St. Thomas Prepares For Travel Boom as Cruising Returns
As more and more cruise lines lay out their plans for a return to operation, it means that popular island destinations across the Caribbean are gearing up for tourism as well. It’s been a difficult year for tourism around the world, but there’s hope that cruising’s return can help
Cunard’s Captain Christopher Wells Retires After 20 Years
After 20 years with Cunard and 30 in total with Carnival Corporation, Captain Christopher Wells is retiring and being awarded the rank of Commodore for his outstanding service. For the past 13 years, Wells has been at the helm of Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 after being involved in
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Returning in July
One of Florida’s most popular local cruise lines is coming back soon! Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced today their plans to resume operation from Port of Palm Beach on July 2, 2021. Citing the new industry standards for health and safety as well as the recent pushback against the CDCR
Disney Wish is One Step Closer to Completion
The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is another step closer to completion! The cruise line celebrated a major milestone in the life of a cruise ship today with the traditional keel laying ceremony for their new ship Disney Wish, the first of three new ships in the line’s fleet ex
CDC Cruise Line Restrictions ‘Borderline Ridiculous’ says NCL CEO
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an update to their conditional sail order last week, many thought it meant good news for the cruise industry. Upon closer look, the new protocols instituted by the CDC actually make life more difficult for cruise lines and put them further f
Virgin Voyages Announces Summer Sailings in the UK
Just one day after cancelling their summer cruise season from Miami, Virgin Voyages is joining other cruise lines in offering select sailings from the United Kingdom for residents of the country. The upcoming staycation-at-sea series will include two, three and four-night itineraries with a total of
Virgin Voyages Cancels All Summer Sailings
Eventually we’ll write a story about Virgin Voyages that includes details about our time on board the ship, but unfortunately we’re going to have to wait a little longer. The world’s most anticipated cruise line has unfortunately made the decision to cancel all sailings between Jul
St. Maarten Travel Restrictions You Need to Know About
With the news that cruise lines will begin sailing from St. Maarten in just a few months, cruisers all over America are booking their flight to the Caribbean island. However, there are a few important things to know about traveling to St. Maarten because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a rund
Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Return Date
It’s been a long time since Norwegian Cruise Line carried passengers on a cruise vacation, but we finally have a date for the company’s restart. Beginning July 25, 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line will resume cruise operations in Europe followed by the Caribbean on board three ships; Norwegia
Bermuda Is Open for Travel – Here’s What You Need to Know
For the first time ever, a major cruise line is going to homeport in Bermuda and it’s going to be a major factor in the island’s post-COVID recovery. The island has done an incredible job limiting infections over the past year compared to some other popular cruising islands and the local
The CDC’s Technical Guidance for Cruise Ships Explained
In a classic Friday afternoon news dump, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an update to their conditional sail order with a number of new rules cruise lines will have to follow if they want to resume operation. After a week of taking heat from politicians, particularly in Florida
Royal Caribbean Extends Singapore Season to October
Since Royal Caribbean International began cruising from Singapore in December of 2020, more than 50,000 cruisers have sailed safely on board. As a result, Royal Caribbean International today announced Quantum of the Seas will continue sailing from Singapore through October 2
Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Odyssey of the Seas
The latest ship from Royal Caribbean International is finally here! Odyssey of the Seas was delivered to the cruise line by Meyer Werft Yard in Papenburg, Germany in a ceremony attended by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain, President and CEO of Roya
Windstar Cruises Makes Vaccines Mandatory
Another cruise line has made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccine for passengers when they resume operation. Windstar Cruises made the decision based on the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places their yachts visit. Christopher Prelog, Windstar’s Pres
Porthole Cruise Passenger Association Makes Your Vacation More Affordable
Prior to 2020, there wasn’t another travel industry in the world changing as quickly as cruising. Long gone are the days of a one-size-fits-all vacation, instead cruise lines made a monumental shift towards unique destinations, curated experiences and a value-based vacation with something for ever
MSC Virtuosa Will Debut in the United Kingdom
Following along with most other cruise lines, MSC Cruises is deploying their new flagship for summer cruises along the British Isles. The ship’s maiden voyage will be May 20, as the first in a series of 3- and 4-night mini cruises before then beginning 7-night cruises June 12 with embarka
Cunard Will Sail Queen Elizabeth in the UK This Summer
Perhaps the most famous of all the United Kingdom’s cruise lines, Cunard recently announced they would position their ship Queen Elizabeth in the United Kingdom between July and October 2021 in light of the UK allowing cruise ships to sail. The cruises will be a mix of British I
Florida Governor Calls on CDC to Let Cruises Sail
At a roundtable discussion at Port Canaveral today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E. called on the CDC to let cruise lines sail from American ports once again. Earlier this week, the CDC reaffirmed
Disney Cruise Line Offering “Staycations” for UK Residents
Cruise lines received some much-needed good news earlier this month when the United Kingdom announced cruise lines would be able to resume operation starting in May. UK-based cruise lines jumped to start planning cruises and now another cruise line is getting in on the action. Disney Cruise Line is
Choose Your Cruise – March 26, 2021
This was a wild week in the cruise industry. CLIA and the CDC went back and forth about the Conditional Sail Order and several more cruise lines have concrete start dates in June cruisers can now book! Since we still can’t sail from American ports, these cruises leave from islands in the Baham