Five Faves: Breakfast Buffet Items
Porthole’s Five Faves Start the Day Off Right! 5 Favorite Items at the Breakfast Buffet Who doesn’t love a good buffet? What about a gourmet breakfast? So what could possibly be better than when these two come together?! One of the best amenities of a cruise ship is the all-you-ca
In the Bag
Monday Mantra In the Bag A luxury cruise to Alaska stretches packing strategies to the limit. I will begin packing…I will begin packing…I will begin packing… In just two days, I’ll be off to Vancouver to board Silver Shadow for an 11-day Alaska cruise. I’ll be combining two of the
Five Faves: Enjoy the Show – Five Favorite Performances at Sea
Porthole’s Five Faves Enjoy the Show Five Favorite Performances at Sea There’s something about that moment when the lights go dim, the audience hushes, and the curtain rises. Sometimes you might even forget you’re on a cruise ship. But make no mistake. From Broadway-style shows and worl
All Things Grape and Small
Monday Mantra All Things Grape and Small On a luxury cruise, nothing (and we mean nothing) is overlooked. I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… I need jaw-droppin’ attention to detail… Allow me to set the scene. My husband, Michael, and
Five Faves: Theme Cruises
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Theme Cruises … From gourmands to ghost hunters, there’s something for every cruiser to love. Who doesn’t love a good theme cruise? Board a ship with other like-minded folks and set sail for a week of, well, anything you can image! From country music cruises to
Wine Not?
Monday Mantra Wine Not? The Virgin Islands offer great deals — and good cheer — in unexpected places…. I want to drink in an alley…I want to drink in an alley…I want to drink in an alley… Duty-free shopping in St. Thomas is like a reunion with old friends. Shops like The Belgian Chocolat
Five Faves: Cruise Indulgences
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Cruise Indulgences … And the Science Behind Why You Shouldn’t Say No Inhibitions are like lighthouses — those things are best left on land! The next time you go on a cruise and start hearing yourself make up excuses for why you shouldn’t do something, remember th
Hit the Deck – Chair Hogs
Monday Mantra Hit the Deck-Chair Hogs! If reserved seats get you hopping mad…. I will get revenge on deck-chair hogs…I will get revenge on deck-chair hogs… Don’t get me started. It was still early morning as my husband and I made our way to the pool for a glorious, sun-drenched day at sea. O
Five Faves: Bands, ho!… with Carnival LIVE
Porthole’s Five Faves Bands, ho! Five favorite things to love about a Carnival LIVE concert cruise There’s something to be said about mixing a cruise with your favorite music. Let’s face it, we love to walk around the ship and hear music in the lounges and on the Lido Deck – it enhances your
Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls
Monday Mantra Those Freestyle Pretzel Rolls Take a taste of Norwegian Cruise Line’s bread heaven home with you. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. I must have a pretzel roll…. Mention Norwegian Cruise Line to most cruisers and you’ll hear tales about the line’s
Five Faves: The Old Cruiser and the Sea
Porthole’s Five Faves The Old Cruiser and the Sea Five favorite ways to enjoy reading Hemingway on board There’s something absolutely satisfying about a warm deck chair, a cool sea breeze, and a great book – it’s totally indulgent and totally good for you at the same time. Few writers
Cruising Barefoot
Monday Mantra Cruising Barefoot When novice packing mistakes seem to carry on. I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes…I will not make novice cruise mistakes… More than 35 years have passed since then and I now think of myself as a cruise veteran. I know h
Five Faves: Belly Up!
Cheers to these five favorite onboard spots to grab a drink. There’s no denying that the themed bars, chic lounges, and bustling nightclubs found on today’s cruise ships rival any on land. The options are endless for cruisers seeking unique spots to enjoy their favorite drinks. So far, here are
The Monday Mantra…
The Monday Mantra Your Weekly Dose of Cruise Humor Join me each week for a different mystical chant that will transport you from your ho-hum existence to the glorious world of cruising. Lest you think I’m getting all “Kumbaya” on you, let me assure you that my mantras will invoke the realities
Princess Cruises Plans Anniversary Cruise
Princess Cruises Plans Anniversary Cruise Back in the late 1970s, the TV show The Love Boat introduced many of us to the very idea of cruising. With a fictional crew helmed by Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod), big-name guest stars, an endless array of episodes depicting happy cruise vacations, as w
Culinary Adventures aboard Oceania Cruises
For cruisers who want to bring more back from their vacation than just great memories, Oceania Cruises has Bon Appétit Culinary Centers aboard the 1,250-passenger Marina and Riviera where you can actually learn some cooking skills. Bon Appétit Culinary Centers You slice and dice along with pr
Just Desserts and Cocktail Culture
Brand-new treats on both Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line are geared toward an adults-only audience. On Disney, the indulgence is desserts. Exclusively on Disney Fantasy, a new experience for grownups is a five-course dessert tasting in the fancy French restaurant Remy. “Remy Fea
Holland America Line Adds Signature Burgers to New Terrace Grill Menu
I’m one of those people who enjoy being pampered with multiple courses served by armies of waiters in cruise ship dining rooms. But at some point on every cruise I find myself craving something simple — like a good burger. Apparently, I am not alone. New Cruise Ship Burgers Celebrity chef Gu
Carnival Brings the Sea to New Kid’s Program
Kids on Carnival ships will soon be making penguins out of Oreos, playing marine animal trivia, crafting their own sailboats, and designing their own aquariums in Camp Ocean, the line’s new marine-themed kids’ program. Launching in May on Carnival Freedom, Camp Ocean will replace Camp
Quantum of the Seas Moving to China
In a move that came as a shock to many, Royal Caribbean announced this week that after an initial season in the New York market the line would send its newest (and presumably greatest) ship, the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas, to China – permanently. The ship, which debuts in November, has