Holland America Crowns Second Dancing Champion – Cruise News – Jan. 2, 2015
Holland America Crowns Second Dancing Champion Cruise News – Jan. 2, 2015 Cruise passenger/”hobbyist” ballroom dancer Brenton Mitchell of Halifax, Nova Scotia, has been crowned Holland America Line’s second “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” champion. Mitchell earne
Monday Mantra: Promises, Promises
Monday Mantra Happy New Year!… Happy New Year!… Happy New Year! Promises, Promises I will set sail into the New Year with the best intentions. As we cruise into 2015, I find myself with a boatload of resolutions that are sure to make me a more pleasant shipmate … if I can keep them: I
Escape into the Holiday Spirit. Cruising the Danube can re-awaken your childlike joy of the season.
Monday Mantra DECK the halls…DECK the halls…DECK the halls… Escape into the Holiday Spirit Cruising the Danube can reawaken your childlike joy of the season. They say Christmas is a magical time filled with family, friends, warmth, and wonder. And it certainly is, if you’re abo
Cabin Fever. From poky inside staterooms to the luxury of a doorbell, there’s no place like your home on board.…
Monday Mantra Cabin sweet cabin…Cabin sweet cabin….Cabin sweet cabin… Cabin Fever From poky inside staterooms to the luxury of a doorbell, there’s no place like your home on board.… From yesteryear’s humble inside upper and lower, I have risen phoenix-like to the extravagance of spacious
The Long and Short of It – There are hidden bonuses to cruising with less.
Monday Mantra I’m thinking small… I’m thinking small … I’m thinking small … The Long and Short of It There are hidden bonuses to cruising with less. “I know what you mean about small ships,” the lady next to me at the bar said. “We sailed Holland America Line’s Westerdam last yea
Jost van Dyke’s Hidden Heaven: One little paradise can make an early wake-up call worth the pain.
Monday Mantra I have no pain to kill… I have no pain to kill… I have no pain to kill… Hidden Heaven One little paradise can make an early wake-up call worth the pain. San Juan. St. Thomas. St. Maarten. Jost van Dyke. Jost van what??? Unless you own a private yacht or have cruised […]
Five Faves: Unique Stores At Sea
Porthole’s Five Faves Unique Stores At Sea Not all ship shops are stocked with brand-stamped hats and duty-free booze. In honor of Black Friday, we highlight our favorite onboard, one-of-a-kind proprietors. The fourth Wednesday of November has always been a day devoted to two worthwhile pur
Should I Stay or Should I Go? – When emergencies come up at home, nothing matters like family matters.
Monday Mantra I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … I’m sailing this week! Maybe. … Should I Stay or Should I Go? When emergencies come up at home, nothing matters like family matters. I’m going on a cruise this Saturday! Maybe. That’s right: “Maybe.” He
Cultured Cruisers – This expedition cruise ain’t no ship of fools.
Monday Mantra I want to go on an expedition…I want to go on an expedition…I want to go on an expedition… Cultured Cruisers This expedition cruise ain’t no ship of fools. Who would think an SPF-toting, rum punch–slugging, limbo-dancin’ gal like me would love an expedition ship? Unlike the
Five Faves: Rums of the Caribbean
Five Faves Rums of the Caribbean A guided tour through the finest spirits of the islands. If I say the words “cruise vacation” to you, chances are you immediately get a picture in your mind that has three things in it — a ship railing, an endless blue horizon, and someone sitting in the sun [&
Bucket List: South Africa – From Safari Excursions to City Essentials
Take Your Pick From safari excursions to city essentials, see what awaits in South Africa. By Kay Showker When I finally arrived in South Africa, I had to ask myself, “What took so long?” With more and more cruise ships making their way here, do yourself a favor and take the opportunity to visit
Thinking Big
Monday Mantra Diet on a cruise? Fat chance!… Diet on a cruise? Fat chance!… Diet on a cruise? Fat chance! Thinking Big On your next cruise, why not just embrace the calories? I slipped into my white pants, fastened the button on the waistband and – boinnnnng! – off it flew, arcing ac
Take a Shipboard Art Tour on Oceania – Cruise News – Oct. 31, 2014
Take a Shipboard Art Tour on Oceania Cruise News – Oct. 31, 2014 Oceania Cruises has one of the best art collections at sea, including works by such masters as Picasso and Miró and Cuban artists Wilfredo Lam and Cundo Bermúdez. To make sure passengers don’t miss a thing, the lin
All Aboard Already!
Monday Mantra I want to sail…on time! ….I want to sail…on time! I want to sail…on time! All Aboard Already! If you’re late to the ship, we’re all late. It’s 5:45 p.m. and right now we should be sailing toward St. Thomas. Instead, the ship is still tied up at the pier, a few officers [&
Home Makers – Cabin stewards are the unsung heroes of every cruise.
Monday Mantra I love my cabin steward…I love my cabin steward…I love my cabin steward… Home Makers Cabin stewards are the unsung heroes of every cruise. I have never had a cabin steward who sucked. Ever. That could be today’s entire Monday Mantra right there if not for those pesky little wor
Five Faves: Cruise Line Apps You Can’t Do Without
Porthole’s Five Faves Five Cruise Line Apps You Can’t Do Without. Unlock your ship’s secrets with this smart software. Some cruisers like to enjoy their vacation as an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world, a chance to take the smart phone, tablet, BlackBerry, and laptop and lock th
Cruise Companions
Monday Mantra I miss Svein and Lars…I miss Svein and Lars…I miss Svein and Lars… Cruise Companions No matter the miles in between, some onboard friendships endure long after debarkation. Just when I was beginning to think most cruises were packed to the pool deck with a predictable combination
Till Death Do We Debark
Monday Mantra I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising…I DO love cruising… Till Death Do We Debark Cruise with me, my love… on the sea, the sea of love…. My husband, Michael, and I have been married 17 years, but it could have been a lot longer if only the gods that controlled our respective
See the world … from the deck of your cruise ship!
Monday Mantra I want to stay on board…I want to stay on board…I want to stay on board See the world… from the deck of your cruise ship! Sometimes, a lounge chair and a cold drink is all you need. Sometimes you meet some nutty people on a cruise, and I’d written Larry off as […]
Free Internet on Oceania… and more – Cruise News – Sept. 12, 2014
Cruise News – Sept. 12, 2014 Oceania offers free Internet Oceania Cruises has joined the list of cruise lines providing guests in Suite- and Concierge-Level staterooms with free Internet access. The perk begins this winter for guests booked in Owner’s, Vista, and Oceania suites who will
