June 2015

Monday Mantra Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… Rainy Days and Sea Days… There Goes the Sun What do you do when the tropical rain soaks …

Porthole Cruise News Briefs June 26, 2015 Cunard Line has announced that Grammy® Award-winning vocalist Natalie Cole will headline the first Blue Note Jazz at Sea trans-Atlantic crossing on Queen …

Celebrity Cruises, MGM Resorts Team Up for Loyalty Perks  Cruise News – June 26, 2015 Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club members and MGM Resorts’ M life members can now choose from …

Cruise Deal of the Week June 26, 2015 [sf_iconbox image=”ss-star” character=”” type=”left-icon-alt” title=”Porthole’s Featured Cruise Deal of the Week!” animation=”fade-in” animation_delay=”100″] DEAL: Are you ready for the rivers? Save 30 …

Discover why Costa Diadema is nicknamed “the Queen of the Mediterranean.” By Clark Norton Costa Cruises’ mammoth new flagship, Costa Diadema, dubbed Regina del Mediterraneo — the Queen of the …

On Deck Delights When cravings call, head for the Lido Deck for these al fresco favorites. By Janice Wald Henderson Fancy restaurants can float my boat, but when I munch …

Cool Runnings A Caribbean cruise is the perfect backdrop to try out a new travel tend: the “runcation.” By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon Heat, hills, and humidity. As a runner, that’s my …

A River Runs Through It The mighty Mississippi is one of today’s fastest-growing cruise destinations. By Theresa Norton Masek Is there a travel experience more traditionally American than rolling on …

Halifax to the Max Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By John and Sandra Nowlan We’ve lived in Halifax for decades and love its seaside location, …

On Safari Stay a little longer before or after your cruise from Africa. By Kay Showker Whether your Africa cruise starts from Cape Town on a northbound itinerary or ends …

Ever After A pair of honeymooners celebrates romance in Southeast Asia By Fran Golden and David Molyneaux You may have read about our romantic wedding at sea in the last …

Fired Up So what’s the real deal with this smokin’ hot topic? By Cindy O’Neil Q: My husband is a smoker and we are considering our first cruise. Whenever I …

Loyal to Royal Michael Bayley is happily back where he began his career. By Susan J. Young It’s a tale fit for a storybook. In 1981, a 22-year-old starts his …

’Tis the Season Indulge your holiday senses on a Christmas markets cruise. By Jodi Ornstein So there we were. My mom and I.  Escaping the heat of Miami bound for …

Yearning for Yachts Discover 20 top cruise ports with world-class marinas By Lynn and Cele Seldon Though we’ll likely never own a 150-foot-plus megayacht with all the amenities imaginable, it’s …

Life Calling Peru sculptor Antonio Olave is inspired by faith and passion By Richard Varr Antonio Olave Palomino is surrounded by angels. He sits amid paint-splattered carving knives and a …

Holland America Line Breaks Ground in Alaska Cruise News – June 25, 2015 Holland America Line has broken ground on a new “Base Camp” complex at the line’s McKinley Chalet …

Porthole‘s Five Faves Blasts from the Past The swinging ’60s and ’70s were a great time for a cruise! Cruising goes back a long time — just ask noted cruise …

Virgin Cruises to Build 3 Mid-Size Ships First Will Homeport in Miami Cruise News – June 23, 2015   At a standing-room only press conference this morning in Miami, Richard …

Monday Mantra I’m coming back!… I’m coming back!… I’m coming back! Going Home to Holland America Line A familiar ship can feel like an old friend. It’s been quite a …