Cruise News — August 29, 2014 – Construction begins on new Holland America Line ship
Cruise News — August 29, 2014 Construction begins on new Holland America Line ship No name yet, but construction on the first Holland America Line ship since 2010’s Nieuw Amsterdam is underway at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy — the first 680-ton block lowered by crane into
Cruise News – August 22, 2014
Cruise News – August 22, 2014 Carnival Cruise Lines beefs up Baltimore options Carnival Cruise Lines will, for the first time, operate a one-of-a-kind series of 10- to 14-day Caribbean cruises from Baltimore on Carnival Pride. The line is also adding a pair of 5-day Bermuda, 6-day Bahamas
Cruise News – July 25, 2014
Cruise News – July 25, 2014 Norwegian Updates Cuisine With cruise passengers increasingly moving into the “foodie” category, Norwegian Cruise Line is updating its culinary offerings—part of its NEXT upgrade program. Among the changes: Gone is the old-fashioned chocolate buffet, n
Cruise News – July 11, 2014
Cruise News – July 11, 2014 Windstar Adds Private Events to all 2015 Sailings Beginning in 2015, all Windstar Cruises itineraries will feature a complimentary Private Events offering on shore, designed to give passengers a local experience. The line debuted the perk with South Pacific itinerar
Europa 2: Generation LuXe
Generation LuXe Europa 2 caters to upscale cruisers seeking international flavor. By Lori Rackl The bad news for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is that its luxury vessel, Europa, no longer ranks as the Berlitz cruise guide’s top-rated ship. The good news for the German cruise line: The coveted title was stol
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
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
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
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
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
Rollin’ on the River in French (Wine) Style
Sipping Bordeaux wine, visiting a historic chateau, viewing the green French countryside with plenty of time to pause to appreciate the good life – this is the experience on the new Chateaux, Rivers and Wine itinerary aboard Viking River Cruises’ 190-passenger Viking Forseti. The one-week cr
Royal Caribbean goes with “Dynamic Dining” for Quantum-class ships
In a bold move, Royal Caribbean International is shaking up the dining scene on its Quantum-class ships, eliminating main dining rooms and shipwide formal nights in favor of what the line is calling “Dynamic Dining.” Passengers on Quantum of the Seas (debuting in November) and sister
A Taste of Nassau
When cruisers arrive at a port, it’s best to have a plan. Some may prefer organized shore excursions. Some may want to explore on their own. In either case, making last-minute choices when you arrive on-island is not always the best way to go. I’ve seen cruise passengers disembark totall
“Chopped” and Delicious on Norwegian Getaway
Fans of Food Network’s Chopped know New York chef/restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian as the smart judge with white hair who opines on creations by the show’s competing professional chefs. Some lucky cruisers on the new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway‘s inaugural Caribbean cruise
