Green Seas: MS Roald Amundsen, The Future is Fish
Since its inception in 1893, Hurtigruten has paved the way for expedition cruising with an ever-expanding roster of destinations. After 125 years, the company is entering new waters with MS Roald Amundsen, the first of Hurtigruten’s three hybrid-powdered ships that will be making milestones in mor
The True Colors of Greenland
The chartered plane had left Copenhagen in the twilight of a Baltic summer night, but four hours and four time zones later, the brilliance of Greenland’s endless daylight blazed through the plane’s window. The terrain was a blinding white. Ice and snow blanketed the surface as far as the eye cou
Ultimate Adventure: Traveling to Alaska
Aboard big ships, you’ll see Alaska. With UnCruise Adventures, you’ll experience it. That’s what makes traveling to Alaska an experience in and of itself. Get up close and personal with nature – kayak in hidden coves, hike around glaciers, distinguish the flora and fauna R
Last Call: Cool Encounters at SKYY Vodka Ice Bar
The Place — SKYY Vodka Ice Bar Grab A Seat — Norwegian Epic, Escape, and Getaway. Standout Feature — Inspired by the original Scandinavian ice hotels, everything about this bar — the walls, the seats, the glasses — are made from expertly chiseled blocks of ice. The chilly chamber is kept a
For Shore: Animal Encounter Shore Excursions
There’s nothing like a shore excursion to really make your cruise memories magical: Taking in the scenery, enjoying the regional cuisine, and, of course, meeting the locals … including the kind with fur, feathers or fins. We’re talking, of course, about animal encounter shore excu
Vitamin Sea: Scents at Sea
If you’re among the millions who use essential oils on a daily basis and you enjoy taking sanity-saving cruise vacations, odds are you’ve often found yourself in a challenging quandary: Which of my oils should I take with me on the ship, and which ones can I leave at home? Not an easy question.
Behind the Cruise Line: Arnold Donald At The Wheel
Five years ago, cruise lines were reeling from several highly publicized cruise ship incidents around the globe. [Ed. Note: — Porthole may or may not have neglected to mention some of those less-sunnier subjects.] Many believed it would take years of incident-free cruise travel and millions of dol
Mighty Fine River Rhine Aboard AmaPrima
The dominant narrative of river cruising consistently touches on the all-inclusive nature of the experience. The intimate camaraderie, complimentary excursions, fascinating villages, and delicious cuisine all make the case for almost any itinerary, but what makes the AmaWaterways adventure on the go
Side Trip to Cinque Terre
Known as the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre (pronounced Ching-kwe Ter-ray) is a cluster of five picturesque villages in Northwest Italy that adorn the shoreline with colorful buildings, steep cliffs, beautifully rugged and rocky beaches, and small but completely charming ports and harbors. And if you
Ship Review: Celestial Sailing on Viking Orion
It’s a special feeling to rise from a sound sleep, slide open the door and breathe the fresh morning air from your cruise ship balcony. Gazing out each day at a new destination that promises yet another chance for exploration. In fact, Viking Ocean Cruises thinks this is such a special part of
Pre-/Post-Cruise: 48 Hours in Anchorage
I never realized how truly unique my home city was until I began to travel. Growing up, it was normal to reroute my way to school due to a moose along the path or to ski to the supermarket because our car couldn’t make it out of our snow-filled driveway. Anchoragites have a close relationship [&he
Dish It Up: Health-Conscious Cruise Cuisine
Forget the Christmas cookies you gobbled with abandon. It’s so last month. Actually, it’s so last year. We begin 2019 in gratitude, for we can now dine more healthfully — and deliciously — while cruising more than ever before. Organic, low-calorie, vegetarian, vegan — you name it. We’ve
Last Call: Espresso Yourself
The Place for Espresso — Café al Bacio and Gelateria Grab A Seat — All Celebrity Cruise Ships (excluding Celebrity’s expedition ships) Standout Feature — The European charm of Café al Bacio and Gelateria seems an unlikely choice to grab a brew…unless that brew is a cup of coffee! Sure
Vitamin Sea: Can You Lose Five Pounds and Get Fit on a Cruise?
Does going on a cruise always have to be an indulgent vacation? Can you go on a cruise and not gain a few pounds? How about going on a cruise and losing five pounds and getting fit? Is that even possible? “I think it’s absolutely possible!” said Byron Blackwood, Director of Fitness Operations
Green Seas: An Epic Feat of Endurance
In 1914, polar explorer Ernest Shackleton attempted to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent on his vessel, the aptly named, Endurance. The journey was recognized as the last epic feat in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. More than 100 years later, Lindblad Expeditions–
Bonjour Luciole, the Bistro Barge!
Driving through the rolling fields of the French countryside, I was already getting hungry. We were headed south of Paris in the direction of Auxerre, where, beneath the city’s ancient gothic cathedral, hovered Luciole — the barge patiently awaiting our small group’s arrival for what was slate
Sailing Indonesia With Star Clippers
Cruising on a cruise ship holds the inherent promise of a dream come true, but sailing on a sailing vessel is an experience of sheer fantasy. Sailing under unfurled ivory sails stokes the imagination of any would-be sailor, and nowhere can you savor the experience better than in and around the exoti
Island Style: Handmade Modernism
You can’t help but be enchanted by Jamaican ceramicist Victoria Silvera’s sea urchin collection. Delicate yet eye-catching and seamlessly combining function and form, the handmade tableware and decorative pieces are must-have souvenirs, whether you’re a serious art collector or simply an enthu
Last Call: L’eau de Vie at Connoisseur Club
The Place — Connoisseur Club on board Regent Seven Seas Grab A Seat — Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Splendor, and Seven Seas Voyager Standout Feature — Deep blue walls and oversized leather armchairs outfit this elegant hideaway where you’re sure to find you
Luxury and Tradition on Sea Cloud II
It’s nearing 10:00 p.m. and Sea Cloud II is about to depart St. Malo under a ceiling of puffy, silver clouds. Most of the ship’s 94 guests are at the ship’s rail enthralled by the view — the lights of the historic fortress are the only illumination on this balmy evening. It’s the Feast of
