Ship Review: American Duchess
Cruising the Mississippi River on its first all-suite paddlewheeler. By Suzanne Carmel On August 14, 2017, in New Orleans, American Queen Steamboat Company christened its newest ship, American Duchess. Godmother Marissa Applegate, daughter of the line’s chairman and CEO, John Waggoner, broke a bot
The Barge Bonus
Float your own boat aboard a private, small ship cruise. By Steve Leland The explicit benefits of river cruising are well documented: all inclusive, complimentary excursions and, the real clincher, typically fewer than 200 guests. The thought of binging on an open bar and great food is enough to flo
Cruising the British Isles
Cruising the British Isles reveals a host of storied sites to explore By Terri Colby About 90 miles outside of London, slowing traffic on the A303 is the first sign that you are arriving at your destination. All of the drivers pause. And how could they not? Outside your window, just a bit in the [&h
Cruise Exec: Tom McAlpin, Virgin Voyages
A Day in the Life of Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Voyages By Fran Golden Tom McAlpin, a 30-year cruise industry veteran, is now overseeing the creation of a whole new cruise line from the ground up. It’s no small task for the president and CEO of Virgin Voyages. The first of the [&hell
Just Add Land: Australia & New Zealand
A plethora of experiences are waiting for you before and after your cruise from Australia or New Zealand By Natalie Kessell The idyllic lands down under are more accessible than ever with a bevy of cruise ships sailing south for the summer each year. The neighboring island nations of Australia and N
Cruise Ship Review: MSC Meraviglia
MSC Meraviglia shows off its Mediterranean style By Dana McMahan Though it’s one of the leading cruise lines in Europe (not to mention South America and South Africa), MSC Cruises isn’t yet a household name in North America. But the Swiss-based, privately owned cruise line has been aimin
Martinique’s Mélange
Martinique’s Mélange Paris meets Pompeii on this storied Caribbean island. By James Lida You feel it in the boutiques of Trois-Îlets, in the ruins of Saint-Pierre, in the shade of Fort-de-France’s Parisian buildings, and in the countryside’s rum tasting rooms. Martinique is an island on the
Savvy Shopper: Holiday Gift Guide
A holiday gift guide from your favorite island locales By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And it’s also the best time of year to purchase a present for your favorite cruiser (or yourself). So as you make that shopping list prior to setting sail on your Caribbean
Like a Local: Los Cabos
Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way By Chris Sands Los Cabos has a way of casting a spell that is not easily broken. Take it from a gringo who came here on vacation and never left. The charms are obvious. Where else do mountains, desert, and two major bodies of water […]
Dish It Up: Thomas Keller, Seabourn
Thomas Keller Dishes It Up for Seabourn By Janice Wald Henderson When I met Thomas Keller back in 1991, he was a New York transplant and the newly minted executive chef at Checkers, a downtown Los Angeles boutique hotel. I had no clue he’d skyrocket to international stardom. Neither, I think, did
Design Time: Hull Art
Massive cruise ship hull art provides character and recognizability when pulling into port By Jason Leppert A simple whitewashed hull has long been a classic choice for cruise ship exteriors, but more and more cruise lines are employing bold designs to don their ships’ bows. So when a ship pulls i
Vitamin Sea: Seasickness
Physician tips for preventing and treating seasickness By Dr. Gisela Schlosser Your cruise has been booked for months and the date of departure is now approaching. Whether you are new to cruise travel or a veteran, many passengers purchase seasickness medications and aids prior to boarding. Luckily,
Cruise Connection: There’s a themed sailing just for you
No matter your interest, there’s a themed sailing just for you. By Fran Golden People with particular passions like to share their interests with other like-minded folks. Hence, the theme cruise business has grown to hundreds of sailings a year. Options run the gamut from the sublime to the, well,
Unforgettable Journeys – A Star-Studded African Safari
The following is a safari excerpt from Porthole Cruise Magazine: My life is a cruise-related juggernaut. I’ve lived, slept, and breathed cruises for more than 35 years. Every day of my life is consumed with recurring cruise narrative and I love it. A major portion of my travel history is
Vitamin Sea: Wellness Cruises
Get on board for a healthier lifestyle with today’s wellness options at sea By Heather Mikesell With today’s overly connected society, it has never been more difficult to get away. Email, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other electronic distractions all conspire to keep us constantly connected
Try Me a River – On Avalon Visionary
A first-timer set sails for Europe aboard Avalon Waterways If you’re like me, you have a slight fear of the unknown. It really doesn’t stop me from living life, but I do get butterflies whenever I’m about to make a change or do something new. So, needless to say, I had a hint of nerves [&helli
Design Time: S.S. Joie de Vivre
Bonjour S.S. Joie de Vivre Uniworld’s newest river ship design reflects the French joy of living. By Fran Golden When Toni Tollman set out to design the 128-passenger S.S. Joie de Vivre she had some of her favorite things about Paris in mind. As the Director of Design and Projects at Uniworld Rive
Cruise Control: Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises
A Day in the Life of Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises By Fran Golden Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises, is impatient because he’s sitting on the Rhine aboard the 190-passenger Viking Hild (one of two state-of-the-art Longships his company launched this year) and he’d r
Like a Local: Baltimore
Baltimore Travel Guide Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way By Joe Sugarman There’s a reason why Baltimore’s nickname is Charm City. Oh, sure, you may know about our famed Inner Harbor, with its glittering hotels and renowned aquarium, but to discover the soul of the city, you have
