Just Add Land: Europe
More to Explore Consider these city add-ons before or after your European cruise. By Felicity Long No matter how glitzy the ship, half the fun of any Europe cruise is the chance to explore new destinations. Sure, pre- and post-cruise stays are a great choice for passengers who want an in-depth look
New Small-Ship Cruises Launching in Cuba | Cruise News – May 8, 2015
New Small-Ship Cruises Launching in Cuba Cruise News – May 8, 2015 International Expeditions is launching new small-ship cruises on Cuba’s western coast, from Cienfuegos to Havana, officials said. The 7-day sailings, coupled with hotel nights for a 10-day package, will be aboard the 48-passe
New Princess Ship Will Head to China | Cruise News – May 8, 2015
New Princess Ship Will Head to China Cruise News – May 8, 2015 Princess Cruises will send the as-yet-unnamed sister ship to Royal Princess and Regal Princess to China – marking the first Carnival Corp. newbuild destined for the Chinese market. The 3,600-passenger ship, currently under constructi
Five Faves: Bring on the May Flowers (and More Celebrations)!
Porthole’s Five Faves Bring on the May Flowers (and More)! Our five favorite May Day celebrations around the world. The April showers are just about over, which means it’s time to have a little fun in the sun for May Day. The first of May is a holiday with deep roots in different parts of [&hell
Cuba will be hot in 2016 … predicts Cuba Cruise | Cruise News – Apr. 10, 2015
Cuba will be hot in 2016 … predicts Cuba Cruise Cruise News – Apr. 10, 2015 Cuba Cruise’s M/V Louis Cristal just wrapped up its 2015 season, but the Canadian company says there’s already hot interest from Americans in its 2016 program — now that relations between the United
Cuba, China, and the Super Bowl | Cruise News – Mar. 20, 2015
Cuba, China, and the Super Bowl Cruise News – Mar. 20, 2015 [[Here’s what we learned this week at Cruise Shipping Miami 2015, the cruise industry’s largest annual gathering.]] On a “State of the Global Industry” panel, hosted by CNN’s colorful business correspondent R
Five Faves: Spring Has Sprung! What better time to check out these amazing gardens around the world?
Porthole’s Five Faves Spring Has Sprung! What better time to check out these amazing gardens around the world? As much of the world begins to thaw out from winter, we thought it’d be a good time to warm up to some of the world’s most beautiful gardens. Imagine stepping off a ship and into a [&
Just Add Land: Cuba
Welcome Back What cruisers can expect when they call on Cuba. By John and Sandra Nowlan When American cruise ships return to Havana, visitors will sail past 16th-century Spanish fortifications, along the esplanade and seawall, and close to the edge of historic Old Havana. This bustling metropolis of
Like a Local: Shanghai
Shanghai Surprises Close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Lim Hui Sin I’ve lived in Shanghai for a dozen years and it still surprises me. While the city has changed so much since I first arrived — some parts becoming completely unrecognizable — other features remain exactly the
Destination Discovery/Seychelles
For Cruisers Who Have Done It All By Lynne Helm Next Stop: The Seychelles . . . It’s no wonder that William and Kate, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, chose to honeymoon in the Seychelle Islands. There’s no better place to get away from it all than these tropical stepping stones in the [&h
Five Faves: Idyllic Escapes. Cruise lines’ private islands offer perfect beach days — and so much more.
Porthole‘s Five Faves Idyllic Escapes Cruise lines’ private islands offer perfect beach days — and so much more. The Caribbean has always been, and probably always will be, the No. 1 cruise destination. There’s just something about basking in the tropical sun, exploring island culture, a
Like a Local: Auckland
City of Sails When cruising from Auckland, close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Rosemary Neave Auckland has been my home since my 20s, when I came for a holiday, fell in love with New Zealand, and never left. As a web designer and passionate networker, I love sharing stories and [&h
Just Add Land: Train Journeys
Ride the Rails If a weeklong cruise just isn’t enough, combine it with a train adventure for a trip of a lifetime. By Sherry Laskin It’s not a new concept. Rail-and-sail vacations have been around for years. But lately, word is getting around about these unique extended adventures. When combined
Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Dec. 19, 2014
Porthole Cruise News Briefs Cruise News – Dec. 19, 2014 Now that there are plans to restore diplomatic relations, will Cuba be the next hot cruise destination? UBS Investment analyst Robin Farley, in a note to investors, says Cuba could represent “significant opportunity” for cr
Would You Cruise Cuba?
Would You Cruise Cuba? The Caribbean’s largest island is a fascinating destination waiting to be explored With the surprising news that the U.S. government wants to re-establish diplomatic relations and ease restrictions on travel to Cuba, chances are American cruise companies are already looking
Like A Local: Martinique… French Twist
French Twist In Martinique, close the guidebooks and let a local lead the way. By Alyssa James I hadn’t even heard of Martinique until a month before I decided to apply to work on the island. I wanted to live in France to improve my French while nibbling baguettes and savoring wine, but as soon [&
Amazing Amazon: Cruising Glamorously in the Wilds of the Jungle
Amazing Amazon Cruising glamorously in the wilds of the jungle By Fran Golden I sit in a cushioned chair on a 10-person skiff, experiencing the Peruvian Amazon with National Geographic’s cruise partner Lindblad Expeditions. Anacondas and red-eyed caimans float below the water’s murky sur
Artisans of the World: Jean Taylor. Caribbean Artist Paints Local Life in Bold Colors
Island Inspired Caribbean artist paints local life in bold colors. By Richard Varr It’s an island scene the way Jean Taylor remembers it. Two women ring clothes in a washtub; another hangs baggy pants out to dry. A finger-pointing mother scolds her child. And behind them, dirt pathways intertwine
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
Canada/New England Souvenirs
Souvenir Shopping List Don’t miss these mementos of your Canada/New England cruise. By Felicity Long Admit it. Those of us who love to cruise also often love to shop. But passengers who go ashore for only a few hours can often get sidetracked by touristy stores selling T-shirts and shot glasses, o