Scenic Eclipse– When 5 Stars Just Won’t Do
Luxury is a benchmark that every cruise ship touts to some degree in the launch of a new vessel. With new ships being introduced at a breakneck pace, innovation is of utmost importance and the ritzy new Scenic Eclipse meets every aspect of discriminating criteria, defining what a 6 star classificati
The Holiday Spirit Starts with BACARDÍ
Rum isn’t one size fits all. It comes in a variety of colors, flavors and profiles which make it a far more unique spirit than most realize. Made from sugar cane, rum is versatile and unique and can be added to a wide variety of drinks and recipes to add a little bit of tropical […]
Miami’s Best Holiday Events for Cruisers
When most think of the holidays, they don’t picture palm trees, perfect beaches and a nice, even tan. If you’re headed to Miami for a cruise vacation for the holidays, there’s no better place to get into the spirit of the season! Miami has a number of fantastic family-friendly events running n
The Ultimate Pre-Cruise Wellness Day in Los Angeles
While a cruise is good for the soul, there’s a chance you may overindulge when on vacation. Buffets will call your name, begging for that extra helping, or you might want to try each different drink with an umbrella as you sit oceanside in the sun. It’s your vacation after all, and you d
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve Now Open
We’ve been waiting with patient anticipation and today for the first time, MSC Cruises welcomed passengers on board MSC Divina to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s new private island in The Bahamas. What is Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve? The island’s opening is a ma
Scarlet Lady Completes Sea Trials
It seems like just yesterday we were getting excited for the first cut of steel for Virgin Voyages’ upcoming ship Scarlet Lady. Now we’re here to celebrate another huge milestone in the life of a cruise ship, successful sea trials. You can’t fill a cruise ship with happy passengers before maki
Seattle’s Best Breweries Before or After Your Cruise
Seattle has a vibrant and innovative brewing scene, with microbreweries ranging across town from north to south. Many of Seattles’ best breweries still only have limited distribution, so make sure to check them out while you are in town because you might not have a chance when you get home! Fi
Carnival and KultureCity Collaborate for Sensory Inclusion
For many, the best part about taking a cruise vacation is how much fun today’s ships can be. They have movie theaters and arcades, roller coasters and waterparks. Everywhere you go there’s something exciting and new to explore. However, the sights and sounds can be challenging for those with sen
Your Colombian Emerald Holiday Buying Guide
Cruisers hopping off the ship in Cartagena, Colombia are excited to explore a South American city rich with local culture, Spanish colonial architecture, and one of the most prized gemstones; the emerald. Brilliant green and found deep in the Colombian mountains, the emerald captivates visitors with
A Cruiser’s Guide to Restaurants in Orlando
If you are flying to Orlando prior to boarding your cruise or plan on staying in Orlando after your cruise, you are in luck. Orlando provides plenty more than sun, beaches and Disney. In particular, Orlando has more than its fair share of spectacular restaurants. Regardless of your unique dietary pr
Black Friday Cruise Deal of the Week – November 29, 2019
You could head to the store on Black Friday to wrestle with a stranger over the last Elmo doll, or you could peruse the list below compiled by the cruise deal specialists here at Porthole Cruise Magazine. We’ve scoured the internet for THE BEST deals to be had on Black Friday for cruises all o
Take at Trip to Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano
Costa Rica is well known for it’s focus on eco-tourism and sustainable practices. A country bordered by both the Pacific and Atlantic ocean, the interior volcanic region, known as Arenal, is a gorgeous part of the country that feels wild and undisturbed by man. Thanks to the still-active Arena
What to Do in Miami Before Cruising: Guide to Unique Miami
Miami is home to one of the world’s largest ports and one of America’s best vacation cities. You have probably heard about the famous beaches and 365 days of summer, but there’s a whole lot more to this town once you peel back the layers. We’ve created this handy guide for the cruiser seekin
River Cruising: Crystal Mahler and Me
Most people would be content sitting on their king-sized bed in their 253-square-foot Deluxe Suite, watching the Danube flow by their balcony window while their personal butler (yes, really) introduced them to a canapé and a glass of Champagne. But for this bright-eyed river ship novice, the shape-
For Shore: Two Sides to Hispaniola
As a name, “Hispaniola” seems better suited for history books. But as an island, straddling the line between Caribbean and Atlantic, it is more likely to enter today’s conversations as home to one or both of the two independent nations that share it: Haiti and the Dominican Republic. H
Fort Lauderdale for First-Timers
Life in the Sunshine State is a little different than elsewhere across the country. Florida is where America comes to vacation thanks to beautiful weather, gorgeous beachside hotels and the world’s busiest cruise ports. No matter who you are or what your idea of a good time is, Fort Lauderdale and
Mardi Gras: The Best Time to Cruise from New Orleans
The biggest party in New Orleans every year is Mardi Gras and it’s also one of the best times to cruise! New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the country and it is home to some of the best Mardi Gras celebrations year after year. From the parades to the carnival balls, […]
‘Valiant Lady’ Announced by Virgin Voyages
Soon Scarlet Lady will have a twin sister cruising the Mediterreanean. Virgin Voyages announced in a press release this morning that their second ship will be named Valiant Lady and will sail the Mediterreanean upon her completion in 2021. The line’s first ship has yet to debut but is one of the m
Cruise Ship Review: Spectrum of the Seas Introduces the Royal Range
Typically, sister ships within a class are built in close succession, making it difficult to impose significant changes throughout the class. This is the reality Royal Caribbean understood, coupled with the knowledge that a new Quantum-class ship would also have quite a lot to live up to with stando
A New Day for Carnival Sunrise
The glow of a Caribbean sunrise ushers in a new beginning and likewise, so does the emergence of the innovative Carnival Sunrise. Keeping pace with cruise trends is something that every cruise line grapples with and announcements of new ship construction constantly grab the headlines. These floati
