Five Faves: All-American Ports of Call
Porthole‘s Five Faves America, the Beautiful! Cruising from the good ol’ U. S. of A. If you live in the United States, chances are there’s a cruise port that you can reach by driving or taking a short flight. Each offers plenty to do before or after your cruise, but in honor of the upcomin
There Goes the Sun – What do you do when the tropical rain soaks your ship?
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 your ship? Yay! We’re at sea! You wake and imagine a full day lazing in the sun, sipping cool drinks and reading, listening to music, [&hell
Five Fave Blasts from the Past! The swinging ’60s and ’70s were a great time for a cruise!
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 writers such as William Makepeace Thackeray and Mark Twain. At Porthole Cruise Magazine, our archives don’t go back quite that fa
Going Home to Holland America Line – A familiar ship can feel like an old friend.
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 while since I sailed Holland America Line but I’ll be returning to the line on July 4 when my friend Rosemary and I sail
Five Faves: Father’s Day Gift Upgrades
Porthole’s Five Faves Father’s Day Gift Upgrades Just as Father knows best, he also deserves the best. Rather than going with the same ol’ standbys, allow the magic of cruising to enhance your Father’s Day gift. Father’s Day is only a few shopping days away, but planning your present could
Man the Baby Stations! – We’ve got a ship-load of kids ahead!
Monday Mantra Kids on Board!… Kids on Board!… Kids on Board! Man the Baby Stations! We’ve got a ship-load of kids ahead! Sometimes — not often, but sometimes — I’m wrong about children. Like Antoine. Antoine, about 2 years old, was perched on his mom’s lap in the seat next to m
Five Faves: 5 Tips for Alaskan Adventure
Porthole‘s Five Faves Adventure Awaits 5 Tips for Cruising Alaska Alaska. The last frontier. Home of magnificent glaciers, an abundance of wildlife, fascinating cultures, and plenty of culinary and shopping opportunities. It’s a land you can only imagine — until you cruise there. I just re
Flash Back – The old cruise photographers might have been worth a thousand words after all.
Monday Mantra Picture this… Picture this… Picture this… Flash Back The old cruise photographers might have been worth a thousand words after all Here’s a picture of me with a double chin and my eyes closed. Here’s another of me with my mouth full, my jaw sort of twisted as I chew a mouthfu
Five Faves: Setting Sail
Porthole‘s Five Faves Setting Sail Five Favorite Caribbean Sailaways Is there anything better than a cruise sailaway? The churning of the engines. The breeze in your face. The sounds of the Lido Deck band playing in the background…. At Porthole Cruise Magazine, we love sailaways, which i
Marketplace, Ahoy! We’re shipping out for shopping!
Monday Mantra A bazaar reason to cruise… A bazaar reason to cruise… A bazaar reason to cruise… Marketplace, Ahoy! We’re shipping out for shopping! Fact: I love to shop in foreign lands. Another fact: I once went on a cruise specifically to buy a new wallet. Ironically, the wallet I was out t
Five Faves: Theme Cruises
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Favorite Theme Cruises Whether you’re into progressive rock or proper punctuation, there’s bound to be an upcoming cruise that’ll float your boat Cruisers love company. One of the best experiences on any ship is getting to know someone new, whether it’s that glob
Sympathy for the Sticky-Fingered
Monday Mantra I plead guilty…I plead guilty…I plead guilty… Sympathy for the Sticky-Fingered It’s hard not to want to take a little piece of paradise home with you. Shiplifter (ship-lift-er) n.: One who disembarks from a cruise with stemware, dishware, linens, ashtrays, or other items clearl
Five Faves: Sea-centric Songs
Porthole’s Five Faves Sea-centric Songs Enya may have created the sounds most synonymous with sailing away, but it’s not the only song in the key of cruising. If you were putting together the typical cruising soundtrack, it would need to include the Love Boat theme, a dozen Bob Marley son
Routine Reminders – Cruise memories last a lifetime
Monday Mantra A Shipload of Memories…A Shipload of Memories…A Shipload of Memories… Routine Reminders Cruise memories last a lifetime. Nothing drives home how frequently my husband and I sailed more than the heartbreaking task of sifting through Michael’s possessions since his death on April
Five Faves: Private Label – Five reasons to toast MSC Cruises’ wine-blending program.
Porthole’s Five Faves Private Label Five reasons to toast MSC Cruises’ wine-blending program There’s never a shortage of wine on a cruise ship, but imagine getting a Napa Valley or Sonoma experience of both wine tasting and blending right on board. That was our experience on a recent sailing a
Here’s to you, and to me, and to all the ships at sea! (Why does cruising wake up the inner imbiber?)
Monday Mantra Cruisin’ for a boozin’…Cruisin’ for a boozin’…Cruisin’ for a boozin’… Here’s to you, and to me, and to all the ships at sea! Is it the rum? Or just the vacation spirit? Why does cruising wake up the inner imbiber? Do I like to drink? I might say I do, but the re
Five Faves: The Mother of All Gifts
Porthole‘s Five Faves The Mother of All Gifts Five great gift ideas for the cruise-loving mom in your life. We all go through it. “What in the world am I going to get mom for Mother’s Day this year?” If the mom on your list loves to cruise, then check out our roundup of five […]
Five Faves: Bring on the May Flowers (and More Celebrations)!
Porthole’s Five Faves Bring on the May Flowers (and More)! Our five favorite May Day celebrations around the world. The April showers are just about over, which means it’s time to have a little fun in the sun for May Day. The first of May is a holiday with deep roots in different parts of [&hell
Five Faves: Hot Miami
Porthole’s Five Faves Hot Miami Five favorite things to do in the Magic City this spring and summer While some people may avoid South Florida during the hotter months, spring and summer are actually wonderful times of the year to explore Miami. The crowds have lessened so traffic isn’t as crazy,
Five Faves: Serenity Now
Porthole‘s Five Faves Serenity Now Five Favorite Cruise Moments to Savor Ask any cruiser about their favorite moments on deck, and you’ll likely find the list is long and varied. But when it comes to those aaaahhhh moments, there are certain snapshots of time spent on board that define the w
