New Zealand: Coastal Connections
Coastal Connections Natural wonders and amazing adventures along the shores of New Zealand. By John Montague and Carolina Panoff Fluorescent lights, the gentle pitter-patter of keyboards, and the dying groan of late-’90s swivel chairs. That’s our office. To a degree, this is our life. Like most
Rio de Janeiro: Marvelous Metropolis
Marvelous Metropolis Rio de Janeiro’s Cruise Port Gets Its Moment in the Sun By Lucy Bryson Appearance counts for a lot in Rio de Janeiro. Known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) by Brazilians, the 2016 Olympic City is rightly proud of its stunning natural landscape and the golden curves
Cruise Connection: Holistic Holiday at Sea theme cruise
Cruise Well Holistic Holiday at Sea offers a healthy way to cruise the Caribbean. By Margot Bigg I’ve always wanted to take a cruise. But because I’ve been a vegetarian or vegan since I was a small child, the idea of spending a week or more at sea subsisting on salad and bread held me […]
Vitamin Sea: Shore Excursion Challenges
Up for the Challenge Today’s shore excursions offer fun ways to test your mettle. By Christine Koubek The cruise industry is constantly developing new ways for travelers to experience a destination, whether that means catering to families, foodies, or folks looking to sample a city like a box of c
Ship Review: ms Koningsdam
Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam hits all the right notes. By Anita Dunham-Potter Stepping aboard ms Koningsdam it quickly becomes apparent that this isn’t your typical Holland America Line ship. At 99,500 gross tons and carrying 2,650 passengers, ms Koningsdam is the largest ship ever
Expanded Panama Canal Opens to Largest-Ever Ships | Cruise News – Jun. 28, 2016
Expanded Panama Canal Opens to Largest-Ever Ships Cruise News – Jun. 28, 2016 More than 25,000 Panamanians, shipping magnates, heads of state, and overseas dignitaries gathered on June 26 to celebrate the widening of the Panama Canal. The event was marked by the transit of COSCO Shipping Panam
P&O Cruises Opens New Port: Conflict Islands |Cruise News – Jun. 28, 2016
P&O Cruises Opens New Port: Conflict Islands Cruise News – Jun. 28, 2016 Passengers aboard P&O Cruises’ Pacific Jewel became part of history as the first cruisers to visit the Conflict Islands in Papua New Guinea. The remote, uninhabited island group – consisting of 21 islands around a
Cruise Deals of the Week – Jun. 24, 2016
Cruise Deals of the Week – Jun. 24, 2016 DEAL 1: Princess Cruises is offering free all-inclusive beverages plus free specialty dining and reduced deposits as part of their “Sip & Sail” promotion. The offers apply to more than 350 vacations from summer 2017 to spring 2018. Book
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 24, 2016
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 24, 2016 River operator Tauck welcomed the newest ship to their fleet, ms Joy, in a christening on the Danube River in Straubing, Germany. The ships’ three godmothers were longtime Tauck employees Jacque Moran, Mary Murrin and Kristin Robinson. The 130-
Transformed QM2 emerges from multimillion-dollar dry dock | Cruise News – Jun. 23, 2016
Transformed QM2 emerges from multimillion-dollar dry dock Cruise News – Jun. 23, 2016 Cunard Line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, is sailing from Southampton to New York this month after receiving an estimated $132 million in refurbishments, including décor and guest experiences based on the original
Five Faves: The Many Fish of Finding Dory
The Many Fish of Finding Dory Which of these characters are you likely to see on your next underwater excursion? Spoiler alert! There are fish in the new Disney•Pixar film Finding Dory! That’s the only revealing plot-point we’ll dare to share from this, our favorite movie of 2016 thus far. And
Viking Cruises Founder Commemorates Five Norwegian Ports for New Ship
Viking Cruises Founder and Chairman Celebrates Five Norwegian Ports with New Ship Cruise News – Jun. 21, 2016 Viking Ocean Cruises founder and chairman Torstein Hagen recently commemorated the arrival of the company’s new cruise ship, Viking Sea, in five Norwegian ports of call. Hagen
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 17, 2016
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 17, 2016 * The American Queen Steamboat Company has announced a series of 9-day holiday sailings on the Lower Mississippi, which include such Southern highlights as strolling carolers and local choirs, riverside Christmas markets, and a ball at Nottoway Plantatio
Cruise Deal of the Week – Jun. 17, 2016
Cruise Deal of the Week – Jun. 17, 2016 MSC Cruises is offering two short cruises on MSC Divina with prices starting from $279. They’re departing soon – a 3-night Bahamas cruise sails July 2, 2016, and a 4-night Mexico cruise departs July 5, 2016. Contact MSC Cruises or your travel agent f
Aqua Expeditions Announces Third Boat on the Amazon | Cruise News – Jun. 16, 2016
Aqua Expeditions Announces Third Boat on the Amazon Cruise News – Jun. 16, 2016 In line with its aggressive growth strategy, Aqua Expeditions announced it will start construction in December 2016 of a third vessel to sail on Peru’s Amazon River. Announced by Francesco Galli Zugaro, the co
Five Faves: “Calculated Risks” for Ovation of the Seas Cruising in China
Porthole’s Five Faves Cruiser Abroad Five “Calculated Risks” for Ovation of the Seas Cruising in China Pushing the envelope appears to be a core business strategy for Royal Caribbean International. And the recently launched Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum-class ship, marks an industry first, ha
Holland America Line Collaborates with Top Sushi Chef Andy Matsuda | Cruise News – Jun. 14, 2016
Holland America Line Collaborates with Top Sushi Chef Andy Matsuda Cruise News – Jun. 14, 2016 Holland America Line’s shipboard chefs will now be learning from renowned sushi chef, Andy Matsuda of the Sushi Chef Institute in Los Angeles, California. The Japanese-born chef brings more than
June – Guess The Port?!
Think you know your cruise ports? Take a guess (by Monday, June 13, 5pm ET) and we’ll pick one correct answer at random to win a Porthole prize pack. Enter your guess on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/PortholeCruise. Good luck!
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 10, 2016
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jun. 10, 2016 * Celebrity Cruises has announced the names (and photos, above) of their new Galapagos Islands ships: Celebrity Xperience and the twin-hulled Celebrity Xploration. * Norwegian Cruise Line has announced select Fall/Winter 2017/2018 itineraries, includ
Cruise Deal of the Week – Jun. 10, 2016
Cruise Deal of the Week – Jun. 10, 2016 Until July 6, Princess Cruises is holding “Red, White & Blue Sale” with cruises departing from North America to the Caribbean, California Coast, Mexico, Canada & New England, Panama Canal and the Hawaiian Islands from $89 per guest, per day.