Freeport, Bahamas: To the Brewery and Beyond!
Any repeat cruiser knows that a stop in the Bahamas means “plan excursions ahead of time” or risk being stuck in the extremely-touristy-downtown shopping frenzy. As much as I enjoy bargain prices on knock-off purses, you can only really do this once or twice before it loses its novelty. The last
Luxury Travel Tech For Everyone
What technology must you have while traveling? Savvy travelers usually pack a portable power bank, universal (all-in-one) plug adapter, smartphone camera lens, noise-canceling headphones, laptop, portable speakers, and a selfie stick. These devices have been available for a while, and you probably o
Cruise Control: Cartagena, The City of Colors (Video)
Have you considered a cruise along the Panama Canal? Bill Panoff set sail on his most recent cruise adventure. Here are a few highlights from his stop in Cartagena: The Mixture of Old & New The city of Cartagena stretches just about 220 square miles. The city is made up of 16th-century b
We love Isaac’s Love Boat–Inspired Cocktail
Even though it’s not Throwback Thursday today, Porthole is remembering Valentine’s Day 2015, when Princess Cruises debuted a crafty cocktail created by Ted Lange, who played the friendly red-jacketed bartender, Isaac, on The Love Boat. Lange said that he created the amorous concoction by drawin
Carnival Dramatically Expands Cruises from the West Coast
Cruise News – Feb. 12, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line has announced several significant initiatives designed to further bolster its West Coast presence: the deployment of Carnival Panorama to Long Beach in 2019 — the first new Carnival ship based in Southern California in 20 years; the grand re
News Briefs – Seven Seas Mariner’s amazing upgrade, and more….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 9, 2018 Seven Seas Mariner is undergoing a major upgrade before returning to Alaska. The world’s first all-suite, all-balcony cruise ship will undergo a 20-day dry-dock this April, getting a new mosaic-tiled pool, an open layout and teak flooring on the poo
Cruise Deals of the Week
Cruise Deals of the Week – Feb. 9, 2018 DEAL 1: Tall-ship line Star Clippers is offering a sweet deal for couples booking and 2018 or 2019 sailing by February 14 (using the promo code VALENTINES18) – sweet treats upon arrival, a bottle of bubbly, and a complimentary one-hour massage (per person/
Celebrate the Best of Bollywood aboard Grand Celebration
Smaller cruise lines are shifting their focus to a more tailored cruising experience through theme-cruise offerings. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line launched their first-ever Bollywood cruise experience in January on a 2-day cruise to the Bahamas. Porthole Cruise Magazine was fortunate enough to have
News Briefs – Cousteau in the Amazon and more….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 2, 2018 Luxury river operator Aqua Expeditions has announced a series of theme cruises on the Amazon and Mekong rivers for 2018, including 3-, 4-, and 7-night departures hosted by conservationist and filmmaker Jean-Michel Cousteau (February 9 to 16 and October 5-
Cruise Deals of the Week
Cruise Deals of the Week – Feb. 2, 2018 DEAL 1: Luxury small-ship operator Scenic is offering cruisers on their European river ships and their upcoming “discovery yacht” Scenic Eclipse early-bird rates up to 10 percent off regular fares. The deal extends to 13 different itineraries between
How to Get the Most Out of Your European Wine Cruise
For wine lovers, there’s nothing as exciting as a European river cruise combined with wine tasting, wine education, and of course, gourmet food. Tasting wine in the South of France had long been on our bucket list, so when we heard about a wine cruise down the Rhone River, sailing from Lyon, we bo
Norwegian Starts Construction on Newest Ship, Norwegian Encore
Cruise News – Jan. 31, 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line has marked the start of construction for its newest ship — and the 17th ship in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet. Named Norwegian Encore, the new ship will sail the Caribbean from Miami seasonally beginning fall 2019. Norwegian Cruise Line Ho
Cruise Control: Which Beach in Aruba? Baby Beach! (Video)
You finally made it to nearly all the islands the Beach Boys sing about… but there’s just one left. You’re crossing Aruba off your list! Imagine docking at the port of Oranjestad. When you disembark the ship, you look around to see the streets flooded with colorful buildings and shopping touri
Holland America Line Expands Denali Experience in Alaska
Cruise News – Jan. 30, 2018 Holland America Line is expanding its Alaska Land+Sea Journeys with the addition of new guest accommodations at its Denali operation. The 99-room addition will feature the first-ever junior suites at the resort and is expected to be open for the 2019 summer Alaska c
News Briefs – P&O Cruises builds largest British ship, SuperStar Gemini becomes floating hotel….
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Jan. 26, 2018 P&O Cruises has contracted for a new “green-cruising” ship which, on completion, will be the largest cruise ship built for the British market. The 5,200-passenger vessel will be built at Meyer Werft and delivered in 2022 as a sister ship to a
Cruise Deal of the Week
Jan. 26, 2018 Luxury line Silversea is offering free roundtrip air – or an upgrade to business class from $599 – on their “Timeless Treasures” Mediterranean cruises. Contact Silversea or your travel agent for more.
Disney Adds Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea for 2019
Cruise News – Jan. 24, 2018 Disney Cruise Line is bringing back two popular special itineraries — Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea — in 2019. Star Wars Day at Sea From January to early March 2019, special 7-night Disney Fantasy sailings will cruise to the Caribbean — and a
Cruise Control: Top 4 Reasons to Honeymoon on a Cruise
Picking the perfect vacation to follow the perfect wedding can become just as stressful as picking where to seat your rambunctious second cousin at the reception, but luckily, we have just the solution for you! Cruising is the best way to go when it comes to booking your honeymoon, and here’s why:
5 Fave Theme Cruises for 2018
Porthole’s Five Faves Cruise fans are fans, first and foremost — and every fan’s got a theme cruise to make ‘em go “Oh, man!” It doesn’t matter what you’re into, from prosecco to pro wrestling, or NPR news quizzes to serene sun salutations, this year has an upcoming theme cruise that
Easy, Breezy: Extend your South Florida cruise vacation at Margaritaville Beach Resort
You definitely won’t be wasting away if you choose to spend some pre- or post-cruise time at the Margaritaville Beach Resort in Hollywood Beach, Florida. Less than 10 miles south of Port Everglades, the Jimmy Buffett–themed beachfront resort is the perfect place to wind up or gear down before or
