Ship Review: Icon of the Seas
Kicking off 2024 with a sailing on Icon of the Seas from Miami, Florida, I learned that this largest ship at sea has been a dream of Royal Caribbean Group for years. President and CEO Jason Liberty, speaking at the ship’s naming ceremony in January, shared: “Icon of the Seas is the culmination
Style & Design: MADE with PRIDE
What we love, by people who love what they are. Everyone’s got a reason to be proud, and Porthole’s proud to help these creators represent. We always showcase the most stylish designs from all kinds of makers’ brands, but this issue, we’re sharing the pride with LGBTQIA+-owned, native and in
Beauty and the Bottle
The Italian Lakes are among the most beautiful and popular places to visit in Europe. The glory of nature lies all around with glistening waters, picturesque lakeside villages, medieval castles and imposing mountain views. Stretching from the River Po in the south to the lower Alps and the Dolomites
Snow’s Bones
The waters of Glacier Bay National Park practically boil with life in the summer: Sail here, and you’re likely to see bears turning shoreline rocks over for food or vanishing into the trees; shaggy mountain goats climbing along impossibly steep slopes; and humpback whales breaching, diving, an
A Centennial Family Cruise
Living to the age of 100 is an amazing feat … but celebrating a centennial birthday aboard a cruise ship with family from all over the country is truly extraordinary. We set sail from Miami last spring on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky with four generations of the Guthmann clan to honor o
Discovering China on the Shanghai Train
There’s no better way to travel from Beijing to Shanghai than on the tracks. China is home to the world’s longest high-speed rail network, with a length of over 42,000 kilometers (26,098 miles). The Chinese rail network gives travelers a rare opportunity to see parts of China and aspects of dail
Luxury … With a Twist!
Explora I’s Lobby Bar soars midship from Decks 4 to 5 but it doesn’t call to mind the traditional cruise ship atrium with its riotous activity and zooming glass elevators. This inviting space, the social heart of Explora Journeys’ first ship, is part living room, with plush seating and cockt
Cruising Cool and Bright
There’s not much that isn’t perfect about the eco-ship Havila Castor. It checks all the boxes: styling, service, food, and comfort, and all of it while leaving only the tiniest carbon footprint on board and in eco-conscious shore excursions. The 179-cabin, 640-passenger vessel offers classic Sca
On the Truffle Trail
Come autumn, every waiter worth his salt, working in the Langhe region of Piedmont in northern Italy, has two words on his tongue: “With truffle?” The inquiry comes with a presentation of said white truffle (the rare Tuber magnatum) on a silver platter … though with their tumor-like form and g
4 Countries, 2 Wheels, 0 Experience
“But, we haven’t even sat on a bike for four years!” My response to my wife’s idea to embark on a two-week cycling adventure down the Danube was hardly enthusiastic. But the more I thought about it, the more it appealed. What’s not to love about cycling along beautiful paths beside one
Galapagos by Tiny Cat
Swimming next to inquisitive sea lions, adorable penguins, graceful sea turtles, and a multitude of colorful schools of fish was worth taking four airplanes and numerous buses to reach the EcoGalaxy in the Galapagos Islands. The 16-passenger, three-deck catamaran was built to fit ecological paramete
DAY@SEA: NoRWEGIAN VIVA
SMALL-SHIP WOMAN IN A BIG-SHIP WORLD “Hold. Hold! There’s somebody still in the tube.” That’s not what you want to hear while standing on a trap door, waiting for someone to push a button that will send you plummeting 10 decks down the side of a cruise ship. That trap door wa
Power Pop For Better Ships
ABBA, the internationally revered pop group, has been giving joy and excitement to hundreds of millions for more than five decades. Now, they’re showing themselves to be environmentally conscientious as well by backing a new generation of wind-assisted ships. The Swedish megastars are partnering
Navigating 2024: Newbuilds Ahoy!
A fleet of newbuilds will sail into 2024, each ship promising new high-water marks in innovation, luxury, and adventure. Here’s an overview of what we’re looking forward to sailing. Royal Caribbean takes center stage in January with the much-anticipated debut of Icon of the Seas. This 7,600-
Now Visualize a Stress-Free Vacation….
Travelers seeking relaxation often return from their vacations more stressed than when they left. Racing to catch flights, adjusting to time changes, and wrestling with reservation forms can be exhausting. That’s why more and more European hotels are providing opportunities to practice mindfulness
Virgin’s Forest
Hats off to Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s prestigious collection of luxury accommodations, for raising awareness of — and money for — mangrove conservation. Visitors to Necker Island, Sir Branson’s private island in the British Virgin Islands, are being encouraged to make a c
Another World… Another Scotland
My feet scrape against the surface of 3-billion-year-old Lewisian gneiss as I scale the boulders that surround the glistening Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye. My steps are the only sound aside from distant bleating of sheep and the squawk of gulls as they fly high overhead. I feel as though I’m a
Uninhabited, Untamed, and Untouched
Outside of the city and beyond the canal zone, Panama presents a visitor with surprisingly unspoiled nature. So be sure to hone your listening skills and practice watching for the rustling of trees in the canopy above. The rain forest in Panama covers 63 percent of the country and sequesters 160 ton
Mooning Over SH Diana
When you walk onto Swan Hellenic’s newest ship, SH Diana, you are immediately greeted with a sense of elegance and sophistication. That’s not what you might expect from an expedition ship, but the newest member of Swan Hellenic’s fleet captures the essence of high-class exploration. As soon as
A Different Sip
Every coffee lover has a favorite. Do you sip only single-origin Colombian or Brazilian? Perhaps you prefer flavored varieties, with vanilla, pecan or hazelnut added. Even if you’ll drink any dang bean that has caffeine, surely you go for one or two grocery-store brands over the others. But have y
