaborate on each ‘Crafted’ selection, prepared with the most authentic ingredients. Be enticed by dishes featuring delicious meats and seafood, fresh produce and vibrant, bold flavours. Reservations are available through an onboard dining hotline, but not required.
This formal, traditional main dining room opens daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Formal dining allows you to dine at the same time each day and enjoy the same tablemates and waitstaff throughout your voyage. You can also enjoy afternoon tea here, where you will enjoy a wide selection of teas, or coffee if you prefer, served by white-gloved waiters in formal attire.
The ship’s excellent buffet venue opens for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks and dinner. Stop by for breakfast and visit their designer pancake station or enjoy one of their unique hot cereal offerings. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as their carvery selections. For dinner, there’s everything from breakfast at night, family kitchen comfort foods, stir-fry or customised pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices.
You can now enjoy Premium Chocolate Experiences on board the Princess Fleet in partnership with Norman Love, celebrity chocolatier. Trained in France and named the Inaugural Inductee into the Chocolatier Hall of Fame by Dessert Professional Magazine, Love’s creations blend premium quality chocolate, unique flavours and artful designs that are perfect for any chocolate lover!
The International Cafe serves food 24 hours a day, which makes it the perfect choice for in between meal or late-night snacks. They offer free nibbles and lighter options but charge for specialty juices, teas and Illy coffees.
This stylish seafood bar is ideal for seafood aficionados wanting to enjoy a bounty of ocean treasures including a flight of oyster shooters, sushi and sashimi, ahi tuna poke, king crab cocktail, chili and lime crab margarita, a royal lobster dish, and the world-renowned smoked Balik salmon, the salmon of the tsars. A la carte pricing makes it easy to pick and choose.
This Italian select dining venue is a cover charge dinner only restaurant. It received an overhaul in 2017 that included replacing the menu with a new one created in partnership with Los Angeles-based chef Angelo Auriana. The food is incredible and it’s well worth the trouble of making a booking and paying a reasonable cover fee.
The ship’s signature steak and seafood restaurant, Crown Grill, is a real feast – the kind of restaurant you’d visit to celebrate a birthday or have a romantic dinner. It expertly blends its relaxed atmosphere with its old-style glamour décor. Their top-quality steaks are done perfectly to your specifications and the seafood is out of this world. Crown Grill is only open for dinner, though on sea days the British-style pub lunch is held here.
Choose a luxurious breakfast or experience the ultimate romantic dinner at sea: a sumptuous multi-course meal, including succulent lobster tail and juicy steak, your beverage of choice, hors d’oeuvres, all served right on the privacy of your own balcony by Enchanted Princess’ dedicated waitstaff.
Chef’s Table Luminiere
The impressive Chef’s Table experiences starts off with a tour of the kitchen which is accompanied by champagne and canapes. You then move to the table for your fabulous feast which is expertly described and paired with top class wines. Each diner also receives a photo taken during the meal and an autographed copy of Princess’ cookbook, ‘Courses, A Culinary Journey’ as a keepsake. Reservations are required.
This French cuisine restaurant offers delectable food and efficient service. Emmanuel Renaut, current executive chef of Flocons de Sel in France, created the menu. Flocons de Sel is famous for earning three Michelin stars in the last ten years. La Mer impresses with both its seafood and meat dishes and reservations are recommended.
With awe-inspiring stage sets, artists from around the world, modern hits and timeless classics, the Princess Theatre showcases lavish, original productions with dynamic cast members in decadent surroundings.
Visit this studio to enjoy your favourite drinks as an ever-changing variety of live performances takes the stage. Sip premium coffee or tea from the Café or savour a quick bite while talented artists share their diverse musical styles. You may even encounter a game show that invites you to play along.
This is the best spot for adults wanting to enjoy some quiet time. They have some luxurious loungers and some noise cancelling headphones, which provides a variety of music options. If you want a truly exclusive relaxation treat, you can rent a cabana for a half or full day. The cabanas come with different packages, depending on how luxurious you want to go.
Feel the court under your feet and the thrill of victory as you sink the ball in for two points. No matter your athletic ability, there’s nothing like shooting a few hoops out in the middle of the ocean as you watch the sun set and the stars come out. The Sports Court is not only set up for basketball but also for volleyball. Pick up a game, compete against fellow passengers for bragging rights, or start your own dream team.
This is a great place for the whole family to enjoy a movie, complete with special touches such as free popcorn, cookies and milks and blankets on chilly evenings. This Movies Under the Stars theatre has a giant outdoor LED screen, perfect to enjoy various concerts, sporting events and movies.
The newly re-designed Vista Lounge at the aft of the ship features an endless variety of world-class entertainers on stage each night, from live bands and comedians to illusionists and musicians. Grab an expertly crafted cocktail and snag a spot in an intimate nook for the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy quality time with friends and family.
Princess’ exclusive partnership with Discovery lets you come back captivated with Stargazing on their top deck; activities featuring Discovery hit shows such as Shark Week and Finding Bigfoot; plus their new Encounters with Discovery at SEA speaker series. Get more out of your travels with shore excursions recommended by two of the most trusted names in world travel—Discovery and Animal Planet.
New players can take part in complimentary gaming sessions to teach them the ropes. Those who need no introduction will enjoy the wide variety of games on offer ranging from slots and video poker machines to table games such as roulette, blackjack, craps, three card and Texas Hold’em. Their tables play by Vegas rules and if you relish the challenge of roulette, they offer the American version.
The Lotus Spa offers a variety of relaxing treatments, such as facials, aroma stone therapy massages, detoxifying ocean wraps and an aromatherapy thermal suite. Or get ready for a night on the town at the salon which features women’s styling colour, men’s haircuts and shaves, manicure and pedicure choices and teeth whitening.
This gym offers fitness programs designed to help you maximise your wellness with Tour de Cycle, personal training and classes such as Pilates, Yoga, Body Sculpt Boot Camp, Results Based Training and TRX suspension training. They also have cutting edge fitness equipment if you prefer to train on your own.
The Salty Dog Gastropub has some great nautical décor and will quickly feel like your new ‘local’ while you’re at sea. There are some delicious food offerings available such as burgers and pork belly, and everyone can tuck into their free bread sticks served with beer-cheddar fondue. The Salty Dog offers a warm, inviting gastropub experience developed with Ernesto Uchimura, a founding chef of the original Umami Burger.
This is the best spots for some really good people-watching. As the name suggests, they have plenty of different Bellini’s on special here (it’s made from prosecco mixed with fruit puree or juice), as well as other fruity cocktail drinks. Don’t miss this iconic venue of the Royal-class Atrium—the ship’s centrepiece for casual relaxation and fun.
Step into Crooners bar and be transported to the classic Sinatra era, made complete with a top-notch pianist croonin’ tunes and tinkling the ivories. This martini bar gets quite busy at night, and if you want to just enjoy a drink without taking part in the entertainment, make sure you sit towards the back of the venue. Some nights are standing room only.
The Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas was the second cruise ship in the group of five Voyager class vessels. Voyager cruise ships all have a floating resort concept, which offers great facilities, exciting activities and entertainment for everyone, no matter your age or taste.
In 2014, the Explorer of the seas had a multimillion dollar refurbishment which added even more facilities and entertainment for your cruise enjoyment. It now has a FlowRider surf simulator, an outdoor cinema screen, virtual balconies in interior rooms (which is great to look at but also help prevent sea sickness) as well as more delectable dining options.
The Magellan is on the lower tier, deck 3, and opens daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A large sun inlaid in the centre of the room, surrounded by stars and mimicked on the floor below which features large pillars towering up to the ceiling add to the nautical theme of the ship’s dining room. It seats 540 people and have two separate private rooms for functions, called the Balboa and the Cortes.
The Da Gama Dining room is on the second tier and can seat up to 540 passengers. It only opens for dinner, with an early seating at 6 PM and a late one at 8:30 PM.
It is on deck five and on the top level of the three restaurants. It can seat up to 723 passengers and opens for dinner only at 6PM for the main seating or 8:30 PM for the late one. You can also take advantage of their My Time Dining offer, which means you can book a table for anywhere between 5:30 PM and 9 PM.
The complimentary Park Cafe on deck 5 will open for light and healthy fare throughout the day from breakfast options through to late night snacks and drinks. It is open for 24 hours a day with a coffee and tea station on the side.
For a cover charge, you can enjoy a mystery theatre dinner at Dizzy’s Jazz Lounge on deck 14. This fun evening activity will allow you to play detective to try and solve a murder while enjoying a four-course dinner. It comes highly recommended and reservations are essential.
Located by Cafe Promenade, this a la carte over charge ice cream stand offers a range of flavours and opens from 7 AM to 3 AM.
This is a great concept if you would like your kids to enjoy their dinner in 45 minutes and then be whisked away by the Adventure Ocean counsellors for evening activities, while you can enjoy your dinner at leisure, possibly followed by some coffee and dessert. The kids are served first at dinner to allow for this.
The Royal Theatre is massive, spanning five stories, and seating up to 1,362 passengers. It’s beautifully decorated in art deco style and is served by its own bar and waiters walk around to take orders from your seat. They feature two shows per night, which is coordinated according to the ship’s main and late dinner seatings, for those who wants to enjoy dinner and a show. The shows include West End style musical numbers to dancing, acrobatics and tribute acts. Adults can also enjoy the late-night comedy acts, as well as their ballroom classes and Bingo events.
The Casino Royale can be found on deck 4 and seats up to 416 passengers. It has a Vegas-style rock and roll theme and offers 300 slot machines as well as lots of gaming tables. Tables include: blackjack, Caribbean Stud, craps, and three roulette wheels.
The Inline Skating track is on deck 13, next to the miniature golf course. It is open to adults and children and provides you with skates and helmets for protection. Children under 18 need their parents consent in the form of a waiver form and those under six must always be accompanied by an adult.
This sports bar is decorated as such, with plenty of football memorabilia and bar stools designed like baseballs, basketballs and footballs. You will find it on deck 5 and it can seat up to 93 people. It’s a great bar to relax and people watch, and its TV screens features plenty of sporting events for your viewing pleasure.
The British themed Crown & Kettle Pub can be found on deck 5 and seats up to 75 passengers. Its décor replicates an authentic old-fashioned country-style pub and it serves an excellent variety of beers and ales. They also have evening activities such as pub quizzes and darts tournaments.
The Viking Crown Lounge can be found on deck 14 and seats up to 335 people. It offers brilliant sea views and incorporate several lounges, including the 19th hole, Cloud Nine, The Crow’s Nest, Dizzy’s Jazz Club and the Seven of Hearts’ card room.
